Method and apparatus for enhancing computer-user selection of computer-displayed objects through dynamic selection area and constant visual feedback
US5757358A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 5, 1995 |
| Grant date | May 26, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 5, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/04812
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for enhancing computer-user selection of computer-displayed objects reduces required cursor travel distance to an object by increasing the effective object selection area without enlarging the displayed size of either the object symbology or cursor. This is done through the constant computation of a "selectable" cursor target, which is the object closest to the current cursor position on a computer-display. The distance to all display symbols is computed in real-time as a cursor is moved. The system identifies the "selectable" object by providing a visual indication to the computer-user of the closest object to the cursor before a computer-user selection action is made. A computer-user selection confirmation action, such as the depressing of a mouse switch, erases the "selectable" object identifier and displays a visual indication that the object is a "selected" object. Object selection speed and accuracy is improved by the application of the invention.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.