US5995101A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-level tool tip
Assignee: Adobe Inc
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Filing: 1997-10-29
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Granted: 1999-11-30
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Expires: 2017-10-29
Abstract
Abstract A graphical user interface (GUI) for use in a graphical display on a computer monitor includes a cursor that allows a user to point to an area of interest in the graphical display. The GUI also includes an information element that provides a first level of information in the graphical display when the user first points to the area of interest and then provides a subsequent level of information in the graphical display if the user continues to point to the area of interest or presses a selected keystroke.
Inventors
- 👤 David W. Clark
- 👤 Lance Lewis
- 👤 Thomas W. McRae
- 👤 Randolph A. Strauss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 03:58
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0487; G06F3/0489; G06F3/04895; G06F3/0481
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A graphical user interface for use in a graphical display on a computer monitor, comprising: (a) a cursor for pointing to an area of interest in the graphical display; and (b) an information element providing a first level of information in the graphical display when the cursor points to the area of interest, and a subsequent level of information in the graphical display if the cursor continues to point to the area of interest.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
A graphical user interface for use in a graphical display on a computer monitor, comprising: (a) a cursor for pointing to an area of interest in the graphical display; and (b) an information element providing a first level of information in the graphical display when the cursor points to the area of interest, and a subsequent level of information in the graphical display if the cursor continues to point to the area of interest.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the subsequent level of information appears only if the cursor continues to point to the area of interest for a predetermined amount of time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The graphical user interface of claim 2, wherein the predetermined amount of time may be determined by a user.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the subsequent level of information replaces the first level of information in the display.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the subsequent level of information includes more information than the first level of information.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the subsequent level of information includes a text item.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the subsequent level of information includes a video clip.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the subsequent level of information includes an audio clip.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the information element provides an additional level of information if the cursor continues to point to the area of interest after a previous level of information is displayed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the information element disappears when a user takes a prescribed action.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the information element includes a tool tip.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The graphical user interface of claim 1, further comprising a second information element that appears when the cursor points to another area of interest in the display.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the information element provides an additional level of information only if the cursor continues to point to the area of interest and at least one keystroke is activated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The graphical user interface of claim 1, where the first level of information describes the area of interest, and the subsequent level of information further describes the area of interest.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of providing information to a computer user about a particular function of a program executing on the computer, the method comprising: (a) displaying in a graphical display one level of information about the function when a cursor points to an area of the graphical display associated with the function; and (b) displaying in the graphical display a subsequent level of information when the cursor continues to point to the area.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of providing information to a computer user about a particular function of a program executing on the computer, the method comprising: (a) displaying in a graphical display one level of information about the function when a cursor points to an area of the graphical display associated with the function; and (b) displaying in the graphical display a subsequent level of information when the cursor continues to point to the area.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the subsequent level of information is displayed only if the cursor continues to point to the area for a predetermined amount of time.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 16, further comprising allowing the user to determine the predetermined amount of time.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 15, further comprising replacing the first level of information in the display with the subsequent level of information.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the subsequent level of information includes more information than the first level of information.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the subsequent level of information includes a text item.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the subsequent level of information includes a video clip.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the subsequent level of information includes an audio clip.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 15, further comprising providing an additional level of information if the cursor continues to point to the area after a previous level of information is displayed.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 15, further comprising removing the information element from the graphical display when the user takes a prescribed action.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the information element includes a tool tip.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 15, further comprising displaying a second information element when the cursor points to another area in the display.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 15, further comprising providing an additional level of information if the cursor continues to point to the area after a previous level of information is displayed.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the subsequent level of information is displayed only if the cursor continues to point to the area and at least one keystroke is activated.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 15, where the one level of information describes the function, and the subsequent level of information further describes the function.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
97 words
A program, fixed in a storage medium, for use in creating a graphical display on a computer monitor, the program comprising executable instructions that enable a computer system to: (a) display a cursor that allows a user to point to an area of interest in the graphical display; and (b) display an information element that provides a first level of information in the graphical display when the cursor first points to the area of interest and then provides a subsequent level of information in the display if the cursor continues to point to the area of interest.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
97 words
A program, fixed in a storage medium, for use in creating a graphical display on a computer monitor, the program comprising executable instructions that enable a computer system to: (a) display a cursor that allows a user to point to an area of interest in the graphical display; and (b) display an information element that provides a first level of information in the graphical display when the cursor first points to the area of interest and then provides a subsequent level of information in the display if the cursor continues to point to the area of interest.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
The program of claim 30, wherein the subsequent level of information is displayed only if the cursor continues to point to the area for a predetermined amount of time.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
The program of claim 31, further comprising executable instructions that enable a computer system to allow the user to determine the predetermined amount of time.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
The program of claim 30, further comprising executable instructions that enable a computer system to replace the first level of information in the display with the subsequent level of information.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
The program of claim 30, wherein the subsequent level of information includes more information than the first level of information.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
The program of claim 30, wherein the subsequent level of information includes a text item.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
The program of claim 30, wherein the subsequent level of information includes a video clip.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
The program of claim 30, wherein the subsequent level of information includes an audio clip.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
38 words
The program of claim 30, further comprising executable instructions that enable a computer system to provide an additional level of information if the cursor continues to point to the area after a previous level of information is displayed.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
30 words
The program of claim 30, further comprising executable instructions that enable a computer system to remove the information element from the graphical display when the user takes a prescribed action.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
13 words
The program of claim 30, wherein the information element includes a tool tip.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
30 words
The program of claim 30, further comprising executable instructions that enable a computer system to display a second information element when the cursor points to another area in the display.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
38 words
The program of claim 30, further comprising executable instructions that enable a computer system to provide an additional level of information if the cursor continues to point to the area after a previous level of information is displayed.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
30 words
The program of claim 30, wherein the subsequent level of information is displayed only if the cursor continues to point to the area and at least one keystroke is activated.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
28 words
The program of claim 30, where the first level of information describes the area of interest, and the subsequent level of information further describes the area of interest.
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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) | 2002-11-29 | 2003-05-31 | 2003-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-29 | 2007-05-31 | 2007-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-29 | 2011-05-31 | 2011-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |