Organizing graphical user interfaces to reveal hidden areas
AssigneeAT&T Corp.
InventorRobert Cahn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that display hidden software options to a user. The GUIs described herein contain an instrumentality, for example an icon, which a user can activate which produces a separate drop down menu that lists at least some of the options that may be hidden to the user, but that are available. This removes the need for the user to search through the software or manuals for the software to determine where the options may be found if not visually apparent on the GUI.
Claims12
A graphical user interface (GUI), comprising:
- at least one option area for displaying to a user functions which may be invoked by the user by operating an input device to the GUI;
- and
- an instrumentality operable to be activated by the user when the user manipulates the input device for displaying at the user's command in a separate menu the functions that are displayable to the user in the at least one option area.
A method of providing to a user of a graphical user interface (GUI) option functions for software that is associated with the GUI, comprising the steps of:
- providing at least one option area for displaying to a user functions which may be invoked by the user by operating an input device to the GUI;
- and
- providing an instrumentality operable to be activated by the user when the user manipulates the input device for displaying at the user's command in a separate menu the functions that are displayable to the user in the at least one option area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.