US6549219B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pie menu graphical user interface
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1999-04-09
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Granted: 2003-04-15
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Expires: 2019-04-09
Abstract
Abstract A graphical user interface includes a plurality of pie menu levels concentrically arranged. Located within the center most section are menu selections generally of greater importance, highest probability of use, historical favorites, category headings, tabs from a tab menu, as well as other high level menu items. Levels extending from the center decrease in frequency of use while increasing in granularity of menu items. Variations in geometric shapes, number of divisions, levels, use of color or texture enhance the use of the pie menus.
Inventors
- 👤 Edwin J Selker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:06
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/0482; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S345/00; Y10S345/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A computer based menu system comprising a plurality of levels of software menu items, said system comprising: a first pie menu comprising a first grouping of said menu items, said first grouping of menu items comprising one or more items, said items dynamically selected based on importance, said importance including any of frequency of use, popularity, historical favorites, and positioned based on a relationship between individual items and items between said levels; at least a second pie menu comprising a second grouping of menu items formed concentrically and essentially encapsulating said first grouping of menu items, said at least second grouping of menu items comprising secondary menu items, said secondary menu items dynamically selected based on importance, said importance including any of frequency of use, popularity, historical favorites, and positioned based on a relationship between individual items within a common level and items between said levels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A computer based menu system comprising a plurality of levels of software menu items, said system comprising: a first pie menu comprising a first grouping of said menu items, said first grouping of menu items comprising one or more items, said items dynamically selected based on importance, said importance including any of frequency of use, popularity, historical favorites, and positioned based on a relationship between individual items and items between said levels; at least a second pie menu comprising a second grouping of menu items formed concentrically and essentially encapsulating said first grouping of menu items, said at least second grouping of menu items comprising secondary menu items, said secondary menu items dynamically selected based on importance, said importance including any of frequency of use, popularity, historical favorites, and positioned based on a relationship between individual items within a common level and items between said levels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A computer based menu system as per claim 1 , wherein said first and second groupings comprise 2 n+1 menu items, where n=grouping number.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A computer based menu system as per claim 1 , wherein each of said groupings of menu items are independently and simultaneously selectable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A computer based menu system as per claim 1 , wherein said menu items are independently and simultaneously selectable as a dialog entry form and said first grouping includes a submission button.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A computer based menu system, as per claim 1 , wherein said menu items are dynamically selected based on frequency of use as determined by an historical analysis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A computer based menu system, as per claim 1 , wherein most frequently used menu items are generally positioned in upper and right locations within each of said groupings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer based menu system, as per claim 1 , wherein each grouping may further comprise mixed levels of granularity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
108 words
A computer product, including computer code for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface comprising: computer code generating a first pie menu comprising a first grouping of menu items, said first grouping of menu items comprising one or more menu items, said items dynamically selected and positioned based on frequency of use as determined by historical analysis; computer code generating at least a second pie menu comprising a second grouping of menu items formed concentrically and essentially encapsulating said first grouping of menu items, said at least second grouping of menu items dynamically selected and positioned based on frequency of use relative to said first and second groupings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
108 words
A computer product, including computer code for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface comprising: computer code generating a first pie menu comprising a first grouping of menu items, said first grouping of menu items comprising one or more menu items, said items dynamically selected and positioned based on frequency of use as determined by historical analysis; computer code generating at least a second pie menu comprising a second grouping of menu items formed concentrically and essentially encapsulating said first grouping of menu items, said at least second grouping of menu items dynamically selected and positioned based on frequency of use relative to said first and second groupings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A computer product, including computer code for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface as per claim 8 , wherein said first and second groupings comprise 2 n+1 menu items, where n=group number.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A computer product, including computer code for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface as per claim 8 , wherein each of said groupings of menu items are independently and simultaneously selectable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
A computer product, including computer code for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface as per claim 8 , wherein said menu items are independently and simultaneously selectable as a dialog entry form and said first grouping includes a submission button.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
A computer product, including computer code for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface, as per claim 8 , wherein most frequently used menu items are dynamically placed in innermost groups of said concentric groupings and generally positioned in upper and right locations within each of said groupings.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A computer product, including computer code for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface, as per claim 8 , wherein each grouping may further comprise mixed levels of granularity.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
111 words
A computer based method for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface comprising: dynamically arranging a first pie menu comprising a first grouping of menu items, said first grouping of menu items comprising a subset of one or more items from a set of menu items, said subset of items dynamically selected and positioned based on frequency of use as determined by an-historical analysis; dynamically creating and positioning additional groupings of menu items, each of said additional groupings formed concentrically and sequentially and essentially encapsulating said first grouping of menu items, said additional groupings of menu items comprising less frequently used menu items relative to said first grouping of menu items.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
111 words
A computer based method for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface comprising: dynamically arranging a first pie menu comprising a first grouping of menu items, said first grouping of menu items comprising a subset of one or more items from a set of menu items, said subset of items dynamically selected and positioned based on frequency of use as determined by an-historical analysis; dynamically creating and positioning additional groupings of menu items, each of said additional groupings formed concentrically and sequentially and essentially encapsulating said first grouping of menu items, said additional groupings of menu items comprising less frequently used menu items relative to said first grouping of menu items.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
A computer based method for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface as per claim 14 , wherein said first and second groupings comprise 2 n+1 menu items, where n=grouping number.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
A computer based method for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface as per claim 14 , wherein said menu items are independently and simultaneously selectable.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
A computer based method for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface as per claim 14 , wherein said menu items are independently and simultaneously selectable as a dialog entry form and said first grouping includes a submission button.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
A computer based method for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface, as per claim 14 , wherein said most frequently used menu items are generally positioned in upper and right locations of each of said groupings.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A computer based method for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface, as per claim 14 , wherein each grouping may further comprise mixed levels of granuality.
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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) | 2006-04-14 | 2006-10-14 | 2007-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-04-14 | 2010-10-14 | 2011-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-04-14 | 2014-10-14 | 2015-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |