Taskbar with start menu
US5920316A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 4, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jul 6, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 4, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/0481
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A taskbar is provided that supplies visual cues, such as buttons, for each application having an active window. These visual cues inform a user of the currently active windows and may be used to display the active windows. The taskbar may also include a start menu button that enables a user to gain access to a menu for launching programs, opening documents and controlling system settings. The taskbar is resizable and may be anchored to different locations on a video display. The taskbar may operate in a mode where it is not obscurable by other windows. The taskbar may also be displayed in a mode where it is not displayed when another window is in a non-minimized state.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.