Indicating input focus by showing focus transitions
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsMichael A. Swingler, Thomas J. O'Brien
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A GUI conveys the location of input focus to a user by a dynamic focus indicator that displays the path followed by input focus during a transition from one GUI component to another. A focus indicator is displayed at a first location having input focus. In response to the location of input focus shifting from the first location to a second location, a path is indicated from the first location to the second location and the focus indicator is displayed at the second location. The location of input focus may shift due to an input from the user, a request from an application associated with the GUI, or a timing event. The path is indicated by presenting an animation routine in which the focus indicator appears to traverse the path.
Claims48
A method for indicating a location of an input focus within a graphical user interface, the method comprising:
- displaying a focus indicator at a first location within the graphical user interface, the first location having input focus;
- and
- responsive to the location of input focus shifting from the first location to a second location within the graphical user interface:
- indicating a path from the first location to the second location;
- and
- displaying the focus indicator at the second location.
A computer program product for indicating a location of an input focus within a graphical user interface, the computer program product stored on a computer-readable storage medium and including program code for causing a processor to execute the steps of:
- displaying a focus indicator at a first location within the graphical user interface, the first location having input focus;
- and
- responsive to the location of input focus shifting from the first location to a second location within the graphical user interface:
- indicating a path from the first location to the second location;
- and
- displaying the focus indicator at the second location.
A system for indicating a location of an input focus within a graphical user interface, the system comprising:
- first displaying means for displaying a focus indicator at a first location within the graphical user interface, the first location having input focus;
- and
- second displaying means, coupled to the first displaying means, for, responsive to the location of input focus shifting from the first location to a second location within the graphical user interface:
- indicating a path from the first location to the second location;
- and
- displaying the focus indicator at the second location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.