Method of navigating among program menus using a graphical menu tree
US4821211A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 19, 1987 |
| Grant date | Apr 11, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 19, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S345/902
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The menu hierarchy of one or more computer programs on one or more computer systems is visually displayed in a graphical tree structure to facilitate the navigation by a user from one menu in a hierarchical structure of menus to another. Navigation from one menu to another is accomplished by selecting a menu in the graphical menu tree using a pointing device. The navigation may be from one menu to another in the hierarchy of one application program in a computer system or from one menu in the program to a specific menu in the hierarchy of another application program in the computer system or in another computer system. The benefits of the technique are expanded function for intra and interwindow navigation, enhanced learning of the computer system by visual presentation of capabilities and structure, and reduced learning requirements for the user to achieve navigation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.