US5819055A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for docking re-sizeable interface boxes
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
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Filing: 1994-12-13
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Granted: 1998-10-06
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Expires: 2014-12-13
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus are provided for docking re-sizeable graphical user interface (GUI) boxes to a docking region located along a side of a primary GUI box with which the dock is associated. When a first GUI box becomes associated with a dock so that at least one resizeable GUI box is associated with a row of the dock to which the first GUI box is to be added, the dimensions of at least one GUI box associated with the row of the dock are altered automatically so that the docked GUI box occupies a prescribed length of a row of the dock. In a row containing at least two re-sizeable GUI boxes, a row minor splitter detection region is provided for simultaneously altering the along dimension of at least two of the re-sizeable GUI boxes. In a row containing at least one re-sizeable GUI box, a row major splitter detection region is provided for modifying the across dimension of the row and all re-sizeable windows contained in the row.
Inventors
- 👤 Brendan X. MacLean
- 👤 Bradford A. Christian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:41
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 71
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for arranging re-sizeable graphical user interface (GUI) boxes on a GUI having at least one dock, the size of the re-sizeable GUI boxes being alterable by means of re-sizing zones associated with edges of the re-sizeable GUI boxes, said method comprising the steps of: selecting a first docking region on the at least one dock to receive a first GUI box; determining an interval on one dimension of the first docking region for displaying the first GUI box on the GUI; and re-sizing a re-sizeable GUI box associated with the at least one dock without manipulation by a user of a re-sizing zone associated with the re-sizeable GUI box in order to display the first GUI box within the interval.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for arranging re-sizeable graphical user interface (GUI) boxes on a GUI having at least one dock, the size of the re-sizeable GUI boxes being alterable by means of re-sizing zones associated with edges of the re-sizeable GUI boxes, said method comprising the steps of: selecting a first docking region on the at least one dock to receive a first GUI box; determining an interval on one dimension of the first docking region for displaying the first GUI box on the GUI; and re-sizing a re-sizeable GUI box associated with the at least one dock without manipulation by a user of a re-sizing zone associated with the re-sizeable GUI box in order to display the first GUI box within the interval.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the re-sizing a re-sizeable GUI box step comprises modifying an along dimension of the re-sizeable GUI box.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the re-sizing a re-sizeable GUI box step comprises modifying an across dimension of the re-sizeable GUI box.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the re-sizeable GUI box associated with the at least one dock is the first GUI box.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the re-sizeable GUI box associated with the at least one dock is a second GUI box associated with the at least one dock.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
100 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the first and second GUI boxes occupy a first dock row, the method further comprising the steps of: selecting a minor splitter detection region disposed in a first location on the first dock row; re-positioning the minor splitter detection region to a second location on the first dock row in accordance with a user initiated command; determining a new along dimension for the second GUI box and a new set of boundaries for the first and second GUI boxes in accordance with the re-positioning of the minor splitter detection region to the second location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 6 wherein a third GUI box is disposed on the first dock row, further comprising the step of: determining a new along dimension and set of boundaries for the third GUI box in accordance with the re-positioning of the minor splitter detection region to the second location.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the first GUI box has a re-sizeable along dimension and a minimum along dimension, the third GUI box is disposed next to the first GUI box, and the third GUI box is not disposed next to the second GUI box, further comprising the step of reducing the along dimension of the first GUI box to the minimum along dimension in accordance with the re-positioning of the minor splitter detection region to the second location.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the first GUI box has a fixed along dimension, the third GUI box is disposed next to the first GUI box, and the third GUI box is not disposed next to the second GUI box, further comprising the steps of moving the borders of the first GUI box and maintaining a same set of dimensions for the first GUI box in accordance with the re-positioning of the minor splitter detection region to the second location.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising the steps of: selecting a major splitter detection region disposed in a first location; re-positioning the major splitter detection region to a second location in accordance with a user initiated command; and determining a new across dimension for the second GUI box and a new set of absolute GUI boundaries for the first GUI box and the second GUI box in accordance with the re-positioning of the major splitter detection region to the second location.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
90 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first GUI box includes a first display mode for displaying the first GUI box on the graphical user interface when the first GUI box is not associated with a docking region, and a second display mode for displaying the first GUI box when the first GUI box associates with a docking region, and wherein said method further comprises the step of switching from the first display mode to the second display mode when the first GUI box becomes associated with a docking region.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 11 wherein both the first display mode and second display mode include a document space.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the first display mode for the first GUI box includes a title bar and the second display mode for the first GUI box does not include the title bar.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the first display mode for the first GUI box includes a re-size border and the second display mode for the first GUI box does not include the re-size border.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the first display mode for the first GUI box includes a close box for closing the process associated with the first GUI box and the second display mode does not include the close box.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the second display mode for the first GUI box includes a border for moving the first GUI box and the first display mode for the first GUI box does not include the border for moving the first GUI box.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of re-defining a work area region of a parent GUI box containing the at least one dock to exclude from a maximum work area region of the parent GUI box the portion of the parent GUI box occupied by GUI boxes associated with the at least one dock.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one dock comprises a plurality of docks, and wherein the selecting a first docking region step comprises determining a first dock of the plurality of docks to which the first GUI box is to be added.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one dock includes a first dock comprising a set of rows, and wherein the selecting a first docking region step comprises determining a first row of the set of rows to which the first GUI box is to be added.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the first row comprises at least one previously docked GUI box, and further comprising the step of determining a relative order in the row for placing the first GUI box in relation to the at least one previously docked GUI box.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
92 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first GUI box includes a dock placement field and wherein the method comprises the further steps of: transforming the display state of the first GUI box to a hidden state and storing in the dock placement field information identifying a first display region; receiving a user command signal indicating that the first GUI box is to be transformed back to a displayed state from the hidden state and in response displaying the first GUI box in accordance with the information identifying the first display region.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the information identifying the first display region comprises a dock identification.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the information identifying the first display region further comprises a row identification for a row within the identified dock.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the information identifying the first display region further comprises a position of the first GUI box within the identified row.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the information identifying the first display region comprises size information associated with the first GUI box.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for modifying a set of boundaries associated with a plurality of GUI boxes by executing a single user initiated GUI re-sizing operation, the method comprising the steps of: selecting a re-sizing detection region disposed in a first location adjacent to a first GUI box and a second GUI box; re-positioning the re-sizing detection region to a second location in accordance with a user initiated command; and defining a new set of boundaries for the first GUI box and the second GUI box in accordance with the re-positioning of the re-sizing detection region to the second location.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for modifying a set of boundaries associated with a plurality of GUI boxes by executing a single user initiated GUI re-sizing operation, the method comprising the steps of: selecting a re-sizing detection region disposed in a first location adjacent to a first GUI box and a second GUI box; re-positioning the re-sizing detection region to a second location in accordance with a user initiated command; and defining a new set of boundaries for the first GUI box and the second GUI box in accordance with the re-positioning of the re-sizing detection region to the second location.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the re-sizing detection region is disposed between the first GUI box and the second GUI box in a row, and further comprising the step of determining a new along dimension for the first GUI box in accordance with the re-positioning of the re-sizing detection region to the second location.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the re-sizing detection region is disposed along a row including both the first GUI box and the second GUI box, further comprising the step of determining a new across dimension for the first GUI box in accordance with the re-positioning of the re-sizing detection region to the second location.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
107 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the first GUI box is associated with a first dock disposed on a first boundary of a primary GUI box, the second GUI box is associated with a second dock disposed on a second boundary of the primary GUI box perpendicular to the first boundary, and the re-sizing detection region is disposed on an edge of the second GUI box parallel to the second boundary of the primary GUI box, said method further comprising the steps of: determining a new along dimension for the first GUI box in accordance with the repositioning of the re-sizing detection region to the second location.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 29 further comprising the steps of: receiving a command re-sizing the dimension of the primary GUI box; and re-sizing the along dimension of at least a one of the first and second docks while maintaining the across dimension of both the first and second docks.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
139 words
A computer system including a graphical user interface (GUI) having at least one dock facilitating the arranging of re-sizeable GUI boxes, the size of the re-sizeable GUI boxes being alterable by means of re-sizing zones associated with edges of the re-sizeable GUI boxes when the re-sizable GUI boxes are not associated with the at least one dock, the GUI comprising: a first docking region on the at least one dock for accepting a first GUI box; an interval on one dimension of the first docking region for displaying the first GUI box on the GUI; and means for re-sizing a re-sizeable GUI box associated with the at least one dock without manipulation by a user of a one of the re-sizing zones associated with the re-sizeable GUI box in order to display the first GUI box within the interval.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
139 words
A computer system including a graphical user interface (GUI) having at least one dock facilitating the arranging of re-sizeable GUI boxes, the size of the re-sizeable GUI boxes being alterable by means of re-sizing zones associated with edges of the re-sizeable GUI boxes when the re-sizable GUI boxes are not associated with the at least one dock, the GUI comprising: a first docking region on the at least one dock for accepting a first GUI box; an interval on one dimension of the first docking region for displaying the first GUI box on the GUI; and means for re-sizing a re-sizeable GUI box associated with the at least one dock without manipulation by a user of a one of the re-sizing zones associated with the re-sizeable GUI box in order to display the first GUI box within the interval.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer system of claim 31 wherein the means for re-sizing a re-sizeable GUI box comprises means for modifying an along dimension of the re-sizeable GUI box.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer system of claim 31 wherein the means for re-sizing a re-sizeable GUI box comprises means for modifying an across dimension of the re-sizeable GUI box.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer system of claim 31 wherein the re-sizeable GUI box associated with the at least one dock is the first GUI box.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer system of claim 31 wherein the re-sizeable GUI box associated with the at least one dock is a second GUI box associated with the at least one dock.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
109 words
The computer system of claim 35 further comprising: a minor splitter detection region disposed in a first location on a first dock row containing the first and second GUI boxes; means for re-positioning the minor splitter detection region to a second location on the first dock row in accordance with a user initiated command; means for calculating new along dimensions for GUI boxes within the first dock row including: means for determining a new along dimension for the second GUI box and a new set of boundaries for the first and second GUI boxes in accordance with the re-positioning of the minor splitter detection region to the second location.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
86 words
The computer system of claim 35 further comprising: a major splitter detection region disposed in a first location; means for re-positioning the major splitter detection region to a second location in accordance with a user initiated command; and means for calculating a new across dimension for the second GUI box and a new set of absolute GUI positions for the boundaries of the first GUI box and the second GUI box in accordance with the re-positioning of the major splitter detection region to the second location.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
91 words
The computer system of claim 31 wherein the first GUI box includes a first display mode for displaying the first GUI box on the graphical user interface when the first GUI box is not associated with a docking region, and a second display mode for displaying the first GUI box when the first GUI box associates with a docking region, and wherein said computer system further comprises means for switching from the first display mode to the second display mode when the first GUI box becomes associated with a docking region.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer system of claim 38 wherein the first display mode for the first GUI box includes a title bar and the second display mode for the first GUI box does not include the title bar.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer system of claim 38 wherein the first display mode for the first GUI box includes a re-size border and the second display mode for the first GUI box does not include the re-size border.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
46 words
The computer system of claim 38 wherein the second display mode for the first GUI box includes a border for moving the first GUI box and the first display mode for the first GUI box does not include the border for moving the first GUI box.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
57 words
The computer system of claim 31 further comprising means for re-defining a work area region of a parent GUI box containing the at least one dock to exclude from a maximum work area region of the parent GUI box the portion of the parent GUI box occupied by GUI boxes associated with the at least one dock.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
45 words
The computer system of claim 31 wherein the at least one dock comprises a plurality of docks, and wherein the computer system further comprises means for determining a first dock of the plurality of docks to which the first GUI box is to be added.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
49 words
The computer system of claim 31 wherein the at least one dock includes a first dock comprising a set of rows, and wherein the computer system further comprises means for determining a first row of the set of rows to which the first GUI box is to be added.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
95 words
The computer system of claim 31 wherein the first GUI box includes a dock placement field and wherein the computer system further comprises: means for transforming the display state of the first GUI box to a hidden state and storing in the dock placement field information identifying a first display region; means for receiving a user command signal indicating that the first GUI box is to be transformed back to a displayed state from the hidden state and in response displaying the first GUI box in accordance with the information identifying the first display region.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer system of claim 45 wherein the information identifying the first display region comprises a dock identification.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer system of claim 46 wherein the information identifying the first display region further comprises a row identification for a row within the identified dock.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer system of claim 47 wherein the information identifying the first display region further comprises a position of the first GUI box within the identified row.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer system of claim 31 wherein the information identifying the first display region comprises size information associated with the first GUI box.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
107 words
A computer system for modifying a set of boundaries associated with a plurality of GUI boxes by executing a single user initiated GUI re-sizing operation, the computer system comprising: means for selecting a re-sizing detection region disposed in a first location adjacent to a first GUI box and a second GUI box; means for re-positioning the re-sizing detection region to a second location in accordance with a user initiated command; and means for defining a new set of boundaries for the first GUI box and the second GUI box in accordance with a value corresponding to the re-positioning of the re-sizing detection region to the second location.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
107 words
A computer system for modifying a set of boundaries associated with a plurality of GUI boxes by executing a single user initiated GUI re-sizing operation, the computer system comprising: means for selecting a re-sizing detection region disposed in a first location adjacent to a first GUI box and a second GUI box; means for re-positioning the re-sizing detection region to a second location in accordance with a user initiated command; and means for defining a new set of boundaries for the first GUI box and the second GUI box in accordance with a value corresponding to the re-positioning of the re-sizing detection region to the second location.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
63 words
The computer system of claim 50 wherein the re-sizing detection region is disposed between the first GUI box and the second GUI box in a row, and wherein the computer system further comprises means for determining a new along dimension for the first GUI box in accordance with a value corresponding to the re-positioning of the re-sizing detection region to the second location.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
64 words
The computer system of claim 50 wherein the re-sizing detection region is disposed along a row including both the first GUI box and the second GUI box, and wherein the computer system further comprises means for determining a new across dimension for the first GUI box in accordance with a value corresponding to the re-positioning of the re-sizing detection region to the second location.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
112 words
The computer system of claim 50 wherein the first GUI box is associated with a first dock disposed on a first boundary of a primary GUI box, the second GUI box is associated with a second dock disposed on a second boundary of the primary GUI box perpendicular to the first boundary, and the re-sizing detection region is disposed on an edge of the second GUI box parallel to the second boundary of the primary GUI box, said computer system further comprising means for determining a new along dimension for the first GUI box in accordance with a value corresponding to the repositioning of the re-sizing detection region to the second location.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
54 words
The computer system of claim 53 further comprising the steps of: means for receiving a command re-sizing the dimension of the primary GUI box; and means for re-sizing the along dimension of at least a one of the first and second docks while maintaining the across dimension of both the first and second docks.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
114 words
A graphical user interface (GUI) box dock, associated with a primary GUI box, for facilitating sizing and placement of a plurality of GUI boxes within the primary GUI box by executing a single user interface re-sizing operation, the GUI box dock comprising: a first docking region containing a re-sizeable first GUI box and a second GUI box associated with the dock; and a first re-sizing detection region disposed adjacent the re-sizeable first GUI box enabling a user to modify a dimension of the re-sizeable first GUI box as well as the absolute GUI positions of boundaries for the re-sizeable first GUI box and the second GUI box by re-positioning the first re-sizing detection region.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
114 words
A graphical user interface (GUI) box dock, associated with a primary GUI box, for facilitating sizing and placement of a plurality of GUI boxes within the primary GUI box by executing a single user interface re-sizing operation, the GUI box dock comprising: a first docking region containing a re-sizeable first GUI box and a second GUI box associated with the dock; and a first re-sizing detection region disposed adjacent the re-sizeable first GUI box enabling a user to modify a dimension of the re-sizeable first GUI box as well as the absolute GUI positions of boundaries for the re-sizeable first GUI box and the second GUI box by re-positioning the first re-sizing detection region.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
68 words
The GUI box dock of claim 55 wherein the first re-sizing detection region comprises a major splitter detection region disposed along a row containing both the re-sizeable first GUI box and the second GUI box, said major splitter detection region facilitating the adjusting of the across dimension of all re-sizeable GUI boxes via a single re-positioning of the major splitter detection region in accordance with a user command.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
48 words
The GUI box dock of claim 55 wherein the first re-sizing detection region comprises a minor splitter detection region disposed between the re-sizeable first GUI box and a second GUI box, said minor splitter detection region adjusting the along dimension of at least the re-sizeable first GUI box.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for arranging re-sizeable graphical user interface (GUI) boxes on a GUI having at least one dock, the size of the re-sizeable GUI boxes being alterable by means of re-sizing zones associated with edges of the GUI boxes when the GUI boxes are not associated with a dock, said method comprising the steps of: determining an interval on one dimension of a first docking region on a dock for displaying a first GUI box; and re-sizing a GUI box associated with the at least one dock without manipulation by a user of a one of the re-sizing zones associated with the GUI box in order to display the first GUI box within the interval.
Claim 64
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for arranging re-sizeable graphical user interface (GUI) boxes on a GUI having at least one dock, the size of the re-sizeable GUI boxes being alterable by means of re-sizing zones associated with edges of the GUI boxes when the GUI boxes are not associated with a dock, said method comprising the steps of: determining an interval on one dimension of a first docking region on a dock for displaying a first GUI box; and re-sizing a GUI box associated with the at least one dock without manipulation by a user of a one of the re-sizing zones associated with the GUI box in order to display the first GUI box within the interval.
Claim 65
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for arranging graphical user interface (GUI) display elements on a GUI having at least one automatic GUI display element arrangement region, the size of the GUI display elements being alterable by means of re-sizing zones associated with edges of the GUI display elements when the GUI display elements are not associated with an automatic GUI display element arrangement region, said method comprising the steps of: determining an interval on one dimension of a first region on an automated GUI display element arrangement region for displaying a first GUI box; and re-sizing a GUI display element associated with the at least one automatic GUI display element arrangement region without manipulation by a user of a one of the re-sizing zones associated with the GUI display element in order to display the first GUI display element within the interval.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for arranging graphical user interface (GUI) display elements on a GUI having at least one automatic GUI display element arrangement region, the size of the GUI display elements being alterable by means of re-sizing zones associated with edges of the GUI display elements when the GUI display elements are not associated with an automatic GUI display element arrangement region, said method comprising the steps of: determining an interval on one dimension of a first region on an automated GUI display element arrangement region for displaying a first GUI box; and re-sizing a GUI display element associated with the at least one automatic GUI display element arrangement region without manipulation by a user of a one of the re-sizing zones associated with the GUI display element in order to display the first GUI display element within the interval.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for hiding and replacing a GUI box associated with an automatic GUI box arrangement region comprising the steps of: transforming the display state of the GUI box to a hidden state and storing in a dock placement field information identifying a first display region for the GUI box, the information identifying a first display region including at least a row identification; receiving a user command signal indicating that the GUI box is to be transformed back to a displayed state from the hidden state and in response displaying the first GUI box in accordance with the information identifying the first display region.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for hiding and replacing a GUI box associated with an automatic GUI box arrangement region comprising the steps of: transforming the display state of the GUI box to a hidden state and storing in a dock placement field information identifying a first display region for the GUI box, the information identifying a first display region including at least a row identification; receiving a user command signal indicating that the GUI box is to be transformed back to a displayed state from the hidden state and in response displaying the first GUI box in accordance with the information identifying the first display region.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 60 wherein the information identifying the first display region comprises a dock identification.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 60 wherein the information identifying the first display region further comprises a position of the first GUI box within the identified row.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 60 wherein the information identifying the first display region comprises size information associated with the first GUI box.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-10-05 | 2002-04-06 | 2002-10-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-10-05 | 2006-04-06 | 2006-10-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-10-05 | 2010-04-06 | 2010-10-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |