Patent US6043818A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6043818A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Background image with a continuously rotating and functional 3D icon
Assignee: Thomson Licensing SAS
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Filing: 1996-06-17
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Granted: 2000-03-28
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Expires: 2016-06-17
Abstract
Abstract A graphical user interface displays a three-dimensional icon with a background image. The 3D icon is selectable by a user to carry out a corresponding function. The icon is continuously rotated and having a shadow. A graphical user interface also displays a first menu image on a display for an operating system on a computer. The first menu image includes a taskbar image which carries button images selectable by the user to carry out a function. The GUI also displays a second menu image on the display for a navigator software which is running under the operating system. The navigator software provides a quasi-operating system environment. The GUI displays the taskbar image in the second menu image whereby the user can carry out functions of the operating system from within the quasi-operating system environment provided by the navigator software. Three visual walls are arranged on the GUI as if the user is standing inside a three-dimensional cube and open to the sky. Clicking once either on the side walls moves the contents of the side wall to the center, in effect rotating the cube. When a wall is centered, the user can activate any function in the wall by clicking on a button. Buttons displayed in the side wall may be immediately activated by double clicking so the user does not have to center the side wall.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroaki Nakano
- 👤 Takashi Sugiyama
- 👤 Halil Bakoglu
- 👤 George Cossey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:45
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/04815; G06F3/0482; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/048; G06F2203/04802; G06F2203/04804; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S715/00; Y10S715/977
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A graphical user interface for displaying a menu image on a display, comprising: first means for displaying a background image on said display; second means for displaying a three-dimensional icon on said display, said icon being selectable by a user to carry out a corresponding function; and, third means for continuously transforming an outer-shape of said three-dimensional icon on said display thereby distinguishing said three-dimensional icon from said background image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
70 words
A graphical user interface for displaying a menu image on a display, comprising: first means for displaying a background image on said display; second means for displaying a three-dimensional icon on said display, said icon being selectable by a user to carry out a corresponding function; and, third means for continuously transforming an outer-shape of said three-dimensional icon on said display thereby distinguishing said three-dimensional icon from said background image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The graphical user interface according to claim 1, wherein said third means rotates said three-dimensional icon on said display.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The graphical user interface according to claim 1, wherein said third means comprises a memory for storing plural images representing said three-dimensional icon viewed from plural different directions and means for sequentially reading said plural images from said memory thereby displaying said plural images on said display as said continuously moving three-dimensional icon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The graphical user interface according to claim 1, further comprising fourth means for displaying a shadow of said three-dimensional icon thereunder on said display.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
129 words
A graphical user interface for displaying a menu image on a display, comprising: first means operable by a user for selecting one of plural display modes; second means for displaying a background image on said display in different arrangements in accordance with the mode selected by said first means; third means for displaying at least one three-dimensional icon on said display, said three-dimensional icon being selectable by the user to carry out a corresponding function, wherein said three-dimensional icon is displayed at fixed position on said display regardless of which one of said plural modes is selected by said first means; and fourth means for continuously transforming an outer-shape of said three-dimensional icon at said fixed position on said display thereby distinguishing said three-dimensional icon from said background image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
129 words
A graphical user interface for displaying a menu image on a display, comprising: first means operable by a user for selecting one of plural display modes; second means for displaying a background image on said display in different arrangements in accordance with the mode selected by said first means; third means for displaying at least one three-dimensional icon on said display, said three-dimensional icon being selectable by the user to carry out a corresponding function, wherein said three-dimensional icon is displayed at fixed position on said display regardless of which one of said plural modes is selected by said first means; and fourth means for continuously transforming an outer-shape of said three-dimensional icon at said fixed position on said display thereby distinguishing said three-dimensional icon from said background image.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The graphical user interface according to claim 5, wherein said fourth means comprises a memory for storing plural images each representing said three-dimensional icon viewed from plural different directions and continuously reads said plural images from said memory thereby display said plural images on said display as said continuously moving three-dimensional icon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The graphical user interface according to claim 5, further comprising fifth means for displaying plural shadows each corresponding to said three-dimensional icon thereunder on said display.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The graphical user interface according to claim 7, wherein said fifth means moves each of said plural shadows as said three dimensional icon moves.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The graphical user interface according to claim 4, wherein said fourth means moves said shadow as said three-dimensional icon moves.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for providing a graphical user interface for displaying a menu image on a display, comprising the steps of: displaying a background image on said display; displaying a three-dimensional icon on said display, said icon being selectable by a user to carry out a corresponding function; and, continuously transforming an outer-shape of said three-dimensional icon on said display thereby distinguishing said three-dimensional icon from said background image.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for providing a graphical user interface for displaying a menu image on a display, comprising the steps of: displaying a background image on said display; displaying a three-dimensional icon on said display, said icon being selectable by a user to carry out a corresponding function; and, continuously transforming an outer-shape of said three-dimensional icon on said display thereby distinguishing said three-dimensional icon from said background image.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 10, wherein said three-dimensional icon continuously rotates on said display in the moving step to thereby distinguish said three-dimensional icon from said background image.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of displaying said three-dimensional icon comprises the step of sequentially reading from a memory plural images representing said three-dimensional icon viewed from plural different directions thereby displaying said plural images as the rotating three-dimensional icon.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of displaying a shadow of said three-dimensional icon thereunder on said display.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 13, wherein said shadow moves as said three-dimensional-icon moves.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for providing a graphical user interface for displaying a menu image on a display, comprising the steps of: selecting one of plural display modes; displaying a background image on said display in different arrangements in accordance with the mode selected in the selecting step; displaying a three-dimensional icon on said display, said three-dimensional icon being selectable by a user to carry out corresponding function, wherein said three-dimensional icon is displayed at fixed position on said display regardless of which one of said plural modes is selected in the selecting step; and, continuously transforming an outer-shape of said plural three-dimensional icon at said fixed position on said display thereby distinguishing said three-dimensional icon from said background image.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for providing a graphical user interface for displaying a menu image on a display, comprising the steps of: selecting one of plural display modes; displaying a background image on said display in different arrangements in accordance with the mode selected in the selecting step; displaying a three-dimensional icon on said display, said three-dimensional icon being selectable by a user to carry out corresponding function, wherein said three-dimensional icon is displayed at fixed position on said display regardless of which one of said plural modes is selected in the selecting step; and, continuously transforming an outer-shape of said plural three-dimensional icon at said fixed position on said display thereby distinguishing said three-dimensional icon from said background image.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method according to claim 15, wherein the step of displaying said three-dimensional icon comprises the step of sequentially reading from a memory plural images representing said three-dimensional icon viewed from plural different directions thereby displaying said plural images as the moving three-dimensional icon.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of displaying shadow corresponding to said three-dimensional icon thereunder on said display.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 17, wherein said shadow moves as said three dimensional icon moves.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
74 words
A storage medium storing a program for providing a graphical user interface for displaying a menu image on a display, said program comprising the steps of: displaying a background image on said display; displaying a three-dimensional icon on said display, said icon being selectable by a user to carry out a corresponding function; and, continuously transforming an outer-shape of said three-dimensional icon on said display thereby distinguishing said three-dimensional icon from said background image.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
74 words
A storage medium storing a program for providing a graphical user interface for displaying a menu image on a display, said program comprising the steps of: displaying a background image on said display; displaying a three-dimensional icon on said display, said icon being selectable by a user to carry out a corresponding function; and, continuously transforming an outer-shape of said three-dimensional icon on said display thereby distinguishing said three-dimensional icon from said background image.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The storage medium according to claim 19, wherein said three-dimensional icon continuously rotates on said display in the moving step.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
45 words
The storage medium according to claim 19, wherein the step of displaying said three-dimensional icon comprises the step of sequentially reading from a memory plural images representing said three-dimensional icon viewed from plural different directions thereby displaying said plural images as the moving three-dimensional icon.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The storage medium according to claim 19, said program further comprising the step of displaying a shadow of said three-dimensional icon thereunder on said display.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The storage according to claim 22, wherein said shadow moves as said three-dimensional icon moves.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
123 words
A storage medium storing a program for providing a graphical user interface for displaying a menu image on a display, said program comprising the steps of: selecting one of plural display modes; displaying a background image on said display in different arrangements in accordance with the mode selected in the selecting step; displaying a three-dimensional icon on said display, said three-dimensional icon being selectable by a user to carry out corresponding function, wherein said three-dimensional icon is displayed at fixed position on said display regardless of which one of said plural modes is selected in the selecting step; and, continuously transforming an outer-shape of said three-dimensional icon at said fixed position on said display thereby distinguishing said three-dimensional icon from said background image.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
123 words
A storage medium storing a program for providing a graphical user interface for displaying a menu image on a display, said program comprising the steps of: selecting one of plural display modes; displaying a background image on said display in different arrangements in accordance with the mode selected in the selecting step; displaying a three-dimensional icon on said display, said three-dimensional icon being selectable by a user to carry out corresponding function, wherein said three-dimensional icon is displayed at fixed position on said display regardless of which one of said plural modes is selected in the selecting step; and, continuously transforming an outer-shape of said three-dimensional icon at said fixed position on said display thereby distinguishing said three-dimensional icon from said background image.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
45 words
The storage medium according to claim 24, wherein the step of displaying said three-dimensional icon comprises the step of sequentially reading from a memory plural images representing said three-dimensional icon viewed from plural different directions thereby displaying said plural images as the moving three-dimensional icon.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
The storage medium according to claim 24, said program further comprising the step of displaying shadow corresponding to said three-dimensional icon thereunder on said display.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according claim 26, wherein said shadow moves as said three dimensional icon moves.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
67 words
A graphical user interface for displaying a menu image on a display, comprising: first means for displaying a background image on said display; second means for displaying an icon on said display, said icon being selectable by a user to carry out a corresponding function; and, third means for continuously transforming an outer-shape of said icon on said display thereby distinguishing said icon from said background image.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
67 words
A graphical user interface for displaying a menu image on a display, comprising: first means for displaying a background image on said display; second means for displaying an icon on said display, said icon being selectable by a user to carry out a corresponding function; and, third means for continuously transforming an outer-shape of said icon on said display thereby distinguishing said icon from said background image.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
124 words
A graphical user interface for displaying a menu image on a display, comprising: first means operable by a user for selecting one of plural display modes; second means for displaying a background image on said display in different arrangements in accordance with the mode selected by said first means; third means for displaying at least one icon on said display, said icon being selectable by the user to carry out a corresponding function, wherein said icon is displayed at fixed position on said display regardless of which one of said plural modes is selected by said first means; and fourth means for continuously transforming an outer-shape of said icon at said fixed position on said display thereby distinguishing said icon from said background image.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
124 words
A graphical user interface for displaying a menu image on a display, comprising: first means operable by a user for selecting one of plural display modes; second means for displaying a background image on said display in different arrangements in accordance with the mode selected by said first means; third means for displaying at least one icon on said display, said icon being selectable by the user to carry out a corresponding function, wherein said icon is displayed at fixed position on said display regardless of which one of said plural modes is selected by said first means; and fourth means for continuously transforming an outer-shape of said icon at said fixed position on said display thereby distinguishing said icon from said background image.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for providing a graphical user interface for displaying a menu image on a display, comprising the steps of: displaying a background image on said display; displaying an icon on said display, said icon being selectable by a user to carry out a corresponding function; and, continuously transforming an outer-shape of said icon on said display thereby distinguishing said icon from said background image.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for providing a graphical user interface for displaying a menu image on a display, comprising the steps of: displaying a background image on said display; displaying an icon on said display, said icon being selectable by a user to carry out a corresponding function; and, continuously transforming an outer-shape of said icon on said display thereby distinguishing said icon from said background image.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for providing a graphical user interface for displaying a menu image on a display, comprising the steps of: selecting one of plural display modes; displaying a background image on said display in different arrangements in accordance with the mode selected in the selecting step; displaying an icon on said display, said icon being selectable by a user to carry out corresponding function, wherein said icon is displayed at fixed position on said display regardless of which one of said plural modes is selected in the selecting step; and, continuously transforming an outer-shape of said plural icon at said fixed position on said display thereby distinguishing said icon from said background image.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for providing a graphical user interface for displaying a menu image on a display, comprising the steps of: selecting one of plural display modes; displaying a background image on said display in different arrangements in accordance with the mode selected in the selecting step; displaying an icon on said display, said icon being selectable by a user to carry out corresponding function, wherein said icon is displayed at fixed position on said display regardless of which one of said plural modes is selected in the selecting step; and, continuously transforming an outer-shape of said plural icon at said fixed position on said display thereby distinguishing said icon from said background image.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
71 words
A storage medium storing a program for providing a graphical user interface for displaying a menu image on a display, said program comprising the steps of: displaying a background image on said display; displaying an icon on said display, said icon being selectable by a user to carry out a corresponding function; and, continuously transforming an outer-shape of said icon on said display thereby distinguishing said icon from said background image.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
71 words
A storage medium storing a program for providing a graphical user interface for displaying a menu image on a display, said program comprising the steps of: displaying a background image on said display; displaying an icon on said display, said icon being selectable by a user to carry out a corresponding function; and, continuously transforming an outer-shape of said icon on said display thereby distinguishing said icon from said background image.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
118 words
A storage medium storing a program for providing a graphical user interface for displaying a menu image on a display, said program comprising the steps of: selecting one of plural display modes; displaying a background image on said display in different arrangements in accordance with the mode selected in the selecting step; displaying an icon on said display, said icon being selectable by a user to carry out corresponding function, wherein said icon is displayed at fixed position on said display regardless of which one of said plural modes is selected in the selecting step; and, continuously transforming an outer-shape of said icon at said fixed position on said display thereby distinguishing said icon from said background image.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
118 words
A storage medium storing a program for providing a graphical user interface for displaying a menu image on a display, said program comprising the steps of: selecting one of plural display modes; displaying a background image on said display in different arrangements in accordance with the mode selected in the selecting step; displaying an icon on said display, said icon being selectable by a user to carry out corresponding function, wherein said icon is displayed at fixed position on said display regardless of which one of said plural modes is selected in the selecting step; and, continuously transforming an outer-shape of said icon at said fixed position on said display thereby distinguishing said icon from said background image.
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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) | 2003-03-28 | 2003-09-27 | 2004-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-28 | 2007-09-27 | 2008-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-28 | 2011-09-27 | 2012-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |