US7362341B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for customizing the visual layout of screen display areas
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
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Filing: 2003-06-02
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Granted: 2008-04-22
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Expires: 2023-06-02
Abstract
Abstract A target acquisition model is used to position the screen display areas. An area is docked by acquiring the screen display area to be docked and dragging a representation of the screen display area towards the desired location. As the mouse pointer enters the boundaries of the target area, a target group appears within the area. A target group represents the five behaviors that can be triggered: dock to left, dock to top, dock to right, dock to bottom and dock together or tab dock. Touching the desired docking target with the mouse acquires the target.
Inventors
- 👤 Christopher J. McGuire
- 👤 Scott R. Swanson
- 👤 Michael J. Arnquist
- 👤 Donna M. Wallace
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:49
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/0484; G06F3/0486
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
248 words
A method for customizing screen display area layouts comprising: selecting a screen display area to be positioned within an application display area, the application display area comprising a first application display area and a second application display area, the first application display area associated with a first target group and the second application display area associated with a second target group, each target group comprising a plurality of targets, each of the plurality of targets associated with anchoring the screen display area to a different region of the application display area, wherein, in response to selecting the screen display area, the first target group and the second target group are displayed on a display, the first application display area having a plurality of targets comprising a first target associated with a first region of the first application display area and a second target associated with a second region of the first application display area; selecting the first application display area in response to an operation dragging the screen display area towards the first target, wherein the second target group is removed from the display while continuing to display the first target group; and anchoring the screen display area in the first region of the first application display area by moving a cursor onto the first target, whereby anchoring the screen display area customizes the display for visual displaying to a user and removes the first target group from the display; and displaying the customized display to the user.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
248 words
A method for customizing screen display area layouts comprising: selecting a screen display area to be positioned within an application display area, the application display area comprising a first application display area and a second application display area, the first application display area associated with a first target group and the second application display area associated with a second target group, each target group comprising a plurality of targets, each of the plurality of targets associated with anchoring the screen display area to a different region of the application display area, wherein, in response to selecting the screen display area, the first target group and the second target group are displayed on a display, the first application display area having a plurality of targets comprising a first target associated with a first region of the first application display area and a second target associated with a second region of the first application display area; selecting the first application display area in response to an operation dragging the screen display area towards the first target, wherein the second target group is removed from the display while continuing to display the first target group; and anchoring the screen display area in the first region of the first application display area by moving a cursor onto the first target, whereby anchoring the screen display area customizes the display for visual displaying to a user and removes the first target group from the display; and displaying the customized display to the user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein in response to moving the cursor onto the first target, the screen display area is displayed in the region associated with the selected first target.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first target group comprises the first target associated with a top region of the first application display area.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein the first target group comprises the second target associated with a bottom region of the first application display area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the first target group comprises a third target associated with a left region of the first application display area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the first target group comprises a fourth target associated with a right region of the first application display area.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein the first target group comprises a fifth target associated with a tab region of the first application display area, wherein the screen display area is visible in the first application display area when a tab associated with the screen display area is selected.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of selecting a screen display area to be positioned within an application display area comprises positioning a cursor on a portion of the screen display area and depressing and holding down a portion of a cursor control mechanism.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein, in response to the step of selecting a screen display area to be positioned within an application display area, a representation of the screen display area is displayed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the representation is a semi-transparent box of the approximate size of the screen display area.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
330 words
A system for customizing an application display comprising an application screen display customizer that receives at least one of a plurality of process interfaces, the at least one process interface associated with a first area of an application display, the customizer also receiving a screen display area and wherein the customizer positions the screen display area within the first area of the application display in response to moving a visible representation of the screen display area into the first area, the first area having a target group, the target group comprising a plurality of targets, comprising a first target of the plurality of targets, the first target associated with a first region of the first area, and a second target of the plurality of targets, the second target associated with a second region of the first area, each of the plurality of targets associated with anchoring the screen display area to a different region of the first area of the application display associated with the target group, wherein the target group associated with the first area is a first target group, the system further comprising a second process interface associated with a second area of the application display and a second target group, the first and second target groups being visible on the application display upon selection of the screen display area, wherein in response to selection of the first area by moving the visible representation of the screen display area into the first area, the second target group disappears from the application display, and wherein a user customizes a display for visual displaying by positioning the screen display area to the first region within the first area of the application display, and wherein the positioning of the screen display area to the first region anchors the screen display area to the first region of the first area, causing the first target group to disappear from the application display, and wherein a monitor displays the customized display to the user.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
330 words
A system for customizing an application display comprising an application screen display customizer that receives at least one of a plurality of process interfaces, the at least one process interface associated with a first area of an application display, the customizer also receiving a screen display area and wherein the customizer positions the screen display area within the first area of the application display in response to moving a visible representation of the screen display area into the first area, the first area having a target group, the target group comprising a plurality of targets, comprising a first target of the plurality of targets, the first target associated with a first region of the first area, and a second target of the plurality of targets, the second target associated with a second region of the first area, each of the plurality of targets associated with anchoring the screen display area to a different region of the first area of the application display associated with the target group, wherein the target group associated with the first area is a first target group, the system further comprising a second process interface associated with a second area of the application display and a second target group, the first and second target groups being visible on the application display upon selection of the screen display area, wherein in response to selection of the first area by moving the visible representation of the screen display area into the first area, the second target group disappears from the application display, and wherein a user customizes a display for visual displaying by positioning the screen display area to the first region within the first area of the application display, and wherein the positioning of the screen display area to the first region anchors the screen display area to the first region of the first area, causing the first target group to disappear from the application display, and wherein a monitor displays the customized display to the user.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2011-04-22 | 2011-10-22 | 2012-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2015-04-22 | 2015-10-22 | 2016-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2019-04-22 | 2019-10-22 | 2020-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |