Computer system with graphical user interface including drawer-like windows
US6642944B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 3, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 4, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 19, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG09G5/14
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A window management mechanism allows a user to open a window as a drawer or, perhaps more appropriately named, a pop-up window. The drawer is an opened window that a user has dragged down to a drawer region at the bottom of the screen such that only the title bar or some drawer handle illustration is left showing. When the user does this, the window remains open but is kept offscreen. The user may momentarily pop the window back onto the screen by clicking on the window title bar or drawer handle, or by dragging the cursor into the window icon during a drag. The window stays onscreen as long as no other windows are selected. As soon as a user selects another window, or opens a file with a double click within the drawer, the window slides back offscreen. This allows the user to set up easy access windows. Another feature of a drawer window allows the user to open them during a drag. To do so, the user drags an object or the cursor into the drawer window that is desired to be opened. When the cursor touches the bottom of the screen, or an area within a threshold of the bottom of the screen, the drawer window slides open a notch at a time. As long as the user pushes against the bottom…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.