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US6728675B1
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Data processor controlled display system with audio identifiers for overlapping windows in an interactive graphical user interface
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1999-06-03
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Granted: 2004-04-27
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Expires: 2019-06-03
Abstract
Abstract There is provided a user friendly display interface system for the interactive handling and sorting out of windows in complex window hierarchical graphical user interfaces. The system provides for the storage of a hierarchy of windows which are displayable to overlap each other in a selected order whereby a plurality of said windows are partially visible. Apparatus is provided for displaying on a display screen a plurality of these partially overlapping windows. A different audio identifier is provided and stored for each of these windows. Further apparatus is provided for moving around and positioning a pointing device, such as a cursor on the display screen, in combination with means responsive to the pointing device for announcing the audio identifier for each window which said pointing device enters. The pointing device may be a user controlled cursor, a stylus or even a finger in touch sensitive display systems. The audio identifier may conveniently be the name in the title bar of the window.
Inventors
- 👤 John Maddalozzo, Jr.
- 👤 Gerald Francis McBrearty
- 👤 Johnny Meng-Han Shieh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 01:47
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/14; G06F3/16; G06F3/167; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G10; G10L; G10L13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A computer controlled interactive display system comprising: means for displaying on a display screen a hierarchy of windows which overlap each other whereby visual identifiers of a plurality of said windows are hidden, means for providing an audio identifier for each window in said hierarchy, means for positioning a pointing device on said display screen, and means responsive to said pointing device for announcing the audio identifier for each window which said pointing device enters.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A computer controlled interactive display system comprising: means for displaying on a display screen a hierarchy of windows which overlap each other whereby visual identifiers of a plurality of said windows are hidden, means for providing an audio identifier for each window in said hierarchy, means for positioning a pointing device on said display screen, and means responsive to said pointing device for announcing the audio identifier for each window which said pointing device enters.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The display system of claim 1 wherein said pointing device is a user controlled cursor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The display system of claim 1 wherein said pointing device is a stylus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The display system of claim 1 wherein said audio identifier comprises at least a portion of the window name appearing in the title bar of the window.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of identifying partially hidden windows in a computer controlled interactive display comprising: displaying on a display screen a hierarchy of windows which overlap each other whereby visual identifiers of a plurality of said windows are hidden, providing an audio identifier for each window in said hierarchy, positioning a pointing device on said display screen, and responsive to said positioning, announcing the audio identifier for each window which said pointing device enters.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of identifying partially hidden windows in a computer controlled interactive display comprising: displaying on a display screen a hierarchy of windows which overlap each other whereby visual identifiers of a plurality of said windows are hidden, providing an audio identifier for each window in said hierarchy, positioning a pointing device on said display screen, and responsive to said positioning, announcing the audio identifier for each window which said pointing device enters.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said positioning of said pointing device is carried out through a user controlled cursor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said positioning of said pointing device is carried out through a user stylus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said audio identifier comprises at least a portion of the window name appearing in the title bar of the window.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
91 words
A computer controlled display program having program code included on a computer readable medium for the interactive control of a display system comprising: means for displaying on a display screen a hierarchy of windows which overlap each other whereby visual identifiers of a plurality of said windows are hidden, means for providing an audio identifier for each window in said hierarchy, means for positioning a pointing device on said display screen, and means responsive to said pointing device for announcing the audio identifier for each window which said pointing device enters.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
91 words
A computer controlled display program having program code included on a computer readable medium for the interactive control of a display system comprising: means for displaying on a display screen a hierarchy of windows which overlap each other whereby visual identifiers of a plurality of said windows are hidden, means for providing an audio identifier for each window in said hierarchy, means for positioning a pointing device on said display screen, and means responsive to said pointing device for announcing the audio identifier for each window which said pointing device enters.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer program of claim 9 wherein said pointing device is a user controlled cursor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The computer program of claim 9 wherein said pointing device is a stylus.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer program of claim 9 wherein said audio identifier comprises at least a portion of the window name appearing in the title bar of the window.
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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) | 2007-04-27 | 2007-10-27 | 2008-04-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-04-27 | 2011-10-27 | 2012-04-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-04-27 | 2015-10-27 | 2016-04-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |