US 2003/0112278 A1 · Method to display and manage computer pop-up controls

Abstract

This invention enhances the usability of the human-computer interface by disclosing a technique for the display of single and multi-generation pop-up controls at a location that best meets the user's criterion of an optimal display location. The technique determines the minimum size of a rectangle capable of displaying the actual or likely maximum size of pop-up controls requested during any given activation of the subsystem that manages display of requested controls. The invention then identifies a location that assures the said rectangle either has no overlay or a minimum overlay of the screen area of current interest to the user while avoiding display clipping. A fixed-point is now determined within said rectangle based on physical characteristics of the controls to be displayed that permits display of descendant controls in a backward cascade that enables the user to maintain visual focus at a fixed screen location while manipulating successive controls. The invention provides the user with the ability to redisplay any previously displayed control irrespective of control type as well as provide a “Done” capability for appropriately designed controls that permits the user to convert a single selection control into a multi-selection control. As an adjunct to the reverse order the invention provides four capabilities that permit the user to undo and redo arbitrary services via performed via redisplay of ancestor controls.

Claims46

Dependent claims

A method of display for use with a graphical user interface of a personal computer, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying a maximum display, wherein a size of the maximum display is based at least in part on at least one of a probable-largest required size and an absolute-largest required size;
positioning the maximum display in a best manner, wherein the maximum display minimally overlays a work area of a display zone of an active display, and wherein the maximum display does not extend outside the display zone;
and
displaying a control path selected by the user based at least in part on a position of the maximum display, wherein the control path does not extend outside the display zone,
wherein the display zone corresponds to a delimited area of the active display within which the control path may be rendered, and
wherein the work area corresponds to an area of the display zone presumed to be of interest to the user, and
wherein the plurality of control paths selectable by the user comprises a plurality of permitted, generation ordered, sequences of differing controls, wherein a control corresponds to a displayable graphic having at least a shell area for presentation of at least one of choice selections and textual matter.

4 more elements

A user-interface for use with a computer, the user-interface comprising:

an operating system;
an input means in communication with said operating system for accepting input from a user;
an active display in communication with said operating system;
a plurality of controls in communication with said operating system, said controls corresponding to graphics displayable to said active display, wherein the graphics each have a shell area for presentation of at least one of choice-selections and textual matter;
at least one control path associated with said plurality of controls, said control path corresponding to a permitted, generation ordered sequence of said controls;
a display zone associated with said active display, said display zone corresponding to a delimited area of said active display for rendering said control path as a control display to said active display, wherein said control path has a first dimensional characteristic and a second dimensional characteristic, wherein the first dimensional characteristic and the second dimensional characteristic correlate to describe an area of the control display;
and
a work area associated with said display zone, said work area corresponding to an area of said display zone of interest to the user,
wherein said operating system manages said input means, said active display, and said plurality of controls in a best manner permitting a best rendering of an entirety of the control display specified by the user within said display zone, wherein the control display minimally overlays said work area.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method to display and manage computer pop-up controls

Life of this patent

Method to display and manage computer pop-up controls

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims46