US20060085763A1 - System and method for using an interface - Google Patents

System and method for using an interface Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20060085763A1
US20060085763A1 US11/293,114 US29311405A US2006085763A1 US 20060085763 A1 US20060085763 A1 US 20060085763A1 US 29311405 A US29311405 A US 29311405A US 2006085763 A1 US2006085763 A1 US 2006085763A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
user
zenu
udi
button
interface
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US11/293,114
Inventor
Joseph Leavitt
Scott Mills
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Change Tools Inc
Original Assignee
Change Tools Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Change Tools Inc filed Critical Change Tools Inc
Priority to US11/293,114 priority Critical patent/US20060085763A1/en
Publication of US20060085763A1 publication Critical patent/US20060085763A1/en
Assigned to CHANGE TOOLS, INC. reassignment CHANGE TOOLS, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: LEAVITT, JOSEPH M., MILLS, SCOTT A.
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06FELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0481Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
    • G06F3/04817Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance using icons
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06FELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0481Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
    • G06F3/0482Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06FELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F9/00Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units
    • G06F9/06Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units using stored programs, i.e. using an internal store of processing equipment to receive or retain programs
    • G06F9/44Arrangements for executing specific programs
    • G06F9/451Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Definitions

  • Zenu is a trademark of Change Tools Inc. Unix is a registered trademark of The Open Group.
  • Microsoft, Microsoft Windows, Window NT and/or other Microsoft products referenced herein are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
  • Various terms and icons in the figures may be trademarks or registered trademarks of other companies.
  • the present invention relates generally to the field of user interfaces within a data processing system and more particularly, to a user definable interface overlay capable of manipulating multiple functions and windows in a graphical display.
  • GUI graphic user interface
  • a GUI is an interface system by which a user interacts with system components, and/or system applications via a visible display having, for example, windows or view ports, icons, menus, pointing devices, etc.
  • GUIs One of the many advantages of GUIs in the computer field is their ability to represent computer application programs, documents and data as graphical display elements or icons as opposed to text-based elements.
  • Menu driven software programs are a specific example of a GUI. Such software programs enable a user to chose from a list of items that can be accessed directly by pulling down different menus from the menu bar, rather than requiring the user to remember the name and syntax of a command. GUIs were developed so that novice users could more easily make a selection among available commands and, thus, operate computers. In the computer field, these menu driven software programs eventually lead to the development of a windowing environment in which the user may have multiple programs and files operable at one time with a selection among multiple commands. Each command appears in a window of the program data file being worked on. To effect selection within applications and switching between windows, a hand operated pointing device becomes a critical component of a computer system running windows based software applications.
  • One example pointing device is a mouse.
  • Pie menus enhance pop-up menus by allowing directional selection to choose menu items.
  • a pie menu is similar to a pop-up menu, but the pie shaped menu items surround the cursor position in a circle. In their two-dimensional form, pie menus may be round menus.
  • the menu items are positioned around a small inactive region in the center of the circle like slices of a pie, rather than in rows or columns as in conventional linear menus.
  • the cursor is initially located in the center of the pie in a small inactive region.
  • the active regions representing the menu items are therefore adjacent the cursor, but each in a different direction, and menu items are selected by clicking the mouse and then pointing in the direction of the menu item.
  • the present invention relates to a user definable interface that minimizes cursor commute.
  • the present invention is to be implemented in a cursor-based computing environment having a display.
  • a user definable interface (UDI) is displayed upon activation by a user, wherein the UDI has a plurality of buttons and is displayed in a relative position about a cursor position to reduce cursor commute.
  • the present invention permits the user to select a visual appearance and shape of the UDI, and the number of buttons.
  • the present invention also permits the user to assign a command to each of the plurality of buttons by dragging and dropping from one or more applications of the apparatus.
  • the present invention further permits the user to form a first group of buttons and at least a second group of buttons.
  • the user is permitted to assign a first icon representing a first specific one of the one or more applications to a first given button of the first group and assign commands, associated with the first specific one of the one or more applications to the second group of buttons.
  • the present invention further permits the user to assign a second icon representing a second specific one of the one or more applications to a second given button of the first group and assign commands, associated with the second specific one of the one or more applications to the second group of buttons.
  • the appearance of, and commands associated with, the second group of buttons change based on which button of the first group of buttons is selected.
  • the present invention further permits the user to activate the UDI by the user comprises at least one of clicking a hotkey, clicking a mouse button, or turning on the apparatus.
  • an alternative a method of the present invention comprises the steps of managing the UDI in response to user commands, providing at least one template that defines position for a plurality of command regions corresponding to the UDI, and providing a theme that defines attributes and commands for the for a plurality of command regions.
  • the present invention is also characterized as an apparatus comprising a user defined interface (UDI) having a plurality of command regions, a command processor that manages an interactive skin (IS) and a customizer.
  • the IS includes a template that defines position information for the plurality of command regions corresponding to the UDI and at least one of default attributes and default commands for the plurality of command regions, and a theme that defines attributes if the template only defines default commands for the plurality of command regions, or commands if the template only defines default attributes for the plurality of command regions.
  • the customizer permits user replacing or user extending of the default attributes or the default commands of one or more of the plurality of command regions. Typically the user is an end user of the apparatus, but the invention is not so limited.
  • the customizer permits a user to: hide the UDI; hide a portion of the UDI; have the UDI display upon launch; launch the UDI from a system tray; and scale the size of the UDI.
  • the can be UDI is displayed in a relative position about a cursor position. The customizer permits a user to define that relative position.
  • Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a user definable interface that enables each user to control interaction with any given software package or operating system through a customized set of interactive nestable commands and functions based upon user preference with the convenience of edit functionality.
  • Another aspect of the present invention relates to a user definable interface that allows selection of multiple actions with a single user interaction.
  • It is another aspect the present invention is directed to a user definable interface that is executable during work on an active file.
  • Another aspect of the present invention relates to a device, method and computer program product that provide an efficient on-screen work environment tailored to the user's needs.
  • Another aspect of the present invention is directed to an Internet browser and application launching tool.
  • the user definable interface of the present invention provides a number of advantages over other interface overlays known in the art. For example, it allows users to customize commands according to the user's preference. In addition, it eliminates screen clutter by being invisible until activated and disappearing once a selection is made. Further, the present invention provides the user with the ability to view the work area on a display screen while the user definable interface is activated.
  • FIG. 1 is a screen grab depicting a cluttered desktop.
  • FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2 C are screen grabs depicting a ZenuTM UDI, in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 3A illustrates a conventional toolbar accessing a web page.
  • FIG. 3B illustrates a ZenuTM UDI accessing the web page of FIG. 3A , in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a ZenuTM UDI corresponding to the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates the opening of a file with the ZenuTM UDI of FIG. 4 , in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative control capability of a ZenuTM UDI, in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 illustrated a ZenuTM UDI configured with an instant messager plug-in, in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIGS. 8 A-F illustrate six exemplary ZenuTM UDIs, in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 9A illustrates a ZenuTM UDI and a interactive skin control panel, which is accessed by the user selecting ZenuTM UDI customization button, in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 9B illustrates an alternative to the ZenuTM UDI and a interactive skin control panel of FIG. 9A , in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 10A illustrates a ZenuTM UDI and a functionality control panel, in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 10B illustrates a ZenuTM UDI and a properties control panel, which permits the user to define various “Startup Options”, in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 11 depicts an exemplary architecture having a command processor that manages an interactive skin (IS), in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIGS. 12 through 19 are flow diagrams illustrating the operation of an exemplary ZenuTM UDI system and method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 20 illustrates an example of a computer system capable of carrying out the functionality described herein, in accordance with the present invention.
  • buttons are used herein according to its customary meaning to refer to a graphical representation of an electrical push-button appearing as part of a graphical user interface, as would be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art. Moving the pointer device over the graphical “button” and pressing (or “clicking”) one of the physical buttons of the pointing device, for example, starts some software action such as closing a window or deleting a file.
  • command is used herein to refer to a software action taken when a button is activated.
  • a command can launch an application, open a file, or perform some predefined function or set of functions.
  • cursor is used herein according to its customary meaning to refer to a movable symbol on a display device that shows where the user is working, whether typing in text, drawing lines, or moving something around.
  • the cursor can be moved with the arrow keys or a pointing device. It usually appears in text programs as a blinking dash or rectangle, or an arrow.
  • the cursor is often called a pointer, and can take many different shapes such as a brush, pencil, or hand, as would be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art.
  • display device is used herein according to its customary meaning to refer to a device capable of displaying an image, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor, liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma display, or like device used to display text, graphics, images, etc., to a user, as would be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art.
  • CTR cathode ray tube
  • LCD liquid crystal display
  • plasma display or like device used to display text, graphics, images, etc., to a user, as would be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art.
  • pointing device is used herein according to its customary meaning to refer to a mouse, track ball, touch pad, joy stick, voice activated control system, or the like device used to position a cursor on a display device, as would be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art.
  • window or “windows” are used herein according to their customary meaning to refer to portions of the display device that are divided into areas, which function as a separate input/output device under the control of different application programs, as would be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art. This gives the user the ability to see the output of several processes at once and to choose which one will receive input by selecting its window usually with a pointing device.
  • WINO refers to Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointers (or maybe windows, icons, mouse, pull-down menus).
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional desktop 100 as presented on a display 102 in a window 104 .
  • the desktop 100 includes a taskbar 106 , and a plurality of applications, folders, files, shortcuts, and the like (referred to generally as 108 ) cluttering the desktop.
  • the desktop typically occupies the whole display, and attempts to represent the top of an office desk (i.e., a real desktop).
  • the icons on the screen resemble objects that would be found on a real desktop, such as file folders, a clock, etc. Users like to locate applications, folders, files, shortcuts, and the like on the desktop for easy access. As is typical, access is no longer easy when the desktop becomes cluttered.
  • FIG. 2A illustrates a ZenuTM 200 , according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the ZenuTM 200 comprises a user definable interface (UDI) that is displayed upon activation by a user.
  • the UDI has a plurality of buttons and is displayed in a relative position about the cursor position to substantially reduce cursor commute.
  • the ZenuTM (UDI) 200 permits the user to select a visual appearance and shape of the UDI, as well as other characteristics, such as the number of buttons to be displayed and the commands associated with those buttons.
  • the ZenuTM 200 permits the user to assign commands to the buttons by dragging and dropping from one or more applications associated with (e.g., capable of running on, or otherwise coupled to) the apparatus.
  • ZenuTM 200 can have multiple groups of buttons.
  • the multiple groups of buttons can have different functionality.
  • a first group of buttons on the lower half of the ZenuTM 200 can each have a first class of functionality.
  • the second group of buttons (such as the remaining buttons on the outer circumference on the top portion of ZenuTM 200 ) can have a second class of functionality, the second class of functionality having some association with the first class of functionality.
  • the first class of functionality can cause icons to appear on other buttons, and the second class of functionality can cause some action associated with another button to occur.
  • FIG. 2B An example of the association between the first class of functionality of the first group of buttons and the second class of functionality of the second group of buttons is illustrated at FIG. 2B .
  • My computer button 206 is a button in the first group.
  • My computer button 206 is clicked or otherwise selected using a pointing device, software action causes icons to appear on the second group of buttons.
  • buttons 208 through 216 of the second group of buttons display icons corresponding to options, commands, files, or the like, associated with My computer button 206 of the first group of buttons.
  • the second group of buttons will display features, commands, URLs, or the like, associated with the Internet browser button 220 .
  • Selecting the applications button 220 causes various icons corresponding to resident applications to be displayed on the second group of buttons, such as ZenuTM button 222 , find button 224 , Internet browser button 226 , etc.
  • ZenuTM 200 can comprise additional groups of buttons as illustrated generally at 230 .
  • the commands associated with button groups 230 can comprise common cursor control operations as illustrated by the arrows at upper and lower groups 230 , or the like.
  • FIG. 3A illustrates a conventional menu driven display, which in this case is a tool bar 302 of Microsoft® Internet Explorer. Illustrated in the main window is a web page 304 corresponding to the Internet address at 306 .
  • FIG. 3B illustrates Microsoft® Internet Explorer at the same web page after being launched by a previously invoked ZenuTM 310 .
  • the commands of tool bar 302 in FIG. 3A are illustrated in the upper button group of ZenuTM 310 , as shown generally at 312 .
  • ZenuTM 310 in this example simplifies the user's interaction with the Microsoft® Internet Explorer application by providing common Microsoft® Internet Explorer commands on the ZenuTM 310 for easy access by the user.
  • the user can define the commands associated with the first group of buttons.
  • the web page displayed in FIG. 3B could be the home page associated with the Microsoft® Internet Explorer application. In this case, the user's selection of the icon 314 would bring up this web page. Further description of the functionality including the operation and definability of a ZenuTM UDI will be addressed in the next sections.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates user definable interface (UDI or ZenuTM) 400 used to launch applications, files, or web pages, or the like, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • ZenuTM 400 is in the form of a ring 402 having a group of buttons along its outer circumference and an open central section 404 . Selected buttons have been associated with various software applications, files, folders, and the like. The illustration of such software applications, files and folders in the context of a personal computer or laptop is provided by way of example, not limitation.
  • the present invention can be implemented with any apparatus having a display device for user interaction with the device.
  • selection of the resume button 406 opens the file “resume.doc” and launches the associated software application (Microsoft® Word in this example), assuming that the application was not currently running.
  • FIG. 5 shows the opened file and an associated application.
  • the ZenuTM 400 can be modified by the user to launch various software applications. As would become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art, the launching of software applications, opening of files, or accessing web sites are only examples of the type of launching that can be done from a ZenuTM UDI. The present invention should not be limited to such examples.
  • the ZenuTM UDI also functions as a controller. For example, after opening of the file 406 , the appearance and command functionality of the buttons on ring 402 of ZenuTM 400 change, as illustrated in FIG. 5 . ZenuTM 400 's buttons now correspond to different commands than those of ZenuTM 400 . Upon opening of the resume.doc file, the commands associated with ZenuTM UDI automatically switch to commands that correspond to various Microsoft® Word menu choices/actions. See, for example, “bold” action 502 .
  • the ZenuTM UDI can have default commands associated with the various software applications, such as Microsoft® Word, or any other software application or control system capable of being controlled by a display device. Alternatively, the ZenuTM UDI can be modified by the user to launch various software applications. As would become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art, the control of software applications, control systems or other apparatus coupled to a display device are only examples of the type of control functionality that can be performed by a ZenuTM UDI. The present invention should not be limited to such examples.
  • FIG. 6 Such alternative control capability of a ZenuTM UDI is illustrated in FIG. 6 .
  • a ZenuTM 600 is visible on an automobile dashboard display device 602 .
  • the pointer device can be buttons integrated on the steering wheel, rotary dials and buttons on the dashboard, a touch screen on the display itself, a voice input system, and combinations thereof, as would become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art.
  • ZenuTM UDI integration is commonality. Once users become accustomed to the ZenuTM UDI's appearance, operation and definability, their efficiency in using new devices incorporating a ZenuTM UDI will dramatically improve. Many consumers complain that “I can't even program the clock on my VCR, yet alone my . . . .” This unwillingness and frustration of the general public to program consumer electronic devices, controllers, appliances, and the like can be redressed by integration of the ZenuTM UDI into a wide variety of devices.
  • the ZenuTM UDI can be integrated with hand-held controllers, such a remote controls for televisions, video equipment, home entertainment systems, cameras, household, including wireless telephones, copiers, as wells as commercial appliances and tools, and the like, as would become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art.
  • FIG. 7 illustrated a ZenuTM 700 configured with an instant messaging plug-in.
  • a container 702 is appended to the top of the ZenuTM 700 upon selection of the instant messaging plug-in button 704 .
  • This button 704 can be a button on the outer button ring 706 or elsewhere on the ZenuTM 700 .
  • the upper buttons of the ZenuTM 700 are automatically flipped to form an outer bottom hemisphere ring (hemi-ring) 708 .
  • upper inner ring buttons (shown generally at 710 ) are re-located to the bottom inner ring automatically.
  • Various controls for the container 702 can be located at region 712 , or along top 714 or sides 716 , 718 of the container 702 .
  • ZenuTM UDI containers include, but are not limited to tickers, video clip viewing, image viewing, quick file viewing, or the like, as would become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art.
  • FIGS. 8 A-F are illustrate six exemplary ZenuTM UDIs. These examples are presented by way of example and not limitation.
  • FIG. 8A illustrates a rectangular ZenuTM UDI comprising rows and columns of ZenuTM buttons.
  • FIG. 8B illustrates a ZenuTM UDI similar to FIG. 8A , but the rows have an arch appearance.
  • FIG. 8C illustrates a ring shaped ZenuTM UDI, with a central transparent window 800 and the same ZenuTM buttons of FIGS. 8A and 8B connected in a contiguous manner.
  • a ring shaped ZenuTM UDI can have round buttons arranged in a noncontiguous manner, as illustrated in FIG. 8F .
  • FIGS. 8D and E Two more stylized ZenuTM UDIs are shown in FIGS. 8D and E.
  • the ZenuTM UDI is in a rectangle, but in contrast to FIG. 8A , the ZenuTM buttons enclose a central rectangular area 802 .
  • Central rectangular area can comprise an advertisement, corporate brand, customizable text or images, or the like, or it can be transparent like area 800 .
  • the central section may comprise a ZenuTM container as described above in connection with FIG. 7 .
  • FIG. 8E A further stylized ZenuTM UDI is shown in FIG. 8E .
  • noncontiguous ZenuTM buttons surround a central circular portion similar to the enclosed area 802 of FIG. 8D .
  • An inner 804 border is also included.
  • FIG. 9A illustrates a ZenuTM 900 and a interactive skin control panel 902 , which is accessed by the user selecting ZenuTM customization button 904 .
  • the interactive skin control panel 902 presents to the user a plurality of predetermined ZenuTM interactive skins (shown generally at 906 ), and a separate ZenuTM 908 for interacting with the interactive skin control panel 902 .
  • Interactive skin control panel 902 permits the user to select an interactive skin of the ZenuTM UDI according to various possibilities as described above in connection with FIGS. 8A-8F , for example.
  • ZenuTM UDI The user's ability to define the appearance of the ZenuTM UDI using the interactive skin control panel 902 to select an interactive skin is not limited to selecting the shape and arrangement of buttons, as described above in connection with FIGS. 8 A-F.
  • Various ZenuTM interactive skin attributes can be modified, including, but not limited to color, shading, texture mapping, animation, scaling, and various other computer graphic affects, as would be apparent to a person skilled in relevant art.
  • the interactive skin control panel 902 illustrated in FIG. 9A is an example of a novice user control panel.
  • FIG. 9B illustrates an alternative to the ZenuTM UDI and an interactive skin control panel of FIG. 9A , in accordance with the present invention. Examples of advanced user control panels are illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B .
  • FIG. 10A illustrates a ZenuTM 1000 and a ZenuTM UDI functionality control panel 1002 .
  • the ZenuTM UDI functionality control panel 1002 is also accessible via the ZenuTM customization button 904 .
  • the ZenuTM functionality control panel 1002 represents an advanced user control panel.
  • Various software application commands can be assigned using the “plugins” 1004 and 1006 .
  • the currently available applications are listed in window 1004 and their associated commands are listed in window 1006 .
  • “Glossary Commands” are available to the user in a window 1008 .
  • New glossary commands can be added via a button 1010 , and/or edited via a button 1012 .
  • Button resets are available via button 1014 .
  • Selection of an available theme, as described in detail below, can be applied via a pull-down menu 1016 .
  • a program to be started upon clicking the button being defined can be selected by a “Browse” button 1018 .
  • the new command string for the button being defined is displayed in a window 1020 .
  • Conventional control panel buttons “OK”, “Cancel” and “Apply to Button” 1022 , 1024 and 1026 , respectively) are also provided.
  • the ZenuTM functionality control panel 1002 illustrates the functionality of an exemplary button 1003 (as shown at the top of the ZenuTM functionality control panel 1002 ).
  • Button 1003 is “Square,” and its current command is associated with the Internet Explorer “Refresh” action.
  • Button 1003 's command string is listed in window 1020 .
  • the Refresh icon (two opposing arrows) is shown on the ZenuTM 1000 .
  • a “ToolTip per Theme” option permits the user to assign, via a pull-down menu, text that is to be displayed when the cursor floats over a button.
  • the ToolTip text explains the command to be performed, such as “My Computer” when the cursor passes over button 206 , as shown in FIG. 2B .
  • FIG. 10B illustrates a ZenuTM 1050 and ZenuTM properties control panel 1052 , which permits the user to define various “Startup Options” 1054 .
  • the user can select to “Reset Overrides” by selecting tab 1056 (the Startup Options 1054 occults the Reset Overrides options in the figure).
  • the ZenuTM UDI of the present invention can be adopted for the following, non-exhaustive list of Technical Standards of Subpart B, Section 508: 1194.21 Software applications and operating systems; 1194.22 Web-based intranet and internet information and applications; 1194.23 Telecommunications products; 1194.24 Video and multimedia products; 1194.25 Self contained, closed products; and 1194.26 Desktop and portable computers.
  • 1194.21 Software applications and operating systems 1194.21
  • 1194.22 Web-based intranet and internet information and applications
  • 1194.23 Telecommunications products 1194.24 Video and multimedia products
  • 1194.25 Self contained, closed products 1194.26 Desktop and portable computers.
  • FIG. 11 depicts an exemplary architecture 1100 having a command processor 1104 that manages an interactive skin (IS) 1106 .
  • IS 1106 comprises a template 1108 and a theme 1110 .
  • the template 1108 defines position information for the plurality of command regions corresponding to the UDI (not shown).
  • Template 1108 also defines default attributes 1112 or default commands 1114 for the plurality of command regions.
  • the theme 1110 defines (1) attributes 1116 if the template 1108 only defines default commands 1114 for the plurality of command regions, and/or (2) commands 1118 if the template 1108 only defines default attributes 1112 for the plurality of command regions.
  • a customizer 1120 is provided to permit the user to replace or extend any of the default attributes 1112 or the default commands 1114 of any of the plurality of command regions.
  • This section describes the various syntactical expressions used to create the UDI interface and the functionality applied to certain click areas, whether they appear as buttons or just a portion of an image.
  • These settings are stored in a Template file (.tpl), and a Theme file (.thm) located in the subdirectories “Template” and “Theme” respectively, for example.
  • Settings can also be stored in a text initialization file (.ini).
  • Settings that originate in the Template file can be replaced by settings in a Theme file, and the resulting settings can further be replaced by user/application-defined settings in the initialization (i.e., customization) file.
  • buttons Although they can appear as any bitmap that is specified in the resource file, thereby making it possible for a button to take most any shape or look that is possible using combinations of background bitmaps, and button bitmaps.
  • UDI buttons or action/click areas are defined as follows in Table 1: TABLE 1 A Indicates that this area is available to be morphed into a Quicklaunch or Internet Favorites button. Transparent Indicates whether there is a transparency color in the bitmap that is to be used for the button. Bitmap The Name of the Bitmap resource that is to be used for the button. BtnType The number of states that the bitmap has, for instance: normal, pressed, flyover, and disabled. Tooltip The tool tip to display when a user hovers the mouse cursor over the button. *Note, when in a template or theme file there is no need for a theme specific indication because that particular file is already theme specific.
  • AutoRepeat Indicates whether a button repeats the “click” command if a user holds the left mouse down while clicking.
  • An example might be a button that is used for scrolling.
  • Checkbutton Indicates whether the button stays in the pressed position until another button on the window is pressed.
  • Icon Specifies the name of the Icon (or bitmap) located in the resource file to be used with a button.
  • IconType Indicates whether the name specified by “Icon” was a bitmap or Icon.
  • Template Indicates opening the specified window named. Theme If the window specified by “Template” is found, this setting will make the window apply the theme specified.
  • BtnType indicates the button has 3 states—normal, pressed, and flyover.
  • CMD The “CMD:” shown above is a keyword specifying that this command is not from a plugin. If the use wishes to process a plugin command, the “PLUGIN:” keyword would have to precede the command itself, for instance:
  • the keyword “CMD:” or “PLUGIN:” must precede the command in the text.
  • the user can also specify a double-click action by using the keyword “CMDDBL:”.
  • the program will open (if not open already) the web browser, and navigate to http://www.cuspis.com, next it will open the calculator program (if the path to the file is correct), and if MS word is open, will process the plugin command word.bold.
  • a user can specify commands that are only activated while using a specific theme. For instance, if the user wanted a button to open the calculator program when using a theme called “Math”, but wanted this button to open http://www.amazon.com any other time, the user could write the following command:
  • the ZenuTM UDI will not use either command. Instead, the ZenuTM UDI will look for the default command for the button in the template resource file.
  • ZenuTM UDI Click and drag shortcuts from the Windows desktop or Windows Explorer to a ZenuTM button of the present invention. This will cause the button to have the same action as the shortcut. If a file that is not a shortcut is dragged from Windows Explorer to a ZenuTM button, the ZenuTM UDI will make the button a shortcut pointing to the file that was dragged. For instance, if the user drags a Microsoft® Word or notepad document onto a ZenuTM button, clicking that ZenuTM button will now open the document that was dragged onto the button. This overrides the default action of the button defined in the template or theme file as well as user-defined commands.
  • a “Hot Key” can be assigned by the user to show/hide the ZenuTM UDI.
  • a specific, default set of key strokes say Alt+F10
  • the user can readily change the default Hot Key, by right clicking anywhere on the UDI, and accessing “customize” and then the “Hot Key” feature. Next, all the user needs to do is press the desired key combination for the Hit Key, and it will be recorded in the text box of the Hot Key window.
  • the user When the user is finished selecting the desired Hot Key, the user simply clicks “OK”. This will change the Hot Key, and store it so that the next time ZenuTM UDI is executed, it will use the same Hot Key combination to show/hide.
  • the ZenuTM customizer of the present invention also permits the user to change the size of the ZenuTM UDI (i.e., the space occupied on the screen by the ZenuTM UDI).
  • Sizing can be an integral component of the tool, permitting the user to scale (stretch or shrink) the ZenuTM UDI to match the desired size.
  • Sizing could be arbitrary, as in permitting the user click on an edge or “handle” and changed the size of the ZenuTM UDI.
  • the user would be presented with a finite number of size option, say three sizes: smaller, normal, and larger. This allows exact scaling of the ZenuTM UDI to eliminate distortion and to maintain its aspect ratio.
  • up to ten different sizes are available including “full screen”, which becomes an attractive option when the ZenuTM UDI acts as the container for chat, video, browsing, mail, and the like.
  • the template and the theme can be designed to include knowledge of the multiple sizes available. Alternatively, all that is required is the “Normal” set of templates and theme components. As the user selects to change the size, the template/theme combination is scanned for prior-knowledge of possible sizes. The customizer can presents user with the additional choice(s). Once a new size is chosen, imagery designed specifically for the different size is used. In the event that an image is not provided or available at the different size, the normal image is scaled to match the destination, as would become apparent to a person skilled in the art of developing window-based applications. Sizing of the ZenuTM UDI provides greater flexibility when implemented with the templates and themes.
  • FIGS. 12 through 19 are flow diagrams illustrating the operation of an exemplary ZenuTM UDI system and method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the ZenuTM UDI comprises an application executing on a personal computer in a Microsoft® Windows environment.
  • the ZenuTM UDI from a file resident in the computer system, such as in a fixed drive or other memory medium.
  • a step 1202 represents launching of the ZenuTM UDI.
  • the ZenuTM UDI is loaded in the computer's random access memory (RAM) and either appears as an icon in the Window's system tray, or is displayed for the first time.
  • RAM random access memory
  • available themes and templates are enumerated according to their associated file names so as to create a main UDI window, as shown at a step 1206 .
  • a decision is made at a step 1208 as to whether a default Hot Key has been overridden. If not, a default Hot Key is assumed as shown at a Step 1210 .
  • the system will use the Hot Key override as shown at a step 1212 .
  • a decision step 1214 it is determined whether the UDI is to be shown at startup. If YES, the UDI is displayed, as shown generally at a step 1216 . Otherwise, the UDI is started and placed in the Window's system tray as an icon, as shown at a step 1218 . The system then waits for an event, shown generally at a step 1220 .
  • FIG. 13 is a flow diagram representing further details of step 1206 (create main UDI window) of FIG. 12 .
  • FIG. 13 illustrates how the ZenuTM UDI obtains its appearance and what it does in order to render such appearance using system windows from Microsoft® Windows.
  • Creating basic windows for the UDI begins at a start step 1302 .
  • a set of application resources are passed to a Template .dll, as a step 1304 .
  • the Template .dll comprises the resources within the UDI that gives the ZenuTM UDI its shape and controls position of the buttons.
  • a Theme .dll is loaded, as specified in an .ini file, or the like.
  • the load Theme .dll stores all of the individual overrides of the Template in terms of its default appearance.
  • the relevant “UDI window look” is applied, together with other window settings. The details of step 1308 are described below in connection with FIG. 14 .
  • the buttons of the ZenuTM UDI are created as basic window definitions. The details of button creation are described below in connection with FIG. 15 .
  • Various settings of the buttons are then applied at a step 1312 .
  • the details of the button settings are described below in connection with FIG. 16 .
  • the ZenuTM UDI waits for an event to occur.
  • buttons can be clicked, or a drop file unbutton event can occur.
  • a “button click” is described below in connection with FIGS. 17 and 18 .
  • a “drop file unbutton event” is described below in connection with FIG. 19 .
  • FIG. 14 describes the details of a plain UDI window look and other window settings as introduced at step 1308 .
  • This process starts at a step 1402 .
  • a decision is made (step 1404 ) to determine if the “main window look” is overridden in the theme file. If YES (i.e., the theme is going to be used), a region is created according to a “main UDI window look” in the theme, as shown at a step 1406 . Otherwise, information from the default template will be used to create the region, as shown at step 1408 .
  • the window pop-up position information is retrieved from the .ini file.
  • the window is then registered as an application object with a operating system for tracking and access purposes.
  • the operation is performed and the flow FIG. of 14 represents a “shell” of the window for the ZenuTM UDI.
  • the process flows to step 1310 , which is further described in connection with FIG. 15 .
  • FIG. 15 illustrates the flow in connection with “creating buttons” as introduced at step 1310 .
  • the flow begins at a start step 1502 .
  • Steps 1504 through 1518 access the template to determine the designated number of buttons that make up the ZenuTM UDI.
  • the ZenuTM UDI of FIG. 8A comprises 12 buttons; two rows of 6 buttons each.
  • this figure represents the creation of a small window corresponding to each button and links them together to create a ZenuTM shell. Every time a new ZenuTM UDI session is initialized, i.e., the ZenuTM UDI is launched, small windows called “child windows” corresponding to each button of the ZenuTM UDI must be created to form the UDI, as shown at a step 1504 .
  • a first button is processed as shown at a step 1506 .
  • a pointer to the button is stored in a list for future access, as shown at a step 1512 . If an additional child window is to be processed, as determined at a step 1514 , the next button is retrieved, as shown at a step 1516 .
  • the process then flows back to step 1508 , otherwise the flow proceeds to step 1312 as shown by step 1518 .
  • Step 1312 applies various settings to each button just created, the details of which are described in connection with FIG. 16 .
  • FIG. 16 further illustrated the process of step 1312 for applying various settings to the buttons created in FIG. 15 .
  • the flow starts at a step 1602 and proceeds to get a first button for processing at step 1604 .
  • a theme name and parent template name are set for the button.
  • the button configuration string from the .ini file is set.
  • an application resource is set to the UDI template file.
  • the configuration string from the button for the template file is loaded.
  • the application resource is set to the UDI windows current theme file.
  • the configuration string from the button is loaded from the theme file.
  • the theme settings string is merged with the template settings thereby overriding the values in the template setting string (i.e., theme settings are replaced by template settings).
  • the button configuration that was loaded from the .ini file is merged with the existing string, thereby overriding values with values that originated in the .ini file.
  • the settings that are in the .ini file are used to replace the existing settings in the configuration string.
  • the available settings for UDI buttons buttons are sometimes referred to as action, or click areas
  • the “setting” is applied to the button to thereby associate Microsoft® Window Quicklaunch or Favorites with the ZenuTM UDI for easy access by the user.
  • a transparent setting can be applied to the button. Transparency allows buttons, and the like, to be visible while at the same time allowing the underlying image to be partially visible. Various known transparency techniques can be employed, as would become apparent to a person skilled in the computer graphics art.
  • a resource bitmap is located, if so specified in the configuration string for the button in the theme file. If a bitmap is located, as determined at step 1628 , then the button bitmap is set to the located bitmap, at a step 1630 . Otherwise, the application resource is set to the UDI windows template file and the associated bitmap resource is searched for, as shown at step 1632 .
  • step 1634 flow proceeds to 1630 . Otherwise, the button is deleted as shown at a step 1636 . If the button is deleted, further buttons can be processed, as determined at a step 1638 . If so, a pointer to the next button is located, at a step 1640 , and flow proceeds to step 1606 .
  • step 1630 After a bitmap is determined at either of step 1628 or step 1634 , it is applied at step 1630 .
  • a theme specific tool tip is set at a step 1644 .
  • step 1646 a “tweak” amount is set for button positioning.
  • step 1548 an “auto repeat” feature is applied to the button if so desired.
  • step 1650 a “check button” setting is applied to the button if so desired.
  • a theme specific icon is specified for the button. If so, the theme specific icon is applied to the button, at step 1654 . Otherwise, flow proceeds to a step 1656 to determine whether there is a bitmap to use as an icon. If so, the icon bitmap is applied to the button at a step 1658 . Otherwise, flow proceeds to a step 1660 .
  • step 1660 it is determined whether the “A” setting indicates that the button is to accept Quicklaunch or Favorites features. If YES, the appropriate attributes are applied to the button at a step 1662 . If not, flow proceeds to step 1638 so as to process any further buttons. Once all buttons are processed, flow continues back to step 1314 as shown at a step 1642 .
  • the “set tweak amount” for positioning at step 1646 searches the configuration file and the theme to determine whether an modification has been made to the position of the button.
  • each level of buttons has different parent templates, and a theme associated with each level.
  • the position of buttons of a particular level is determined by their template and their appearance is determined by the theme of that level.
  • two events can occur: a “button click”, which is described in connection with FIGS. 17 and 18 , or “a dropped file unbutton file event”, which is described at FIG. 19 .
  • FIGS. 17 and 18 describe the process that occurs when a button is clicked.
  • This process begins at a step 1702 , and proceeds to determine whether the UDI is in button configuration mode, at a step 1704 . If so, the current settings for the button are displayed in the configuration window at a step 1706 . The process then enters the “wait for event” mode, at a step 1716 (which is equivalent to the wait for event step 1314 ). If not in the configuration mode, flow proceeds to a step 1708 , which determines if there is a user defined button command for the button that applies to this theme. If so, the command is executed at a step 1710 , then flow proceeds to step 1716 .
  • step 1712 determines if there is a built-in command for the button with the theme applied to the UDI as specified in the theme file. If YES, that command is then executed at step 1710 . If not, flow proceeds to step 1714 to determine if a default command for the button is found in the default template file. If so, the default command is executed at step 1710 . Otherwise, flow proceeds to step 1716 to wait for another event.
  • FIG. 18 illustrates the process for executing a command formed at step 1710 .
  • the execute command process begins at a step 1802 .
  • the command string is parsed at a step 1804 .
  • the syntax of the command string as described above in connection with Tables 1 and 2.
  • the first command is evaluated at a step 1806 . If the command is a plug-in, as determined at a step 1808 , the plug-in .dll is loaded to create a plug-in object and a command is executed at a step 1810 . If the command is not a plug-in, it is determined whether the command specifies opening a template or theme, at a step 1812 . If so, the theme, template, or both are opened, at a step 1814 .
  • step 1816 it is determined whether the command was to close a template, at a step 1816 . If so, the closed template specified is performed, at a step 1818 . As a result of steps 1810 , 1814 and step 1818 , or if the result of step 1816 is NO, it is next determined whether a command has been executed, at a step 1820 . If YES, it is then determined whether there is another command in the string to process, at a step 1822 . If so, the next command is obtained, at a step 1826 , and flow proceeds to evaluate the command, at step 1808 . If the result of the query in step 1820 is NO, a shell execute command is performed, at a step 1824 . Control then proceeds after step 1824 to step 1822 . If no other commands are to be executed in the string flow proceeds to step 1828 to wait for an event, which is the equivalent of “wait for event” step 1314 .
  • FIG. 19 illustrates the process for handling a “dropped file on button event.”
  • Flow begins at a step 1902 .
  • a short-cut is created to the file that is dropped on the button, and that short-cut is placed in a ZenuTM short-cut directory, at a step 1904 .
  • a short-cut icon for the file association is placed on the button and is modified according to the theme/layer specific characteristics, at a step 1906 .
  • the button command is edited based on the current theme, so that when the button is clicked the file is opened if that theme is currently applied, at a step 1908 .
  • the wait for event step is entered again at a step 1910 .
  • the ZenuTM UDI of the present invention can be implemented using hardware, software or a combination thereof and may be implemented in one or more computer systems or other processing systems. In fact, in one embodiment, the invention is directed toward one or more computer systems capable of carrying out the functionality described herein.
  • An example of a computer system 2000 is shown in FIG. 20 .
  • the computer system 2000 includes one or more processors, such as processor 2004 .
  • Processor 2004 can support various operating systems such as Microsoft® Windows, Unix, Lixux, or the like.
  • the processor 2004 is connected to a communication infrastructure 2006 (e.g., a communications bus, cross-over bar, or network).
  • a communication infrastructure 2006 e.g., a communications bus, cross-over bar, or network.
  • Computer system 2000 can include a display interface 2002 that forwards graphics, text, and other data from the communication infrastructure 2006 (or from a frame buffer not shown) for display on the display device 2030 .
  • Computer system 2000 also includes a main memory 2008 , preferably random access memory (RAM), and can also include a secondary memory 2010 .
  • the secondary memory 2010 can include, for example, a hard disk drive 2012 and/or a removable storage drive 2014 , representing a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, or the like.
  • the removable storage drive 2014 reads from and/or writes to a removable storage unit 2018 in a well known manner.
  • Removable storage unit 2018 represents a floppy disk, magnetic tape, optical disk, of the like, which is read by and written to by removable storage drive 2014 .
  • the removable storage unit 2018 includes a computer usable storage medium having stored therein computer software and/or data.
  • secondary memory 2010 can include other similar means for allowing computer programs or other instructions to be loaded into computer system 2000 .
  • Such means can include, for example, a removable storage unit 2022 and an interface 2020 .
  • Examples of such can include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as that found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM, or PROM) and associated socket, and other removable storage units 2022 and interfaces 2020 which allow software and data to be transferred from the removable storage unit 2022 to computer system 2000 .
  • Computer system 2000 can also include a communications interface 2024 .
  • Communications interface 2024 allows software and data to be transferred between computer system 2000 and external devices.
  • Examples of communications interface 2024 can include a modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communications port, a PCMCIA slot and card, infrared, radio frequency (RF), or the like.
  • Software and data transferred via communications interface 2024 are in the form of signals 2028 which can be electronic, electromagnetic, optical or other signals capable of being received by communications interface 2024 .
  • These signals 2028 are provided to communications interface 2024 via a communications path (i.e., channel) 2026 .
  • This channel 2026 carries signals 2028 and can be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, a phone line, a cellular phone link, an RF link and other communications channels.
  • computer program medium and “computer usable medium” are used to generally refer to media such as removable storage drive 2014 , a hard disk installed in hard disk drive 2012 , and signals 2028 .
  • These computer program products are means for providing software to computer system 2000 .
  • the invention is directed to such computer program products.
  • Computer programs are stored in main memory 2008 and/or secondary memory 2010 . Computer programs can also be received via communications interface 2024 . Such computer programs, when executed, enable the computer system 2000 to perform the features of the present invention as discussed herein. In particular, the computer programs, when executed, enable the processor 2004 to perform the features of the present invention. Accordingly, such computer programs represent controllers or modules of the computer system 2000 .
  • the software can be stored in a computer program product and loaded into computer system 2000 using removable storage drive 2014 , hard drive 2012 or communications interface 2024 .
  • the control logic or modules when executed by the processor 2004 , causes the processor 2004 to perform the functions of the invention as described herein.
  • the invention is implemented primarily in hardware using, for example, hardware components such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs).
  • ASICs application specific integrated circuits
  • the invention is implemented using a combination of both hardware and software.

Abstract

A system and method for using a user definable interface (UDI). A display displays the interface. The interface comprises a plurality of levels each having a plurality of command regions. The visual appearance of the interface remains substantially the same for each of the plurality of levels and only one of the levels appears at a given time. An input device allows a user to select among the command regions at each of the plurality of levels to access another level or perform a function associated with a selected one of the command regions.

Description

    CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
  • This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/139,612, filed May 31, 2005, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/986,765, filed Nov. 9, 2001 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,918,091 that issued Jul. 12, 2005), which application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60/247,643, filed Nov. 9, 2000, and 60/325,179, filed Sep. 28, 2001, which are all incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
  • COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK NOTICES
  • A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
  • Zenu is a trademark of Change Tools Inc. Unix is a registered trademark of The Open Group. Microsoft, Microsoft Windows, Window NT and/or other Microsoft products referenced herein are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Various terms and icons in the figures may be trademarks or registered trademarks of other companies.
  • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • 1. Field of the Invention
  • The present invention relates generally to the field of user interfaces within a data processing system and more particularly, to a user definable interface overlay capable of manipulating multiple functions and windows in a graphical display.
  • 2. Background Art
  • The manipulation of data in a data processing system is well known in the art and the large amounts of data that are available to the user of a modern state-of-the-art data processing system often become overwhelming in magnitude and complexity. Similarly, many consumer devices have interfaces requiring human interaction to control the device or a peripheral connected thereto. As a result of this increasing complexity, simplified interface methods and systems are needed between the user and the data processing system or device.
  • One example of a simplified system and method is the utilization of a graphic user interface (“GUI”). A GUI is an interface system by which a user interacts with system components, and/or system applications via a visible display having, for example, windows or view ports, icons, menus, pointing devices, etc. One of the many advantages of GUIs in the computer field is their ability to represent computer application programs, documents and data as graphical display elements or icons as opposed to text-based elements.
  • Menu driven software programs are a specific example of a GUI. Such software programs enable a user to chose from a list of items that can be accessed directly by pulling down different menus from the menu bar, rather than requiring the user to remember the name and syntax of a command. GUIs were developed so that novice users could more easily make a selection among available commands and, thus, operate computers. In the computer field, these menu driven software programs eventually lead to the development of a windowing environment in which the user may have multiple programs and files operable at one time with a selection among multiple commands. Each command appears in a window of the program data file being worked on. To effect selection within applications and switching between windows, a hand operated pointing device becomes a critical component of a computer system running windows based software applications. One example pointing device is a mouse.
  • Applications running in a windowed environment typically have a main menu bar with more specific commands being displayed in “pull down” menus stemming from specific portions of the main menu bar command headings. When the user wants to execute a command, the user must move the pointing device so that a cursor on the display points to the command on the desired menu heading. The command heading activates a pull down menu that displays a plurality of commands available for execution. In some instances, computer systems create hierarchies of menus (also referred to as “nesting”) leading to submenus to avoid excessively large menus or inappropriate menu chains. A command from the pull down menu may then be selected for execution. In accordance with conventional methods, only one command is executed at any given time since the pull down menu is typically limited to a single column of possible choices or objects. Movement amongst the menu bar and the pull down menus requires a great deal of movement of the pointing device (and thereby the cursor) to manipulate multiple windows or applications and their related commands. This movement is called “cursor commute.” This results in a time-consuming, less efficient and confusing user interface. Therefore, it is difficult for the young, the elderly, handicapped, or any novice user to traverse and coordinate the position of the pointing device and, thus, the cursor with which the execution is made.
  • One attempt to avoid a long horizontal list of menu options has resulted in “pop-up menus.” These menus have the advantage of bringing the menu to the cursor, rather than having to move the cursor to the menu. When a trigger event occurs, for example depressing the right button (known in the art as “right clicking”) on the pointing device (e.g., a mouse), a window is displayed next to the cursor position and the menu items to be related are listed. When the user chooses a menu item, the menu is removed and the action corresponding to the item is initiated. Pop-up menus, however, are limited to the number of commands they can contain and they often cover up part of the work area.
  • Pie menus enhance pop-up menus by allowing directional selection to choose menu items. A pie menu is similar to a pop-up menu, but the pie shaped menu items surround the cursor position in a circle. In their two-dimensional form, pie menus may be round menus. The menu items are positioned around a small inactive region in the center of the circle like slices of a pie, rather than in rows or columns as in conventional linear menus. In operation, the cursor is initially located in the center of the pie in a small inactive region. The active regions representing the menu items are therefore adjacent the cursor, but each in a different direction, and menu items are selected by clicking the mouse and then pointing in the direction of the menu item.
  • What is needed is an interface to provide users with a definable interface that minimizes cursor commute and does not clutter the work area.
  • BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention relates to a user definable interface that minimizes cursor commute.
  • The present invention is to be implemented in a cursor-based computing environment having a display. According to the present invention a user definable interface (UDI) is displayed upon activation by a user, wherein the UDI has a plurality of buttons and is displayed in a relative position about a cursor position to reduce cursor commute. The present invention permits the user to select a visual appearance and shape of the UDI, and the number of buttons. The present invention also permits the user to assign a command to each of the plurality of buttons by dragging and dropping from one or more applications of the apparatus.
  • The present invention further permits the user to form a first group of buttons and at least a second group of buttons. The user is permitted to assign a first icon representing a first specific one of the one or more applications to a first given button of the first group and assign commands, associated with the first specific one of the one or more applications to the second group of buttons. The present invention further permits the user to assign a second icon representing a second specific one of the one or more applications to a second given button of the first group and assign commands, associated with the second specific one of the one or more applications to the second group of buttons. The appearance of, and commands associated with, the second group of buttons change based on which button of the first group of buttons is selected.
  • The present invention further permits the user to activate the UDI by the user comprises at least one of clicking a hotkey, clicking a mouse button, or turning on the apparatus.
  • In a data processing system having a user defined interface (UDI), an alternative a method of the present invention comprises the steps of managing the UDI in response to user commands, providing at least one template that defines position for a plurality of command regions corresponding to the UDI, and providing a theme that defines attributes and commands for the for a plurality of command regions.
  • The present invention is also characterized as an apparatus comprising a user defined interface (UDI) having a plurality of command regions, a command processor that manages an interactive skin (IS) and a customizer. The IS includes a template that defines position information for the plurality of command regions corresponding to the UDI and at least one of default attributes and default commands for the plurality of command regions, and a theme that defines attributes if the template only defines default commands for the plurality of command regions, or commands if the template only defines default attributes for the plurality of command regions. The customizer permits user replacing or user extending of the default attributes or the default commands of one or more of the plurality of command regions. Typically the user is an end user of the apparatus, but the invention is not so limited.
  • The customizer permits a user to: hide the UDI; hide a portion of the UDI; have the UDI display upon launch; launch the UDI from a system tray; and scale the size of the UDI. Moreover, the can be UDI is displayed in a relative position about a cursor position. The customizer permits a user to define that relative position.
  • Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a user definable interface that enables each user to control interaction with any given software package or operating system through a customized set of interactive nestable commands and functions based upon user preference with the convenience of edit functionality.
  • Another aspect of the present invention relates to a user definable interface that allows selection of multiple actions with a single user interaction.
  • It is also another aspect of the present invention to provide a user definable interface that is invisible until prompted by the user and can be set to disappear again after a user selection.
  • It is another aspect the present invention is directed to a user definable interface that is executable during work on an active file.
  • Another aspect of the present invention relates to a device, method and computer program product that provide an efficient on-screen work environment tailored to the user's needs.
  • It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a translucent executable user definable interface on a display screen that enables a user to observe the work space depicted beneath the user definable interface through a centrally positioned window in the user definable interface.
  • It is another aspect of the present invention to permit selection of commands or functions by “clicking” an icon from a plurality of icons that enclose or partially enclose a central window. Clicking on a button causes one or more additional interface buttons to appear, launches an application, opens a file, or opens a container.
  • Another aspect of the present invention is directed to an Internet browser and application launching tool.
  • The user definable interface of the present invention provides a number of advantages over other interface overlays known in the art. For example, it allows users to customize commands according to the user's preference. In addition, it eliminates screen clutter by being invisible until activated and disappearing once a selection is made. Further, the present invention provides the user with the ability to view the work area on a display screen while the user definable interface is activated.
  • These and additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description that follows, and in part will be readily available to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein.
  • It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary of the invention and are intended to provide an overview of framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES
  • The features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings/figures in which like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left-most digit of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears.
  • FIG. 1 is a screen grab depicting a cluttered desktop.
  • FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are screen grabs depicting a Zenu™ UDI, in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 3A illustrates a conventional toolbar accessing a web page.
  • FIG. 3B illustrates a Zenu™ UDI accessing the web page of FIG. 3A, in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a Zenu™ UDI corresponding to the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates the opening of a file with the Zenu™ UDI of FIG. 4, in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative control capability of a Zenu™ UDI, in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 illustrated a Zenu™ UDI configured with an instant messager plug-in, in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIGS. 8A-F illustrate six exemplary Zenu™ UDIs, in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 9A illustrates a Zenu™ UDI and a interactive skin control panel, which is accessed by the user selecting Zenu™ UDI customization button, in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 9B illustrates an alternative to the Zenu™ UDI and a interactive skin control panel of FIG. 9A, in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 10A illustrates a Zenu™ UDI and a functionality control panel, in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 10B illustrates a Zenu™ UDI and a properties control panel, which permits the user to define various “Startup Options”, in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 11 depicts an exemplary architecture having a command processor that manages an interactive skin (IS), in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIGS. 12 through 19 are flow diagrams illustrating the operation of an exemplary Zenu™ UDI system and method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 20 illustrates an example of a computer system capable of carrying out the functionality described herein, in accordance with the present invention.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • The preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be discussed in detail. While specific features, configurations and arrangements are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other steps, configurations and arrangements may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Indeed, for the sake of brevity, conventional electronics, software and/or computer architecture, and other functional aspects of the method/apparatus (and components of the individual operating components of the apparatus) may not be described in detail herein. Furthermore, for purposes of brevity, the invention is frequently described herein as pertaining to data processing devices, such as personal computer or laptop computers, or set-top boxes in a television computing environment. It should be appreciated, however, that many other devices having a user viewable display for interaction therewith, and/or control thereof could be readily modified to included the present invention, and thus the techniques described herein could be used in connection with other such devices. Moreover, it should be understood that the spatial descriptions (e.g., “next to”, “above”, “below”, “up”, “down”, etc.) made herein are for purposes of illustration only.
  • The term “button” is used herein according to its customary meaning to refer to a graphical representation of an electrical push-button appearing as part of a graphical user interface, as would be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art. Moving the pointer device over the graphical “button” and pressing (or “clicking”) one of the physical buttons of the pointing device, for example, starts some software action such as closing a window or deleting a file.
  • The term “command” is used herein to refer to a software action taken when a button is activated. A command can launch an application, open a file, or perform some predefined function or set of functions.
  • The term “cursor” is used herein according to its customary meaning to refer to a movable symbol on a display device that shows where the user is working, whether typing in text, drawing lines, or moving something around. The cursor can be moved with the arrow keys or a pointing device. It usually appears in text programs as a blinking dash or rectangle, or an arrow. In graphics programs the cursor is often called a pointer, and can take many different shapes such as a brush, pencil, or hand, as would be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art.
  • The term “display device” is used herein according to its customary meaning to refer to a device capable of displaying an image, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor, liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma display, or like device used to display text, graphics, images, etc., to a user, as would be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art.
  • The term “pointing device” is used herein according to its customary meaning to refer to a mouse, track ball, touch pad, joy stick, voice activated control system, or the like device used to position a cursor on a display device, as would be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art.
  • The terms “user definable interface” and “Zenu™ UDI” are used interchangeably herein to refer to the present invention as described below.
  • The term “window” or “windows” are used herein according to their customary meaning to refer to portions of the display device that are divided into areas, which function as a separate input/output device under the control of different application programs, as would be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art. This gives the user the ability to see the output of several processes at once and to choose which one will receive input by selecting its window usually with a pointing device. WINO refers to Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointers (or maybe windows, icons, mouse, pull-down menus). The style of graphical user interface invented at Xerox PARC, later popularized by the Apple Macintosh and now available in other varieties such as the X Window System, OSF/Motif, NeWS RISC OS, and Microsoft® Windows, as would be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art.
  • I. OVERVIEW
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional desktop 100 as presented on a display 102 in a window 104. The desktop 100 includes a taskbar 106, and a plurality of applications, folders, files, shortcuts, and the like (referred to generally as 108) cluttering the desktop. The desktop typically occupies the whole display, and attempts to represent the top of an office desk (i.e., a real desktop). On a conventional graphical user interface, the icons on the screen resemble objects that would be found on a real desktop, such as file folders, a clock, etc. Users like to locate applications, folders, files, shortcuts, and the like on the desktop for easy access. As is typical, access is no longer easy when the desktop becomes cluttered. Among the many advantages and uses of the present invention, it brings new order to the desktop.
  • FIG. 2A illustrates a Zenu™ 200, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In a cursor-based computing apparatus having a display 102, the Zenu™ 200 comprises a user definable interface (UDI) that is displayed upon activation by a user. The UDI has a plurality of buttons and is displayed in a relative position about the cursor position to substantially reduce cursor commute. The Zenu™ (UDI) 200 permits the user to select a visual appearance and shape of the UDI, as well as other characteristics, such as the number of buttons to be displayed and the commands associated with those buttons. Also, the Zenu™ 200 permits the user to assign commands to the buttons by dragging and dropping from one or more applications associated with (e.g., capable of running on, or otherwise coupled to) the apparatus.
  • In this embodiment, Zenu™ 200 can have multiple groups of buttons. The multiple groups of buttons can have different functionality. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, a first group of buttons on the lower half of the Zenu™ 200 ( buttons 204, 206 and those located on the outer circumference there between) can each have a first class of functionality. The second group of buttons (such as the remaining buttons on the outer circumference on the top portion of Zenu™ 200) can have a second class of functionality, the second class of functionality having some association with the first class of functionality. For example, the first class of functionality can cause icons to appear on other buttons, and the second class of functionality can cause some action associated with another button to occur.
  • An example of the association between the first class of functionality of the first group of buttons and the second class of functionality of the second group of buttons is illustrated at FIG. 2B. By way of example, not limitation, reference is made to the “My computer” button 206. My computer button 206 is a button in the first group. When My computer button 206 is clicked or otherwise selected using a pointing device, software action causes icons to appear on the second group of buttons. In this example, buttons 208 through 216 of the second group of buttons display icons corresponding to options, commands, files, or the like, associated with My computer button 206 of the first group of buttons.
  • Similarly, as shown in FIG. 2C, when the user clicks or otherwise selects Internet browser button 220 of the first group of buttons, the second group of buttons will display features, commands, URLs, or the like, associated with the Internet browser button 220. Selecting the applications button 220 causes various icons corresponding to resident applications to be displayed on the second group of buttons, such as Zenu™ button 222, find button 224, Internet browser button 226, etc.
  • Zenu™ 200 can comprise additional groups of buttons as illustrated generally at 230. The commands associated with button groups 230 can comprise common cursor control operations as illustrated by the arrows at upper and lower groups 230, or the like.
  • FIG. 3A illustrates a conventional menu driven display, which in this case is a tool bar 302 of Microsoft® Internet Explorer. Illustrated in the main window is a web page 304 corresponding to the Internet address at 306. FIG. 3B illustrates Microsoft® Internet Explorer at the same web page after being launched by a previously invoked Zenu™ 310. The commands of tool bar 302 in FIG. 3A are illustrated in the upper button group of Zenu™ 310, as shown generally at 312.
  • Thus, according to the present invention, use of the Zenu™ 310 in this example simplifies the user's interaction with the Microsoft® Internet Explorer application by providing common Microsoft® Internet Explorer commands on the Zenu™ 310 for easy access by the user. Also, as will be described in detail below, the user can define the commands associated with the first group of buttons. For example, the web page displayed in FIG. 3B could be the home page associated with the Microsoft® Internet Explorer application. In this case, the user's selection of the icon 314 would bring up this web page. Further description of the functionality including the operation and definability of a Zenu™ UDI will be addressed in the next sections.
  • II. FUNCTIONALITY
  • A. Title Operation
  • 1. What Can the Zenu™ UDI Do?
  • FIG. 4 illustrates user definable interface (UDI or Zenu™) 400 used to launch applications, files, or web pages, or the like, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, Zenu™ 400 is in the form of a ring 402 having a group of buttons along its outer circumference and an open central section 404. Selected buttons have been associated with various software applications, files, folders, and the like. The illustration of such software applications, files and folders in the context of a personal computer or laptop is provided by way of example, not limitation. The present invention can be implemented with any apparatus having a display device for user interaction with the device. In this example, selection of the resume button 406 opens the file “resume.doc” and launches the associated software application (Microsoft® Word in this example), assuming that the application was not currently running. FIG. 5 shows the opened file and an associated application. Alternatively, the Zenu™ 400 can be modified by the user to launch various software applications. As would become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art, the launching of software applications, opening of files, or accessing web sites are only examples of the type of launching that can be done from a Zenu™ UDI. The present invention should not be limited to such examples.
  • According to the present invention the Zenu™ UDI also functions as a controller. For example, after opening of the file 406, the appearance and command functionality of the buttons on ring 402 of Zenu™ 400 change, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Zenu™ 400's buttons now correspond to different commands than those of Zenu™ 400. Upon opening of the resume.doc file, the commands associated with Zenu™ UDI automatically switch to commands that correspond to various Microsoft® Word menu choices/actions. See, for example, “bold” action 502.
  • The Zenu™ UDI can have default commands associated with the various software applications, such as Microsoft® Word, or any other software application or control system capable of being controlled by a display device. Alternatively, the Zenu™ UDI can be modified by the user to launch various software applications. As would become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art, the control of software applications, control systems or other apparatus coupled to a display device are only examples of the type of control functionality that can be performed by a Zenu™ UDI. The present invention should not be limited to such examples.
  • Such alternative control capability of a Zenu™ UDI is illustrated in FIG. 6. In this figure, a Zenu™ 600 is visible on an automobile dashboard display device 602. The pointer device can be buttons integrated on the steering wheel, rotary dials and buttons on the dashboard, a touch screen on the display itself, a voice input system, and combinations thereof, as would become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art.
  • A major advantage of such Zenu™ UDI integration is commonality. Once users become accustomed to the Zenu™ UDI's appearance, operation and definability, their efficiency in using new devices incorporating a Zenu™ UDI will dramatically improve. Many consumers complain that “I can't even program the clock on my VCR, yet alone my . . . .” This unwillingness and frustration of the general public to program consumer electronic devices, controllers, appliances, and the like can be redressed by integration of the Zenu™ UDI into a wide variety of devices. Thus, in other applications, the Zenu™ UDI can be integrated with hand-held controllers, such a remote controls for televisions, video equipment, home entertainment systems, cameras, household, including wireless telephones, copiers, as wells as commercial appliances and tools, and the like, as would become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art.
  • A further use of the Zenu™ UDI is as a container. FIG. 7 illustrated a Zenu™ 700 configured with an instant messaging plug-in. In this example, a container 702 is appended to the top of the Zenu™ 700 upon selection of the instant messaging plug-in button 704. This button 704 can be a button on the outer button ring 706 or elsewhere on the Zenu™ 700. Once the container 702 is displayed, the upper buttons of the Zenu™ 700 are automatically flipped to form an outer bottom hemisphere ring (hemi-ring) 708. Also, upper inner ring buttons (shown generally at 710) are re-located to the bottom inner ring automatically. Various controls for the container 702 can be located at region 712, or along top 714 or sides 716, 718 of the container 702.
  • Alternative types of Zenu™ UDI containers include, but are not limited to tickers, video clip viewing, image viewing, quick file viewing, or the like, as would become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art.
  • 2. What Can the Zenu™ UDI Look Like?
  • The user definable characteristics of a Zenu™ UDI are extensive. A main definable characteristic of a Zenu™ UDI is its shape. FIGS. 8A-F are illustrate six exemplary Zenu™ UDIs. These examples are presented by way of example and not limitation. FIG. 8A illustrates a rectangular Zenu™ UDI comprising rows and columns of Zenu™ buttons. FIG. 8B illustrates a Zenu™ UDI similar to FIG. 8A, but the rows have an arch appearance. FIG. 8C illustrates a ring shaped Zenu™ UDI, with a central transparent window 800 and the same Zenu™ buttons of FIGS. 8A and 8B connected in a contiguous manner. Alternatively, a ring shaped Zenu™ UDI can have round buttons arranged in a noncontiguous manner, as illustrated in FIG. 8F.
  • Two more stylized Zenu™ UDIs are shown in FIGS. 8D and E. In FIG. 8D, the Zenu™ UDI is in a rectangle, but in contrast to FIG. 8A, the Zenu™ buttons enclose a central rectangular area 802. Central rectangular area can comprise an advertisement, corporate brand, customizable text or images, or the like, or it can be transparent like area 800. Alternatively, the central section may comprise a Zenu™ container as described above in connection with FIG. 7. A further stylized Zenu™ UDI is shown in FIG. 8E. Here noncontiguous Zenu™ buttons surround a central circular portion similar to the enclosed area 802 of FIG. 8D. An inner 804 border is also included.
  • B. Definability
  • 1. Defining Zenu™ UDI Look
  • Another aspect of the present invention is the ability of users to readily modify the appearance of the Zenu™ UDI. According to this aspect of the present invention, the user's ability to define the appearance of the Zenu™ UDI is hereafter referred to as providing an “interactive skin” for the Zenu™ UDI. FIG. 9A illustrates a Zenu™ 900 and a interactive skin control panel 902, which is accessed by the user selecting Zenu™ customization button 904. The interactive skin control panel 902 presents to the user a plurality of predetermined Zenu™ interactive skins (shown generally at 906), and a separate Zenu™ 908 for interacting with the interactive skin control panel 902. Interactive skin control panel 902 permits the user to select an interactive skin of the Zenu™ UDI according to various possibilities as described above in connection with FIGS. 8A-8F, for example.
  • The user's ability to define the appearance of the Zenu™ UDI using the interactive skin control panel 902 to select an interactive skin is not limited to selecting the shape and arrangement of buttons, as described above in connection with FIGS. 8A-F. Various Zenu™ interactive skin attributes can be modified, including, but not limited to color, shading, texture mapping, animation, scaling, and various other computer graphic affects, as would be apparent to a person skilled in relevant art.
  • The interactive skin control panel 902 illustrated in FIG. 9A is an example of a novice user control panel. FIG. 9B illustrates an alternative to the Zenu™ UDI and an interactive skin control panel of FIG. 9A, in accordance with the present invention. Examples of advanced user control panels are illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B.
  • 2. Defining Zenu™ UDI Functionality
  • In addition to permitting the user to define an interactive skin for a Zenu™ UDI, according to another embodiment of the present invention, users can also define the functionality of the Zenu™ UDI. FIG. 10A illustrates a Zenu™ 1000 and a Zenu™ UDI functionality control panel 1002. The Zenu™ UDI functionality control panel 1002 is also accessible via the Zenu™ customization button 904. The Zenu™ functionality control panel 1002 represents an advanced user control panel.
  • Various software application commands can be assigned using the “plugins” 1004 and 1006. The currently available applications are listed in window 1004 and their associated commands are listed in window 1006. “Glossary Commands” are available to the user in a window 1008. New glossary commands can be added via a button 1010, and/or edited via a button 1012. Button resets are available via button 1014. Selection of an available theme, as described in detail below, can be applied via a pull-down menu 1016. Alternatively, a program to be started upon clicking the button being defined can be selected by a “Browse” button 1018. The new command string for the button being defined is displayed in a window 1020. Conventional control panel buttons “OK”, “Cancel” and “Apply to Button” (1022, 1024 and 1026, respectively) are also provided.
  • In this figure, the Zenu™ functionality control panel 1002 illustrates the functionality of an exemplary button 1003 (as shown at the top of the Zenu™ functionality control panel 1002). Button 1003 is “Square,” and its current command is associated with the Internet Explorer “Refresh” action. Button 1003's command string is listed in window 1020. The Refresh icon (two opposing arrows) is shown on the Zenu™ 1000.
  • A “ToolTip per Theme” option permits the user to assign, via a pull-down menu, text that is to be displayed when the cursor floats over a button. The ToolTip text explains the command to be performed, such as “My Computer” when the cursor passes over button 206, as shown in FIG. 2B.
  • FIG. 10B illustrates a Zenu™ 1050 and Zenu™ properties control panel 1052, which permits the user to define various “Startup Options” 1054. Alternatively, the user can select to “Reset Overrides” by selecting tab 1056 (the Startup Options 1054 occults the Reset Overrides options in the figure).
  • 3. Disabilities Act Compliance
  • In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act to require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. Inaccessible technology interferes with an individual's ability to obtain and use information quickly and easily. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 794d), was enacted to eliminate barriers in information technology, to make available new opportunities for people with disabilities, and to encourage development of technologies that will help achieve these goals. The law applies to all Federal agencies when they develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology. Under Section 508, agencies must give disabled employees and members of the public access to information that is comparable to the access available to others.
  • According to another embodiment, the Zenu™ UDI of the present invention can be adopted for the following, non-exhaustive list of Technical Standards of Subpart B, Section 508: 1194.21 Software applications and operating systems; 1194.22 Web-based intranet and internet information and applications; 1194.23 Telecommunications products; 1194.24 Video and multimedia products; 1194.25 Self contained, closed products; and 1194.26 Desktop and portable computers. Those skilled in the art will readily envision other similar applications for the Zenu™ UDI of the present invention.
  • III. EXEMPLARY ARCHITECTURE
  • A. Interactive Skin
  • This section describes an exemplary architecture for implementing a Zenu™ UDI having a plurality of command regions. Command regions correspond to the various Zenu™ buttons described above, for example. According to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 11 depicts an exemplary architecture 1100 having a command processor 1104 that manages an interactive skin (IS) 1106. IS 1106 comprises a template 1108 and a theme 1110. The template 1108 defines position information for the plurality of command regions corresponding to the UDI (not shown). Template 1108 also defines default attributes 1112 or default commands 1114 for the plurality of command regions. The theme 1110 defines (1) attributes 1116 if the template 1108 only defines default commands 1114 for the plurality of command regions, and/or (2) commands 1118 if the template 1108 only defines default attributes 1112 for the plurality of command regions. A customizer 1120 is provided to permit the user to replace or extend any of the default attributes 1112 or the default commands 1114 of any of the plurality of command regions.
  • B. Exemplary Architecture Syntax
  • This section describes the various syntactical expressions used to create the UDI interface and the functionality applied to certain click areas, whether they appear as buttons or just a portion of an image. These settings are stored in a Template file (.tpl), and a Theme file (.thm) located in the subdirectories “Template” and “Theme” respectively, for example. Settings can also be stored in a text initialization file (.ini).
  • Order of precedence dictates which settings are used. Settings that originate in the Template file can be replaced by settings in a Theme file, and the resulting settings can further be replaced by user/application-defined settings in the initialization (i.e., customization) file.
  • For the purpose of this document, action areas will be called “buttons” although they can appear as any bitmap that is specified in the resource file, thereby making it possible for a button to take most any shape or look that is possible using combinations of background bitmaps, and button bitmaps.
  • 1. Settings
  • The currently available settings for UDI buttons or action/click areas are defined as follows in Table 1:
    TABLE 1
    A Indicates that this area is available to be
    morphed into a Quicklaunch or Internet
    Favorites button.
    Transparent Indicates whether there is a transparency color
    in the bitmap that is to be used for the button.
    Bitmap The Name of the Bitmap resource that is to be
    used for the button.
    BtnType The number of states that the bitmap has, for
    instance: normal, pressed, flyover, and disabled.
    Tooltip The tool tip to display when a user hovers the
    mouse cursor over the button. *Note, when in a
    template or theme file there is no need for a
    theme specific indication because that particular
    file is already theme specific. However, in the
    initialization file, tool tips must be associated
    with specific themes because the .ini file itself
    is not theme specific.
    Tweak Provides a means of adjusting button locations
    more accurately than a dialog resource allows.
    AutoRepeat Indicates whether a button repeats the
    “click” command if a user holds the left
    mouse down while clicking. An example
    might be a button that is used for scrolling.
    Checkbutton Indicates whether the button stays in the pressed
    position until another button on the window is
    pressed.
    Icon Specifies the name of the Icon (or bitmap)
    located in the resource file to be used with
    a button.
    IconType Indicates whether the name specified by
    “Icon” was a bitmap or Icon.
    Template Indicates opening the specified window named.
    Theme If the window specified by “Template” is
    found, this setting will make the window apply
    the theme specified.
  • 2. Settings Syntax
  • Acceptable Values are listed below in Table 2:
    TABLE 2
    A “QL” for Quicklaunch or “BM” for
    Internet Favorites Book mark
    Transparent True or False
    Bitmap The name of the bitmap in the resource file.
    BtnType A number between 1 and 4
    Tooltip Text
    Tweak X, Y with both values being an integer number
    AutoRepeat True or False
    CheckButton True or False
    Icon Name of an Icon or Bitmap located in resource file
    IconType “Bitmap” or “Icon”
    Template The text name of a Template.
    Theme The text name of a Theme to apply to the window.

    *There should not be any spaces in the text, except when a name has a space in it, for instance “Bitmap=Cat Eye;” where the bitmap is named “Cat Eye”.
  • The follow is an examples string using proper syntax:
      • BtnType=3; Bitmap=TWO; Transparent=FALSE; Template=Zenu; Theme=MyComputer;.
  • Where: BtnType indicates the button has 3 states—normal, pressed, and flyover. Bitmap specifies that there is a bitmap in the resource file with the name of “TWO” that is to be applied to this button. “Transparent=False;” states that there is no transparency color in the bitmap. The “Template=zenu; Theme=MyComputer;” indicates that when the button is clicked, the main window named “Zenu™” will change its theme to the “MyComputer” theme.
  • 3. Button Command Syntax
  • Each command entered for a button to process upon clicking, must be separated with a semi-colon, for instance:
      • CMD:http://www.cuspis.com;c:\winnt\system32\calc.exe;.
  • The “CMD:” shown above is a keyword specifying that this command is not from a plugin. If the use wishes to process a plugin command, the “PLUGIN:” keyword would have to precede the command itself, for instance:
      • PLUGIN:word.bold;.
  • If the user wants to process commands from both plugins and non-plugin commands, the keyword “CMD:” or “PLUGIN:” must precede the command in the text. In addition to the “CMD:”, the user can also specify a double-click action by using the keyword “CMDDBL:”.
  • For Instance:
      • CMDDBL:“Template=zenu;Theme=Quicklaunch; Icon=QUICKLAUNCH;IconType=Icon; Tooltip=Quicklaunch”;.
  • Another example is as follows:
      • CMD:http://www.cuspis.com;c:\winnt\system32\calc.exe;PLUGIN:word.bold;.
  • In response to the text of this second example, the program will open (if not open already) the web browser, and navigate to http://www.cuspis.com, next it will open the calculator program (if the path to the file is correct), and if MS word is open, will process the plugin command word.bold.
  • 4. Theme Specific Commands
  • A user can specify commands that are only activated while using a specific theme. For instance, if the user wanted a button to open the calculator program when using a theme called “Math”, but wanted this button to open http://www.amazon.com any other time, the user could write the following command:
      • AllOther=CMD:http://www.amazon.com;
      • Math=CMD:C:\winnt\system32\calc.exe;.
  • In the above sample command, if the theme called “Math” was the current theme, the calculator program will open, otherwise for all other themes, this button will open the browser to amazon.com.
  • The following is yet another sample command:
      • Math=CMD:c:\winnt\system32\calc.exe;Favorites=http://www.msn.com;.
  • By using of a theme called “Retro”, and the user then click the button with the command above, the Zenu™ UDI will not use either command. Instead, the Zenu™ UDI will look for the default command for the button in the template resource file.
  • 5. Click and Drag
  • Users can click and drag shortcuts from the Windows desktop or Windows Explorer to a Zenu™ button of the present invention. This will cause the button to have the same action as the shortcut. If a file that is not a shortcut is dragged from Windows Explorer to a Zenu™ button, the Zenu™ UDI will make the button a shortcut pointing to the file that was dragged. For instance, if the user drags a Microsoft® Word or notepad document onto a Zenu™ button, clicking that Zenu™ button will now open the document that was dragged onto the button. This overrides the default action of the button defined in the template or theme file as well as user-defined commands.
  • 6. Hot Key
  • A “Hot Key” can be assigned by the user to show/hide the Zenu™ UDI. For example, a specific, default set of key strokes, say Alt+F10, can be used. The user can readily change the default Hot Key, by right clicking anywhere on the UDI, and accessing “customize” and then the “Hot Key” feature. Next, all the user needs to do is press the desired key combination for the Hit Key, and it will be recorded in the text box of the Hot Key window. When the user is finished selecting the desired Hot Key, the user simply clicks “OK”. This will change the Hot Key, and store it so that the next time Zenu™ UDI is executed, it will use the same Hot Key combination to show/hide.
  • D. Sizing of the Zenu™ UDI
  • The Zenu™ customizer of the present invention also permits the user to change the size of the Zenu™ UDI (i.e., the space occupied on the screen by the Zenu™ UDI). Sizing can be an integral component of the tool, permitting the user to scale (stretch or shrink) the Zenu™ UDI to match the desired size. Sizing could be arbitrary, as in permitting the user click on an edge or “handle” and changed the size of the Zenu™ UDI. In a preferred embodiment, however, the user would be presented with a finite number of size option, say three sizes: smaller, normal, and larger. This allows exact scaling of the Zenu™ UDI to eliminate distortion and to maintain its aspect ratio. In another embodiment, up to ten different sizes are available including “full screen”, which becomes an attractive option when the Zenu™ UDI acts as the container for chat, video, browsing, mail, and the like.
  • The template and the theme can be designed to include knowledge of the multiple sizes available. Alternatively, all that is required is the “Normal” set of templates and theme components. As the user selects to change the size, the template/theme combination is scanned for prior-knowledge of possible sizes. The customizer can presents user with the additional choice(s). Once a new size is chosen, imagery designed specifically for the different size is used. In the event that an image is not provided or available at the different size, the normal image is scaled to match the destination, as would become apparent to a person skilled in the art of developing window-based applications. Sizing of the Zenu™ UDI provides greater flexibility when implemented with the templates and themes. The system that allows the designers to choose whether they desired to re-use a simple graphic at multiple resolutions, or to duplicate an image for different resolutions increasing or decreasing the amount of detail included in the image. This is similar to conventional icon on the desktop; an icon (.ico) can contain up to four different images, two each in black and white and color at 16×16 and 32×32 pixels.
  • E. Exemplary Architecture Operation
  • FIGS. 12 through 19 are flow diagrams illustrating the operation of an exemplary Zenu™ UDI system and method according to an embodiment of the present invention. For ease of explaining this example, the Zenu™ UDI comprises an application executing on a personal computer in a Microsoft® Windows environment. The Zenu™ UDI from a file resident in the computer system, such as in a fixed drive or other memory medium.
  • Turning to FIG. 12, a step 1202 represents launching of the Zenu™ UDI. Thus, once launched in this manner, the Zenu™ UDI is loaded in the computer's random access memory (RAM) and either appears as an icon in the Window's system tray, or is displayed for the first time. At a step 1204 available themes and templates are enumerated according to their associated file names so as to create a main UDI window, as shown at a step 1206. As part of the launching process, a decision is made at a step 1208 as to whether a default Hot Key has been overridden. If not, a default Hot Key is assumed as shown at a Step 1210. If the default Hot Key was overridden, the system will use the Hot Key override as shown at a step 1212. Next, at a decision step 1214, it is determined whether the UDI is to be shown at startup. If YES, the UDI is displayed, as shown generally at a step 1216. Otherwise, the UDI is started and placed in the Window's system tray as an icon, as shown at a step 1218. The system then waits for an event, shown generally at a step 1220.
  • FIG. 13 is a flow diagram representing further details of step 1206 (create main UDI window) of FIG. 12. FIG. 13 illustrates how the Zenu™ UDI obtains its appearance and what it does in order to render such appearance using system windows from Microsoft® Windows. Creating basic windows for the UDI begins at a start step 1302. Then a set of application resources are passed to a Template .dll, as a step 1304. The Template .dll comprises the resources within the UDI that gives the Zenu™ UDI its shape and controls position of the buttons. At a next step 1306, a Theme .dll is loaded, as specified in an .ini file, or the like. The load Theme .dll stores all of the individual overrides of the Template in terms of its default appearance. At a next step, 1308, the relevant “UDI window look” is applied, together with other window settings. The details of step 1308 are described below in connection with FIG. 14. Next, at a step 1310, the buttons of the Zenu™ UDI are created as basic window definitions. The details of button creation are described below in connection with FIG. 15. Various settings of the buttons are then applied at a step 1312. The details of the button settings are described below in connection with FIG. 16. At a next step, 1314, the Zenu™ UDI waits for an event to occur. At this stage two events can occur; a button can be clicked, or a drop file unbutton event can occur. A “button click” is described below in connection with FIGS. 17 and 18. A “drop file unbutton event” is described below in connection with FIG. 19.
  • FIG. 14 describes the details of a plain UDI window look and other window settings as introduced at step 1308. This process starts at a step 1402. Based on the availability of the template and theme information, a decision is made (step 1404) to determine if the “main window look” is overridden in the theme file. If YES (i.e., the theme is going to be used), a region is created according to a “main UDI window look” in the theme, as shown at a step 1406. Otherwise, information from the default template will be used to create the region, as shown at step 1408. Next, at a step 1410, the window pop-up position information is retrieved from the .ini file. In other words, the position where the Zenu™ UDI was last displayed is obtained, or a cursor relative position is determined. At a step 1412 the window is then registered as an application object with a operating system for tracking and access purposes. Thus, the operation is performed and the flow FIG. of 14 represents a “shell” of the window for the Zenu™ UDI. Next, at a step 1414, the process flows to step 1310, which is further described in connection with FIG. 15.
  • FIG. 15 illustrates the flow in connection with “creating buttons” as introduced at step 1310. The flow begins at a start step 1502. Steps 1504 through 1518 access the template to determine the designated number of buttons that make up the Zenu™ UDI. For example, the Zenu™ UDI of FIG. 8A comprises 12 buttons; two rows of 6 buttons each. In essence, this figure represents the creation of a small window corresponding to each button and links them together to create a Zenu™ shell. Every time a new Zenu™ UDI session is initialized, i.e., the Zenu™ UDI is launched, small windows called “child windows” corresponding to each button of the Zenu™ UDI must be created to form the UDI, as shown at a step 1504. A first button is processed as shown at a step 1506. At a step 1508, it is then determined whether the child window is a button. If YES, a UDI button is created and it is assigned a subclass as a child window, at a step 1510. Next, a pointer to the button is stored in a list for future access, as shown at a step 1512. If an additional child window is to be processed, as determined at a step 1514, the next button is retrieved, as shown at a step 1516. The process then flows back to step 1508, otherwise the flow proceeds to step 1312 as shown by step 1518. Step 1312 applies various settings to each button just created, the details of which are described in connection with FIG. 16.
  • FIG. 16 further illustrated the process of step 1312 for applying various settings to the buttons created in FIG. 15. Thus, the steps illustrated in FIG. 16 are performed for each button for which a region was defined in FIG. 15. The flow starts at a step 1602 and proceeds to get a first button for processing at step 1604. At a step 1606 a theme name and parent template name are set for the button. Next, at a step 1608, the button configuration string from the .ini file is set. Next, at a step 1610, an application resource is set to the UDI template file. At a step 1612, the configuration string from the button for the template file is loaded. At a step 1614, the application resource is set to the UDI windows current theme file. At step 1616, the configuration string from the button is loaded from the theme file. At a step 1618, the theme settings string is merged with the template settings thereby overriding the values in the template setting string (i.e., theme settings are replaced by template settings).
  • At a step 1620, the button configuration that was loaded from the .ini file is merged with the existing string, thereby overriding values with values that originated in the .ini file. In other words, the settings that are in the .ini file are used to replace the existing settings in the configuration string. At steps 1622 through 1662, the available settings for UDI buttons (buttons are sometimes referred to as action, or click areas) that are defined in Table 1 are applied to the button. Thus, at step 1622 the “setting” is applied to the button to thereby associate Microsoft® Window Quicklaunch or Favorites with the Zenu™ UDI for easy access by the user.
  • At a step 1624 a transparent setting can be applied to the button. Transparency allows buttons, and the like, to be visible while at the same time allowing the underlying image to be partially visible. Various known transparency techniques can be employed, as would become apparent to a person skilled in the computer graphics art. At step 1622 a resource bitmap is located, if so specified in the configuration string for the button in the theme file. If a bitmap is located, as determined at step 1628, then the button bitmap is set to the located bitmap, at a step 1630. Otherwise, the application resource is set to the UDI windows template file and the associated bitmap resource is searched for, as shown at step 1632. If a template file bitmap resource is located, as determined at a step 1634, flow proceeds to 1630. Otherwise, the button is deleted as shown at a step 1636. If the button is deleted, further buttons can be processed, as determined at a step 1638. If so, a pointer to the next button is located, at a step 1640, and flow proceeds to step 1606.
  • After a bitmap is determined at either of step 1628 or step 1634, it is applied at step 1630. Next, a theme specific tool tip is set at a step 1644. Then, at step 1646, a “tweak” amount is set for button positioning. At a step 1548 an “auto repeat” feature is applied to the button if so desired. At step 1650, a “check button” setting is applied to the button if so desired.
  • Next, at a step 1652, it is determined whether a theme specific icon is specified for the button. If so, the theme specific icon is applied to the button, at step 1654. Otherwise, flow proceeds to a step 1656 to determine whether there is a bitmap to use as an icon. If so, the icon bitmap is applied to the button at a step 1658. Otherwise, flow proceeds to a step 1660.
  • At step 1660 it is determined whether the “A” setting indicates that the button is to accept Quicklaunch or Favorites features. If YES, the appropriate attributes are applied to the button at a step 1662. If not, flow proceeds to step 1638 so as to process any further buttons. Once all buttons are processed, flow continues back to step 1314 as shown at a step 1642.
  • These collections of styles that can be applied to a button (attributes, properties, or the like, e.g., a bitmap, a font, tool tip, flyover characteristic) have a particular precedence. Such characteristics are defined in the configuration file. If no such characteristics are found in the configuration file, the theme is searched. If such a characteristic is found in the theme it is applied. If no such characteristic is found in the theme, or it wasn't in the configuration file, the template is searched. If no such characteristic is located in the template, any predetermined default is applied. Thus, softer defaults as well as overrides at the template level, theme level, and user configuration level are available according to this embodiment of the present invention. The flow of FIG. 16 follows this iteration to determine what attributes to apply to the buttons. For example, the “set tweak amount” for positioning at step 1646 searches the configuration file and the theme to determine whether an modification has been made to the position of the button. In the case in which Zenu™ buttons are nested, in other words, clicking a button opens another level of buttons, each level of buttons has different parent templates, and a theme associated with each level. Thus, the position of buttons of a particular level is determined by their template and their appearance is determined by the theme of that level.
  • Turning again to the “waiting for an event” step 1314, two events can occur: a “button click”, which is described in connection with FIGS. 17 and 18, or “a dropped file unbutton file event”, which is described at FIG. 19.
  • FIGS. 17 and 18 describe the process that occurs when a button is clicked. This process begins at a step 1702, and proceeds to determine whether the UDI is in button configuration mode, at a step 1704. If so, the current settings for the button are displayed in the configuration window at a step 1706. The process then enters the “wait for event” mode, at a step 1716 (which is equivalent to the wait for event step 1314). If not in the configuration mode, flow proceeds to a step 1708, which determines if there is a user defined button command for the button that applies to this theme. If so, the command is executed at a step 1710, then flow proceeds to step 1716. If no button command is defined, flow proceeds to step 1712 to determine if there is a built-in command for the button with the theme applied to the UDI as specified in the theme file. If YES, that command is then executed at step 1710. If not, flow proceeds to step 1714 to determine if a default command for the button is found in the default template file. If so, the default command is executed at step 1710. Otherwise, flow proceeds to step 1716 to wait for another event.
  • FIG. 18 illustrates the process for executing a command formed at step 1710. The execute command process begins at a step 1802. The command string is parsed at a step 1804. The syntax of the command string as described above in connection with Tables 1 and 2. Next, the first command is evaluated at a step 1806. If the command is a plug-in, as determined at a step 1808, the plug-in .dll is loaded to create a plug-in object and a command is executed at a step 1810. If the command is not a plug-in, it is determined whether the command specifies opening a template or theme, at a step 1812. If so, the theme, template, or both are opened, at a step 1814. Next, it is determined whether the command was to close a template, at a step 1816. If so, the closed template specified is performed, at a step 1818. As a result of steps 1810, 1814 and step 1818, or if the result of step 1816 is NO, it is next determined whether a command has been executed, at a step 1820. If YES, it is then determined whether there is another command in the string to process, at a step 1822. If so, the next command is obtained, at a step 1826, and flow proceeds to evaluate the command, at step 1808. If the result of the query in step 1820 is NO, a shell execute command is performed, at a step 1824. Control then proceeds after step 1824 to step 1822. If no other commands are to be executed in the string flow proceeds to step 1828 to wait for an event, which is the equivalent of “wait for event” step 1314.
  • FIG. 19 illustrates the process for handling a “dropped file on button event.” Flow begins at a step 1902. Next, a short-cut is created to the file that is dropped on the button, and that short-cut is placed in a Zenu™ short-cut directory, at a step 1904. Next, a short-cut icon for the file association is placed on the button and is modified according to the theme/layer specific characteristics, at a step 1906. Finally, the button command is edited based on the current theme, so that when the button is clicked the file is opened if that theme is currently applied, at a step 1908. The wait for event step is entered again at a step 1910.
  • IV. EXAMPLE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT IMPLEMENTATIONS
  • The Zenu™ UDI of the present invention can be implemented using hardware, software or a combination thereof and may be implemented in one or more computer systems or other processing systems. In fact, in one embodiment, the invention is directed toward one or more computer systems capable of carrying out the functionality described herein. An example of a computer system 2000 is shown in FIG. 20. The computer system 2000 includes one or more processors, such as processor 2004. Processor 2004 can support various operating systems such as Microsoft® Windows, Unix, Lixux, or the like. The processor 2004 is connected to a communication infrastructure 2006 (e.g., a communications bus, cross-over bar, or network). Various software embodiments are described in terms of this exemplary computer system. After reading this description, it will become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the invention using other computer systems and/or computer architectures.
  • Computer system 2000 can include a display interface 2002 that forwards graphics, text, and other data from the communication infrastructure 2006 (or from a frame buffer not shown) for display on the display device 2030.
  • Computer system 2000 also includes a main memory 2008, preferably random access memory (RAM), and can also include a secondary memory 2010. The secondary memory 2010 can include, for example, a hard disk drive 2012 and/or a removable storage drive 2014, representing a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, or the like. The removable storage drive 2014 reads from and/or writes to a removable storage unit 2018 in a well known manner. Removable storage unit 2018, represents a floppy disk, magnetic tape, optical disk, of the like, which is read by and written to by removable storage drive 2014. As will be appreciated, the removable storage unit 2018 includes a computer usable storage medium having stored therein computer software and/or data.
  • In alternative embodiments, secondary memory 2010 can include other similar means for allowing computer programs or other instructions to be loaded into computer system 2000. Such means can include, for example, a removable storage unit 2022 and an interface 2020. Examples of such can include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as that found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM, or PROM) and associated socket, and other removable storage units 2022 and interfaces 2020 which allow software and data to be transferred from the removable storage unit 2022 to computer system 2000.
  • Computer system 2000 can also include a communications interface 2024. Communications interface 2024 allows software and data to be transferred between computer system 2000 and external devices. Examples of communications interface 2024 can include a modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communications port, a PCMCIA slot and card, infrared, radio frequency (RF), or the like. Software and data transferred via communications interface 2024 are in the form of signals 2028 which can be electronic, electromagnetic, optical or other signals capable of being received by communications interface 2024. These signals 2028 are provided to communications interface 2024 via a communications path (i.e., channel) 2026. This channel 2026 carries signals 2028 and can be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, a phone line, a cellular phone link, an RF link and other communications channels.
  • In this document, the terms “computer program medium” and “computer usable medium” are used to generally refer to media such as removable storage drive 2014, a hard disk installed in hard disk drive 2012, and signals 2028. These computer program products are means for providing software to computer system 2000. The invention is directed to such computer program products.
  • Computer programs (also called computer control logic) are stored in main memory 2008 and/or secondary memory 2010. Computer programs can also be received via communications interface 2024. Such computer programs, when executed, enable the computer system 2000 to perform the features of the present invention as discussed herein. In particular, the computer programs, when executed, enable the processor 2004 to perform the features of the present invention. Accordingly, such computer programs represent controllers or modules of the computer system 2000.
  • In an embodiment where the invention is implemented using software, the software can be stored in a computer program product and loaded into computer system 2000 using removable storage drive 2014, hard drive 2012 or communications interface 2024. The control logic or modules (software), when executed by the processor 2004, causes the processor 2004 to perform the functions of the invention as described herein.
  • In another embodiment, the invention is implemented primarily in hardware using, for example, hardware components such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Implementation of the hardware state machine so as to perform the functions described herein will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s).
  • In yet another embodiment, the invention is implemented using a combination of both hardware and software.
  • V. CONCLUSION
  • While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. This is especially true in light of technology and terms within the relevant art(s) that may be later developed.
  • The present invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks or modules (see FIGS. 11 and 20, for example) illustrating the performance of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. One skilled in the art will recognize that these functional building blocks can be implemented by discrete components, application specific integrated circuits, processors executing appropriate software and the like or any combination thereof. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims (9)

1. A method for displaying a plurality of user interface levels on a display of a handheld device that includes an input device, the method comprising:
(a) displaying an interface level having a plurality of command regions;
(b) permitting a user to select among the command regions using the input device;
(c) displaying, based the selection in step (b), another interface level that replaces on the display the interface level displayed in step (a), wherein both interface levels have substantially a same visual appearance and command regions; and
(d) permitting the user to again select among the command regions using the input device to access yet another interface level or perform a function associated with a selected one of the command regions.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the displaying steps further comprise displaying the interface levels on at least one of a camera, a remote control, a mobile device, or a wireless telephone as the handheld device.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the permitting steps further comprise permitting the user to make the selections with at least one of a pointing device, a track ball, a touch pad, a joy stick, a voice activated control system, rotary dials, or a touch screen as the input device.
4. A system, comprising:
a display that displays an interface, the interface comprising a plurality of levels each having a plurality of command regions, wherein the visual appearance of the interface remains substantially the same for each of the plurality of levels, and wherein only one of the levels appears at a given time; and
an input device that allows a user to select among the command regions at each of the plurality of levels to access another level or perform a function associated with a selected one of the command regions.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the display and the input device are associated with at least one of a camera, a remote control, a mobile device, or a wireless telephone.
6. The system of claim 4, wherein the input device comprises at least one of a pointing device, a track ball, a touch pad, a joy stick, a voice activated control system, rotary dials, or a touch screen.
7. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having control logic stored therein for displaying a plurality of user interface levels on a display of a handheld device that includes an input device, said control logic comprising:
a first computer readable program code means for displaying an interface level having a plurality of command regions;
a second computer readable program code means for permitting a user to select among the command regions using the input device;
a third computer readable program code means for displaying, based the selection in step (b), another interface level that replaces on the display the interface level displayed in step (a), wherein both interface levels have substantially a same visual appearance and command regions; and
a fourth computer readable program code means for permitting the user to again select among the command regions using the input device to access yet another interface level or perform a function associated with a selected one of the command regions.
8. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein the first computer readable program code means for displaying causes the interface levels to be displayed on at least one of a camera, a remote control, a mobile device, or a wireless telephone as the handheld device.
9. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein the selections made using the second and fourth computer readable program code means are controlled with at least one of a pointing device, a track ball, a touch pad, a joy stick, a voice activated control system, rotary dials, or a touch screen as the input device.
US11/293,114 2000-11-09 2005-12-05 System and method for using an interface Abandoned US20060085763A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/293,114 US20060085763A1 (en) 2000-11-09 2005-12-05 System and method for using an interface

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US24764300P 2000-11-09 2000-11-09
US32517901P 2001-09-28 2001-09-28
US09/986,765 US6918091B2 (en) 2000-11-09 2001-11-09 User definable interface system, method and computer program product
US11/139,612 US20050278647A1 (en) 2000-11-09 2005-05-31 User definable interface system and method
US11/293,114 US20060085763A1 (en) 2000-11-09 2005-12-05 System and method for using an interface

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/139,612 Continuation US20050278647A1 (en) 2000-11-09 2005-05-31 User definable interface system and method

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20060085763A1 true US20060085763A1 (en) 2006-04-20

Family

ID=26938813

Family Applications (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/986,765 Expired - Fee Related US6918091B2 (en) 2000-11-09 2001-11-09 User definable interface system, method and computer program product
US11/139,612 Abandoned US20050278647A1 (en) 2000-11-09 2005-05-31 User definable interface system and method
US11/293,114 Abandoned US20060085763A1 (en) 2000-11-09 2005-12-05 System and method for using an interface

Family Applications Before (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/986,765 Expired - Fee Related US6918091B2 (en) 2000-11-09 2001-11-09 User definable interface system, method and computer program product
US11/139,612 Abandoned US20050278647A1 (en) 2000-11-09 2005-05-31 User definable interface system and method

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (3) US6918091B2 (en)
AU (1) AU2002226886A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2002039245A2 (en)

Cited By (37)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050278647A1 (en) * 2000-11-09 2005-12-15 Change Tools, Inc. User definable interface system and method
US20070064477A1 (en) * 2005-09-20 2007-03-22 Battelle Memorial Institute System for remote data sharing
US20070234223A1 (en) * 2000-11-09 2007-10-04 Leavitt Joseph M User definable interface system, method, support tools, and computer program product
US20080082930A1 (en) * 2006-09-06 2008-04-03 Omernick Timothy P Portable Multifunction Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Configuring and Displaying Widgets
US20080122796A1 (en) * 2006-09-06 2008-05-29 Jobs Steven P Touch Screen Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Determining Commands by Applying Heuristics
US20080165153A1 (en) * 2007-01-07 2008-07-10 Andrew Emilio Platzer Portable Multifunction Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface Supporting User Navigations of Graphical Objects on a Touch Screen Display
US20080195951A1 (en) * 2007-02-08 2008-08-14 Microsoft Corporation Dynamic control configuration
US20080201650A1 (en) * 2007-01-07 2008-08-21 Lemay Stephen O Web-Clip Widgets on a Portable Multifunction Device
US20090007017A1 (en) * 2007-06-29 2009-01-01 Freddy Allen Anzures Portable multifunction device with animated user interface transitions
US20090064055A1 (en) * 2007-09-04 2009-03-05 Apple Inc. Application Menu User Interface
US20090058821A1 (en) * 2007-09-04 2009-03-05 Apple Inc. Editing interface
US20090083662A1 (en) * 2007-09-26 2009-03-26 Autodesk, Inc. Navigation system for a 3d virtual scene
US20090178008A1 (en) * 2008-01-06 2009-07-09 Scott Herz Portable Multifunction Device with Interface Reconfiguration Mode
WO2010123311A1 (en) * 2009-04-23 2010-10-28 Oh Eui Jin Multidirectional expansion cursor and method for forming a multidirectional expansion cursor
US20110210933A1 (en) * 2006-09-06 2011-09-01 Scott Forstall Web-Clip Widgets on a Portable Multifunction Device
US20110216091A1 (en) * 2010-03-04 2011-09-08 Song Hyunyoung Bimanual interactions on digital paper using a pen and a spatially-aware mobile projector
US20120066630A1 (en) * 2010-09-15 2012-03-15 Lg Electronics Inc. Mobile terminal and controlling method thereof
US20120166522A1 (en) * 2010-12-27 2012-06-28 Microsoft Corporation Supporting intelligent user interface interactions
WO2012145483A1 (en) * 2011-04-22 2012-10-26 Panasonic Automotive Systems Company Of America, Division Of Panasonic Corporation Of North America Method for using radio presets as application shortcuts
US20130019174A1 (en) * 2011-07-14 2013-01-17 Microsoft Corporation Labels and tooltips for context based menus
US20130019175A1 (en) * 2011-07-14 2013-01-17 Microsoft Corporation Submenus for context based menu system
US20130104079A1 (en) * 2011-10-21 2013-04-25 Nozomu Yasui Radial graphical user interface
US8447361B1 (en) * 2006-10-12 2013-05-21 AT&T Mobilty II LLC Dynamic interactive skin
US20140181746A1 (en) * 2012-12-26 2014-06-26 Giga-Byte Technology Co., Ltd. Electrionic device with shortcut function and control method thereof
WO2015031716A3 (en) * 2013-08-29 2015-06-04 Panasonic Automotive Systems Company Of America, Division Of Panasonic Corporation Of North America User interface and method for personalized radio station creation
US20150212698A1 (en) * 2014-01-27 2015-07-30 Bentley Systems, Incorporated Virtual mouse for a touch screen device
US20160105628A1 (en) * 2014-10-13 2016-04-14 Mediatek Inc. Method for controlling an electronic device with aid of user input back channel, and associated apparatus and associated computer program product
USD781885S1 (en) * 2014-07-22 2017-03-21 Covidien Lp Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
US9733812B2 (en) 2010-01-06 2017-08-15 Apple Inc. Device, method, and graphical user interface with content display modes and display rotation heuristics
USD801982S1 (en) * 2016-01-19 2017-11-07 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Display screen or portion thereof including a graphical user interface
US9933913B2 (en) 2005-12-30 2018-04-03 Apple Inc. Portable electronic device with interface reconfiguration mode
US9933937B2 (en) 2007-06-20 2018-04-03 Apple Inc. Portable multifunction device, method, and graphical user interface for playing online videos
US10272294B2 (en) 2016-06-11 2019-04-30 Apple Inc. Activity and workout updates
US10613732B2 (en) 2015-06-07 2020-04-07 Apple Inc. Selecting content items in a user interface display
US10963293B2 (en) 2010-12-21 2021-03-30 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Interactions with contextual and task-based computing environments
US20210200391A1 (en) * 2019-12-25 2021-07-01 Shanghai Transsion Co., Ltd. Interacting Method for Sidebar Menu, Apparatus and Computer-readable Storage Medium
US11216119B2 (en) 2016-06-12 2022-01-04 Apple Inc. Displaying a predetermined view of an application

