Patent US6664983B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6664983B2
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Method and apparatus for configuring sliding panels
Assignee: Sun Microsystems Inc
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Filing: 2001-01-16
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Granted: 2003-12-16
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Expires: 2021-01-16
Abstract
Abstract A graphical user interface (GUI) is configurable in an embodiment of the invention. A user configures sliding panels located on the edges of the GUI. A sliding panel is configured with an application that runs in the sliding panel. The sliding panel is present in the GUI in either a closed or an open representation. The sliding panel's GUI representation is determined based on the position of the user's cursor. When the cursor is within a closed sliding panel's closed representation, the sliding panel is expanded to its open representation. By moving the cursor outside the sliding panel, the user can close the panel. There is no need for the user to consciously manage the elements in the GUI. The elements are managed based on the configuration information supplied by the user and the information available at runtime.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank Ludolph
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:05
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for configuring a sliding panel in a graphical user interface (GUI) of a computer system, comprising: providing a configuration application for defining a sliding panel configuration; accessing the configuration application through a selector module; defining sliding panel configuration properties, the defining including; selecting a workspace from a plurality of workspace options to be defined within the GUI; associating an edge of the GUI with the sliding panel; associating an application with the sliding panel; and associating a behavior criteria with the sliding panel; and generating a sliding panel graphic representation from the sliding panel configuration properties, wherein the sliding panel graphic representation allows for switching between the plurality of workspace options.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for configuring a sliding panel in a graphical user interface (GUI) of a computer system, comprising: providing a configuration application for defining a sliding panel configuration; accessing the configuration application through a selector module; defining sliding panel configuration properties, the defining including; selecting a workspace from a plurality of workspace options to be defined within the GUI; associating an edge of the GUI with the sliding panel; associating an application with the sliding panel; and associating a behavior criteria with the sliding panel; and generating a sliding panel graphic representation from the sliding panel configuration properties, wherein the sliding panel graphic representation allows for switching between the plurality of workspace options.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said configuration is preserved in persistent storage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said configuration further compromises selecting a visual indicator for the background of said sliding panel and assigning said visual indicator to said representation of said sliding panel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said selector module is activated by a mouse button.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said representation remains visible in said GUI.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said application associated with said sliding panel comprises a switch application allowing for movement between the plurality of workspace options.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said application associated with said sliding panel compromises a program path.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said application associated with said sliding panel comprises a Uniform Resource Locator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said behavior criteria comprises: specifying a first event to denote opening said sliding panel; specifying a second event to denote closing said sliding panel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said behavior criteria comprises locking said sliding panel to said GUI.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said behavior criteria comprises cursor events comprising: opening said sliding panel when a cursor moves inside said representation of said sliding panel; and closing said sliding panel when said cursor moves outside said representation of said sliding panel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said opening said sliding panel further comprises; retrieving said sliding panel's assigned said configuration; opening said sliding panel when said sliding panel is to be open; activating said application associated with said sliding panel when said application is to be activated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said closing said sliding panel further comprises: retrieving said sliding panel's assigned said configuration; closing said sliding panel when said sliding panel is to be closed; deactivating said application associated with said sliding panel when said application is to be deactivated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said behavior criteria comprises activating said application in said sliding panel when said sliding panel is opened.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said behavior criteria comprises deactivating said application in said sliding panel when said sliding panel is closed.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
159 words
A method for a user to configure a plurality of sliding panels in a graphical user interface (GUI) of a computer system, the GUI having a plurality of workspace options, comprising: selecting a representation of at least one of a plurality of sliding panels through a configuration application; interacting with a selector module accessed through the configuration application, the selector module enabling creation of independent configurations for said at least one of a plurality of sliding panels, said interacting comprising: associating an edge of said GUI with said at least one of a plurality of sliding panels; associating an application with said at least one of a plurality of sliding panels; associating a behavior criteria with said at least one of a plurality of sliding panels; and saving said configuration for said representation of said at least one of a plurality of sliding panels on said GUI, wherein said configuration allows for switching between the plurality of workspace options.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
159 words
A method for a user to configure a plurality of sliding panels in a graphical user interface (GUI) of a computer system, the GUI having a plurality of workspace options, comprising: selecting a representation of at least one of a plurality of sliding panels through a configuration application; interacting with a selector module accessed through the configuration application, the selector module enabling creation of independent configurations for said at least one of a plurality of sliding panels, said interacting comprising: associating an edge of said GUI with said at least one of a plurality of sliding panels; associating an application with said at least one of a plurality of sliding panels; associating a behavior criteria with said at least one of a plurality of sliding panels; and saving said configuration for said representation of said at least one of a plurality of sliding panels on said GUI, wherein said configuration allows for switching between the plurality of workspace options.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said at least one of a plurality of sliding panels is individually configured, and furthermore where said at least one of a plurality of sliding panels is associated with independent behavior criteria.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
145 words
A computer readable medium having program instructions for configuring a sliding panel in a graphical user interface (GUI) of a computer system, comprising: program instructions for providing a configuration application for defining a sliding panel configuration; program instructions for accessing the configuration application through a selector module; program instructions for defining sliding panel configuration properties, the program instructions for defining including; program instructions for selecting a workspace from a plurality of workspace options to be defined within the GUI; program instructions for associating an edge of the GUI with the sliding panel; program instructions for associating an application with the sliding panel; and program instructions for associating a behavior criteria with the sliding panel; and program instructions for generating a sliding panel graphic representation from the sliding panel configuration properties, wherein the sliding panel graphic representation allows for switching between the plurality of workspace options.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
145 words
A computer readable medium having program instructions for configuring a sliding panel in a graphical user interface (GUI) of a computer system, comprising: program instructions for providing a configuration application for defining a sliding panel configuration; program instructions for accessing the configuration application through a selector module; program instructions for defining sliding panel configuration properties, the program instructions for defining including; program instructions for selecting a workspace from a plurality of workspace options to be defined within the GUI; program instructions for associating an edge of the GUI with the sliding panel; program instructions for associating an application with the sliding panel; and program instructions for associating a behavior criteria with the sliding panel; and program instructions for generating a sliding panel graphic representation from the sliding panel configuration properties, wherein the sliding panel graphic representation allows for switching between the plurality of workspace options.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The computer readable medium of claim 18 wherein said configuration further compromises: program instructions for selecting a visual indicator for the background of said sliding panel and assigning said visual indicator to said representation of said sliding panel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said program instructions for associating a behavior criteria with the sliding panel comprises: program instructions for specifying a first event to denote opening said sliding panel; program instructions for specifying a second event to denote closing said sliding panel.
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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) | 2006-12-15 | 2007-06-16 | 2007-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-12-15 | 2011-06-16 | 2011-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-12-15 | 2015-06-16 | 2015-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |