Valuator menu for use as a graphical user interface tool

A system for selecting an action in a data processing system, comprising:

• means for displaying a list of items for a plurality of actions;
• means, coupled to said means for displaying, for selecting one of said plurality of actions in response to a movement of a cursor in a first direction;
• and
• means, coupled to said list, for selecting a value of said action in response to a second movement of the cursor in a second direction within said item.

A user interface for use with a screen display in a data processing system, said interface comprising:

• means for moving a cursor in a first direction over a menu displaying a plurality of items;
• means, coupled to said items, for correlating a range of values of each of said items relative to a position of said cursor within each one of said items of said menu;
• means, coupled to said means for moving a cursor, for displaying a correlated value for said cursor position;
• and
• means, coupled to said means for displaying and said means for moving a cursor, for dynamically updating a displayed value as said cursor position changes.

A user interface for use with a screen display in a data processing system, said interface comprising:

• means for displaying a menu having a plurality of color items;
• means, coupled to said means for displaying, for positioning a cursor over at least one of said color items;
• means, coupled to said color items, for correlating a saturation value within a range of a plurality of saturation values for each of said plurality of color items to a cursor position within at least one of said color items;
• and
• means, coupled to said menu, for simultaneously selecting one of said plurality of color items and said saturation value of said color item with a single input interaction.

A user interface for use with a screen display in a data processing system, said interface comprising:

• means for displaying a menu having a plurality of font style items;
• means, coupled to said means for displaying, for positioning a cursor over at least one of said font style items;
• means, coupled to said font style items, for correlating a character pitch value within a range of a plurality of character pitch values for each of said plurality of font style items to a cursor position within said font style item;
• and means, coupled to said menu, for simultaneously selecting one of said plurality of font style items and said character pitch value of said font style item with a single input interaction.

A user interface for use with a screen display in a data processing system, said interface comprising:

• means for displaying a menu having a plurality of items;
• means, coupled to said means for displaying, for positioning a cursor over at least one of said items;
• means, coupled to said items, for correlating a value within a range of a plurality of values for each of said plurality of items to a cursor position within said item;
• and
• means, coupled to said menu, for simultaneously selecting one of said plurality of items and said value of said item with a single input interaction.

A method for selecting an action in a data processing system, said method comprising:

• displaying means having a plurality of actions;
• moving a cursor within said menu for selecting one of said plurality of actions;
• and
• moving a cursor within said action for selecting a value from a plurality of values of said action.

A method for selecting an action in a data processing system, said method comprising:

• moving a cursor in a first direction over a menu displaying a plurality of items;
• correlating a range of values of each of said items relative to a position of said cursor within each one of said items of said menu;
• displaying a correlated value for said cursor position;
• and
• updating dynamically a displayed value as said cursor position changes.

A method for selecting an action in a data processing system, said method comprising:

• displaying a menu of a plurality of items;
• positioning a cursor over at least one of said items;
• correlating a value within a range of a plurality of values for each of said plurality of items to a cursor position within said item;
• and
• selecting simultaneously one of said plurality of items and said value of said item with a single input interaction.

A computer program comprising:

• first instruction means for causing a display of a menu having a plurality of items;
• second instruction means, coupled to said first instruction means, for causing a correlation of a value within a range of a plurality of values for each of said plurality of items to a cursor position within said item;
• and
• third instruction means, coupled to said second instruction means, for causing a simultaneous selection of one of said plurality of items and said value of said item in response to a single input interaction.