Families Citing this family (425)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8359546B2 (en) * 1997-09-11 2013-01-22 Harold Lee Peterson System, method and computer-readable medium for online marketing and visual presentations of software programs
US9239673B2 (en) 1998-01-26 2016-01-19 Apple Inc. Gesturing with a multipoint sensing device
US7614008B2 (en) 2004-07-30 2009-11-03 Apple Inc. Operation of a computer with touch screen interface
US8479122B2 (en) 2004-07-30 2013-07-02 Apple Inc. Gestures for touch sensitive input devices
US9292111B2 (en) 1998-01-26 2016-03-22 Apple Inc. Gesturing with a multipoint sensing device
US6359635B1 (en) * 1999-02-03 2002-03-19 Cary D. Perttunen Methods, articles and apparatus for visibly representing information and for providing an input interface
US6772338B1 (en) * 1999-10-26 2004-08-03 Ricoh Co., Ltd. Device for transfering data between an unconscious capture device and another device
KR20000012309A (en) * 1999-11-23 2000-03-06 고성민 Circular radiation type internet classification searching method
US8645137B2 (en) 2000-03-16 2014-02-04 Apple Inc. Fast, language-independent method for user authentication by voice
US20050091576A1 (en) * 2003-10-24 2005-04-28 Microsoft Corporation Programming interface for a computer platform
US20010048448A1 (en) * 2000-04-06 2001-12-06 Raiz Gregory L. Focus state themeing
US6873337B1 (en) * 2000-04-06 2005-03-29 Microsoft Corporation Application programming interface for changing the visual style
US7624351B2 (en) * 2001-10-02 2009-11-24 Verizon Corporate Services Group Inc. Methods and apparatus for controlling a plurality of applications
US6965511B2 (en) * 2001-10-10 2005-11-15 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. System and method for personalizing an electrical device
JP4386732B2 (en) 2002-01-08 2009-12-16 セブン ネットワークス, インコーポレイテッド Mobile network connection architecture
GB0201074D0 (en) * 2002-01-18 2002-03-06 3G Lab Ltd Graphic user interface for data processing device
GB2391148B (en) * 2002-07-19 2006-01-04 Autodesk Canada Inc Selecting functions via a graphical user interface
TW591398B (en) * 2002-09-26 2004-06-11 Tatung Co Method of implementing a plurality of system tray areas
US7814439B2 (en) * 2002-10-18 2010-10-12 Autodesk, Inc. Pan-zoom tool
JP4173718B2 (en) * 2002-10-31 2008-10-29 富士通株式会社 Window switching device and window switching program
US7853563B2 (en) 2005-08-01 2010-12-14 Seven Networks, Inc. Universal data aggregation
US7898529B2 (en) * 2003-01-08 2011-03-01 Autodesk, Inc. User interface having a placement and layout suitable for pen-based computers
US7917468B2 (en) 2005-08-01 2011-03-29 Seven Networks, Inc. Linking of personal information management data
US8468126B2 (en) 2005-08-01 2013-06-18 Seven Networks, Inc. Publishing data in an information community
US7793233B1 (en) 2003-03-12 2010-09-07 Microsoft Corporation System and method for customizing note flags
US7774799B1 (en) 2003-03-26 2010-08-10 Microsoft Corporation System and method for linking page content with a media file and displaying the links
GB2400289A (en) * 2003-04-04 2004-10-06 Autodesk Canada Inc Selecting functions in a Context-Sensitive Menu
US7290219B2 (en) * 2003-04-28 2007-10-30 International Business Machines Corporation System and method for selection based action bar
US7263661B2 (en) * 2003-04-28 2007-08-28 Lexmark International, Inc. Multi-function device having graphical user interface incorporating customizable icons
US20040230600A1 (en) * 2003-05-01 2004-11-18 Lockheed Martin Corporation Method and apparatus for rapidly prototyping status display
US7409646B2 (en) * 2003-06-17 2008-08-05 Microsoft Corporation System and method for manipulating toolbar component dimensions
US20040260704A1 (en) * 2003-06-23 2004-12-23 Moore Keith E. User-requested remote assistance for printing devices
US20080086716A1 (en) * 2003-09-04 2008-04-10 Lockheed Martin Corporation Method and apparatus for information display with intermediate datasource access
FI116641B (en) * 2003-10-24 2006-01-13 Nokia Corp A method for changing the speed dial in an electronic device, the display unit of the device, and the electronic device
US8185838B2 (en) * 2003-11-03 2012-05-22 Bomers Florian U Universal computer input event translator
US20050114818A1 (en) * 2003-11-21 2005-05-26 Lsi Logic Corporation Chip design command processor
US7665068B2 (en) * 2003-12-12 2010-02-16 Oracle International Corporation Methods and systems for testing software applications
US20080109751A1 (en) * 2003-12-31 2008-05-08 Alias Systems Corp. Layer editor system for a pen-based computer
US8745530B2 (en) 2004-01-14 2014-06-03 Thomson Licensing Method for generating an on-screen menu
EP1555598A1 (en) * 2004-01-14 2005-07-20 Deutsche Thomson-Brandt Gmbh Method for generating an on-screen menu
US20100153997A1 (en) * 2004-01-21 2010-06-17 United Video Properties, Inc. Interactive television system with templates for managing vendor-specific video-on-demand content
US20050198610A1 (en) * 2004-03-03 2005-09-08 Ulf Fildebrandt Providing and using design time support
US7559036B1 (en) 2004-03-05 2009-07-07 Trading Technologies International, Inc. System and method for displaying a constant time selection context menu interface
US20050222907A1 (en) * 2004-04-01 2005-10-06 Pupo Anthony J Method to promote branded products and/or services
US8705076B2 (en) * 2004-04-02 2014-04-22 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd Printing system and method thereof
US7600201B2 (en) * 2004-04-07 2009-10-06 Sony Corporation Methods and apparatuses for viewing choices and making selections
US20050246657A1 (en) * 2004-05-03 2005-11-03 Widner Steve W Video display arrangement including image processing circuitry for protecting display and method of protecting a video display
US8453065B2 (en) 2004-06-25 2013-05-28 Apple Inc. Preview and installation of user interface elements in a display environment
US7546543B2 (en) * 2004-06-25 2009-06-09 Apple Inc. Widget authoring and editing environment
US7490295B2 (en) * 2004-06-25 2009-02-10 Apple Inc. Layer for accessing user interface elements
US7761800B2 (en) 2004-06-25 2010-07-20 Apple Inc. Unified interest layer for user interface
US8302020B2 (en) * 2004-06-25 2012-10-30 Apple Inc. Widget authoring and editing environment
US8566732B2 (en) 2004-06-25 2013-10-22 Apple Inc. Synchronization of widgets and dashboards
US7616764B2 (en) * 2004-07-07 2009-11-10 Oracle International Corporation Online data encryption and decryption
US7596701B2 (en) * 2004-07-07 2009-09-29 Oracle International Corporation Online data encryption and decryption
US7653883B2 (en) 2004-07-30 2010-01-26 Apple Inc. Proximity detector in handheld device
US8381135B2 (en) 2004-07-30 2013-02-19 Apple Inc. Proximity detector in handheld device
US7788589B2 (en) 2004-09-30 2010-08-31 Microsoft Corporation Method and system for improved electronic task flagging and management
US7712049B2 (en) * 2004-09-30 2010-05-04 Microsoft Corporation Two-dimensional radial user interface for computer software applications
US20060072009A1 (en) * 2004-10-01 2006-04-06 International Business Machines Corporation Flexible interaction-based computer interfacing using visible artifacts
US8010082B2 (en) 2004-10-20 2011-08-30 Seven Networks, Inc. Flexible billing architecture
US7441271B2 (en) 2004-10-20 2008-10-21 Seven Networks Method and apparatus for intercepting events in a communication system
US20070094597A1 (en) * 2004-11-04 2007-04-26 Rostom Mohamed A Dynamic graphical user interface for a desktop environment
US20060095865A1 (en) * 2004-11-04 2006-05-04 Rostom Mohamed A Dynamic graphical user interface for a desktop environment
US7706781B2 (en) 2004-11-22 2010-04-27 Seven Networks International Oy Data security in a mobile e-mail service
FI117152B (en) 2004-12-03 2006-06-30 Seven Networks Internat Oy E-mail service provisioning method for mobile terminal, involves using domain part and further parameters to generate new parameter set in list of setting parameter sets, if provisioning of e-mail service is successful
US20060123344A1 (en) * 2004-12-07 2006-06-08 Sap Aktiengesellschaft Systems and methods for providing a presentation framework
US7665031B2 (en) * 2004-12-08 2010-02-16 Microsoft Corporation Method and system of taskbar button interfaces
TW200620020A (en) * 2004-12-08 2006-06-16 Mitac Technology Corp Management method of embedded-type computer program
US8887093B1 (en) 2004-12-13 2014-11-11 Thomson Licensing Method for generating an on-screen menu
US7489306B2 (en) * 2004-12-22 2009-02-10 Microsoft Corporation Touch screen accuracy
US8274534B2 (en) * 2005-01-31 2012-09-25 Roland Wescott Montague Methods for combination tools that zoom, pan, rotate, draw, or manipulate during a drag
US7752633B1 (en) 2005-03-14 2010-07-06 Seven Networks, Inc. Cross-platform event engine
US7796742B1 (en) 2005-04-21 2010-09-14 Seven Networks, Inc. Systems and methods for simplified provisioning
US8438633B1 (en) 2005-04-21 2013-05-07 Seven Networks, Inc. Flexible real-time inbox access
US20060242302A1 (en) * 2005-04-22 2006-10-26 Walker Arthur P Proof-of-service (POS) workflow customization via task extension
CA2606326A1 (en) * 2005-04-29 2006-11-09 Bharosa Inc. System and method for fraud monitoring, detection, and tiered user authentication
US8543931B2 (en) 2005-06-07 2013-09-24 Apple Inc. Preview including theme based installation of user interface elements in a display environment
US20090083757A1 (en) * 2005-06-21 2009-03-26 Mitac Technology Corp. Computer system and program plug-in management method thereof
WO2006136660A1 (en) 2005-06-21 2006-12-28 Seven Networks International Oy Maintaining an ip connection in a mobile network
AU2005203074A1 (en) * 2005-07-14 2007-02-01 Canon Information Systems Research Australia Pty Ltd Image browser
US8069166B2 (en) 2005-08-01 2011-11-29 Seven Networks, Inc. Managing user-to-user contact with inferred presence information
US8196104B2 (en) * 2005-08-31 2012-06-05 Sap Ag Systems and methods for testing application accessibility
US8677377B2 (en) 2005-09-08 2014-03-18 Apple Inc. Method and apparatus for building an intelligent automated assistant
US7694231B2 (en) * 2006-01-05 2010-04-06 Apple Inc. Keyboards for portable electronic devices
US7743336B2 (en) 2005-10-27 2010-06-22 Apple Inc. Widget security
US8543824B2 (en) 2005-10-27 2013-09-24 Apple Inc. Safe distribution and use of content
US7954064B2 (en) 2005-10-27 2011-05-31 Apple Inc. Multiple dashboards
US9104294B2 (en) 2005-10-27 2015-08-11 Apple Inc. Linked widgets
US7752556B2 (en) 2005-10-27 2010-07-06 Apple Inc. Workflow widgets
US7391635B2 (en) * 2005-11-01 2008-06-24 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Method and apparatus for variable-resolution memory
US7707514B2 (en) * 2005-11-18 2010-04-27 Apple Inc. Management of user interface elements in a display environment
US7773096B2 (en) * 2005-12-12 2010-08-10 Microsoft Corporation Alternative graphics pipe
US7571037B2 (en) 2005-12-21 2009-08-04 International Business Machines Corporation User-relocatable self-defining buttons to control machinery
TWI306355B (en) * 2005-12-21 2009-02-11 Avermedia Tech Inc Method for controlling image display
US7882448B2 (en) * 2005-12-29 2011-02-01 Sap Ag Taskbar configuration tool for computer systems
US7797638B2 (en) 2006-01-05 2010-09-14 Microsoft Corporation Application of metadata to documents and document objects via a software application user interface
US7747557B2 (en) 2006-01-05 2010-06-29 Microsoft Corporation Application of metadata to documents and document objects via an operating system user interface
US20070168879A1 (en) * 2006-01-17 2007-07-19 Microsoft Corporation Traversal of datasets using positioning of radial input device
US7769395B2 (en) 2006-06-20 2010-08-03 Seven Networks, Inc. Location-based operations and messaging
US8082499B2 (en) * 2006-03-21 2011-12-20 Electronic Arts, Inc. Graphical interface for interactive dialog
US8725729B2 (en) 2006-04-03 2014-05-13 Steven G. Lisa System, methods and applications for embedded internet searching and result display
KR100686165B1 (en) * 2006-04-18 2007-02-26 엘지전자 주식회사 Portable terminal having osd function icon and method of displaying osd function icon using same
US8739278B2 (en) 2006-04-28 2014-05-27 Oracle International Corporation Techniques for fraud monitoring and detection using application fingerprinting
DE102006021400B4 (en) * 2006-05-08 2008-08-21 Combots Product Gmbh & Co. Kg Method and device for providing a selection menu associated with a displayed symbol
JP5079792B2 (en) * 2006-05-08 2012-11-21 コーニンクレッカ フィリップス エレクトロニクス エヌ ヴィ Method and electronic device allowing a user to select a menu option
DE102006021399B4 (en) * 2006-05-08 2008-08-28 Combots Product Gmbh & Co. Kg Method and device for providing a selection menu associated with a displayed symbol
US7996788B2 (en) * 2006-05-18 2011-08-09 International Apparel Group, Llc System and method for navigating a dynamic collection of information
US8677280B2 (en) * 2006-05-18 2014-03-18 Ubiquity Broadcasting Corporation Sprocket shaped user interface for navigating a dynamic collection of information
KR100753041B1 (en) * 2006-05-29 2007-08-30 삼성전자주식회사 Mobile terminal with a virtual mode dial and method for operating thereof
US8869027B2 (en) 2006-08-04 2014-10-21 Apple Inc. Management and generation of dashboards
US9318108B2 (en) 2010-01-18 2016-04-19 Apple Inc. Intelligent automated assistant
US7673251B1 (en) * 2006-10-02 2010-03-02 Adobe Systems, Incorporated Panel presentation
US8185957B2 (en) * 2006-10-30 2012-05-22 Lexmark International, Inc. Peripheral device
US8743388B2 (en) * 2006-10-31 2014-06-03 Lexmark International, Inc. Access to networked peripheral device for impaired users
US20080144134A1 (en) * 2006-10-31 2008-06-19 Mohamed Nooman Ahmed Supplemental sensory input/output for accessibility
US7707518B2 (en) 2006-11-13 2010-04-27 Microsoft Corporation Linking information
US7761785B2 (en) 2006-11-13 2010-07-20 Microsoft Corporation Providing resilient links
KR100851302B1 (en) 2006-11-27 2008-08-08 삼성전자주식회사 Method for executing function in idle screen of mobile terminal
US9106422B2 (en) 2006-12-11 2015-08-11 Oracle International Corporation System and method for personalized security signature
US20080163119A1 (en) * 2006-12-28 2008-07-03 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method for providing menu and multimedia device using the same
US20080163053A1 (en) * 2006-12-28 2008-07-03 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method to provide menu, using menu set and multimedia device using the same
KR101371420B1 (en) * 2006-12-28 2014-03-10 삼성전자주식회사 Method for providing menu comprising menu-set for direct access among the main menus and multimedia device thereof
US8074172B2 (en) 2007-01-05 2011-12-06 Apple Inc. Method, system, and graphical user interface for providing word recommendations
US7957955B2 (en) * 2007-01-05 2011-06-07 Apple Inc. Method and system for providing word recommendations for text input
US20080276170A1 (en) * 2007-02-06 2008-11-06 Access Systems Americas, Inc. System and method for generating and arranging status gadgets in a small display area
US20080189627A1 (en) * 2007-02-07 2008-08-07 Microsoft Corporation Execution of application based on task selection
US8352881B2 (en) * 2007-03-08 2013-01-08 International Business Machines Corporation Method, apparatus and program storage device for providing customizable, immediate and radiating menus for accessing applications and actions
USD609714S1 (en) * 2007-03-22 2010-02-09 Fujifilm Corporation Electronic camera
US7580883B2 (en) 2007-03-29 2009-08-25 Trading Technologies International, Inc. System and method for chart based order entry
US8977255B2 (en) 2007-04-03 2015-03-10 Apple Inc. Method and system for operating a multi-function portable electronic device using voice-activation
KR101379986B1 (en) * 2007-04-05 2014-04-03 엘지전자 주식회사 Electronic Device and Method of adding for Contents Using the Same
US20080250349A1 (en) * 2007-04-05 2008-10-09 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Graphical user interface
US20080271127A1 (en) * 2007-04-24 2008-10-30 Business Objects, S.A. Apparatus and method for creating stand-alone business intelligence widgets within an authentication framework
KR20080104858A (en) * 2007-05-29 2008-12-03 삼성전자주식회사 Method and apparatus for providing gesture information based on touch screen, and information terminal device including the same
US8805425B2 (en) 2007-06-01 2014-08-12 Seven Networks, Inc. Integrated messaging
US8693494B2 (en) 2007-06-01 2014-04-08 Seven Networks, Inc. Polling
US8572501B2 (en) * 2007-06-08 2013-10-29 Apple Inc. Rendering graphical objects based on context
US20080307350A1 (en) * 2007-06-09 2008-12-11 Alessandro Francesco Sabatelli Method and Apparatus for Improved Desktop Arrangement
US20080320418A1 (en) * 2007-06-21 2008-12-25 Cadexterity, Inc. Graphical User Friendly Interface Keypad System For CAD
US8954871B2 (en) 2007-07-18 2015-02-10 Apple Inc. User-centric widgets and dashboards
US20100174591A1 (en) * 2007-08-03 2010-07-08 Deangelo Michael Data Access Engine And Graphic Interface For Portable Computer Devices
US8667415B2 (en) 2007-08-06 2014-03-04 Apple Inc. Web widgets
KR100837283B1 (en) * 2007-09-10 2008-06-11 (주)익스트라스탠다드 Mobile device equipped with touch screen
US20090106704A1 (en) * 2007-10-18 2009-04-23 Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Ab Method, apparatus, and consumer product for creating shortcut to interface element
US20090132939A1 (en) * 2007-11-19 2009-05-21 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for a floating island for user navigation in an interactive environment
US8364181B2 (en) 2007-12-10 2013-01-29 Seven Networks, Inc. Electronic-mail filtering for mobile devices
US9002828B2 (en) 2007-12-13 2015-04-07 Seven Networks, Inc. Predictive content delivery
US8793305B2 (en) 2007-12-13 2014-07-29 Seven Networks, Inc. Content delivery to a mobile device from a content service
US9690474B2 (en) * 2007-12-21 2017-06-27 Nokia Technologies Oy User interface, device and method for providing an improved text input
US20090171584A1 (en) * 2007-12-31 2009-07-02 Magellan Navigation, Inc. System and Method for Accessing a Navigation System
US9330720B2 (en) 2008-01-03 2016-05-03 Apple Inc. Methods and apparatus for altering audio output signals
US8232973B2 (en) 2008-01-09 2012-07-31 Apple Inc. Method, device, and graphical user interface providing word recommendations for text input
KR100973354B1 (en) * 2008-01-11 2010-07-30 성균관대학교산학협력단 Device and method for providing user interface of menu
US8107921B2 (en) 2008-01-11 2012-01-31 Seven Networks, Inc. Mobile virtual network operator
US8862657B2 (en) 2008-01-25 2014-10-14 Seven Networks, Inc. Policy based content service
US20090193338A1 (en) 2008-01-28 2009-07-30 Trevor Fiatal Reducing network and battery consumption during content delivery and playback
JP5123690B2 (en) * 2008-02-27 2013-01-23 キヤノン株式会社 Screen data processing apparatus, screen data processing method, and computer program
US8495660B1 (en) * 2008-03-28 2013-07-23 Symantec Corporation Methods and systems for handling instant messages and notifications based on the state of a computing device
US8996376B2 (en) 2008-04-05 2015-03-31 Apple Inc. Intelligent text-to-speech conversion
US10496753B2 (en) 2010-01-18 2019-12-03 Apple Inc. Automatically adapting user interfaces for hands-free interaction
US8787947B2 (en) 2008-06-18 2014-07-22 Seven Networks, Inc. Application discovery on mobile devices
US8078158B2 (en) 2008-06-26 2011-12-13 Seven Networks, Inc. Provisioning applications for a mobile device
US8826181B2 (en) * 2008-06-28 2014-09-02 Apple Inc. Moving radial menus
US8245156B2 (en) 2008-06-28 2012-08-14 Apple Inc. Radial menu selection
US20090327955A1 (en) * 2008-06-28 2009-12-31 Mouilleseaux Jean-Pierre M Selecting Menu Items
JP4632102B2 (en) * 2008-07-17 2011-02-16 ソニー株式会社 Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program
US20100030549A1 (en) 2008-07-31 2010-02-04 Lee Michael M Mobile device having human language translation capability with positional feedback
JP4636141B2 (en) * 2008-08-28 2011-02-23 ソニー株式会社 Information processing apparatus and method, and program
US9086780B2 (en) * 2008-10-03 2015-07-21 Digital Delivery Networks, Inc. System, method and computer-readable medium for visual presentation of aspect of software programs
US8909759B2 (en) 2008-10-10 2014-12-09 Seven Networks, Inc. Bandwidth measurement
US8584031B2 (en) * 2008-11-19 2013-11-12 Apple Inc. Portable touch screen device, method, and graphical user interface for using emoji characters
US9959870B2 (en) 2008-12-11 2018-05-01 Apple Inc. Speech recognition involving a mobile device
US20100192102A1 (en) * 2009-01-29 2010-07-29 International Business Machines Corporation Displaying radial menus near edges of a display area
US8817028B2 (en) * 2009-02-06 2014-08-26 Dassault Systemes Solidworks Corporation Creating dynamic sets to automatically arrange dimension annotations
US20100205559A1 (en) * 2009-02-11 2010-08-12 Greg Rose Quick-launch desktop application
US20100235780A1 (en) * 2009-03-16 2010-09-16 Westerman Wayne C System and Method for Identifying Words Based on a Sequence of Keyboard Events
US8300023B2 (en) * 2009-04-10 2012-10-30 Qualcomm Incorporated Virtual keypad generator with learning capabilities
US8601389B2 (en) * 2009-04-30 2013-12-03 Apple Inc. Scrollable menus and toolbars
US8549432B2 (en) 2009-05-29 2013-10-01 Apple Inc. Radial menus
US20120311585A1 (en) 2011-06-03 2012-12-06 Apple Inc. Organizing task items that represent tasks to perform
US9858925B2 (en) 2009-06-05 2018-01-02 Apple Inc. Using context information to facilitate processing of commands in a virtual assistant
US10241752B2 (en) 2011-09-30 2019-03-26 Apple Inc. Interface for a virtual digital assistant
US10241644B2 (en) 2011-06-03 2019-03-26 Apple Inc. Actionable reminder entries
US9431006B2 (en) 2009-07-02 2016-08-30 Apple Inc. Methods and apparatuses for automatic speech recognition
US8817048B2 (en) * 2009-07-17 2014-08-26 Apple Inc. Selective rotation of a user interface
DE102009033882A1 (en) 2009-07-20 2011-01-27 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Dialog system e.g. navigation system, operating method for car, involves detecting predetermined acknowledgement action of operator for acknowledging selection, and implementing function assigned to selected menu item
CA2680602C (en) * 2009-10-19 2011-07-26 Ibm Canada Limited - Ibm Canada Limitee System and method for generating and displaying hybrid context menus
US10553209B2 (en) 2010-01-18 2020-02-04 Apple Inc. Systems and methods for hands-free notification summaries
US10679605B2 (en) 2010-01-18 2020-06-09 Apple Inc. Hands-free list-reading by intelligent automated assistant
US10705794B2 (en) 2010-01-18 2020-07-07 Apple Inc. Automatically adapting user interfaces for hands-free interaction
US10276170B2 (en) 2010-01-18 2019-04-30 Apple Inc. Intelligent automated assistant
WO2011089450A2 (en) 2010-01-25 2011-07-28 Andrew Peter Nelson Jerram Apparatuses, methods and systems for a digital conversation management platform
US8682667B2 (en) 2010-02-25 2014-03-25 Apple Inc. User profiling for selecting user specific voice input processing information
TW201209697A (en) 2010-03-30 2012-03-01 Michael Luna 3D mobile user interface with configurable workspace management
US8458615B2 (en) 2010-04-07 2013-06-04 Apple Inc. Device, method, and graphical user interface for managing folders
US10788976B2 (en) 2010-04-07 2020-09-29 Apple Inc. Device, method, and graphical user interface for managing folders with multiple pages
US20110248928A1 (en) * 2010-04-08 2011-10-13 Motorola, Inc. Device and method for gestural operation of context menus on a touch-sensitive display
US9158444B2 (en) * 2010-05-26 2015-10-13 Avaya Inc. User interface for managing communication sessions
JP2011248768A (en) * 2010-05-28 2011-12-08 Sony Corp Information processor, information processing system and program
CN101872486B (en) * 2010-06-14 2013-09-11 何金奎 Method for utilizing computer to manufacture two-dimensional figure
US8838783B2 (en) 2010-07-26 2014-09-16 Seven Networks, Inc. Distributed caching for resource and mobile network traffic management
CA2857458A1 (en) 2010-07-26 2012-02-09 Michael Luna Mobile application traffic optimization
US9043433B2 (en) 2010-07-26 2015-05-26 Seven Networks, Inc. Mobile network traffic coordination across multiple applications
US9077630B2 (en) 2010-07-26 2015-07-07 Seven Networks, Inc. Distributed implementation of dynamic wireless traffic policy
JP5436676B2 (en) 2010-07-28 2014-03-05 京セラ株式会社 Portable electronic device, screen control method and additional display program
DE102010036906A1 (en) 2010-08-06 2012-02-09 Tavendo Gmbh Configurable pie menu
US9747270B2 (en) * 2011-01-07 2017-08-29 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Natural input for spreadsheet actions
US9003298B2 (en) * 2010-09-21 2015-04-07 Microsoft Corporation Web page application controls
US8924360B1 (en) 2010-09-30 2014-12-30 Axcient, Inc. Systems and methods for restoring a file
US9235474B1 (en) 2011-02-17 2016-01-12 Axcient, Inc. Systems and methods for maintaining a virtual failover volume of a target computing system
US8589350B1 (en) 2012-04-02 2013-11-19 Axcient, Inc. Systems, methods, and media for synthesizing views of file system backups
US8954544B2 (en) 2010-09-30 2015-02-10 Axcient, Inc. Cloud-based virtual machines and offices
US10284437B2 (en) 2010-09-30 2019-05-07 Efolder, Inc. Cloud-based virtual machines and offices
US9705730B1 (en) 2013-05-07 2017-07-11 Axcient, Inc. Cloud storage using Merkle trees
WO2012060995A2 (en) 2010-11-01 2012-05-10 Michael Luna Distributed caching in a wireless network of content delivered for a mobile application over a long-held request
US9064268B2 (en) 2010-11-01 2015-06-23 Outerwall Inc. Gift card exchange kiosks and associated methods of use
GB2499534B (en) 2010-11-01 2018-09-19 Seven Networks Llc Caching adapted for mobile application behavior and network conditions
WO2012061430A2 (en) 2010-11-01 2012-05-10 Michael Luna Distributed management of keep-alive message signaling for mobile network resource conservation and optimization
US9330196B2 (en) 2010-11-01 2016-05-03 Seven Networks, Llc Wireless traffic management system cache optimization using http headers
US8484314B2 (en) 2010-11-01 2013-07-09 Seven Networks, Inc. Distributed caching in a wireless network of content delivered for a mobile application over a long-held request
US8843153B2 (en) 2010-11-01 2014-09-23 Seven Networks, Inc. Mobile traffic categorization and policy for network use optimization while preserving user experience
US8166164B1 (en) 2010-11-01 2012-04-24 Seven Networks, Inc. Application and network-based long poll request detection and cacheability assessment therefor
US8190701B2 (en) 2010-11-01 2012-05-29 Seven Networks, Inc. Cache defeat detection and caching of content addressed by identifiers intended to defeat cache
US9060032B2 (en) 2010-11-01 2015-06-16 Seven Networks, Inc. Selective data compression by a distributed traffic management system to reduce mobile data traffic and signaling traffic
CN103404193B (en) 2010-11-22 2018-06-05 七网络有限责任公司 The connection that adjustment data transmission is established with the transmission being optimized for through wireless network
GB2500327B (en) 2010-11-22 2019-11-06 Seven Networks Llc Optimization of resource polling intervals to satisfy mobile device requests
US10762293B2 (en) 2010-12-22 2020-09-01 Apple Inc. Using parts-of-speech tagging and named entity recognition for spelling correction
US8369893B2 (en) 2010-12-31 2013-02-05 Motorola Mobility Llc Method and system for adapting mobile device to accommodate external display
US9325662B2 (en) 2011-01-07 2016-04-26 Seven Networks, Llc System and method for reduction of mobile network traffic used for domain name system (DNS) queries
US9262612B2 (en) 2011-03-21 2016-02-16 Apple Inc. Device access using voice authentication
WO2012145541A2 (en) 2011-04-19 2012-10-26 Seven Networks, Inc. Social caching for device resource sharing and management
GB2505585B (en) 2011-04-27 2015-08-12 Seven Networks Inc Detecting and preserving state for satisfying application requests in a distributed proxy and cache system
CA2797631C (en) 2011-04-27 2013-11-19 Seven Networks, Inc. System and method for making requests on behalf of a mobile device based on atomic processes for mobile network traffic relief
AU2011202182B1 (en) 2011-05-11 2011-10-13 Frequency Ip Holdings, Llc Creation and presentation of selective digital content feeds
US10057736B2 (en) 2011-06-03 2018-08-21 Apple Inc. Active transport based notifications
US9513799B2 (en) 2011-06-05 2016-12-06 Apple Inc. Devices, methods, and graphical user interfaces for providing control of a touch-based user interface absent physical touch capabilities
US8984581B2 (en) 2011-07-27 2015-03-17 Seven Networks, Inc. Monitoring mobile application activities for malicious traffic on a mobile device
US8994660B2 (en) 2011-08-29 2015-03-31 Apple Inc. Text correction processing
US10147123B2 (en) 2011-09-29 2018-12-04 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Electronic marketplace for hosted service images
US8776043B1 (en) 2011-09-29 2014-07-08 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Service image notifications
US9626700B1 (en) 2011-09-29 2017-04-18 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Aggregation of operational data for merchandizing of network accessible services
US9530156B2 (en) * 2011-09-29 2016-12-27 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Customizable uniform control user interface for hosted service images
US9053083B2 (en) 2011-11-04 2015-06-09 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Interaction between web gadgets and spreadsheets
US8874467B2 (en) 2011-11-23 2014-10-28 Outerwall Inc Mobile commerce platforms and associated systems and methods for converting consumer coins, cash, and/or other forms of value for use with same
US8934414B2 (en) 2011-12-06 2015-01-13 Seven Networks, Inc. Cellular or WiFi mobile traffic optimization based on public or private network destination
US8868753B2 (en) 2011-12-06 2014-10-21 Seven Networks, Inc. System of redundantly clustered machines to provide failover mechanisms for mobile traffic management and network resource conservation
US9009250B2 (en) 2011-12-07 2015-04-14 Seven Networks, Inc. Flexible and dynamic integration schemas of a traffic management system with various network operators for network traffic alleviation
WO2013086447A1 (en) 2011-12-07 2013-06-13 Seven Networks, Inc. Radio-awareness of mobile device for sending server-side control signals using a wireless network optimized transport protocol
US9832095B2 (en) 2011-12-14 2017-11-28 Seven Networks, Llc Operation modes for mobile traffic optimization and concurrent management of optimized and non-optimized traffic
US20130159511A1 (en) 2011-12-14 2013-06-20 Seven Networks, Inc. System and method for generating a report to a network operator by distributing aggregation of data
WO2013090821A1 (en) 2011-12-14 2013-06-20 Seven Networks, Inc. Hierarchies and categories for management and deployment of policies for distributed wireless traffic optimization
JP2013129352A (en) * 2011-12-22 2013-07-04 Panasonic Corp In-vehicle display system
US20130161153A1 (en) * 2011-12-27 2013-06-27 Coinstar, Inc. Consumer operated kiosk-based marketplace systems and associated methods
WO2013103988A1 (en) 2012-01-05 2013-07-11 Seven Networks, Inc. Detection and management of user interactions with foreground applications on a mobile device in distributed caching
US9171099B2 (en) 2012-01-26 2015-10-27 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc System and method for providing calculation web services for online documents
US9203864B2 (en) 2012-02-02 2015-12-01 Seven Networks, Llc Dynamic categorization of applications for network access in a mobile network
WO2013116852A1 (en) 2012-02-03 2013-08-08 Seven Networks, Inc. User as an end point for profiling and optimizing the delivery of content and data in a wireless network
US10134385B2 (en) 2012-03-02 2018-11-20 Apple Inc. Systems and methods for name pronunciation
US20130232449A1 (en) * 2012-03-05 2013-09-05 Trigger Happy, Ltd. Graphical user interface mechanisms
US9483461B2 (en) 2012-03-06 2016-11-01 Apple Inc. Handling speech synthesis of content for multiple languages
US8812695B2 (en) 2012-04-09 2014-08-19 Seven Networks, Inc. Method and system for management of a virtual network connection without heartbeat messages
US20130268656A1 (en) 2012-04-10 2013-10-10 Seven Networks, Inc. Intelligent customer service/call center services enhanced using real-time and historical mobile application and traffic-related statistics collected by a distributed caching system in a mobile network
US9280610B2 (en) 2012-05-14 2016-03-08 Apple Inc. Crowd sourcing information to fulfill user requests
US9721563B2 (en) 2012-06-08 2017-08-01 Apple Inc. Name recognition system
US9495129B2 (en) 2012-06-29 2016-11-15 Apple Inc. Device, method, and user interface for voice-activated navigation and browsing of a document
US8775631B2 (en) 2012-07-13 2014-07-08 Seven Networks, Inc. Dynamic bandwidth adjustment for browsing or streaming activity in a wireless network based on prediction of user behavior when interacting with mobile applications
US9576574B2 (en) 2012-09-10 2017-02-21 Apple Inc. Context-sensitive handling of interruptions by intelligent digital assistant
KR102004986B1 (en) * 2012-09-17 2019-07-29 삼성전자주식회사 Method and system for executing application, device and computer readable recording medium thereof
US9547647B2 (en) 2012-09-19 2017-01-17 Apple Inc. Voice-based media searching
US9785647B1 (en) 2012-10-02 2017-10-10 Axcient, Inc. File system virtualization
US9161258B2 (en) 2012-10-24 2015-10-13 Seven Networks, Llc Optimized and selective management of policy deployment to mobile clients in a congested network to prevent further aggravation of network congestion
US9852140B1 (en) 2012-11-07 2017-12-26 Axcient, Inc. Efficient file replication
US9307493B2 (en) 2012-12-20 2016-04-05 Seven Networks, Llc Systems and methods for application management of mobile device radio state promotion and demotion
US9271238B2 (en) 2013-01-23 2016-02-23 Seven Networks, Llc Application or context aware fast dormancy
US8874761B2 (en) 2013-01-25 2014-10-28 Seven Networks, Inc. Signaling optimization in a wireless network for traffic utilizing proprietary and non-proprietary protocols
KR20230137475A (en) 2013-02-07 2023-10-04 애플 인크. Voice trigger for a digital assistant
USD716819S1 (en) 2013-02-27 2014-11-04 Microsoft Corporation Display screen with graphical user interface
USD702251S1 (en) * 2013-02-27 2014-04-08 Microsoft Corporation Display screen with graphical user interface
US9292153B1 (en) * 2013-03-07 2016-03-22 Axcient, Inc. Systems and methods for providing efficient and focused visualization of data
US9397907B1 (en) 2013-03-07 2016-07-19 Axcient, Inc. Protection status determinations for computing devices
US8750123B1 (en) 2013-03-11 2014-06-10 Seven Networks, Inc. Mobile device equipped with mobile network congestion recognition to make intelligent decisions regarding connecting to an operator network
US9368114B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2016-06-14 Apple Inc. Context-sensitive handling of interruptions
US9922642B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2018-03-20 Apple Inc. Training an at least partial voice command system
US9823813B2 (en) * 2013-03-15 2017-11-21 Salesforce.Com, Inc. Apparatus and methods for performing an action on a database record
US9529488B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2016-12-27 Salesforce.Com, Inc. Systems and methods for creating custom actions
WO2014144579A1 (en) 2013-03-15 2014-09-18 Apple Inc. System and method for updating an adaptive speech recognition model
CN104123089A (en) * 2013-04-27 2014-10-29 腾讯科技(深圳)有限公司 Gesture operation method and device for address bar and touch screen terminal
WO2014189632A1 (en) * 2013-05-20 2014-11-27 Citrix Systems, Inc. Providing enhanced user interfaces
WO2014197334A2 (en) 2013-06-07 2014-12-11 Apple Inc. System and method for user-specified pronunciation of words for speech synthesis and recognition
WO2014197336A1 (en) 2013-06-07 2014-12-11 Apple Inc. System and method for detecting errors in interactions with a voice-based digital assistant
US9582608B2 (en) 2013-06-07 2017-02-28 Apple Inc. Unified ranking with entropy-weighted information for phrase-based semantic auto-completion
WO2014197335A1 (en) 2013-06-08 2014-12-11 Apple Inc. Interpreting and acting upon commands that involve sharing information with remote devices
US9465985B2 (en) 2013-06-09 2016-10-11 Apple Inc. Managing real-time handwriting recognition
EP3937002A1 (en) 2013-06-09 2022-01-12 Apple Inc. Device, method, and graphical user interface for enabling conversation persistence across two or more instances of a digital assistant
US10176167B2 (en) 2013-06-09 2019-01-08 Apple Inc. System and method for inferring user intent from speech inputs
KR101809808B1 (en) 2013-06-13 2017-12-15 애플 인크. System and method for emergency calls initiated by voice command
US10664652B2 (en) 2013-06-15 2020-05-26 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Seamless grid and canvas integration in a spreadsheet application
US9065765B2 (en) 2013-07-22 2015-06-23 Seven Networks, Inc. Proxy server associated with a mobile carrier for enhancing mobile traffic management in a mobile network
JP6163266B2 (en) 2013-08-06 2017-07-12 アップル インコーポレイテッド Automatic activation of smart responses based on activation from remote devices
CA154153S (en) * 2013-09-03 2016-04-04 Samsung Electronics Co Ltd Handheld electronic device with graphical user interface
KR101952928B1 (en) 2013-10-30 2019-02-27 애플 인크. Displaying relevant user interface objects
CN103616992B (en) 2013-11-13 2017-10-17 华为技术有限公司 Application control method and device
US20150153932A1 (en) * 2013-12-04 2015-06-04 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Mobile device and method of displaying icon thereof
JP2015118598A (en) * 2013-12-19 2015-06-25 船井電機株式会社 Selection device
USD762230S1 (en) * 2014-04-23 2016-07-26 Google Inc. Display panel with an animated computer icon
USD774539S1 (en) * 2014-04-28 2016-12-20 Inbay Technologies Inc. Display screen with graphical user interface
US9620105B2 (en) 2014-05-15 2017-04-11 Apple Inc. Analyzing audio input for efficient speech and music recognition
USD776708S1 (en) * 2014-05-22 2017-01-17 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Display screen or portion thereof with a graphical user interface
USD784399S1 (en) * 2014-05-22 2017-04-18 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Display screen or portion thereof with a graphical user interface
US10592095B2 (en) 2014-05-23 2020-03-17 Apple Inc. Instantaneous speaking of content on touch devices
USD762709S1 (en) * 2014-05-26 2016-08-02 Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
US9502031B2 (en) 2014-05-27 2016-11-22 Apple Inc. Method for supporting dynamic grammars in WFST-based ASR
US9633004B2 (en) 2014-05-30 2017-04-25 Apple Inc. Better resolution when referencing to concepts
US10078631B2 (en) 2014-05-30 2018-09-18 Apple Inc. Entropy-guided text prediction using combined word and character n-gram language models
US10170123B2 (en) 2014-05-30 2019-01-01 Apple Inc. Intelligent assistant for home automation
EP3480811A1 (en) 2014-05-30 2019-05-08 Apple Inc. Multi-command single utterance input method
US10289433B2 (en) 2014-05-30 2019-05-14 Apple Inc. Domain specific language for encoding assistant dialog
US9785630B2 (en) 2014-05-30 2017-10-10 Apple Inc. Text prediction using combined word N-gram and unigram language models
US9430463B2 (en) 2014-05-30 2016-08-30 Apple Inc. Exemplar-based natural language processing
US9760559B2 (en) 2014-05-30 2017-09-12 Apple Inc. Predictive text input
US9734193B2 (en) 2014-05-30 2017-08-15 Apple Inc. Determining domain salience ranking from ambiguous words in natural speech
US9715875B2 (en) 2014-05-30 2017-07-25 Apple Inc. Reducing the need for manual start/end-pointing and trigger phrases
US9842101B2 (en) 2014-05-30 2017-12-12 Apple Inc. Predictive conversion of language input
US9548894B2 (en) * 2014-06-06 2017-01-17 Yokogawa Electric Corporation Proximity based cross-screen experience App framework for use between an industrial automation console server and smart mobile devices
US10659851B2 (en) 2014-06-30 2020-05-19 Apple Inc. Real-time digital assistant knowledge updates
US9338493B2 (en) 2014-06-30 2016-05-10 Apple Inc. Intelligent automated assistant for TV user interactions
US10446141B2 (en) 2014-08-28 2019-10-15 Apple Inc. Automatic speech recognition based on user feedback
USD771123S1 (en) * 2014-09-01 2016-11-08 Apple Inc. Display screen or portion thereof with multi-state graphical user interface
US9818400B2 (en) 2014-09-11 2017-11-14 Apple Inc. Method and apparatus for discovering trending terms in speech requests
US10789041B2 (en) 2014-09-12 2020-09-29 Apple Inc. Dynamic thresholds for always listening speech trigger
US10127911B2 (en) 2014-09-30 2018-11-13 Apple Inc. Speaker identification and unsupervised speaker adaptation techniques
US9668121B2 (en) 2014-09-30 2017-05-30 Apple Inc. Social reminders
US9646609B2 (en) 2014-09-30 2017-05-09 Apple Inc. Caching apparatus for serving phonetic pronunciations
US9886432B2 (en) 2014-09-30 2018-02-06 Apple Inc. Parsimonious handling of word inflection via categorical stem + suffix N-gram language models
US10074360B2 (en) 2014-09-30 2018-09-11 Apple Inc. Providing an indication of the suitability of speech recognition
KR102390647B1 (en) 2014-11-25 2022-04-26 삼성전자주식회사 Electronic device and method for controlling object in electronic device
US10552013B2 (en) 2014-12-02 2020-02-04 Apple Inc. Data detection
US9711141B2 (en) 2014-12-09 2017-07-18 Apple Inc. Disambiguating heteronyms in speech synthesis
US10671277B2 (en) 2014-12-17 2020-06-02 Datalogic Usa, Inc. Floating soft trigger for touch displays on an electronic device with a scanning module
US11567626B2 (en) * 2014-12-17 2023-01-31 Datalogic Usa, Inc. Gesture configurable floating soft trigger for touch displays on data-capture electronic devices
US10552513B1 (en) * 2015-01-08 2020-02-04 Vmware, Inc. Computer system entity rendering system
USD803880S1 (en) 2015-01-20 2017-11-28 Apple Inc. Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
USD801994S1 (en) * 2015-01-29 2017-11-07 Caterpillar Inc. Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
US9865280B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2018-01-09 Apple Inc. Structured dictation using intelligent automated assistants
US10567477B2 (en) 2015-03-08 2020-02-18 Apple Inc. Virtual assistant continuity
US9886953B2 (en) 2015-03-08 2018-02-06 Apple Inc. Virtual assistant activation
US9721566B2 (en) 2015-03-08 2017-08-01 Apple Inc. Competing devices responding to voice triggers
US9899019B2 (en) 2015-03-18 2018-02-20 Apple Inc. Systems and methods for structured stem and suffix language models
USD780208S1 (en) * 2015-04-03 2017-02-28 Fanuc Corporation Display panel with graphical user interface for controlling machine tools
JP1549787S (en) * 2015-04-03 2016-05-23
US9842105B2 (en) 2015-04-16 2017-12-12 Apple Inc. Parsimonious continuous-space phrase representations for natural language processing
US10083688B2 (en) 2015-05-27 2018-09-25 Apple Inc. Device voice control for selecting a displayed affordance
US10127220B2 (en) 2015-06-04 2018-11-13 Apple Inc. Language identification from short strings
US9578173B2 (en) 2015-06-05 2017-02-21 Apple Inc. Virtual assistant aided communication with 3rd party service in a communication session
US10101822B2 (en) 2015-06-05 2018-10-16 Apple Inc. Language input correction
US11025565B2 (en) 2015-06-07 2021-06-01 Apple Inc. Personalized prediction of responses for instant messaging
US10255907B2 (en) 2015-06-07 2019-04-09 Apple Inc. Automatic accent detection using acoustic models
US9961239B2 (en) 2015-06-07 2018-05-01 Apple Inc. Touch accommodation options
US10186254B2 (en) 2015-06-07 2019-01-22 Apple Inc. Context-based endpoint detection
US10747498B2 (en) 2015-09-08 2020-08-18 Apple Inc. Zero latency digital assistant
US10671428B2 (en) 2015-09-08 2020-06-02 Apple Inc. Distributed personal assistant
USD788121S1 (en) * 2015-09-22 2017-05-30 Td Ameritrade Ip Company, Inc. Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
US9697820B2 (en) 2015-09-24 2017-07-04 Apple Inc. Unit-selection text-to-speech synthesis using concatenation-sensitive neural networks
US10366158B2 (en) 2015-09-29 2019-07-30 Apple Inc. Efficient word encoding for recurrent neural network language models
US11010550B2 (en) 2015-09-29 2021-05-18 Apple Inc. Unified language modeling framework for word prediction, auto-completion and auto-correction
US11587559B2 (en) 2015-09-30 2023-02-21 Apple Inc. Intelligent device identification
US9910641B2 (en) * 2015-10-14 2018-03-06 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Generation of application behaviors
US10691473B2 (en) 2015-11-06 2020-06-23 Apple Inc. Intelligent automated assistant in a messaging environment
US10346819B2 (en) 2015-11-19 2019-07-09 Coinstar Asset Holdings, Llc Mobile device applications, other applications and associated kiosk-based systems and methods for facilitating coin saving
US10049668B2 (en) 2015-12-02 2018-08-14 Apple Inc. Applying neural network language models to weighted finite state transducers for automatic speech recognition
US10223066B2 (en) 2015-12-23 2019-03-05 Apple Inc. Proactive assistance based on dialog communication between devices
US10446143B2 (en) 2016-03-14 2019-10-15 Apple Inc. Identification of voice inputs providing credentials
US9934775B2 (en) 2016-05-26 2018-04-03 Apple Inc. Unit-selection text-to-speech synthesis based on predicted concatenation parameters
US9972304B2 (en) 2016-06-03 2018-05-15 Apple Inc. Privacy preserving distributed evaluation framework for embedded personalized systems
US10249300B2 (en) 2016-06-06 2019-04-02 Apple Inc. Intelligent list reading
US10049663B2 (en) 2016-06-08 2018-08-14 Apple, Inc. Intelligent automated assistant for media exploration
DK179309B1 (en) 2016-06-09 2018-04-23 Apple Inc Intelligent automated assistant in a home environment
US10509862B2 (en) 2016-06-10 2019-12-17 Apple Inc. Dynamic phrase expansion of language input
US10067938B2 (en) 2016-06-10 2018-09-04 Apple Inc. Multilingual word prediction
US10586535B2 (en) 2016-06-10 2020-03-10 Apple Inc. Intelligent digital assistant in a multi-tasking environment
US10490187B2 (en) 2016-06-10 2019-11-26 Apple Inc. Digital assistant providing automated status report
US10192552B2 (en) 2016-06-10 2019-01-29 Apple Inc. Digital assistant providing whispered speech
DK179343B1 (en) 2016-06-11 2018-05-14 Apple Inc Intelligent task discovery
DK179415B1 (en) 2016-06-11 2018-06-14 Apple Inc Intelligent device arbitration and control
DK201670540A1 (en) 2016-06-11 2018-01-08 Apple Inc Application integration with a digital assistant
DK179049B1 (en) 2016-06-11 2017-09-18 Apple Inc Data driven natural language event detection and classification
DK201670595A1 (en) 2016-06-11 2018-01-22 Apple Inc Configuring context-specific user interfaces
DK179374B1 (en) 2016-06-12 2018-05-28 Apple Inc Handwriting keyboard for monitors
US11816325B2 (en) 2016-06-12 2023-11-14 Apple Inc. Application shortcuts for carplay
US10317100B2 (en) * 2016-07-22 2019-06-11 Ademco Inc. Simplified schedule programming of an HVAC controller
US10043516B2 (en) 2016-09-23 2018-08-07 Apple Inc. Intelligent automated assistant
USD817991S1 (en) 2016-10-26 2018-05-15 Apple Inc. Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
USD820304S1 (en) 2016-10-27 2018-06-12 Apple Inc. Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
US10593346B2 (en) 2016-12-22 2020-03-17 Apple Inc. Rank-reduced token representation for automatic speech recognition
USD840428S1 (en) * 2017-01-13 2019-02-12 Adp, Llc Display screen with a graphical user interface
USD824405S1 (en) * 2017-01-13 2018-07-31 Adp, Llc Display screen or portion thereof with a graphical user interface
DK201770439A1 (en) 2017-05-11 2018-12-13 Apple Inc. Offline personal assistant
DK179496B1 (en) 2017-05-12 2019-01-15 Apple Inc. USER-SPECIFIC Acoustic Models
DK179745B1 (en) 2017-05-12 2019-05-01 Apple Inc. SYNCHRONIZATION AND TASK DELEGATION OF A DIGITAL ASSISTANT
DK201770431A1 (en) 2017-05-15 2018-12-20 Apple Inc. Optimizing dialogue policy decisions for digital assistants using implicit feedback
DK201770432A1 (en) 2017-05-15 2018-12-21 Apple Inc. Hierarchical belief states for digital assistants
DK179560B1 (en) 2017-05-16 2019-02-18 Apple Inc. Far-field extension for digital assistant services
US10788972B2 (en) * 2017-10-02 2020-09-29 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Systems and methods for automatically populating a display area with historized process parameters
CN107885995A (en) * 2017-10-09 2018-04-06 阿里巴巴集团控股有限公司 The security sweep method, apparatus and electronic equipment of small routine
USD870142S1 (en) * 2017-12-29 2019-12-17 Leica Biosystems Imaging, Inc. Digital pathology apparatus display screen with graphical user interface
USD916861S1 (en) * 2018-02-27 2021-04-20 Rockport Networks Inc. Display screen with a graphical user interface
US11922283B2 (en) 2018-04-20 2024-03-05 H2O.Ai Inc. Model interpretation
US11386342B2 (en) * 2018-04-20 2022-07-12 H2O.Ai Inc. Model interpretation
USD884722S1 (en) * 2018-05-11 2020-05-19 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Display screen or portion thereof with transitional graphical user interface
USD887431S1 (en) * 2018-06-18 2020-06-16 Genomic Prediction, Inc. Display screen with graphical user interface
USD886208S1 (en) * 2018-07-24 2020-06-02 Sg Gaming, Inc. Table with image
USD886207S1 (en) * 2018-07-24 2020-06-02 Sg Gaming, Inc. Table with image
US11567787B2 (en) * 2018-09-29 2023-01-31 Or-Ment Llc User interface collaboration advisor
US11204682B1 (en) * 2018-10-29 2021-12-21 State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company Dynamic data-driven consolidation of user interface interactions requesting roadside assistance
BR112021009093A2 (en) * 2018-11-14 2021-08-10 Wix.Com Ltd. website development system, and method for a website development system
USD916099S1 (en) * 2019-04-04 2021-04-13 Ansys, Inc. Electronic visual display with structure modeling tool graphical user interface
US11675476B2 (en) 2019-05-05 2023-06-13 Apple Inc. User interfaces for widgets
USD949191S1 (en) * 2019-12-26 2022-04-19 Sap Se Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
TWI714480B (en) * 2020-03-19 2020-12-21 索爾智慧機械有限公司 Data display method of pull cap installation tool test instrument
US20210303473A1 (en) * 2020-03-27 2021-09-30 Datto, Inc. Method and system of copying data to a clipboard
USD949184S1 (en) * 2020-06-17 2022-04-19 Apple Inc. Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
CN114125546B (en) * 2020-08-27 2023-02-28 荣耀终端有限公司 Information sharing method and device, terminal equipment and storage medium
USD952661S1 (en) 2020-10-12 2022-05-24 Apple Inc. Display screen or portion thereof with animated graphical user interface
USD973082S1 (en) 2021-04-20 2022-12-20 Apple Inc. Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface

Citations (94)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4772882A (en) * 1986-07-18 1988-09-20 Commodore-Amiga, Inc. Cursor controller user interface system
US4896291A (en) * 1988-05-20 1990-01-23 International Business Machines Corporation Valuator menu for use as a graphical user interface tool
US5041967A (en) * 1987-10-13 1991-08-20 Bell Communications Research, Inc. Methods and apparatus for dynamic menu generation in a menu driven computer system
US5081592A (en) * 1987-08-05 1992-01-14 Tektronix, Inc. Test system for acquiring, calculating and displaying representations of data sequences
US5345550A (en) * 1992-12-23 1994-09-06 International Business Machines Corporation User-modifiable popup menus for object oriented behavior
US5490245A (en) * 1993-08-12 1996-02-06 Ast Research, Inc. Component-based icon construction and customization system
US5513310A (en) * 1993-02-08 1996-04-30 Megard; Patrick Method for selecting a constructed element of a drawing to generate similar elements
US5596699A (en) * 1994-02-02 1997-01-21 Driskell; Stanley W. Linear-viewing/radial-selection graphic for menu display
US5600780A (en) * 1990-03-30 1997-02-04 International Business Machines Corporation Programming environment system for customizing a program application based upon user input
US5602997A (en) * 1992-08-27 1997-02-11 Starfish Software, Inc. Customizable program control interface for a computer system
US5644737A (en) * 1995-06-06 1997-07-01 Microsoft Corporation Method and system for stacking toolbars in a computer display
US5664133A (en) * 1993-12-13 1997-09-02 Microsoft Corporation Context sensitive menu system/menu behavior
US5664737A (en) * 1995-10-10 1997-09-09 Beloit Technologies, Inc. Centerwind assist for a paper winder system
US5675753A (en) * 1995-04-24 1997-10-07 U.S. West Technologies, Inc. Method and system for presenting an electronic user-interface specification
US5675752A (en) * 1994-09-15 1997-10-07 Sony Corporation Interactive applications generator for an interactive presentation environment
US5678015A (en) * 1995-09-01 1997-10-14 Silicon Graphics, Inc. Four-dimensional graphical user interface
US5706448A (en) * 1992-12-18 1998-01-06 International Business Machines Corporation Method and system for manipulating data through a graphic user interface within a data processing system
US5706456A (en) * 1995-04-18 1998-01-06 Unisys Corporation Application specific graphical user interface (GUI) that is window programmable and capable of operating above a windows operating system GUI
US5721853A (en) * 1995-04-28 1998-02-24 Ast Research, Inc. Spot graphic display element with open locking and periodic animation
US5737560A (en) * 1995-12-29 1998-04-07 Silicon Graphics, Inc. Graphical method and system for accessing information on a communications network
US5737557A (en) * 1995-05-26 1998-04-07 Ast Research, Inc. Intelligent window user interface for computers
US5745116A (en) * 1996-09-09 1998-04-28 Motorola, Inc. Intuitive gesture-based graphical user interface
US5745717A (en) * 1995-06-07 1998-04-28 Vayda; Mark Graphical menu providing simultaneous multiple command selection
US5748891A (en) * 1994-07-22 1998-05-05 Aether Wire & Location Spread spectrum localizers
US5754174A (en) * 1992-08-27 1998-05-19 Starfish Software, Inc. User interface with individually configurable panel interfaces for use in a computer system
US5754173A (en) * 1996-02-28 1998-05-19 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Method and system for creating user interface independent programs with a user interface provider
US5790820A (en) * 1995-06-07 1998-08-04 Vayda; Mark Radial graphical menuing system
US5798760A (en) * 1995-06-07 1998-08-25 Vayda; Mark Radial graphical menuing system with concentric region menuing
US5798460A (en) * 1994-06-20 1998-08-25 Sony Corporation Vibration sensor employing a flexible diaphragm and an electret film
US5805167A (en) * 1994-09-22 1998-09-08 Van Cruyningen; Izak Popup menus with directional gestures
US5812805A (en) * 1995-05-31 1998-09-22 International Business Machines Corp. Method and editing system for setting tool button
US5818445A (en) * 1992-09-09 1998-10-06 Tandem Computers Incorporated Method and system for creating computer-program-based applications with developer specified look and feel
US5825357A (en) * 1993-12-13 1998-10-20 Microsoft Corporation Continuously accessible computer system interface
US5828376A (en) * 1996-09-23 1998-10-27 J. D. Edwards World Source Company Menu control in a graphical user interface
US5828360A (en) * 1991-02-01 1998-10-27 U.S. Philips Corporation Apparatus for the interactive handling of objects
US5874954A (en) * 1996-04-23 1999-02-23 Roku Technologies, L.L.C. Centricity-based interface and method
US5875966A (en) * 1997-03-07 1999-03-02 Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. Dual mode input signal conditioner
US5914714A (en) * 1997-04-01 1999-06-22 Microsoft Corporation System and method for changing the characteristics of a button by direct manipulation
US5926178A (en) * 1995-06-06 1999-07-20 Silicon Graphics, Inc. Display and control of menus with radial and linear portions
US5933141A (en) * 1998-01-05 1999-08-03 Gateway 2000, Inc. Mutatably transparent displays
US5936614A (en) * 1991-04-30 1999-08-10 International Business Machines Corporation User defined keyboard entry system
US5940076A (en) * 1997-12-01 1999-08-17 Motorola, Inc. Graphical user interface for an electronic device and method therefor
US5943678A (en) * 1996-12-03 1999-08-24 International Business Machines Corporation Temporal displacement icon in a graphical user interface
US5973666A (en) * 1995-07-20 1999-10-26 International Business Machines Corporation Method and means for controlling the concurrent execution of a plurality of programs on a computer system
US6028600A (en) * 1997-06-02 2000-02-22 Sony Corporation Rotary menu wheel interface
US6037937A (en) * 1997-12-04 2000-03-14 Nortel Networks Corporation Navigation tool for graphical user interface
US6078322A (en) * 1997-09-30 2000-06-20 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Methods permitting rapid generation of platform independent software applications executed on a universal client device
US6104399A (en) * 1997-06-06 2000-08-15 U.S. Philips Corporation System for menu-driven instruction input
US6111614A (en) * 1997-10-17 2000-08-29 Sony Corporation Method and apparatus for displaying an electronic menu having components with differing levels of transparency
US6118427A (en) * 1996-04-18 2000-09-12 Silicon Graphics, Inc. Graphical user interface with optimal transparency thresholds for maximizing user performance and system efficiency
US6121965A (en) * 1997-10-17 2000-09-19 Lucent Technologies Inc. User interface for graphical application tool
US6133915A (en) * 1998-06-17 2000-10-17 Microsoft Corporation System and method for customizing controls on a toolbar
US6188399B1 (en) * 1998-05-08 2001-02-13 Apple Computer, Inc. Multiple theme engine graphical user interface architecture
US6199099B1 (en) * 1999-03-05 2001-03-06 Ac Properties B.V. System, method and article of manufacture for a mobile communication network utilizing a distributed communication network
US6201539B1 (en) * 1994-01-04 2001-03-13 International Business Machines Corporation Method and system for customizing a data processing system graphical user interface
US6208539B1 (en) * 1998-03-12 2001-03-27 Eon Silicon Devices, Inc. Two-phase clock charge pump with power regulation
US6208341B1 (en) * 1998-08-05 2001-03-27 U. S. Philips Corporation GUI of remote control facilitates user-friendly editing of macros
US6215488B1 (en) * 1997-07-15 2001-04-10 U.S. Philips Corporation Method and system for designing a graphical user interface for an electronic consumer product
US6236395B1 (en) * 1999-02-01 2001-05-22 Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. Audiovisual information management system
US20010004260A1 (en) * 1999-12-14 2001-06-21 Sun Microsystems, Inc Method, system, and graphic user interface for file system navigation
US6256030B1 (en) * 1993-11-30 2001-07-03 International Business Machines Corp. Navigation within a graphical user interface for a compound graphical object using pointing device input
US6304746B1 (en) * 1998-11-17 2001-10-16 Aether Systems, Inc. Method and system for providing formatted information via a two-way communications system
US20010033244A1 (en) * 2000-03-15 2001-10-25 Harris Glen Mclean Remote control multimedia content listing system
US6337469B1 (en) * 1999-09-10 2002-01-08 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Cooker
US6341270B1 (en) * 1998-11-10 2002-01-22 Aether Systems, Inc. Method for providing vendor notification marketing in an electronic commerce network environment
US6369837B1 (en) * 1998-07-17 2002-04-09 International Business Machines Corporation GUI selector control
US6414700B1 (en) * 1998-07-21 2002-07-02 Silicon Graphics, Inc. System for accessing a large number of menu items using a zoned menu bar
US6421068B1 (en) * 1997-09-04 2002-07-16 Ncr Corporation Method for collecting and displaying information for activex controls simplifying CTI enabled application development
US20020122072A1 (en) * 1999-04-09 2002-09-05 Edwin J. Selker Pie menu graphical user interface
US6448987B1 (en) * 1998-04-03 2002-09-10 Intertainer, Inc. Graphic user interface for a digital content delivery system using circular menus
US6509908B1 (en) * 1998-05-13 2003-01-21 Clemens Croy Personal navigator system
US6509913B2 (en) * 1998-04-30 2003-01-21 Openwave Systems Inc. Configurable man-machine interface
US6535885B1 (en) * 2000-10-16 2003-03-18 Aether Systems, Inc. Multikeyed table implementable on a personal digital assistant
US6546374B1 (en) * 1998-11-10 2003-04-08 Aether Systems, Inc. Apparatus for providing instant vendor notification in an electronic commerce network environment
US6556222B1 (en) * 2000-06-30 2003-04-29 International Business Machines Corporation Bezel based input mechanism and user interface for a smart watch
US6593945B1 (en) * 1999-05-21 2003-07-15 Xsides Corporation Parallel graphical user interface
US6621532B1 (en) * 1998-01-09 2003-09-16 International Business Machines Corporation Easy method of dragging pull-down menu items onto a toolbar
US6674453B1 (en) * 2000-07-10 2004-01-06 Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Service portal for links separated from Web content
US6686938B1 (en) * 2000-01-05 2004-02-03 Apple Computer, Inc. Method and system for providing an embedded application toolbar
US6714219B2 (en) * 1998-12-31 2004-03-30 Microsoft Corporation Drag and drop creation and editing of a page incorporating scripts
US6717597B2 (en) * 2000-12-15 2004-04-06 Dassault Systemes Contextual and dynamic command navigator for CAD and related systems
US6724402B1 (en) * 2000-01-27 2004-04-20 David R. Baquero Method of launching computer programs within a graphical user interface
US6731316B2 (en) * 2000-02-25 2004-05-04 Kargo, Inc. Graphical layout and keypad response to visually depict and implement device functionality for interactivity with a numbered keypad
US6876368B2 (en) * 2001-08-14 2005-04-05 National Instruments Corporation System and method for deploying a graphical program to a PDA device
US6918091B2 (en) * 2000-11-09 2005-07-12 Change Tools, Inc. User definable interface system, method and computer program product
US6928433B2 (en) * 2001-01-05 2005-08-09 Creative Technology Ltd Automatic hierarchical categorization of music by metadata
US6928617B2 (en) * 2002-04-11 2005-08-09 International Business Machines Corporation Segmentation of views for simplified navigation on limited device
US6941521B2 (en) * 2002-03-29 2005-09-06 Intel Corporation Method for dynamically generating a user interface from XML-based documents
US6990654B2 (en) * 2000-09-14 2006-01-24 Bea Systems, Inc. XML-based graphical user interface application development toolkit
US7010294B1 (en) * 1999-04-16 2006-03-07 Metso Automation Oy Wireless control of a field device in an industrial process
US7036084B2 (en) * 2001-06-19 2006-04-25 Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki Industrial equipment and system
US7093198B1 (en) * 2001-08-16 2006-08-15 Nokia Corporation Skins for mobile communication devices
US7225408B2 (en) * 2001-04-27 2007-05-29 Siemens Medical Solutions Health Services Corporation System and user interface for communicating and processing patient record information
US7372450B2 (en) * 2004-05-05 2008-05-13 Inventec Appliances Corporation Analog input mapping for hand-held computing devices

Family Cites Families (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5701424A (en) * 1992-07-06 1997-12-23 Microsoft Corporation Palladian menus and methods relating thereto
US5572648A (en) * 1993-01-19 1996-11-05 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha System for simultaneously displaying a static tool palette having predefined windowing tool functions and a dynamic tool palette which changes windowing tool functons in accordance with a context of an executed application program
JP2986047B2 (en) * 1993-04-29 1999-12-06 インターナショナル・ビジネス・マシーンズ・コーポレイション Digital input display device and input processing device and method
CA2095452C (en) * 1993-05-04 1997-03-18 Phillip J. Beaudet Dynamic hierarchical selection menu
US5581670A (en) * 1993-07-21 1996-12-03 Xerox Corporation User interface having movable sheet with click-through tools
US5564004A (en) * 1994-04-13 1996-10-08 International Business Machines Corporation Method and system for facilitating the selection of icons
US5544354A (en) * 1994-07-18 1996-08-06 Ikonic Interactive, Inc. Multimedia matrix architecture user interface
US5652795A (en) * 1994-11-14 1997-07-29 Hughes Electronics Method and apparatus for an adapter card providing conditional access in a communication system
US6307574B1 (en) * 1995-05-08 2001-10-23 Apple Computer, Inc. Graphical user interface with hierarchical structure for customizable menus and control objects
US5874966A (en) * 1995-10-30 1999-02-23 International Business Machines Corporation Customizable graphical user interface that automatically identifies major objects in a user-selected digitized color image and permits data to be associated with the major objects
US5838321A (en) * 1996-05-06 1998-11-17 Ast Research, Inc. User interface with embedded objects for personal computers and the like
EP0809362B1 (en) * 1996-05-22 2004-09-22 Nippon Telegraph And Telephone Corporation Logic circuit and its fabrication method
US6002709A (en) * 1996-11-21 1999-12-14 Dsp Group, Inc. Verification of PN synchronization in a direct-sequence spread-spectrum digital communications system
US6002402A (en) * 1997-04-09 1999-12-14 Symantec Corporation System and method for producing a drag-and-drop object from a popup menu item
US6005578A (en) * 1997-09-25 1999-12-21 Mindsphere, Inc. Method and apparatus for visual navigation of information objects
US6651084B1 (en) * 1999-11-29 2003-11-18 International Business Machines Corporation System and method for adding plug-ins to a web browser
EP1256046A2 (en) * 2000-02-14 2002-11-13 Geophoenix, Inc. Methods and apparatus for viewing information in virtual space
US6907571B2 (en) * 2000-03-01 2005-06-14 Benjamin Slotznick Adjunct use of instant messenger software to enable communications to or between chatterbots or other software agents
US6466937B1 (en) * 2000-03-10 2002-10-15 Aether Systems, Inc. System, method and apparatus for utilizing transaction databases in a client-server environment
US20020186254A1 (en) * 2001-06-11 2002-12-12 Apps4Biz.Com Holding Ag Information handling method and apparatus and intuitive graphical user interface for navigating business application software

Patent Citations (99)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4772882A (en) * 1986-07-18 1988-09-20 Commodore-Amiga, Inc. Cursor controller user interface system
US5081592A (en) * 1987-08-05 1992-01-14 Tektronix, Inc. Test system for acquiring, calculating and displaying representations of data sequences
US5041967A (en) * 1987-10-13 1991-08-20 Bell Communications Research, Inc. Methods and apparatus for dynamic menu generation in a menu driven computer system
US4896291A (en) * 1988-05-20 1990-01-23 International Business Machines Corporation Valuator menu for use as a graphical user interface tool
US5600780A (en) * 1990-03-30 1997-02-04 International Business Machines Corporation Programming environment system for customizing a program application based upon user input
US5828360A (en) * 1991-02-01 1998-10-27 U.S. Philips Corporation Apparatus for the interactive handling of objects
US5943039A (en) * 1991-02-01 1999-08-24 U.S. Philips Corporation Apparatus for the interactive handling of objects
US5936614A (en) * 1991-04-30 1999-08-10 International Business Machines Corporation User defined keyboard entry system
US5754174A (en) * 1992-08-27 1998-05-19 Starfish Software, Inc. User interface with individually configurable panel interfaces for use in a computer system
US5602997A (en) * 1992-08-27 1997-02-11 Starfish Software, Inc. Customizable program control interface for a computer system
US5818445A (en) * 1992-09-09 1998-10-06 Tandem Computers Incorporated Method and system for creating computer-program-based applications with developer specified look and feel
US5706448A (en) * 1992-12-18 1998-01-06 International Business Machines Corporation Method and system for manipulating data through a graphic user interface within a data processing system
US5345550A (en) * 1992-12-23 1994-09-06 International Business Machines Corporation User-modifiable popup menus for object oriented behavior
US5513310A (en) * 1993-02-08 1996-04-30 Megard; Patrick Method for selecting a constructed element of a drawing to generate similar elements
US5490245A (en) * 1993-08-12 1996-02-06 Ast Research, Inc. Component-based icon construction and customization system
US6256030B1 (en) * 1993-11-30 2001-07-03 International Business Machines Corp. Navigation within a graphical user interface for a compound graphical object using pointing device input
US5825357A (en) * 1993-12-13 1998-10-20 Microsoft Corporation Continuously accessible computer system interface
US5664133A (en) * 1993-12-13 1997-09-02 Microsoft Corporation Context sensitive menu system/menu behavior
US6201539B1 (en) * 1994-01-04 2001-03-13 International Business Machines Corporation Method and system for customizing a data processing system graphical user interface
US5596699A (en) * 1994-02-02 1997-01-21 Driskell; Stanley W. Linear-viewing/radial-selection graphic for menu display
US5798460A (en) * 1994-06-20 1998-08-25 Sony Corporation Vibration sensor employing a flexible diaphragm and an electret film
US6400754B2 (en) * 1994-07-22 2002-06-04 Aether Wire & Location, Inc. Spread spectrum localizers
US5748891A (en) * 1994-07-22 1998-05-05 Aether Wire & Location Spread spectrum localizers
US6385268B1 (en) * 1994-07-22 2002-05-07 Aether-Wire & Technology Spread spectrum localizers
US5675752A (en) * 1994-09-15 1997-10-07 Sony Corporation Interactive applications generator for an interactive presentation environment
US5805167A (en) * 1994-09-22 1998-09-08 Van Cruyningen; Izak Popup menus with directional gestures
US5706456A (en) * 1995-04-18 1998-01-06 Unisys Corporation Application specific graphical user interface (GUI) that is window programmable and capable of operating above a windows operating system GUI
US5675753A (en) * 1995-04-24 1997-10-07 U.S. West Technologies, Inc. Method and system for presenting an electronic user-interface specification
US5721853A (en) * 1995-04-28 1998-02-24 Ast Research, Inc. Spot graphic display element with open locking and periodic animation
US5737557A (en) * 1995-05-26 1998-04-07 Ast Research, Inc. Intelligent window user interface for computers
US5812805A (en) * 1995-05-31 1998-09-22 International Business Machines Corp. Method and editing system for setting tool button
US5926178A (en) * 1995-06-06 1999-07-20 Silicon Graphics, Inc. Display and control of menus with radial and linear portions
US5644737A (en) * 1995-06-06 1997-07-01 Microsoft Corporation Method and system for stacking toolbars in a computer display
US6618063B1 (en) * 1995-06-06 2003-09-09 Silicon Graphics, Inc. Method and apparatus for producing, controlling and displaying menus
US5790820A (en) * 1995-06-07 1998-08-04 Vayda; Mark Radial graphical menuing system
US5798760A (en) * 1995-06-07 1998-08-25 Vayda; Mark Radial graphical menuing system with concentric region menuing
US5745717A (en) * 1995-06-07 1998-04-28 Vayda; Mark Graphical menu providing simultaneous multiple command selection
US5973666A (en) * 1995-07-20 1999-10-26 International Business Machines Corporation Method and means for controlling the concurrent execution of a plurality of programs on a computer system
US5678015A (en) * 1995-09-01 1997-10-14 Silicon Graphics, Inc. Four-dimensional graphical user interface
US5664737A (en) * 1995-10-10 1997-09-09 Beloit Technologies, Inc. Centerwind assist for a paper winder system
US5737560A (en) * 1995-12-29 1998-04-07 Silicon Graphics, Inc. Graphical method and system for accessing information on a communications network
US5754173A (en) * 1996-02-28 1998-05-19 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Method and system for creating user interface independent programs with a user interface provider
US6118427A (en) * 1996-04-18 2000-09-12 Silicon Graphics, Inc. Graphical user interface with optimal transparency thresholds for maximizing user performance and system efficiency
US5874954A (en) * 1996-04-23 1999-02-23 Roku Technologies, L.L.C. Centricity-based interface and method
US5745116A (en) * 1996-09-09 1998-04-28 Motorola, Inc. Intuitive gesture-based graphical user interface
US5828376A (en) * 1996-09-23 1998-10-27 J. D. Edwards World Source Company Menu control in a graphical user interface
US5943678A (en) * 1996-12-03 1999-08-24 International Business Machines Corporation Temporal displacement icon in a graphical user interface
US5875966A (en) * 1997-03-07 1999-03-02 Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. Dual mode input signal conditioner
US5914714A (en) * 1997-04-01 1999-06-22 Microsoft Corporation System and method for changing the characteristics of a button by direct manipulation
US6028600A (en) * 1997-06-02 2000-02-22 Sony Corporation Rotary menu wheel interface
US6104399A (en) * 1997-06-06 2000-08-15 U.S. Philips Corporation System for menu-driven instruction input
US6215488B1 (en) * 1997-07-15 2001-04-10 U.S. Philips Corporation Method and system for designing a graphical user interface for an electronic consumer product
US6421068B1 (en) * 1997-09-04 2002-07-16 Ncr Corporation Method for collecting and displaying information for activex controls simplifying CTI enabled application development
US6078322A (en) * 1997-09-30 2000-06-20 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Methods permitting rapid generation of platform independent software applications executed on a universal client device
US6111614A (en) * 1997-10-17 2000-08-29 Sony Corporation Method and apparatus for displaying an electronic menu having components with differing levels of transparency
US6121965A (en) * 1997-10-17 2000-09-19 Lucent Technologies Inc. User interface for graphical application tool
US5940076A (en) * 1997-12-01 1999-08-17 Motorola, Inc. Graphical user interface for an electronic device and method therefor
US6037937A (en) * 1997-12-04 2000-03-14 Nortel Networks Corporation Navigation tool for graphical user interface
US5933141A (en) * 1998-01-05 1999-08-03 Gateway 2000, Inc. Mutatably transparent displays
US6621532B1 (en) * 1998-01-09 2003-09-16 International Business Machines Corporation Easy method of dragging pull-down menu items onto a toolbar
US6208539B1 (en) * 1998-03-12 2001-03-27 Eon Silicon Devices, Inc. Two-phase clock charge pump with power regulation
US6448987B1 (en) * 1998-04-03 2002-09-10 Intertainer, Inc. Graphic user interface for a digital content delivery system using circular menus
US6509913B2 (en) * 1998-04-30 2003-01-21 Openwave Systems Inc. Configurable man-machine interface
US6188399B1 (en) * 1998-05-08 2001-02-13 Apple Computer, Inc. Multiple theme engine graphical user interface architecture
US6509908B1 (en) * 1998-05-13 2003-01-21 Clemens Croy Personal navigator system
US6133915A (en) * 1998-06-17 2000-10-17 Microsoft Corporation System and method for customizing controls on a toolbar
US6369837B1 (en) * 1998-07-17 2002-04-09 International Business Machines Corporation GUI selector control
US6414700B1 (en) * 1998-07-21 2002-07-02 Silicon Graphics, Inc. System for accessing a large number of menu items using a zoned menu bar
US6208341B1 (en) * 1998-08-05 2001-03-27 U. S. Philips Corporation GUI of remote control facilitates user-friendly editing of macros
US6546374B1 (en) * 1998-11-10 2003-04-08 Aether Systems, Inc. Apparatus for providing instant vendor notification in an electronic commerce network environment
US6341270B1 (en) * 1998-11-10 2002-01-22 Aether Systems, Inc. Method for providing vendor notification marketing in an electronic commerce network environment
US6304746B1 (en) * 1998-11-17 2001-10-16 Aether Systems, Inc. Method and system for providing formatted information via a two-way communications system
US6714219B2 (en) * 1998-12-31 2004-03-30 Microsoft Corporation Drag and drop creation and editing of a page incorporating scripts
US6236395B1 (en) * 1999-02-01 2001-05-22 Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. Audiovisual information management system
US6199099B1 (en) * 1999-03-05 2001-03-06 Ac Properties B.V. System, method and article of manufacture for a mobile communication network utilizing a distributed communication network
US6549219B2 (en) * 1999-04-09 2003-04-15 International Business Machines Corporation Pie menu graphical user interface
US20020122072A1 (en) * 1999-04-09 2002-09-05 Edwin J. Selker Pie menu graphical user interface
US7010294B1 (en) * 1999-04-16 2006-03-07 Metso Automation Oy Wireless control of a field device in an industrial process
US6593945B1 (en) * 1999-05-21 2003-07-15 Xsides Corporation Parallel graphical user interface
US6337469B1 (en) * 1999-09-10 2002-01-08 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Cooker
US20010004260A1 (en) * 1999-12-14 2001-06-21 Sun Microsystems, Inc Method, system, and graphic user interface for file system navigation
US6686938B1 (en) * 2000-01-05 2004-02-03 Apple Computer, Inc. Method and system for providing an embedded application toolbar
US6724402B1 (en) * 2000-01-27 2004-04-20 David R. Baquero Method of launching computer programs within a graphical user interface
US6731316B2 (en) * 2000-02-25 2004-05-04 Kargo, Inc. Graphical layout and keypad response to visually depict and implement device functionality for interactivity with a numbered keypad
US20010033244A1 (en) * 2000-03-15 2001-10-25 Harris Glen Mclean Remote control multimedia content listing system
US6556222B1 (en) * 2000-06-30 2003-04-29 International Business Machines Corporation Bezel based input mechanism and user interface for a smart watch
US6674453B1 (en) * 2000-07-10 2004-01-06 Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Service portal for links separated from Web content
US6990654B2 (en) * 2000-09-14 2006-01-24 Bea Systems, Inc. XML-based graphical user interface application development toolkit
US6535885B1 (en) * 2000-10-16 2003-03-18 Aether Systems, Inc. Multikeyed table implementable on a personal digital assistant
US6918091B2 (en) * 2000-11-09 2005-07-12 Change Tools, Inc. User definable interface system, method and computer program product
US6717597B2 (en) * 2000-12-15 2004-04-06 Dassault Systemes Contextual and dynamic command navigator for CAD and related systems
US6928433B2 (en) * 2001-01-05 2005-08-09 Creative Technology Ltd Automatic hierarchical categorization of music by metadata
US7225408B2 (en) * 2001-04-27 2007-05-29 Siemens Medical Solutions Health Services Corporation System and user interface for communicating and processing patient record information
US7036084B2 (en) * 2001-06-19 2006-04-25 Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki Industrial equipment and system
US6876368B2 (en) * 2001-08-14 2005-04-05 National Instruments Corporation System and method for deploying a graphical program to a PDA device
US7093198B1 (en) * 2001-08-16 2006-08-15 Nokia Corporation Skins for mobile communication devices
US6941521B2 (en) * 2002-03-29 2005-09-06 Intel Corporation Method for dynamically generating a user interface from XML-based documents
US6928617B2 (en) * 2002-04-11 2005-08-09 International Business Machines Corporation Segmentation of views for simplified navigation on limited device
US7372450B2 (en) * 2004-05-05 2008-05-13 Inventec Appliances Corporation Analog input mapping for hand-held computing devices

Cited By (97)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070234223A1 (en) * 2000-11-09 2007-10-04 Leavitt Joseph M User definable interface system, method, support tools, and computer program product
US20050278647A1 (en) * 2000-11-09 2005-12-15 Change Tools, Inc. User definable interface system and method
US7895530B2 (en) 2000-11-09 2011-02-22 Change Tools, Inc. User definable interface system, method, support tools, and computer program product
US20070064477A1 (en) * 2005-09-20 2007-03-22 Battelle Memorial Institute System for remote data sharing
US11650713B2 (en) 2005-12-30 2023-05-16 Apple Inc. Portable electronic device with interface reconfiguration mode
US9933913B2 (en) 2005-12-30 2018-04-03 Apple Inc. Portable electronic device with interface reconfiguration mode
US10359907B2 (en) 2005-12-30 2019-07-23 Apple Inc. Portable electronic device with interface reconfiguration mode
US10884579B2 (en) 2005-12-30 2021-01-05 Apple Inc. Portable electronic device with interface reconfiguration mode
US10915224B2 (en) 2005-12-30 2021-02-09 Apple Inc. Portable electronic device with interface reconfiguration mode
US11449194B2 (en) 2005-12-30 2022-09-20 Apple Inc. Portable electronic device with interface reconfiguration mode
US9952759B2 (en) 2006-09-06 2018-04-24 Apple Inc. Touch screen device, method, and graphical user interface for customizing display of content category icons
US20080082930A1 (en) * 2006-09-06 2008-04-03 Omernick Timothy P Portable Multifunction Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Configuring and Displaying Widgets
US9335924B2 (en) 2006-09-06 2016-05-10 Apple Inc. Touch screen device, method, and graphical user interface for customizing display of content category icons
US11736602B2 (en) 2006-09-06 2023-08-22 Apple Inc. Portable multifunction device, method, and graphical user interface for configuring and displaying widgets
US11240362B2 (en) 2006-09-06 2022-02-01 Apple Inc. Portable multifunction device, method, and graphical user interface for configuring and displaying widgets
US8564544B2 (en) 2006-09-06 2013-10-22 Apple Inc. Touch screen device, method, and graphical user interface for customizing display of content category icons
US11029838B2 (en) 2006-09-06 2021-06-08 Apple Inc. Touch screen device, method, and graphical user interface for customizing display of content category icons
US8558808B2 (en) 2006-09-06 2013-10-15 Apple Inc. Web-clip widgets on a portable multifunction device
US8519972B2 (en) 2006-09-06 2013-08-27 Apple Inc. Web-clip widgets on a portable multifunction device
US10778828B2 (en) 2006-09-06 2020-09-15 Apple Inc. Portable multifunction device, method, and graphical user interface for configuring and displaying widgets
US10313505B2 (en) 2006-09-06 2019-06-04 Apple Inc. Portable multifunction device, method, and graphical user interface for configuring and displaying widgets
US20080122796A1 (en) * 2006-09-06 2008-05-29 Jobs Steven P Touch Screen Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Determining Commands by Applying Heuristics
US20110219303A1 (en) * 2006-09-06 2011-09-08 Scott Forstall Web-Clip Widgets on a Portable Multifunction Device
US20110210933A1 (en) * 2006-09-06 2011-09-01 Scott Forstall Web-Clip Widgets on a Portable Multifunction Device
US8694033B2 (en) * 2006-10-12 2014-04-08 At&T Mobility Ii Llc Dynamic interactive skin
US8447361B1 (en) * 2006-10-12 2013-05-21 AT&T Mobilty II LLC Dynamic interactive skin
US20080201650A1 (en) * 2007-01-07 2008-08-21 Lemay Stephen O Web-Clip Widgets on a Portable Multifunction Device
US20080165153A1 (en) * 2007-01-07 2008-07-10 Andrew Emilio Platzer Portable Multifunction Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface Supporting User Navigations of Graphical Objects on a Touch Screen Display
US9367232B2 (en) 2007-01-07 2016-06-14 Apple Inc. Portable multifunction device, method, and graphical user interface supporting user navigations of graphical objects on a touch screen display
US10732821B2 (en) 2007-01-07 2020-08-04 Apple Inc. Portable multifunction device, method, and graphical user interface supporting user navigations of graphical objects on a touch screen display
US10254949B2 (en) 2007-01-07 2019-04-09 Apple Inc. Portable multifunction device, method, and graphical user interface supporting user navigations of graphical objects on a touch screen display
US8788954B2 (en) 2007-01-07 2014-07-22 Apple Inc. Web-clip widgets on a portable multifunction device
US11169691B2 (en) 2007-01-07 2021-11-09 Apple Inc. Portable multifunction device, method, and graphical user interface supporting user navigations of graphical objects on a touch screen display
US11586348B2 (en) 2007-01-07 2023-02-21 Apple Inc. Portable multifunction device, method, and graphical user interface supporting user navigations of graphical objects on a touch screen display
US8519964B2 (en) 2007-01-07 2013-08-27 Apple Inc. Portable multifunction device, method, and graphical user interface supporting user navigations of graphical objects on a touch screen display
US7779367B2 (en) * 2007-02-08 2010-08-17 Microsoft Corporation Dynamic control configuration
US20080195951A1 (en) * 2007-02-08 2008-08-14 Microsoft Corporation Dynamic control configuration
US9933937B2 (en) 2007-06-20 2018-04-03 Apple Inc. Portable multifunction device, method, and graphical user interface for playing online videos
US20090007017A1 (en) * 2007-06-29 2009-01-01 Freddy Allen Anzures Portable multifunction device with animated user interface transitions
US9772751B2 (en) 2007-06-29 2017-09-26 Apple Inc. Using gestures to slide between user interfaces
US10761691B2 (en) 2007-06-29 2020-09-01 Apple Inc. Portable multifunction device with animated user interface transitions
US11507255B2 (en) 2007-06-29 2022-11-22 Apple Inc. Portable multifunction device with animated sliding user interface transitions
US10620780B2 (en) 2007-09-04 2020-04-14 Apple Inc. Editing interface
US20090058821A1 (en) * 2007-09-04 2009-03-05 Apple Inc. Editing interface
US11126321B2 (en) 2007-09-04 2021-09-21 Apple Inc. Application menu user interface
WO2009032638A2 (en) * 2007-09-04 2009-03-12 Apple Inc. Application menu user interface
WO2009032638A3 (en) * 2007-09-04 2010-01-21 Apple Inc. Application menu user interface
US11604559B2 (en) 2007-09-04 2023-03-14 Apple Inc. Editing interface
US11010017B2 (en) 2007-09-04 2021-05-18 Apple Inc. Editing interface
US11861138B2 (en) 2007-09-04 2024-01-02 Apple Inc. Application menu user interface
US8619038B2 (en) 2007-09-04 2013-12-31 Apple Inc. Editing interface
US20090064055A1 (en) * 2007-09-04 2009-03-05 Apple Inc. Application Menu User Interface
US20090079732A1 (en) * 2007-09-26 2009-03-26 Autodesk, Inc. Navigation system for a 3d virtual scene
US10025454B2 (en) * 2007-09-26 2018-07-17 Autodesk, Inc. Navigation system for a 3D virtual scene
US20090079731A1 (en) * 2007-09-26 2009-03-26 Autodesk, Inc. Navigation system for a 3d virtual scene
US20090079739A1 (en) * 2007-09-26 2009-03-26 Autodesk, Inc. Navigation system for a 3d virtual scene
US8803881B2 (en) 2007-09-26 2014-08-12 Autodesk, Inc. Navigation system for a 3D virtual scene
US8749544B2 (en) 2007-09-26 2014-06-10 Autodesk, Inc. Navigation system for a 3D virtual scene
US20090083662A1 (en) * 2007-09-26 2009-03-26 Autodesk, Inc. Navigation system for a 3d virtual scene
US8314789B2 (en) 2007-09-26 2012-11-20 Autodesk, Inc. Navigation system for a 3D virtual scene
US8665272B2 (en) 2007-09-26 2014-03-04 Autodesk, Inc. Navigation system for a 3D virtual scene
US8686991B2 (en) 2007-09-26 2014-04-01 Autodesk, Inc. Navigation system for a 3D virtual scene
US20090085911A1 (en) * 2007-09-26 2009-04-02 Autodesk, Inc. Navigation system for a 3d virtual scene
US20090079740A1 (en) * 2007-09-26 2009-03-26 Autodesk, Inc. Navigation system for a 3d virtual scene
US20090178008A1 (en) * 2008-01-06 2009-07-09 Scott Herz Portable Multifunction Device with Interface Reconfiguration Mode
US9619143B2 (en) 2008-01-06 2017-04-11 Apple Inc. Device, method, and graphical user interface for viewing application launch icons
US10628028B2 (en) 2008-01-06 2020-04-21 Apple Inc. Replacing display of icons in response to a gesture
WO2010123311A1 (en) * 2009-04-23 2010-10-28 Oh Eui Jin Multidirectional expansion cursor and method for forming a multidirectional expansion cursor
US9733812B2 (en) 2010-01-06 2017-08-15 Apple Inc. Device, method, and graphical user interface with content display modes and display rotation heuristics
US20110216091A1 (en) * 2010-03-04 2011-09-08 Song Hyunyoung Bimanual interactions on digital paper using a pen and a spatially-aware mobile projector
US9128537B2 (en) * 2010-03-04 2015-09-08 Autodesk, Inc. Bimanual interactions on digital paper using a pen and a spatially-aware mobile projector
US20120066630A1 (en) * 2010-09-15 2012-03-15 Lg Electronics Inc. Mobile terminal and controlling method thereof
US9021393B2 (en) * 2010-09-15 2015-04-28 Lg Electronics Inc. Mobile terminal for bookmarking icons and a method of bookmarking icons of a mobile terminal
US10963293B2 (en) 2010-12-21 2021-03-30 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Interactions with contextual and task-based computing environments
US20120166522A1 (en) * 2010-12-27 2012-06-28 Microsoft Corporation Supporting intelligent user interface interactions
WO2012145483A1 (en) * 2011-04-22 2012-10-26 Panasonic Automotive Systems Company Of America, Division Of Panasonic Corporation Of North America Method for using radio presets as application shortcuts
US9250766B2 (en) * 2011-07-14 2016-02-02 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Labels and tooltips for context based menus
US20130019175A1 (en) * 2011-07-14 2013-01-17 Microsoft Corporation Submenus for context based menu system
US20130019174A1 (en) * 2011-07-14 2013-01-17 Microsoft Corporation Labels and tooltips for context based menus
US20130104079A1 (en) * 2011-10-21 2013-04-25 Nozomu Yasui Radial graphical user interface
US8707211B2 (en) * 2011-10-21 2014-04-22 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Radial graphical user interface
US20140181746A1 (en) * 2012-12-26 2014-06-26 Giga-Byte Technology Co., Ltd. Electrionic device with shortcut function and control method thereof
WO2015031716A3 (en) * 2013-08-29 2015-06-04 Panasonic Automotive Systems Company Of America, Division Of Panasonic Corporation Of North America User interface and method for personalized radio station creation
US9678639B2 (en) * 2014-01-27 2017-06-13 Bentley Systems, Incorporated Virtual mouse for a touch screen device
US20150212698A1 (en) * 2014-01-27 2015-07-30 Bentley Systems, Incorporated Virtual mouse for a touch screen device
USD821428S1 (en) 2014-07-22 2018-06-26 Covidien Lp Display screen or portion thereof with a graphical user interface
USD781885S1 (en) * 2014-07-22 2017-03-21 Covidien Lp Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
US20160105628A1 (en) * 2014-10-13 2016-04-14 Mediatek Inc. Method for controlling an electronic device with aid of user input back channel, and associated apparatus and associated computer program product
US10613732B2 (en) 2015-06-07 2020-04-07 Apple Inc. Selecting content items in a user interface display
USD801982S1 (en) * 2016-01-19 2017-11-07 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Display screen or portion thereof including a graphical user interface
US11660503B2 (en) 2016-06-11 2023-05-30 Apple Inc. Activity and workout updates
US10272294B2 (en) 2016-06-11 2019-04-30 Apple Inc. Activity and workout updates
US11161010B2 (en) 2016-06-11 2021-11-02 Apple Inc. Activity and workout updates
US11148007B2 (en) 2016-06-11 2021-10-19 Apple Inc. Activity and workout updates
US11918857B2 (en) 2016-06-11 2024-03-05 Apple Inc. Activity and workout updates
US11216119B2 (en) 2016-06-12 2022-01-04 Apple Inc. Displaying a predetermined view of an application
US20210200391A1 (en) * 2019-12-25 2021-07-01 Shanghai Transsion Co., Ltd. Interacting Method for Sidebar Menu, Apparatus and Computer-readable Storage Medium

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2002039245A3 (en) 2005-02-03
WO2002039245A9 (en) 2003-05-01
WO2002039245A2 (en) 2002-05-16
AU2002226886A1 (en) 2002-05-21
US20020085037A1 (en) 2002-07-04
US6918091B2 (en) 2005-07-12
US20050278647A1 (en) 2005-12-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6918091B2 (en) User definable interface system, method and computer program product
US7895530B2 (en) User definable interface system, method, support tools, and computer program product
JP7026183B2 (en) User interface for your application Devices, methods, and graphical user interfaces for interacting with objects.
US10866715B2 (en) Single action selection of data elements
KR100984817B1 (en) User interface method using touch screen of mobile communication terminal
KR101985291B1 (en) User interface for a computing device
US7594185B2 (en) Virtual desktop manager
EP3436942B1 (en) Tabs in system task switchers
US6806892B1 (en) Layer viewport for enhanced viewing in layered drawings
US9021398B2 (en) Providing accessibility features on context based radial menus
US8607149B2 (en) Highlighting related user interface controls
EP2732365B1 (en) Dynamic context based menus
US6493006B1 (en) Graphical user interface having contextual menus
US5754176A (en) Pop-up help system for a computer graphical user interface
US7917868B2 (en) Three-dimensional motion graphic user interface and method and apparatus for providing the same
US6025844A (en) Method and system for creating dynamic link views
JP2732557B2 (en) Method and data processing system for changing function of GUI
US20060059437A1 (en) Interactive pointing guide
US6636244B1 (en) Pointing device selection method
KR100910759B1 (en) Method for providing user interface in electric device and the device thereof
US20070045961A1 (en) Method and system providing for navigation of a multi-resource user interface
US6529216B1 (en) Method and component for discontiguous range selection
US20040098522A1 (en) Apparatus and method for retrieving and displaying related information on a handheld communication device
Greenberg et al. ISSUES AND EXPER1|) N (CES IN THE DESIGN (OF A WINDOW MANAGEMEN"|" SYSTEM

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: CHANGE TOOLS, INC., ALABAMA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:LEAVITT, JOSEPH M.;MILLS, SCOTT A.;REEL/FRAME:019437/0214;SIGNING DATES FROM 20020102 TO 20020104

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION