US6917373B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Context sensitive labels for an electronic device
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
•
Filing: 2000-12-28
•
Granted: 2005-07-12
•
Expires: 2020-12-28
Abstract
Abstract A control panel unit for a computing device includes buttons having characteristics that define individual button states. Upon actuation of a button, the viewable states of the buttons may change. A portion of the button may be illuminated to represent the state and/or include an icon depicting an application controlled by the button. The control panel unit may include a display for displaying plural soft labels corresponding to the buttons and representing the current context that will be initiated when the corresponding button is actuated. The soft labels may identify users or applications available to one user. Upon actuation of an application, the soft labels can change to represent various actions or functions available in the application. In the user interface, each user may be assigned a specific color scheme. The color schemes allow a person to visually determine who is logged into the system and/or which individual has new information.
Inventors
- 👤 William H. Vong
- 👤 Corinne Broom
- 👤 Steven T. Kaneko
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:15
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/14; G06F3/1423; G06F3/1431
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 62
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A control panel unit for a computer system comprising: a display screen; first and second button inputs, the first button input configured to display a first viewable state thereon and the second button input configured to display a second viewable state thereon, the first and second viewable states changing in response to actuation of said first button input, wherein the first and second viewable states are displayed outside of the display screen.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
A control panel unit for a computer system comprising: a display screen; first and second button inputs, the first button input configured to display a first viewable state thereon and the second button input configured to display a second viewable state thereon, the first and second viewable states changing in response to actuation of said first button input, wherein the first and second viewable states are displayed outside of the display screen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
The control panel unit according to claim 1 , wherein said display screen has first and second display regions for displaying first and second soft labels, respectively, said first and second soft labels being associated with said first and second button inputs, respectively, said first and second display regions being adjacent to said first and second button inputs, respectively, wherein said first and second soft labels change in response to actuation of said first button input.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
The control panel unit according to claim 1 , wherein the first viewable state displayed on the first button input is the same as the second viewable state displayed on the second button input, the first viewable state representing a first action associated with the first button input and the second viewable state representing a second action associated with second button input, the first and second actions being different.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The control panel unit according to claim 1 , wherein said first and second viewable states represent first and second actions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The control panel unit according to claim 4 , wherein the first action includes launching an application when said first button input is actuated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The control panel unit according to claim 5 , wherein the application is a messaging, music, calendar or news application.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The control panel unit according to claim 5 , wherein the application is launched on a computer coupled to said control panel unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The control panel unit according to claim 4 , wherein the first and second actions represent responses to an alert.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The control panel unit according to claim 1 , wherein said first button input includes at least one illuminable portion for defining the first viewable state.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The control panel unit according to claim 9 , wherein said at least one illuminable portion is located on the periphery of said first button input.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The control panel unit according to claim 9 , wherein said at least one illuminable portion is an icon located on a central portion of said first button input.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The control panel unit according to claim 1 , wherein said first button input includes a portion configured to change color, the first viewable state including a particular color.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The control panel unit according to claim 12 , wherein the color represents a specific user of the computer system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The control panel unit according to claim 1 , wherein responsive to actuation of said first button input or said second button input when data displayed on said display screen is selected, initiating an action associated with the data.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
111 words
A control panel unit for a computer system comprising: a display having at least first and second display regions; at least first and second button inputs adjacent to said first and second display regions, respectively; and first and second soft labels displayed in said first and second display regions, respectively, said first and second soft labels associated with said first and second button inputs, respectively, at least one of said first soft label and said second soft label configured to change in response to actuation of said first button input in a first state, wherein said first and second soft labels respectively represent first and second users of the computer system.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
111 words
A control panel unit for a computer system comprising: a display having at least first and second display regions; at least first and second button inputs adjacent to said first and second display regions, respectively; and first and second soft labels displayed in said first and second display regions, respectively, said first and second soft labels associated with said first and second button inputs, respectively, at least one of said first soft label and said second soft label configured to change in response to actuation of said first button input in a first state, wherein said first and second soft labels respectively represent first and second users of the computer system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The control panel unit according to claim 15 , wherein said first and second soft labels and content on said display are displayed in a format associated with the first user in response to actuation of said first button input in the first state.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
The control panel unit according to claim 15 , wherein said first and second soft labels represent first and second applications associated with the first user in a second state responsive to said first button input being actuated in the first state.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The control panel unit according to claim 17 , wherein at least one of the applications is a messaging, music, calendar or news application.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The control panel unit according to claim 15 , wherein said first soft label changes appearance responsive to an event independent of actuation of said first button input.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The control panel unit according to claim 19 , wherein the event includes receipt of an email message or a calendar event.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The control panel unit according to claim 15 , wherein each of the first and second soft labels includes a color specifically associated with the user represented by the respective soft label.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
The control panel unit according to claim 15 , wherein responsive to actuation of said first button input in the first state, said first and second soft labels representing actions customized for the first user.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
78 words
In a computer system having a display screen and at least one button input adjacent to the display screen, a method comprising the steps of: displaying a first button input in a first viewable state and a second button input in a second viewable state; and responsive to actuation of said first button input, changing the second viewable state of said second button input, wherein the first and second viewable states are displayed outside of the display screen.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
78 words
In a computer system having a display screen and at least one button input adjacent to the display screen, a method comprising the steps of: displaying a first button input in a first viewable state and a second button input in a second viewable state; and responsive to actuation of said first button input, changing the second viewable state of said second button input, wherein the first and second viewable states are displayed outside of the display screen.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 23 , wherein the first viewable state represents an action.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 23 , wherein the action represents a response to an alert.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 23 , wherein the first viewable state represents an application.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 26 , wherein the application is a messaging, music, calendar or news application.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 23 , wherein the first and second viewable states represent first and second users of the computer system, respectively.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 23 , wherein said step of changing the second viewable state includes the step of illuminating or de-illuminating a portion of said second button input.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 29 , wherein said step of illuminating or de-illuminating includes illuminating or de-illuminating a peripheral portion of said second button input.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 29 , wherein said step of changing the second viewable state includes the step of illuminating or de-illuminating an icon.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 23 , wherein said step of changing the second viewable state label includes the step of changing a color of a portion of said second button input.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 23 , further including the step of changing the first viewable state of said first button input responsive to actuation of said first button input.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 33 , wherein the first and second viewable states represent first and second actions.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 34 , further comprising the step of initiating the first action in response to actuation of said first button input.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method according to claim 23 , further including the steps of: displaying a first soft label in a first display region of the display screen located adjacent to said first button input, the first soft label representing a current context of said first button input; and displaying a second soft label in a second display region of the display screen located adjacent to said second button input, the second soft label representing a current context of said second button input.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 36 , further including the step of changing the first soft label and the second soft label responsive to actuation of said first button input.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method according to claim 36 , further including the steps of: displaying data in a third display region of the display screen, and in response to actuation of said first button input or said second button input when data displayed on said display screen is selected, initiating an action associated with the data represented by said first soft label or said second soft label.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 38 , wherein the action includes receiving data from the Internet.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
108 words
In a computer system having at least first and second display regions, and at least first and second button inputs associated with said first and second display regions, respectively, a method comprising the steps of: displaying first and second soft labels in said first and second display regions, respectively, the first and second soft labels associated with said first and second button inputs, respectively; and responsive to actuation of said first button input, changing at least one of the first soft label and the second soft label, wherein in a first state said first and second soft labels respectively represent first and second users of the computer system.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
108 words
In a computer system having at least first and second display regions, and at least first and second button inputs associated with said first and second display regions, respectively, a method comprising the steps of: displaying first and second soft labels in said first and second display regions, respectively, the first and second soft labels associated with said first and second button inputs, respectively; and responsive to actuation of said first button input, changing at least one of the first soft label and the second soft label, wherein in a first state said first and second soft labels respectively represent first and second users of the computer system.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 40 , further comprising the step of displaying the first and second soft labels and content in a format associated with the first user responsive to actuation of said first button input in the first state.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method according to claim 40 , wherein the first and second soft labels represent first and second applications associated with the first user in a second state responsive to said first button input being actuated in the first state.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 42 , further comprising the step of initiating one of the first application and second application, in response to actuation of one of said first button input and second button input, respectively, in the second state.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method according to claim 43 , further comprising the step of changing the first and second soft labels in response to actuation of said first button input in the second state, the first and second soft labels representing actions associated with the initiated application in a third state.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 40 , further comprising the step of changing the appearance of the first soft label responsive to event independent of actuation of said first button input.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 45 , wherein the event includes receipt of an email message.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 45 , wherein the event includes occurrence of a calendar event.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 42 , wherein one of the first and second applications represents a messaging, music, calendar or audio application.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 40 , wherein each of the first and second soft labels includes a color specifically associated with the user represented by the respective soft label.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 49 , further comprising displaying the first and second soft labels in the same color responsive to actuation of the first button input in the first state, the color being specifically associated with the first user.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
99 words
In a computer system having at least first and second display regions, and at least first and second button inputs associated with said first and second display regions, respectively, a method comprising the steps of: displaying first and second soft labels in said first and second display regions, respectively, the first and second soft labels associated with said first and second button inputs, respectively; and responsive to actuation of said first button input, changing the first soft label in said first display region associated with said first button input, and initiating an action involving receiving information via the Internet.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
99 words
In a computer system having at least first and second display regions, and at least first and second button inputs associated with said first and second display regions, respectively, a method comprising the steps of: displaying first and second soft labels in said first and second display regions, respectively, the first and second soft labels associated with said first and second button inputs, respectively; and responsive to actuation of said first button input, changing the first soft label in said first display region associated with said first button input, and initiating an action involving receiving information via the Internet.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 51 , wherein the information includes news.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 51 , wherein the information includes stock information, sports information, weather information or traffic information.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 51 , wherein the information includes an online chat request.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 40 , wherein the first and second soft labels represent actions in an alert screen associated with the first user in a second state responsive to said first button input being actuated in the first state.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 55 wherein the alert screen provides a notification message in a third display region.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 55 , wherein the alert screen provides a message related to status of the computer system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5208745A
Cited
GB2241474A
Cited
US6484189B1
Cited
US5844553A
Cited
US5555157A
Cited
US5727155A
Cited
US6438619B1
Cited
US5762553A
Cited
US5999169A
Cited
US6341305B2
Cited
US5818361A
Cited
US6219027B1
Cited
US6512529B1
Cited
US6126328A
Cited
US5959630A
Cited
US6191758B1
Cited
US5933822A
Cited
US6112141A
Cited
US6226640B1
Cited
US6661435B2
Cited
US6686936B1
Cited
US6438282B1
Cited
US6390371B1
Cited
US6504575B1
Cited
US5945897A
Cited
US6215474B1
Cited
US6112215A
Cited
US6337698B1
Cited
US6317141B1
Cited
US6446111B1
Cited
US6431716B1
Cited
US6522309B1
Cited
US6381519B1
Cited
US6624831B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-07-11 | 2009-01-10 | 2009-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-07-11 | 2013-01-10 | 2013-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-07-11 | 2017-01-10 | 2017-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |