Apparatus and method for automatically positioning a cursor on a control
US6266043A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 30, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jul 24, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 30, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/04892
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for managing controls on the screen of a computer controlled display. The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides for quick and efficient activation and deactivation of controls by designating a number of controls as a control grouping. The preferred embodiment then collectively activates or deactivates the designated number of controls using an identifier for the control grouping. Additionally, after a user terminates cursor movement, the preferred embodiment automatically positions a cursor on an ideal control. The preferred embodiment determines the ideal control (1) by removing from consideration any controls which are (a) not visible to the user, or (b) located at non-optimal positions on the screen, and (2) by calculating a weighted distance for each remaining control. The preferred embodiment calculates the weighted distances by comparing the previous cursor movements made by a user with application specified parameters. After calculating a weighted distance for each remaining control, the preferred embodiment automatically positions the cursor on the control having a smallest associated weighted distance.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.