US6078327A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Navigating applications and objects in a graphical user interface
Assignee: Google LLC
•
Filing: 1997-09-11
•
Granted: 2000-06-20
•
Expires: 2017-09-11
Abstract
Abstract A Navigator window is displayed in conjunction with an application program window on a monitor attached to a computer, wherein the Navigator window comprises a collapse-expand tree control for traversing one or more applications created by the application program, each of the applications is comprised of one or more objects, and the application program window displays an application or object selected in the Navigator window.
Inventors
- 👤 Erin A. Liman
- 👤 Darryl J. Mocek
- 👤 Donald J. Pilcher
- 👤 Gregory Rakoshitz
- 👤 Martin T. Robins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 09:56
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of displaying information comprising the steps of: displaying a Navigator window in conjunction with an application program window on the monitor, the Navigator window displaying a hierarchy of applications or objects and a selectable collapse-expand tree control for traversing one or more applications created by the application program, each of the applications comprising one or more objects, the objects displayed in the hierarchy being grouped according to one or more object types selected from a group comprising Tables, Forms, Worksheets, Crosstabs, Mailing Labels, Form Letters, Reports, Charts, Envelopes, Named Finds & Sorts, and Macros; and displaying in the application program window one of the application, object or element selected in the Navigator window.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of displaying information comprising the steps of: displaying a Navigator window in conjunction with an application program window on the monitor, the Navigator window displaying a hierarchy of applications or objects and a selectable collapse-expand tree control for traversing one or more applications created by the application program, each of the applications comprising one or more objects, the objects displayed in the hierarchy being grouped according to one or more object types selected from a group comprising Tables, Forms, Worksheets, Crosstabs, Mailing Labels, Form Letters, Reports, Charts, Envelopes, Named Finds & Sorts, and Macros; and displaying in the application program window one of the application, object or element selected in the Navigator window.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: modifying a display characteristic of the Navigator window, the display characteristic selected from a group comprising maximizing the Navigator window, minimizing the Navigator window, resizing the Navigator window, closing the Navigator window, opening the Navigator window, repositioning the Navigator window, and combinations thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1, wherein various levels of the hierarchy may be displayed or hidden as desired, thereby allowing a user to easily view the contents of all open or selected applications or objects and to navigate quickly to any application or object presented on the tree control.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the object types are identified by a label and the method further comprises the step of: selecting an icon next to the label to navigate to a next level of the tree control.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
118 words
In a computer system having a monitor attached thereto, an apparatus for displaying information, comprising: means for displaying a Navigator window in conjunction with an application window on the monitor, the Navigator window displaying a hierarchy of applications or objects and a selectable collapse-expand tree control for traversing one or more applications, each of the applications comprises one or more objects, the objects displayed in the hierarchy being grouped according to one or more object types selected from a group comprising Tables, Forms, Worksheets, Crosstabs, Mailing Labels, Form Letters, Reports, Charts, Envelopes, Named Finds & Sorts, and Macros, and; means for displaying in the application window one of the applications, element or object selected in the Navigator window.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
118 words
In a computer system having a monitor attached thereto, an apparatus for displaying information, comprising: means for displaying a Navigator window in conjunction with an application window on the monitor, the Navigator window displaying a hierarchy of applications or objects and a selectable collapse-expand tree control for traversing one or more applications, each of the applications comprises one or more objects, the objects displayed in the hierarchy being grouped according to one or more object types selected from a group comprising Tables, Forms, Worksheets, Crosstabs, Mailing Labels, Form Letters, Reports, Charts, Envelopes, Named Finds & Sorts, and Macros, and; means for displaying in the application window one of the applications, element or object selected in the Navigator window.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: means for modifying a display characteristic of the Navigator window, the display characteristic selected from a group comprising maximizing the Navigator window, minimizing the Navigator window, resizing the Navigator window, closing the Navigator window, opening the Navigator window, repositioning the Navigator window, and combinations thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein various levels of the hierarchy may be displayed or hidden as desired, thereby allowing a user to easily view the contents of all open or selected applications or objects and to navigate quickly to any application or object presented on the tree control.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the object types are identified by a label and the apparatus further comprises: to enable selection of an icon next to the label to navigate to a next level of the tree control.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
137 words
A computer program product for use with a computer system having a monitor coupled thereto, the computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having program code stored thereon comprising: program code configured to display a navigator window in conjunction with an application window on the monitor, the navigator window displaying a hierarchy of applications or objects and a selectable collapse-expand tree control for traversing one or more applications, each of the applications comprises one or more objects, the objects displayed in the hierarchy being grouped according to one or more obiect types selected from a group comprising Tables, Forms, Worksheets, Crosstabs, Mailing Labels, Form Letters, Reports, Charts, Envelopes, Named Finds & Sorts, and Macros; and program code configured to display in the application window one of the application, element or object selected in the navigator window.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
137 words
A computer program product for use with a computer system having a monitor coupled thereto, the computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having program code stored thereon comprising: program code configured to display a navigator window in conjunction with an application window on the monitor, the navigator window displaying a hierarchy of applications or objects and a selectable collapse-expand tree control for traversing one or more applications, each of the applications comprises one or more objects, the objects displayed in the hierarchy being grouped according to one or more obiect types selected from a group comprising Tables, Forms, Worksheets, Crosstabs, Mailing Labels, Form Letters, Reports, Charts, Envelopes, Named Finds & Sorts, and Macros; and program code configured to display in the application window one of the application, element or object selected in the navigator window.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
The computer program product of claim 9, further comprising: program code configured to modify a display characteristic of the Navigator window, the display characteristic selected from a group comprising maximizing the Navigator window, minimizing the Navigator window, resizing the Navigator window, closing the Navigator window, opening the Navigator window, repositioning the Navigator window, and combinations thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
The computer program product of claim 9, wherein various levels of the hierarchy may be displayed or hidden as desired, thereby allowing a user to easily view the contents of all open or selected applications or objects and to navigate quickly to any application or object presented on the tree control.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the object types are identified by a label and further comprising: program code configured to enable selection of an icon next to the label to navigate to a next level of the tree control.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4821211A
Cited
US5621905A
Cited
US5491795A
Cited
US5838319A
Cited
US5701137A
Cited
US5644736A
Cited
US5815154A
Cited
US5923328A
Cited
US5917492A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-06-20 | 2003-12-20 | 2004-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-06-20 | 2007-12-20 | 2008-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-06-20 | 2011-12-20 | 2012-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |