US6281879B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Timing and velocity control for displaying graphical information
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
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Filing: 1997-06-12
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Granted: 2001-08-28
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Expires: 2017-06-12
Abstract
Abstract Time and velocity metrics are used to control when information about a graphical object to which a cursor points is displayed on a video display. The time metric is used to ensure that a non-negligible amount of time passes between the time at which the cursor initially points to the graphical object and the time at which the information about the graphical object is displayed on the video display. The time delay helps to eliminate such information being displayed inadvertently when the user quickly passes the cursor over graphical objects in the video display. In addition, the timing control facilitates the shortening of the delay when it appears that the user wishes to browse amongst several related graphical objects that are shown in the video display. For example, when it appears that the user wishes to browse tools on the tool bar, the delay is shortened. The velocity metric is used to determine the likelihood that the user intended to point to the graphical object and serves to minimize instances where undesired information about the graphical object is displayed.
Inventors
- 👤 Christopher E. Graham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:23
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/04812
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
251 words
In a data processing system having a video display for displaying a cursor that points at positions on the video display and an input device for manipulating the cursor, a method comprising the steps of: displaying a tool bar having tools on the video display; in response to the user using the input device, positioning the cursor to point at a selected one of the tools on the tool bar; waiting a predetermined non-negligible amount of time; measuring a velocity metric of the cursor within the selected tool during the predetermined non-negligible amount of time; and if the cursor still points at the selected tool and the velocity metric remains below a predetermined threshold during the predetermined non-negligible amount of time, displaying information about the selected tool on the video display adjacent to the selected tool; changing the predetermined non-negligible amount of time to a new period of time; in response to the user using the input device, positioning the cursor to point to a second of the tools on the tool bar; waiting the new period of time; measuring a velocity metric of the cursor within the second of the tools during the new period of time; and when the cursor still points at the second of the tools on the tool bar and the velocity metric within the second of the tools has remained below the predetermined threshold during the new period of time, displaying information about the second tool on the video display adjacent to the selected tool.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
251 words
In a data processing system having a video display for displaying a cursor that points at positions on the video display and an input device for manipulating the cursor, a method comprising the steps of: displaying a tool bar having tools on the video display; in response to the user using the input device, positioning the cursor to point at a selected one of the tools on the tool bar; waiting a predetermined non-negligible amount of time; measuring a velocity metric of the cursor within the selected tool during the predetermined non-negligible amount of time; and if the cursor still points at the selected tool and the velocity metric remains below a predetermined threshold during the predetermined non-negligible amount of time, displaying information about the selected tool on the video display adjacent to the selected tool; changing the predetermined non-negligible amount of time to a new period of time; in response to the user using the input device, positioning the cursor to point to a second of the tools on the tool bar; waiting the new period of time; measuring a velocity metric of the cursor within the second of the tools during the new period of time; and when the cursor still points at the second of the tools on the tool bar and the velocity metric within the second of the tools has remained below the predetermined threshold during the new period of time, displaying information about the second tool on the video display adjacent to the selected tool.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein displaying information about the selected tool on the video display comprises the step of displaying text about the selected tool on the video display adjacent to the selected tool.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
22 words
The method of claim wherein each of the tools has a name and the text comprises the name of the selected tool.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined non-negligible amount of time is at least 0.4 seconds.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the new period of time is substantially less than the predetermined non-negligible amount of time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
206 words
In a computer system having a video display for displaying a cursor that points to positions on the video display and an input device for moving the cursor on the video display, a method comprising the steps of: displaying a first graphical object on the video display; in response to the user using the input device, positioning the cursor to point at the first graphical object; waiting a non-negligible predetermined amount of time; determining whether the cursor still points at the first graphical object after the non-negligible predetermined amount of time; and where the cursor still points at the first graphical object after the non-negligible predetermined amount of time, displaying information about the first graphical object adjacent to the first graphical object on the video display; resetting the non-negligible predetermined amount of time to a substantially shorter amount of time; in response to the user using the input device, positioning the cursor to point at a second graphical object on the video display; waiting the substantially shorter amount of time; and where the cursor is still pointing at the second graphical object after the substantially shorter amount of time, displaying information about the second graphical object adjacent to the second graphical object on the video display.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
206 words
In a computer system having a video display for displaying a cursor that points to positions on the video display and an input device for moving the cursor on the video display, a method comprising the steps of: displaying a first graphical object on the video display; in response to the user using the input device, positioning the cursor to point at the first graphical object; waiting a non-negligible predetermined amount of time; determining whether the cursor still points at the first graphical object after the non-negligible predetermined amount of time; and where the cursor still points at the first graphical object after the non-negligible predetermined amount of time, displaying information about the first graphical object adjacent to the first graphical object on the video display; resetting the non-negligible predetermined amount of time to a substantially shorter amount of time; in response to the user using the input device, positioning the cursor to point at a second graphical object on the video display; waiting the substantially shorter amount of time; and where the cursor is still pointing at the second graphical object after the substantially shorter amount of time, displaying information about the second graphical object adjacent to the second graphical object on the video display.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the first graphical object is a tool on a tool bar.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the second graphical object is a tool on a tool bar.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the non-negligible predetermined amount of time is at least 0.4 seconds.
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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) | 2004-08-27 | 2005-02-26 | 2005-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-08-27 | 2009-02-26 | 2009-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-08-27 | 2013-02-26 | 2013-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |