Method and apparatus for configuring sliding panels
US6664983B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 16, 2001 |
| Grant date | Dec 16, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 16, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/0481
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A graphical user interface (GUI) is configurable in an embodiment of the invention. A user configures sliding panels located on the edges of the GUI. A sliding panel is configured with an application that runs in the sliding panel. The sliding panel is present in the GUI in either a closed or an open representation. The sliding panel's GUI representation is determined based on the position of the user's cursor. When the cursor is within a closed sliding panel's closed representation, the sliding panel is expanded to its open representation. By moving the cursor outside the sliding panel, the user can close the panel. There is no need for the user to consciously manage the elements in the GUI. The elements are managed based on the configuration information supplied by the user and the information available at runtime.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.