US6166736A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for simultaneously resizing and relocating windows within a graphical display
Assignee: THEBRAIN TECHNOLOGIES Corp
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Filing: 1998-08-21
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Granted: 2000-12-26
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Expires: 2018-08-21
Abstract
Abstract An effective method for the display of a plurality of useful windows within the display of a digital information device. A form of tabbed window, called a "MetaView" permits users define the location and size of a window by a single interaction with a MetaView tab. The invention offers improved utilization of screen real estate, and increased user convenience in accessing multiple window displays.
Inventors
- 👤 Harlan M. Hugh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 00:41
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A system for implementing a window frame having a first viewable area for displaying the contents of any one of a plurality of windows and a second viewable area for displaying indicia of each such window, the system comprising: (a) a window display mechanism that, in response to a first user interaction with the indicia of a first window of the plurality of windows, displays the contents of that first window in the first viewable area; and (b) a window frame split mechanism that, in response to a second user interaction with the indicia of a second window of the plurality of windows, splits the window frame into: a first window subframe having a third viewable area for displaying the contents of the second window and a fourth viewable area for displaying the indicia of that second window; and (ii) a second window subframe having the first viewable area for displaying the contents of any one of the plurality of windows other than the second window and the second viewable area for displaying indicia of each such window.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
178 words
A system for implementing a window frame having a first viewable area for displaying the contents of any one of a plurality of windows and a second viewable area for displaying indicia of each such window, the system comprising: (a) a window display mechanism that, in response to a first user interaction with the indicia of a first window of the plurality of windows, displays the contents of that first window in the first viewable area; and (b) a window frame split mechanism that, in response to a second user interaction with the indicia of a second window of the plurality of windows, splits the window frame into: a first window subframe having a third viewable area for displaying the contents of the second window and a fourth viewable area for displaying the indicia of that second window; and (ii) a second window subframe having the first viewable area for displaying the contents of any one of the plurality of windows other than the second window and the second viewable area for displaying indicia of each such window.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the window frame split mechanism determines the relative orientation of the first window subframe and the second window subframe based on location information obtained during the second user interaction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the window frame split mechanism determines the relative size of the first window subframe and the second window subframe based on location information obtained during the second user interaction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the window frame split mechanism determines the location of the first window subframe and the second window subframe based on location information obtained during the second user interaction.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for implementing a window frame having a first viewable area for displaying the contents of any one of a plurality of windows and a second viewable area for displaying indicia of each such window, the method comprising the following steps: (a) in response to a first user interaction with the indicia of a first window of the plurality of windows, displaying the contents of that first window in the first viewable area; and (b) in response to a second user interaction with the indicia of a second window of the plurality of windows, splitting the window frame into: (i) a first window subframe having a third viewable area for displaying the contents of the second window and a fourth viewable area for displaying the indicia of that second window; and (ii) a second window subframe having the first viewable area for displaying the contents of any one of the plurality of windows other than the second window and the second viewable area for displaying indicia of each such window.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for implementing a window frame having a first viewable area for displaying the contents of any one of a plurality of windows and a second viewable area for displaying indicia of each such window, the method comprising the following steps: (a) in response to a first user interaction with the indicia of a first window of the plurality of windows, displaying the contents of that first window in the first viewable area; and (b) in response to a second user interaction with the indicia of a second window of the plurality of windows, splitting the window frame into: (i) a first window subframe having a third viewable area for displaying the contents of the second window and a fourth viewable area for displaying the indicia of that second window; and (ii) a second window subframe having the first viewable area for displaying the contents of any one of the plurality of windows other than the second window and the second viewable area for displaying indicia of each such window.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the relative orientation of the first window subframe and the second window subframe is determined based on location information obtained during the second user interaction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the relative size of the first window subframe and the second window subframe is determined based on location information obtained during the second user interaction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the location of the first window subframe and the second window subframe is determined based on location information obtained during the second user interaction.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-12-26 | 2004-06-26 | 2004-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-12-26 | 2008-06-26 | 2008-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-12-26 | 2012-06-26 | 2012-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |