Patent US3923399A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5701424A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5701424A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Palladian menus and methods relating thereto
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
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Filing: 1995-06-06
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Granted: 1997-12-23
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Expires: 2015-06-06
Abstract
Abstract A computer system having a visual display which displays a Palladian menu is disclosed. The Palladian menu includes a circular portion and a rectangular portion. High-frequency commands may be placed as selectable command options within wedges of the circular portion of the Palladian menu, while the less frequent command options are placed in the rectangular portion of the menu. The Palladian menu is preferably a "pops up" menu, with the high-frequency commands specific and equal distance within the circular portion of the menu and located a specific and equal distance from the mouse pointer when the menu is initially selected.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert G. Atkinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:25
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/0482
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A method in a computer system for displaying a Palladian menu on a display device, the method comprising the computer implemented steps of: storing in a computer memory a plurality of user commands for controlling the computer system; generating from the stored commands the Palladian menu: displaying on a portion of the display device a radial portion of the Palladian menu having a center and containing selectable commands located radially from the center of the radial portion; and displaying a rectangular portion of the Palladian menu overlapping the radial portion and containing a listing of selectable commands.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
97 words
A method in a computer system for displaying a Palladian menu on a display device, the method comprising the computer implemented steps of: storing in a computer memory a plurality of user commands for controlling the computer system; generating from the stored commands the Palladian menu: displaying on a portion of the display device a radial portion of the Palladian menu having a center and containing selectable commands located radially from the center of the radial portion; and displaying a rectangular portion of the Palladian menu overlapping the radial portion and containing a listing of selectable commands.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the radial portion is a half-circular portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the radial portion is a three-quarter pie menu.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the selectable commands contained in the radial portion is represented by an icon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step if, in response to selection of a selectable command contained in the radial portion, causing a submenu to appear.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the selected commands are arranged in a spiral.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
108 words
A method in a computer system for displaying a Palladian menu on a display device, the method comprising the computer implemented steps of: storing in a computer memory a plurality of user commands for controlling the computer system; generating from the stored commands the Palladian menu; displaying on a portion of the display device an upper radial portion of the Palladian menu, the upper radial portion containing selectable commands within wedge-shaped selectable areas located radially from the center of the radial portion; and displaying a lower rectangular portion of the Palladian menu overlapping the upper radial portion, the lower rectangular portion containing a horizontal listing of selectable commands.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
108 words
A method in a computer system for displaying a Palladian menu on a display device, the method comprising the computer implemented steps of: storing in a computer memory a plurality of user commands for controlling the computer system; generating from the stored commands the Palladian menu; displaying on a portion of the display device an upper radial portion of the Palladian menu, the upper radial portion containing selectable commands within wedge-shaped selectable areas located radially from the center of the radial portion; and displaying a lower rectangular portion of the Palladian menu overlapping the upper radial portion, the lower rectangular portion containing a horizontal listing of selectable commands.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the upper radial portion is a half-circular portion.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
124 words
A method in a computer system for selecting commands that are displayed on a display device within a Palladian menu having a radial portion and an overlapping rectangular portion, wherein the radial portion of the Palladian menu has a center and contains selectable commands located radially from the center, and wherein the rectangular portion of the Palladian menu contains a listing of selectable commands, the method comprising the computer implemented steps of: receiving a user indication of a gesture using an input device of the computer system; and in response to receiving the user indication of the gesture, selecting one of either a command of the radial portion or a command of the rectangular portion; and performing a function corresponding to the selected command.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
124 words
A method in a computer system for selecting commands that are displayed on a display device within a Palladian menu having a radial portion and an overlapping rectangular portion, wherein the radial portion of the Palladian menu has a center and contains selectable commands located radially from the center, and wherein the rectangular portion of the Palladian menu contains a listing of selectable commands, the method comprising the computer implemented steps of: receiving a user indication of a gesture using an input device of the computer system; and in response to receiving the user indication of the gesture, selecting one of either a command of the radial portion or a command of the rectangular portion; and performing a function corresponding to the selected command.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
103 words
A method in a computer system for receiving and responding to instructions from a user, the method comprising the computer implemented steps of: displaying on a portion of a display device a Palladian menu having a radial portion with a center and containing selectable commands located radially from the center, and having a rectangular portion containing selectable commands, each selectable command having a corresponding function, the rectangular portion overlapping the radial portion; receiving an indication from an input device of a selection of one of the selectable commands; and in response to the received indication, performing the function corresponding to the indicated selection.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
103 words
A method in a computer system for receiving and responding to instructions from a user, the method comprising the computer implemented steps of: displaying on a portion of a display device a Palladian menu having a radial portion with a center and containing selectable commands located radially from the center, and having a rectangular portion containing selectable commands, each selectable command having a corresponding function, the rectangular portion overlapping the radial portion; receiving an indication from an input device of a selection of one of the selectable commands; and in response to the received indication, performing the function corresponding to the indicated selection.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the radial portion is a half-circular portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the radial portion is a three-quarter pie menu.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 10 wherein at least one of the selectable commands contained in the radial portion is represented by an icon.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 10 wherein at least one of the selectable commands contained in the radial portion, when selected, causes a submenu to appear.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the selected commands are arranged in a spiral.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the step of receiving the indication of the selection receives an indication of a keystroke.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the step of receiving the indication of the selection receives a mouse event.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
97 words
A computer readable memory medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to display a menu on a display device by performing the steps of: storing in the computer readable memory a plurality of user options for controlling the computer system; generating the menu from the stored options; displaying on a portion of the display device a radial portion of the menu having a center and containing selectable options located radially from the center of the radial portion; and displaying a rectangular portion of the menu overlapping the radial portion and containing a list of selectable options.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
97 words
A computer readable memory medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to display a menu on a display device by performing the steps of: storing in the computer readable memory a plurality of user options for controlling the computer system; generating the menu from the stored options; displaying on a portion of the display device a radial portion of the menu having a center and containing selectable options located radially from the center of the radial portion; and displaying a rectangular portion of the menu overlapping the radial portion and containing a list of selectable options.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
107 words
A computer readable memory medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to display a menu on a display device by performing the steps of: storing in the computer readable memory a plurality of user options for controlling the computer system; generating the menu from the stored options; displaying on a portion of the display device an upper radial portion of the menu, the upper radial portion containing selectable options within wedge-shaped areas located radially from the center of the radial portion; and displaying a lower rectangular portion of the menu overlapping the upper radial portion, the lower rectangular portion containing a horizontal list of selectable options.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
107 words
A computer readable memory medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to display a menu on a display device by performing the steps of: storing in the computer readable memory a plurality of user options for controlling the computer system; generating the menu from the stored options; displaying on a portion of the display device an upper radial portion of the menu, the upper radial portion containing selectable options within wedge-shaped areas located radially from the center of the radial portion; and displaying a lower rectangular portion of the menu overlapping the upper radial portion, the lower rectangular portion containing a horizontal list of selectable options.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
103 words
A computer readable memory medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to receive and respond to user instructions by performing the steps of: displaying on a portion of a display device a menu having a radial portion with a center and containing selectable commands located radially from the center, and having a rectangular portion containing selectable commands, each selectable command having a corresponding function, the rectangular portion overlapping the radial portion; receiving an indication from an input device of a selection of one of the selectable commands; and in response to the received indication, performing the function corresponding to the indicated selection.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
103 words
A computer readable memory medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to receive and respond to user instructions by performing the steps of: displaying on a portion of a display device a menu having a radial portion with a center and containing selectable commands located radially from the center, and having a rectangular portion containing selectable commands, each selectable command having a corresponding function, the rectangular portion overlapping the radial portion; receiving an indication from an input device of a selection of one of the selectable commands; and in response to the received indication, performing the function corresponding to the indicated selection.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer readable memory medium of claim 20 wherein the radial portion is a half-circular portion.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer readable memory medium of claim 20 wherein the radial portion is a three-quarter pie menu.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer readable memory medium of claim 20 wherein at least one of the selectable commands contained in the radial portion is represented by an icon.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
40 words
The computer readable memory medium of claim 20 containing instructions for controlling a computer processor to further perform the step of, in response to a section of a selectable command contained in the radial portion, causing a submenu to appear.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer readable memory medium of claim 20 wherein the step of receiving the indication of the selection receives an indication of a keystroke.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer readable memory medium of claim 20 wherein the step of receiving the indication of the selection receives a mouse event.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
119 words
A computer system for receiving and responding to instructions from a user comprising: a display device; a Palladian menu having a radial portion with a center and containing selectable commands located radially from the center, and having a rectangular portion containing selectable commands, each selectable command having a corresponding function, the rectangular portion overlapping the radial portion; a display mechanism that, upon invocation, displays on a portion of the display device the Palladian menu; and an execution mechanism that invokes the display mechanism; receives an indication from an input device of a selection of one of the selectable commands of the displayed Palladian menu; and in response to the received indication, performs the function corresponding to the indicated selection.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
119 words
A computer system for receiving and responding to instructions from a user comprising: a display device; a Palladian menu having a radial portion with a center and containing selectable commands located radially from the center, and having a rectangular portion containing selectable commands, each selectable command having a corresponding function, the rectangular portion overlapping the radial portion; a display mechanism that, upon invocation, displays on a portion of the display device the Palladian menu; and an execution mechanism that invokes the display mechanism; receives an indication from an input device of a selection of one of the selectable commands of the displayed Palladian menu; and in response to the received indication, performs the function corresponding to the indicated selection.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
121 words
A computer system for displaying a Palladian menu comprising: a display device; a computer memory that stores a plurality of user commands for controlling the computer system; a menu generation mechanism that upon invocation generates a Palladian menu from the stored commands; a display mechanism that, in response to invocation, invokes the menu generation mechanism; displays on a portion of the display device a radial portion of the Palladian menu having a center and containing selectable commands located radially from the center of the radial portion; and displays a rectangular portion of the Palladian menu overlapping the radial portion and containing a listing of selectable commands; and a user invocation mechanism that invokes the display mechanism to display the Palladian menu.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
121 words
A computer system for displaying a Palladian menu comprising: a display device; a computer memory that stores a plurality of user commands for controlling the computer system; a menu generation mechanism that upon invocation generates a Palladian menu from the stored commands; a display mechanism that, in response to invocation, invokes the menu generation mechanism; displays on a portion of the display device a radial portion of the Palladian menu having a center and containing selectable commands located radially from the center of the radial portion; and displays a rectangular portion of the Palladian menu overlapping the radial portion and containing a listing of selectable commands; and a user invocation mechanism that invokes the display mechanism to display the Palladian menu.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4896291A
Cited
EP0498082A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-12-22 | 2001-06-23 | 2001-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-22 | 2005-06-23 | 2005-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-22 | 2009-06-23 | 2009-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |