Enhanced scrolling technique for context menus in graphical user interfaces
US5854629A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 31, 1996 |
| Grant date | Dec 29, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 31, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S715/973
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A technique is provided for permitting only a predetermined number of panes of a context menu to be displayed and the scrolling of the context menu for undisplayed panes. Before a context menu is displayed in a graphical user interface, it is determined whether the total number of panes or options in the context menu exceeds the number of panes or options to be displayed at one time. If so, upon displaying the context menu, a selectable mechanism is displayed along the bottom edge of the context menu. User selection of the selectable mechanism causes the context menu to scroll up to display previously undisplayed panes or options. When it is determined that panes logically exist above the top most displayed pane, a selectable mechanism is displayed along the top edge of the context menu, such that user selection of the top mechanism causes the scrolling of the panes down. Alternatively, top and bottom scrolling mechanisms may permanently be displayed along the top and bottom edges of the context menu, with the mechanisms being non-selectable when no panes logically exist above or below the respective mechanisms.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.