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US6636248B1
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Method and system for visually delineating a relationship between related graphical windows in a graphical user interface
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1999-09-01
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Granted: 2003-10-21
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Expires: 2019-09-01
Abstract
Abstract An initial icon is displayed as a watermark throughout related windows to represent a relationship to a particular application. As a user traverses related windows belonging to the same family, the initial icon, displayed as a watermark, is persistent throughout each of the related windows and is displayed in an area maximizing visibility, e.g. on the outer perimeter of the window workspace to maximize the likelihood of being seen when multiple windows overlap.
Inventors
- 👤 Catherine Christensen
- 👤 Ricardo L. Gonzalez
- 👤 David Brooks Hamilton
- 👤 Daina Edvina Pupons Wickham
- 👤 Chi K. Yeung
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:37
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A computer-based method of visually delineating a relationship between related graphical windows in a graphical user interface, the method comprising: associating an icon with multiple, related graphical windows; displaying at least one watermark replica of said icon in a visible area of each related graphical window that is displayed; wherein said displayed graphical windows are recognizable as related by the persistence of said watermark; and wherein said watermark provides user assistance when traversing a series of graphical templates.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
A computer-based method of visually delineating a relationship between related graphical windows in a graphical user interface, the method comprising: associating an icon with multiple, related graphical windows; displaying at least one watermark replica of said icon in a visible area of each related graphical window that is displayed; wherein said displayed graphical windows are recognizable as related by the persistence of said watermark; and wherein said watermark provides user assistance when traversing a series of graphical templates.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A computer-based method of visually delineating a relationship between related graphical windows, as per claim 1 , wherein said watermark is sized to fit substantially within said visible area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A computer-based method of visually delineating a relationship between related graphical windows, as per claim 1 , wherein said displayed graphical windows are visually overlapped within a single electronic display space.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A computer-based method of visually delineating a relationship between related graphical windows, as per claim 1 , wherein said multiple graphical windows are located located locally or across networks.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
121 words
A computer-based method of delineating a relationship between graphical windows related to an application program comprising: associating an icon with said application program; creating, in computer storage, a watermark of said icon; displaying a first graphical window related to said application program; displaying a second graphical window related to said application program; displaying at least one replica of said watermark within a visible area of said first graphical window; displaying at least one replica of said watermark within a visible area of said second graphical window, wherein said first and second graphical windows are recognizable as related to said application program by the persistence of said replicas; and wherein said watermark provides user assistance when traversing a series of graphical windows.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
121 words
A computer-based method of delineating a relationship between graphical windows related to an application program comprising: associating an icon with said application program; creating, in computer storage, a watermark of said icon; displaying a first graphical window related to said application program; displaying a second graphical window related to said application program; displaying at least one replica of said watermark within a visible area of said first graphical window; displaying at least one replica of said watermark within a visible area of said second graphical window, wherein said first and second graphical windows are recognizable as related to said application program by the persistence of said replicas; and wherein said watermark provides user assistance when traversing a series of graphical windows.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A computer-based method of delineating a relationship between related graphical windows, as per claim 5 , wherein a plurality of said replicas are sized to fit substantially within the visible areas of said first and second windows.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A computer-based method of delineating a relationship between related graphical windows, as per claim 5 , wherein said first and second graphical windows are overlapped within a single electronic display space.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A computer-based method of delineating a relationship between related graphical windows, as per claim 5 , wherein said replicas provide user assistance when traversing a series of graphical templates.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A computer-based method of delineating a relationship between related graphical windows, as per claim 5 , wherein said first and second graphical windows are located locally or across networks.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
143 words
A computer program product for use with a graphics display device, said computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means included in said medium: said computer readable program code means embodying a method for associating an icon with an application program; creating a watermark of said icon; displaying a first graphical window related to said application program; displaying a second object graphical window related to said application program; displaying at least one replica of said watermark within a visible area of said first graphical window; displaying at least one replica of said watermark within a visible area of said second graphical window, wherein said first and second graphical windows are recognizable as related to said application program by the persistence of said replicas; and wherein said watermark provides user assistance when traversing a series of graphical windows.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
143 words
A computer program product for use with a graphics display device, said computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means included in said medium: said computer readable program code means embodying a method for associating an icon with an application program; creating a watermark of said icon; displaying a first graphical window related to said application program; displaying a second object graphical window related to said application program; displaying at least one replica of said watermark within a visible area of said first graphical window; displaying at least one replica of said watermark within a visible area of said second graphical window, wherein said first and second graphical windows are recognizable as related to said application program by the persistence of said replicas; and wherein said watermark provides user assistance when traversing a series of graphical windows.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
A computer program product for use with a graphics display device, as per claim 10 , wherein a plurality of said replicas are sized to fit substantially within the visible areas of said first and second windows.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A computer program product for use with a graphics display device, as per claim 10 , wherein said first and second graphical windows are overlapped within a single electronic display space.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
A computer program product for use with a graphics display device, as per claim 10 , wherein said replicas provide user assistance when traversing a series of graphical templates.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A computer program product for use with a graphics display device, as per claim 10 , wherein said first and second graphical windows are located locally or across networks.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
118 words
A computer-based system delineating a relationship between graphical windows related to an application program comprising: an icon associated with said application program; a watermark of said icon; a first graphical window related to said application program; a second graphical windows related to said application program; wherein at least one replica of said watermark is displayed within a visible area of said first graphical window; wherein at least one replica of said watermark is displayed within a visible area of said second graphical window, wherein said first and second graphical windows are recognizable as related to said application program by the persistence of said replicas; and wherein said watermark provides user assistance when traversing a series of graphical windows.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
118 words
A computer-based system delineating a relationship between graphical windows related to an application program comprising: an icon associated with said application program; a watermark of said icon; a first graphical window related to said application program; a second graphical windows related to said application program; wherein at least one replica of said watermark is displayed within a visible area of said first graphical window; wherein at least one replica of said watermark is displayed within a visible area of said second graphical window, wherein said first and second graphical windows are recognizable as related to said application program by the persistence of said replicas; and wherein said watermark provides user assistance when traversing a series of graphical windows.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
A computer-based system delineating a relationship between graphical windows related to an application program, as per claim 15 , wherein a plurality of said replicas are sized to fit substantially within the visible areas of said first and second graphical windows.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
A computer-based system delineating a relationship between graphical windows related to an application program, as per claim 15 , wherein said first and second graphical windows are located locally or across networks.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
98 words
A computer program product for use with a graphics display device, said computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means included in said medium: said computer readable program code means embodying a method for associating an icon with multiple, related graphical windows; displaying at least one watermark replica of said icon in a visible area of each related graphical window that is displayed; wherein said displayed graphical windows are recognizable as related by the persistence of said icon; and wherein said watermark provides user assistance when traversing a series of graphical templates.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
98 words
A computer program product for use with a graphics display device, said computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means included in said medium: said computer readable program code means embodying a method for associating an icon with multiple, related graphical windows; displaying at least one watermark replica of said icon in a visible area of each related graphical window that is displayed; wherein said displayed graphical windows are recognizable as related by the persistence of said icon; and wherein said watermark provides user assistance when traversing a series of graphical templates.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
A computer program product for use with a graphics display device, as per claim 18 , wherein said watermark is sized to fit substantially within the visible area.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
A computer program product for use with a graphics display device, as per claim 18 , wherein said displayed graphical windows are visually overlapped within a single electronic display space.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
A computer program product for use with a graphics display device, as per claim 18 , wherein said multiple graphical windows are located locally or across networks.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
78 words
A computer-based system delineating a relationship between related graphical windows in a graphical user interface comprising: an icon associated with multiple, related graphical windows; at least one watermark replica of said icon displayed in a visible area of each related graphical window that is displayed; wherein said displayed graphical windows are recognizable as related by the persistence of said icon; and wherein said watermark provides user assistance when traversing a series of graphical templates locally or across networks.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
78 words
A computer-based system delineating a relationship between related graphical windows in a graphical user interface comprising: an icon associated with multiple, related graphical windows; at least one watermark replica of said icon displayed in a visible area of each related graphical window that is displayed; wherein said displayed graphical windows are recognizable as related by the persistence of said icon; and wherein said watermark provides user assistance when traversing a series of graphical templates locally or across networks.
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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) | 2006-10-20 | 2007-04-21 | 2007-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-10-20 | 2011-04-21 | 2011-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-10-20 | 2015-04-21 | 2015-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |