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US5796404A
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Computer system having alphanumeric keyboard access to objects in graphical user interface
Assignee: Sun Microsystems Inc
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Filing: 1996-07-01
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Granted: 1998-08-18
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Expires: 2016-07-01
Abstract
Abstract An electronic digital computer system includes a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for displaying graphical objects such as icon buttons, scrolling text lists, and text entry fields on a monitor. A keyboard includes a label key such as a conventional alternate (Alt) key which, when depressed, causes alphanumeric characters to be superimposed on the graphical objects. Depression of an alphanumeric key on the keyboard corresponding to the alphanumeric character superimposed on a selected object causes an associated operation to be launched. The GUI includes an object table having an entry for each graphical object. Each entry includes an object name, corresponding alphanumeric character, object type (e.g. icon button, text input field), and object display position. A display generator accesses the object table using the object names as inputs, obtains the alphanumeric characters as outputs, and superimposes and displays the alphanumeric characters on the objects. The alphanumeric characters are displayed at positions that are offset from the object display positions by predetermined distances and directions corresponding to the object types.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald R. Gentner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:05
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0487; G06F3/0489
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A computer graphical user interface configured to display and select graphical objects using a keyboard that has at least one label key and a plurality of character keys, comprising: a display controller configured to superimpose and display characters corresponding to the character keys on the objects respectively in response to depression of said at least one label key; and a selection controller configured to select objects in response to depression of character keys corresponding to the characters superimposed on the objects respectively.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
A computer graphical user interface configured to display and select graphical objects using a keyboard that has at least one label key and a plurality of character keys, comprising: a display controller configured to superimpose and display characters corresponding to the character keys on the objects respectively in response to depression of said at least one label key; and a selection controller configured to select objects in response to depression of character keys corresponding to the characters superimposed on the objects respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
An interface as in claim 1, in which the display controller comprises: an object table including an entry for each object, each entry including an object name and a corresponding character; and a display generator configured to access the object table using the object names as inputs, obtain the characters as outputs, and superimpose and display the characters on the objects respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
An interface as in claim 2, in which: each entry in the object table further includes an object display position; and the display controller is configured to display the characters at character display positions corresponding to the object display positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
An interface as in claim 3, in which: each entry in the object table further includes an object type; and the display controller is configured to display the characters at the character display positions which are offset from the object display positions by predetermined distances and directions corresponding to the object types respectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
An interface as in claim 2, in which the display controller further comprises a label key controller configured to detect depression of said at least one label key and control the display generator to access the object table using the object names as inputs, obtain the characters as outputs, and superimpose and display the characters on the objects respectively in response thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
85 words
An interface as in claim 1, in which: the display controller comprises an object table including an entry for each object, each entry including an object name and a corresponding character; and the selection controller comprises: a key input controller configured to produce characters corresponding to depressed character keys; an object selector configured to access the object table using the characters produced by the key input controller as inputs, obtain the corresponding object names as outputs, and select objects corresponding to the object names respectively.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An interface as in claim 6, further comprising a launch controller configured to launch operations corresponding to selected objects respectively.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
An interface as in claim 7, in which: the objects comprise a text entry field; and the launch controller is configured to, when the text entry field is selected, position a cursor at an end of text in the text entry field.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
An interface as in claim 1, in which the display controller is configured to superimpose and display the characters on the objects only while said at least one label key remains depressed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
An interface as in claim 1, in which the display controller is configured to continue to superimpose and display the characters on the objects after said at least one label key has been released and until a character key has been depressed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
An interface as in claim 10, in which the display controller is further configured to continue to superimpose and display the characters on the objects until said at least one label key is again depressed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
An interface as in claim 1, in which said at least one label key consists of one label key.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
An interface as in claim 1, in which: said at least one label key consists of two label keys; and the display controller is configured to superimpose and display characters corresponding to the character keys on the objects respectively in response to simultaneous depression of the two label keys.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
An interface as in claim 1, in which the display controller is further configured to display frames around the characters respectively.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
An interface as in claim 14, in which the frames have oval shapes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
An interface as in claim 1, in which the objects comprise at least one of an icon button, a scrolling text list, and a text entry field.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
74 words
A computer implemented method for graphically displaying and selecting objects using a keyboard that has at least one label key, and a plurality of character keys, comprising the steps of: (a) superimposing and displaying characters corresponding to the character keys on the objects respectively in response to depression of said at least one label key; and (b) selecting objects in response to depression of character keys corresponding to characters superimposed on the objects respectively.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
74 words
A computer implemented method for graphically displaying and selecting objects using a keyboard that has at least one label key, and a plurality of character keys, comprising the steps of: (a) superimposing and displaying characters corresponding to the character keys on the objects respectively in response to depression of said at least one label key; and (b) selecting objects in response to depression of character keys corresponding to characters superimposed on the objects respectively.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method as in claim 17, in which step (a) comprises the substeps of: (a1) storing an entry for each object in an entry table, each entry including an object name and a corresponding character; (a2) accessing the object table using the object names as inputs; (a3) obtaining the characters as outputs; and (a4) superimposing and displaying the characters obtained in step (a3) on the objects respectively.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as in claim 18, in which: step (a1) further comprises storing an object display position in each entry in the object table respectively; and step (a4) further includes displaying the characters at character display positions corresponding to the object display positions respectively.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as in claim 19, in which: step (a1) further comprises storing an object type in each entry in the object table respectively; and step (a4) further includes displaying the characters at the character display positions which are offset from the object display positions by predetermined distances and directions corresponding to the object types respectively.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
104 words
A computer system, comprising: a memory configured to store a program including a graphical user interface which displays selectable objects; a processor configured to execute the program; a graphical display configured to display the objects; and a keyboard having at least one label key and a plurality of character keys; the interface including: a display controller configured to superimpose and display characters corresponding to the character keys on the objects in response to depression of said at least one label key; and a selection controller configured to select objects in response to depression of character keys corresponding to characters superimposed on the objects respectively.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
104 words
A computer system, comprising: a memory configured to store a program including a graphical user interface which displays selectable objects; a processor configured to execute the program; a graphical display configured to display the objects; and a keyboard having at least one label key and a plurality of character keys; the interface including: a display controller configured to superimpose and display characters corresponding to the character keys on the objects in response to depression of said at least one label key; and a selection controller configured to select objects in response to depression of character keys corresponding to characters superimposed on the objects respectively.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
62 words
A system as in claim 21, in which the display controller comprises: an object table including an entry for each object, each entry including an object name and a corresponding character; and a display generator configured to access the object table using the object names as inputs, obtain the characters as outputs, and superimpose and display the characters on the objects respectively.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system as in claim 22, in which: each entry in the object table further includes an object display position; and the display controller is configured to display the characters at character display positions corresponding to the object display positions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system as in claim 23, in which: each entry in the object table further includes an object type; and the display controller is configured to display the characters at the character display positions which are offset from the object display positions by predetermined distances and directions corresponding to the object types respectively.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
92 words
A digital data storage structure which stores a computer program including a graphical user interface configured to display and select objects using a keyboard that has at least one label key, and a plurality of character keys, the interface comprising: a display controller configured to superimpose and display characters corresponding to the character keys on the objects respectively in response to depression of said at least one label key; and a selection controller configured to select objects in response to depression of character keys corresponding to characters superimposed on the objects respectively.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
92 words
A digital data storage structure which stores a computer program including a graphical user interface configured to display and select objects using a keyboard that has at least one label key, and a plurality of character keys, the interface comprising: a display controller configured to superimpose and display characters corresponding to the character keys on the objects respectively in response to depression of said at least one label key; and a selection controller configured to select objects in response to depression of character keys corresponding to characters superimposed on the objects respectively.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
62 words
A structure as in claim 25, in which the display controller comprises: an object table including an entry for each object, each entry including an object name and a corresponding character; and a display generator configured to access the object table using the object names as inputs, obtain the characters as outputs, and superimpose and display the characters on the objects respectively.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
40 words
A structure as in claim 26, in which: each entry in the object table further includes an object display position; and the display controller is configured to display the characters at character display positions corresponding to the object display positions.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
53 words
A structure as in claim 27, in which: each entry in the object table further includes an object type; and the display controller is configured to display the characters at the character display positions which are offset from the object display positions by predetermined distances and directions corresponding to the object types respectively.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
A structure as in claim 26, comprising an electronic memory configured to store the computer program.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
A structure as in claim 26, comprising at least one digital recording medium configured to store the computer program.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-08-17 | 2002-02-16 | 2002-08-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-17 | 2006-02-16 | 2006-08-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-17 | 2010-02-16 | 2010-08-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |