Method of representing a set of computer menu selections in a single graphical metaphor
US5317687A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 2, 1993 |
| Grant date | May 31, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 2, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/0481
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A data processing system includes an operating system, a graphical user interface and a plurality of applications programs. The graphical user interface generates a window relating to an executing application programs. Menu items relating to an application program may be represented by an icon. A selected group of objects is defined over a portion of the menu and represented by a metaphor. The graphic metaphor, here an icon ring is displayed on a display device. The icon ring is evocative of an ordered arrangement of items of the selected group, includes the icon for a particular object open to selection, and is subject to direct manipulation for reordering of the underlying selected group.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.