US7036091B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Concentric curvilinear menus for a graphical user interface
Assignee: Vulcan Ventures Inc
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Filing: 2002-03-06
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Granted: 2006-04-25
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Expires: 2022-03-06
Abstract
Abstract A user interface includes a first menu comprising a first set of selectable options circumferentially disposed on the first menu. In response to a selection of an option from the first menu, a second menu is displayed. The second menu may be concentrically-disposed relative to the first menu. The second menu includes a second set of circumferentially-disposed, selectable options, which may or may not be hierarchically related to the first set of selectable options.
Inventors
- 👤 Loc V. Nguyen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 17:39
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/0482; H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/43; H04N21/431; H04N21/4312; H04N21/47; H04N21/482
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for obtaining user input in a graphical user interface, the method comprising: displaying at least a portion of a first curvilinear menu comprising a first set of selectable options circumferentially disposed on the first curvilinear menu; rotating the first curvilinear menu about an axis to radially align an option from the first set with a fixed selection indicator; in response to a selection of the radially-aligned option from the first set, displaying at least a portion of a second curvilinear menu comprising a second set of selectable options circumferentially disposed on the second curvilinear menu, wherein the second curvilinear menu is concentrically-disposed relative to the first curvilinear menu; and rotating the second curvilinear menu about the axis to radially align a user-selected option from the second set with the fixed selection indicator, wherein the user-selected options from the first and second sets always define a radially-aligned selection path through the first and second curvilinear menus.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for obtaining user input in a graphical user interface, the method comprising: displaying at least a portion of a first curvilinear menu comprising a first set of selectable options circumferentially disposed on the first curvilinear menu; rotating the first curvilinear menu about an axis to radially align an option from the first set with a fixed selection indicator; in response to a selection of the radially-aligned option from the first set, displaying at least a portion of a second curvilinear menu comprising a second set of selectable options circumferentially disposed on the second curvilinear menu, wherein the second curvilinear menu is concentrically-disposed relative to the first curvilinear menu; and rotating the second curvilinear menu about the axis to radially align a user-selected option from the second set with the fixed selection indicator, wherein the user-selected options from the first and second sets always define a radially-aligned selection path through the first and second curvilinear menus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
109 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: in response to a selection of the radially-aligned option from the second set, displaying at least a portion of a third curvilinear menu comprising a third set of selectable options circumferentially disposed on the third curvilinear menu, wherein the third curvilinear menu is concentrically-disposed relative to the first and second curvilinear menus; and rotating the third curvilinear menu about the axis to radially align a user-selected option from the third set with the fixed selection indicator, wherein the user-selected options from the first, second, and third sets always define a radially-aligned selection path through the first, second, and third curvilinear menus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second curvilinear menus are ring-shaped.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the selectable options from the second set are determined by a selected option from the first set.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the selectable options from the second set are sub-options of a selected option from the first set.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the selectable options from the first and second sets are hierarchically related.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one selectable option comprises an icon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one selectable option comprises text description.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one selectable option is associated with an audio sample, and wherein the audio sample is automatically played in response to the corresponding option being aligned with the fixed selection indicator without an explicit selection action other than rotating one of the curvilinear menus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the second curvilinear menu concentrically encircles the first curvilinear menu.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the second curvilinear menu is concentrically encircled by the first curvilinear menu.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first curvilinear menu is only partially displayed in the graphical user interface, and wherein the first set of selectable options comprises a subset of available options associated with the first curvilinear menu.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein the first curvilinear menu is rotatable in response to a user command to display a different subset of available options.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
145 words
A user interface comprising: a fixed selection indicator; a first curvilinear menu comprising a first set of selectable options circumferentially disposed on the first curvilinear menu, wherein the first curvilinear menu is rotatable to radially align a user-selected option from the first set with the fixed selection indicator; a second curvilinear menu comprising a second set of selectable options circumferentially disposed on the second curvilinear menu, wherein the second curvilinear menu is concentrically-disposed relative to the first curvilinear menu, wherein the second curvilinear menu is displayed in response to a user selection of an option from the first set, and wherein the second curvilinear menu is rotatable to radially align a user-selected option from the second set with the fixed selection indicator, wherein the user-selected options from the first and second sets always define a radially-aligned selection path through the first and second curvilinear menus.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
145 words
A user interface comprising: a fixed selection indicator; a first curvilinear menu comprising a first set of selectable options circumferentially disposed on the first curvilinear menu, wherein the first curvilinear menu is rotatable to radially align a user-selected option from the first set with the fixed selection indicator; a second curvilinear menu comprising a second set of selectable options circumferentially disposed on the second curvilinear menu, wherein the second curvilinear menu is concentrically-disposed relative to the first curvilinear menu, wherein the second curvilinear menu is displayed in response to a user selection of an option from the first set, and wherein the second curvilinear menu is rotatable to radially align a user-selected option from the second set with the fixed selection indicator, wherein the user-selected options from the first and second sets always define a radially-aligned selection path through the first and second curvilinear menus.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
107 words
The user interface of claim 14 , further comprising: a third curvilinear menu comprising a third set of selectable options circumferentially disposed on the third curvilinear menu, wherein the third curvilinear menu is concentrically-disposed relative to the second curvilinear menu, wherein the third curvilinear menu is displayed in response to a user selection of an option from the second set, and wherein the third curvilinear menu is rotatable to align a user-selected option from the third set with the fixed selection indicator, wherein the user-selected options from the first, second, and third sets always define a radially-aligned selection path through the first, second, and third curvilinear menus.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The user interface of claim 14 , wherein the first and second curvilinear menus are ring-shaped.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The user interface of claim 14 , wherein the selectable options from the second set are determined by a selected option from the first set.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The user interface of claim 14 , wherein the selectable options from the second set are sub-options of a selected option from the first set.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The user interface of claim 14 , wherein the selectable options from the first and second sets are hierarchically related.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The user interface of claim 14 , wherein at least one selectable option comprises an icon.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The user interface of claim 14 , wherein at least one selectable option comprises text description.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
53 words
The user interface of claim 14 , wherein at least one selectable option is associated with an audio sample, and wherein the audio sample is automatically played in response to the corresponding option being aligned with the fixed selection indicator without an explicit selection action other than rotating one of the curvilinear menus.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The user interface of claim 14 , wherein the second curvilinear menu concentrically encircles the first curvilinear menu.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The user interface of claim 14 , wherein the second curvilinear menu is concentrically encircled by the first curvilinear menu.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
The user interface of claim 14 , wherein the first curvilinear menu is only partially displayed, and wherein the first set of selectable options comprises a subset of available options associated with the first curvilinear menu.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The user interface of claim 14 , wherein the first curvilinear menu is rotatable in response to a user command to display a different subset of available options.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
164 words
A computer program product for performing a method for obtaining user input in a graphical user interface, the method comprising: displaying at least a portion of a first curvilinear menu comprising a first set of selectable options circumferentially disposed on the first curvilinear menu; rotating the first curvilinear menu about an axis to radially align a user-selected option from the first set with a fixed selection indicator; in response to a selection of the radially-aligned option from the first set, displaying at least a portion of a second curvilinear menu comprising a second set of selectable options circumferentially disposed on the second curvilinear menu, wherein the second curvilinear menu is concentrically-disposed relative to the first curvilinear menu; and rotating the second curvilinear menu about the axis to radially align a user-selected option from the second set with the fixed selection indicator, wherein the user-selected options from the first and second sets always define a radially-aligned selection path through the first and second curvilinear menus.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
164 words
A computer program product for performing a method for obtaining user input in a graphical user interface, the method comprising: displaying at least a portion of a first curvilinear menu comprising a first set of selectable options circumferentially disposed on the first curvilinear menu; rotating the first curvilinear menu about an axis to radially align a user-selected option from the first set with a fixed selection indicator; in response to a selection of the radially-aligned option from the first set, displaying at least a portion of a second curvilinear menu comprising a second set of selectable options circumferentially disposed on the second curvilinear menu, wherein the second curvilinear menu is concentrically-disposed relative to the first curvilinear menu; and rotating the second curvilinear menu about the axis to radially align a user-selected option from the second set with the fixed selection indicator, wherein the user-selected options from the first and second sets always define a radially-aligned selection path through the first and second curvilinear menus.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
165 words
A system for obtaining user input in a graphical user interface, the system comprising: means for displaying at least a portion of a first curvilinear menu comprising a first set of selectable options circumferentially disposed on the first curvilinear menu, wherein the first curvilinear menu is rotatable to align a user-selected option from the first set of selectable options with the fixed selection indicator; means for displaying, in response to a selection of the radially-aligned option from the first set, at least a portion of a second curvilinear menu comprising a second set of selectable options circumferentially disposed on the second curvilinear menu, wherein the second curvilinear menu is concentrically-disposed relative to the first curvilinear menu, and wherein the second curvilinear menu is rotatable to radially align a user-selected option from the second set of selectable options with the fixed selection indicator, wherein the user-selected options from the first and second sets always define a radially-aligned selection path through the first and second curvilinear menus.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
165 words
A system for obtaining user input in a graphical user interface, the system comprising: means for displaying at least a portion of a first curvilinear menu comprising a first set of selectable options circumferentially disposed on the first curvilinear menu, wherein the first curvilinear menu is rotatable to align a user-selected option from the first set of selectable options with the fixed selection indicator; means for displaying, in response to a selection of the radially-aligned option from the first set, at least a portion of a second curvilinear menu comprising a second set of selectable options circumferentially disposed on the second curvilinear menu, wherein the second curvilinear menu is concentrically-disposed relative to the first curvilinear menu, and wherein the second curvilinear menu is rotatable to radially align a user-selected option from the second set of selectable options with the fixed selection indicator, wherein the user-selected options from the first and second sets always define a radially-aligned selection path through the first and second curvilinear menus.
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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) | 2009-04-24 | 2009-10-24 | 2010-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-04-24 | 2013-10-24 | 2014-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-04-24 | 2017-10-24 | 2018-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |