US5920304A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Random bounce cursor mode after cessation of user input
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1997-02-18
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Granted: 1999-07-06
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Expires: 2017-02-18
Abstract
Abstract A user interface for a computer system display in which a random bounce mode is entered after a period of inactivity by the user. A timer is started at the cessation of user input. Once the timer has reached a predetermined threshold, e.g., one to five minutes, a random bounce mode is entered in which a cursor is continuously moved in the user interface. The system exits the random bounce mode once user input to the computer system is detected.
Inventors
- 👤 Viktors Berstis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:15
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G5/00; G09G5/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for presenting a user interface for a computer system display, comprising the steps of: starting a timer at cessation of user input; determining that the timer has reached a predetermined threshold; and responsive to the timer reaching the predetermined threshold, entering a random bounce mode in which a cursor is continuously moved in the user interface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for presenting a user interface for a computer system display, comprising the steps of: starting a timer at cessation of user input; determining that the timer has reached a predetermined threshold; and responsive to the timer reaching the predetermined threshold, entering a random bounce mode in which a cursor is continuously moved in the user interface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of exiting the random bounce mode once user input to the computer system is detected.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein during the random bounce mode the cursor is moved along a path which substantially covers a window display area.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of changing cursor appearance as the cursor moves over objects in the interface during the random bounce mode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as recited in claim 4 wherein the cursor appearance is designed to inform a user how to activate actions associated with particular objects.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as recited in claim 5 further comprising the step of slowing the movement of the cursor in the random bounce mode over objects in the interface.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
62 words
A system for presenting a user interface for a computer system display, comprising: means for starting a timer at cessation of user input; means for deter mining that the timer has reached a predetermined threshold; and means responsive to the timer reaching the predetermined threshold for entering a random bounce mode in which a cursor is continuously moved in the user interface.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
62 words
A system for presenting a user interface for a computer system display, comprising: means for starting a timer at cessation of user input; means for deter mining that the timer has reached a predetermined threshold; and means responsive to the timer reaching the predetermined threshold for entering a random bounce mode in which a cursor is continuously moved in the user interface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system as recited in claim 7 further comprising means for exiting the random bounce mode once user input to the computer system is detected.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system as recited in claim 7 wherein during the random bounce mode the cursor is moved along a path which substantially covers a window display area.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system as recited in claim 7 further comprising means for changing cursor appearance as the cursor moves over objects in the interface during the random bounce mode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system as recited in claim 10 wherein the cursor appearance is designed to inform a user how to activate actions associated with particular objects.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system as recited in claim 11 further comprising means for slowing the movement of the cursor in the random bounce mode over objects in the interface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
68 words
A computer program product on a computer readable medium for presenting a user interface for a computer system display, comprising: means for starting a timer at cessation of user input; means for determining that the timer has reached a predetermined threshold; and means responsive to the timer reaching the predetermined threshold for entering a random bounce mode in which a cursor is continuously moved in the user interface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
68 words
A computer program product on a computer readable medium for presenting a user interface for a computer system display, comprising: means for starting a timer at cessation of user input; means for determining that the timer has reached a predetermined threshold; and means responsive to the timer reaching the predetermined threshold for entering a random bounce mode in which a cursor is continuously moved in the user interface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The product as recited in claim 13 further comprising means for exiting the random bounce mode once user input to the computer system is detected.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The product as recited in claim 13 wherein during the random bounce mode the cursor is moved along a path which substantially covers a window display area.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The product as recited in claim 13 further comprising means for changing cursor appearance as the cursor moves over objects in the interface during the random bounce mode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The product as recited in claim 16 wherein the cursor appearance is designed to inform a user how to activate actions associated with particular objects.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The product as recited in claim 17 further comprising means for slowing the movement of the cursor in the random bounce mode over objects in the interface.
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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) | 2002-07-05 | 2003-01-04 | 2003-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-07-05 | 2007-01-04 | 2007-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-07-05 | 2011-01-04 | 2011-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |