Dynamic stacking and expansion of visual items
US8464176B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 19, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jun 11, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 9, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/0483
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Aspects of the present invention are directed to the stacking of visual items, and their subsequent expansion, or unstacking. Upon selection of a stack, that stack expands into the individual visual items making up that stack. Further aspects of the present invention are directed to expanding a stack in different ways depending upon the circumstances. Further aspects of the present invention are directed to providing a hot area associated with, and potentially disposed around, a stack. Selection by the user of the hot area results in selection of the associated stack. The stack may itself be considered a single item that is itself selectable. After the stack is expanded, then the individual visual items making up the original stack are each individually selectable. However, when stacked, the individual items may not be selectable except as a complete stack.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.