Graphical user interface having a shared menu bar for opened applications
US5745115A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 13, 1996 |
| Grant date | Apr 28, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 13, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/451
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A computer system and method of operation are disclosed that simplifies the menu bar for use by a group of active applications. The computer system typically uses a bus coupled to a central processing unit and further coupled via the bus to a computer system memory. The computer system further includes an X Window menu manager and an X Window menu bar, both of which are located within the computer system memory during operation. The X Window menu manager includes a shared menu library. The X Window menu manager implements simultaneously instantiation of a set of menu widgets from the shared menu library that are associated with a computer program selected from the several active computer programs when the program focus is shifted to one of the active programs. The X Window menu bar, which is controlled by the X Window menu manager and displayable by the computer system, is shared by the plurality of active programs so that only the computer program receiving the application focus has its associated set of menu widgets displayed after the focus shift. The method for providing the shared menu bar is accomplished as follows. Initially, the system establishes a part editor for each act…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.