US5737557A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Intelligent window user interface for computers
Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
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Filing: 1995-05-26
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Granted: 1998-04-07
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Expires: 2015-05-26
Abstract
Abstract A system for implementing an intelligent window user interface for computers ("software suite") is disclosed. Each of a plurality of software suites of the present invention comprises a compound computer display object that provides a single integrated visual representation, via a "software suite window," for multiple application programs and/or files, which are represented in the suite window by icons. Each software suite has associated therewith a storage element in which is stored contextual information for defining the appearance and behavior of the software suite window and the icons displayed therein and for identifying the locations of files associated with the icons. This contextual information may also include, for example, an order in which related files in the suite are to be executed, as well as file history and manufacturing information for the items represented in the suite. In one aspect of the invention, the system enables a user, with minimal input, to initiate certain operations simultaneously upon all of the files represented in the software suite. In another aspect of the invention, the system facilitates the execution of a variety of operations that apply to the collective properties of the set of items as a whole, rather than to each of the items individually. In still another aspect of the invention, the system facilitates the deinstallation of files represented by a particular suite window or icon.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary Sullivan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:21
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/0482; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/451
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of operating a computer comprising a graphical user interface (GUI) and a display, the method comprising: installing on said computer a plurality of related items comprising data files and application programs, said installed items collectively comprising a suite; storing in a storage element associated with said suite contextual information relating to said installed items individually and collectively, said contextual information comprising information for identifying a location of each of said files and defining a relationship among said items; responsive to user selection of a graphical display element (GDE) associated with said suite, displaying on said display a window for representing said suite, wherein each of said installed items is represented in said window by an icon; and responsive to receipt of a command in connection with at least one of said icons, performing an action identified by said command on each of said at least one of said icons and said installed item represented thereby.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of operating a computer comprising a graphical user interface (GUI) and a display, the method comprising: installing on said computer a plurality of related items comprising data files and application programs, said installed items collectively comprising a suite; storing in a storage element associated with said suite contextual information relating to said installed items individually and collectively, said contextual information comprising information for identifying a location of each of said files and defining a relationship among said items; responsive to user selection of a graphical display element (GDE) associated with said suite, displaying on said display a window for representing said suite, wherein each of said installed items is represented in said window by an icon; and responsive to receipt of a command in connection with at least one of said icons, performing an action identified by said command on each of said at least one of said icons and said installed item represented thereby.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said command comprises a move command and said performing comprises moving each of said at least one of said icons and said item represented thereby to a location in said GUI designated by said user.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said command comprises a copy command and said performing comprises copying each of said at least one of said icons and said item represented thereby to a location in said GUI designated by said user.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said command comprises a delete command and said performing comprises deleting each of said at least one of said icons and said item represented thereby.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said command comprises a delete command and said performing comprises: deleting said items represented by said at least one of said icons; and subsequent to said deleting, altering an appearance of each of said at least one of said icons to indicate to said user that said icon and said item represented thereby have been deleted.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising subsequent to said altering, responsive to user selection of one of said at least one of said icons, dealtering said user-selected one of said icons and reinstalling said item represented thereby.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a first one of said items comprises a setup utility and a second one of said items comprises an executable file, the method further comprising automatically executing said setup utility prior to execution of said executable file.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said contextual information defines an appearance of said window and of said icons.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 8 wherein at least one of said icons is a different size, shape or color than the remainder of said icons.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
230 words
A method of operating a computer comprising a graphical user interface (GUI) and a display, the method comprising: installing on said computer a plurality of related items comprising data files and application programs, said installed items collectively comprising a suite; storing in a storage element associated with said suite contextual information relating to said installed items individually and collectively, said contextual information comprising information for identifying a location of each of said files and defining a relationship among said items; responsive to user selection of a graphical display element (GDE) associated with said suite, displaying on said display a window for representing said suite, wherein said installed items are represented in said window by icons; detecting user selection of at least one of said icons; responsive to receipt of a move command in connection with said at least one icon, moving said selected ones of said at least one of said icons and said items represented thereby to a location indicated by said user; responsive to receipt of a copy command in connection with said at least one of said icons, copying said at least one of said icons and said items represented thereby to a location indicated by said user; responsive to receipt of a delete command in connection with said at least one of said icons, deleting said items represented by said at least one of said icons.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
230 words
A method of operating a computer comprising a graphical user interface (GUI) and a display, the method comprising: installing on said computer a plurality of related items comprising data files and application programs, said installed items collectively comprising a suite; storing in a storage element associated with said suite contextual information relating to said installed items individually and collectively, said contextual information comprising information for identifying a location of each of said files and defining a relationship among said items; responsive to user selection of a graphical display element (GDE) associated with said suite, displaying on said display a window for representing said suite, wherein said installed items are represented in said window by icons; detecting user selection of at least one of said icons; responsive to receipt of a move command in connection with said at least one icon, moving said selected ones of said at least one of said icons and said items represented thereby to a location indicated by said user; responsive to receipt of a copy command in connection with said at least one of said icons, copying said at least one of said icons and said items represented thereby to a location indicated by said user; responsive to receipt of a delete command in connection with said at least one of said icons, deleting said items represented by said at least one of said icons.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising, subsequent to said deleting, altering an appearance of said at least one of said icons to indicate to said user that said at least one of said icons and said items represented thereby have been deleted.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising, subsequent to said altering: detecting user selection of one of said at least one of said icons; and prompting said user to reinstall said item represented by said selected one of said at least one of said icons.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 10 wherein at least one of said items comprises a setup utility, the method further comprising requiring said user to activate an icon representing said setup utility before activating any other one of said icons.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said contextual information defines an appearance of said window and of said icons.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 14 wherein at least one of said icons is a different size, shape or color than the remainder of said icons.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 10 wherein one of said icons represents a software suite.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of operating a computer comprising a graphical user interface (GUI) and a display, the method comprising: representing at least one item installed on said computer by a graphical display element (GDE); responsive to receipt of a delete command in connection with at said least one GDE, deleting said at least one item represented by said GDE and subsequent to said deleting, altering an appearance of said GDE to indicate to said user that said GDE and said at least one item represented thereby have been deleted.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of operating a computer comprising a graphical user interface (GUI) and a display, the method comprising: representing at least one item installed on said computer by a graphical display element (GDE); responsive to receipt of a delete command in connection with at said least one GDE, deleting said at least one item represented by said GDE and subsequent to said deleting, altering an appearance of said GDE to indicate to said user that said GDE and said at least one item represented thereby have been deleted.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 17 further comprising, subsequent to said altering, responsive to user selection of said GDE, dealtering said GDE and reinstalling said at least one item represented thereby.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
169 words
In a computer comprising a graphical user interface (GUI) and a display, a system for manipulating files installed on said computer, the system comprising: means for installing on said computer a plurality of related items comprising data files and application programs, said installed items collectively comprising a suite; a storage element associated with said suite for storing contextual information relating to said installed items individually and collectively, said contextual information comprising information for identifying a location of each of said files and defining a relationship among said items; means responsive to user selection of a graphical display element (GDE) associated with said suite for displaying on said display a window for representing said suite, wherein each of said installed items is represented in said window by an icon; and means responsive to receipt of a command in connection with at least one of said icons for performing an action identified by said command on each of said at least one of said icons and said installed item represented thereby.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
169 words
In a computer comprising a graphical user interface (GUI) and a display, a system for manipulating files installed on said computer, the system comprising: means for installing on said computer a plurality of related items comprising data files and application programs, said installed items collectively comprising a suite; a storage element associated with said suite for storing contextual information relating to said installed items individually and collectively, said contextual information comprising information for identifying a location of each of said files and defining a relationship among said items; means responsive to user selection of a graphical display element (GDE) associated with said suite for displaying on said display a window for representing said suite, wherein each of said installed items is represented in said window by an icon; and means responsive to receipt of a command in connection with at least one of said icons for performing an action identified by said command on each of said at least one of said icons and said installed item represented thereby.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said command comprises a move command and said means for performing comprises means for moving each of said at least one of said icons and said item represented thereby to a location in said GUI designated by said user.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said command comprises a copy command and said means for performing comprises means for copying each of said at least one of said icons and said item represented thereby to a location in said GUI designated by said user.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said command comprises a delete command and said means for performing comprises means for deleting each of said at least one of said icons and said item represented thereby.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 22 further comprising means for altering an appearance of each of said at least one of said icons to indicate to said user that said icon and said item represented thereby have been deleted.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 23 further comprising means responsive to user selection of one of said at least one of said icons for dealtering said user-selected one of said icons and reinstalling said item represented thereby.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 19 wherein a first one of said items comprises a setup utility and a second one of said items comprises an executable file, the system further comprising means for automatically executing said setup utility prior to execution of said executable file.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said contextual information defines an appearance of said window and of said icons.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 26 wherein at least one of said icons is a different size, shape or color than the remainder of said icons.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
156 words
An intelligent graphical user interface ("GUI") system for a computer comprising a display, the system comprising: a suite window for presentation on said display, said suite window being associated with a suite of related files and comprising a plurality of icons for representing said files; a storage element associated with said suite for storing contextual information relating to said files individually and collectively said contextual information comprising information for identifying a location of each of said files and defining a relationship among said items; a graphical display element ("GDE") associated with said suite; and wherein responsive to user selection of said GDE, said suite window is displayed on said display in accordance with said contextual information; and wherein responsive to receipt of a command in connection with at least one of said icons, an action identified by said command is performed on each of said at least one of said icons and said files represented thereby.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
156 words
An intelligent graphical user interface ("GUI") system for a computer comprising a display, the system comprising: a suite window for presentation on said display, said suite window being associated with a suite of related files and comprising a plurality of icons for representing said files; a storage element associated with said suite for storing contextual information relating to said files individually and collectively said contextual information comprising information for identifying a location of each of said files and defining a relationship among said items; a graphical display element ("GDE") associated with said suite; and wherein responsive to user selection of said GDE, said suite window is displayed on said display in accordance with said contextual information; and wherein responsive to receipt of a command in connection with at least one of said icons, an action identified by said command is performed on each of said at least one of said icons and said files represented thereby.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 28 wherein said command comprises a move command and wherein responsive to receipt of said move command, each of said at least one of said icons and said files represented thereby are moved to a location designated by said user.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 28 wherein said command comprises a copy command and wherein responsive to receipt of said copy command, each of said at least one of said icons and said files represented thereby are copied to a location designated by said user.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 28 wherein said command comprises a delete command and wherein responsive to receipt of said delete command, said files represented by said at least one of said icons are deleted.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 31 wherein each of said icons comprises a first state for representing an installed file and a second state for representing a deleted file and wherein responsive to receipt of said delete command, each of said at least one of said icons are displayed in said second state.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 28 wherein said contextual information defines an appearance of said window and of said icons.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 33 wherein at least one of said icons is a different size, shape or color than the remainder of said icons.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
93 words
In a computer comprising a display, a system for manipulating files installed on said computer, the system comprising: a graphical display element (GDE) for representing at least one item installed on said computer display; and means responsive to receipt of a delete command in connection with at said least one GDE, for deleting said at least one item represented by said GDE and subsequent to said deleting, for altering an appearance of said GDE to indicate to said user that said GDE and said at least one item represented thereby have been deleted.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
93 words
In a computer comprising a display, a system for manipulating files installed on said computer, the system comprising: a graphical display element (GDE) for representing at least one item installed on said computer display; and means responsive to receipt of a delete command in connection with at said least one GDE, for deleting said at least one item represented by said GDE and subsequent to said deleting, for altering an appearance of said GDE to indicate to said user that said GDE and said at least one item represented thereby have been deleted.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 35 further comprising means responsive to user selection of said GDE for subsequently dealtering said GDE and reinstalling said at least one item represented thereby.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-04-06 | 2001-10-06 | 2002-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-06 | 2005-10-06 | 2006-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-06 | 2009-10-06 | 2010-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |