User definable interface system, method and computer program product

• US 20020085037A1
• Filed: 11/09/2001
• Published: 07/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Change Tools, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Change Tools, Inc.
• Inventors: Leavitt, Joseph M., Mills, Scott A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,918,091 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/765
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

In a cursor-based computing environment having a display, a user definable interface (UDI) is displayed upon activation by a user, wherein the UDI has a plurality of buttons and is displayed in a relative position about a cursor position to reduce cursor commute. The present invention permits the user to select a visual appearance and shape of the UDI, and the number of buttons. The present invention also permits the user to assign a command to each of the plurality of buttons by dragging and dropping from one or more applications of the apparatus.

Claims

1. In a cursor-based computing apparatus having a display, a method comprising the steps of:

(a) displaying a user definable interface (UDI) upon activation by a user, wherein the UDI has a plurality of buttons and is displayed in a relative position about a cursor position to reduce cursor commute;

(b) permitting the user to select a visual appearance and shape of the UDI, and the number of buttons; and

(c) permitting the user to assign a command to each of the plurality of buttons by dragging and dropping from one or more applications of the apparatus.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) further comprises the steps of:

(d) permitting the user to form a first group of buttons and at least a second group of buttons;

(e) permitting the user to assign a first icon representing a first specific one of the one or more applications to a first given button of the first group;

(f) permitting the user to assign commands, associated with the first specific one of the one or more applications to the second group of buttons;

(g) permitting the user to assign a second icon representing a second specific one of the one or more applications to a second given button of the first group; and

(h) permitting the user to assign commands, associated with the second specific one of the one or more applications to the second group of buttons;

wherein the appearance of, and commands associated with, the second group of buttons change based on which button of the first group of buttons is selected.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein activation by the user comprises at least one of:

clicking a hotkey;

clicking a mouse button; and

turning on the apparatus.

4. In an apparatus with a user-defined interface (UDI) having a plurality of command regions, a method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a command processor that manages an interactive skin (IS) having

i. a template that defines position information for the plurality of command regions corresponding to the UDI and at least one of default attributes and default commands for the plurality of command regions, and

ii. a theme that defines at least one of

(1) attributes if the template only defines default commands for the plurality of command regions, and

(2) commands if the template only defines default attributes for the plurality of command regions; and

(b) providing a customizer that permits at least one of user replacing and user extending of at least one of the default attributes and the default commands of at least one of the plurality of command regions.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the customizer permits a user to hide the UDI.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the customizer permits a user to hide a portion of the UDI.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the customizer permits a user to have the UDI display upon launch.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein the customizer permits a user to launch the UDI from a system tray.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein the UDI is displayed in a relative position about a cursor position.

10. The method of claim 4, wherein the customizer permits a user to define the relative position.

11. The method of claim 4, wherein the customizer permits a user to scale the size of the UDI.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the user is an end user.

16. The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising:

a fifth computer readable program code means for causing the computer to permitting the user to form a first group of buttons and at least a second groups of buttons;

a sixth computer readable program code means for causing the computer to permit the user assigns an first icon representing a first specific one of the one or more applications to a first given button of the first group;

a seventh computer readable program code means for causing the computer to permit the user to assign commands, associated with the first specific one of the one or more applications to the second group of buttons;

a eighth computer readable program code means for causing the computer to permit the user assigns an second icon representing a second specific one of the one or more applications to a second given button of the first group; and

a ninth computer readable program code means for causing the computer to permit the user to assign commands, associated with the second specific one of the one or more applications to the second group of buttons;

wherein the appearance of, and commands associated with the second group of buttons change based on which button of the first group of buttons is selected.

19. The cursor-based computing apparatus of claim 18, wherein said third means further comprises:

(d) fourth means for permitting the user to form a first group of buttons and at least a second group of buttons;

(e) fifth means for permitting the user to assign a first icon representing a first specific one of the one or more applications to a first given button of the first group;

(f) sixth means for permitting the user to assign commands, associated with the first specific one of the one or more applications to the second group of buttons;

(g) seventh means for permitting the user to assign a second icon representing a second specific one of the one or more applications to a second given button of the first group; and

(h) eighth means for permitting the user to assign commands, associated with the second specific one of the one or more applications to the second group of buttons;

wherein the appearance of, and commands associated with, the second group of buttons change based on which button of the first group of buttons is selected.

20. The cursor-based computing apparatus of claim 18, wherein activation by the user comprises at least one of:

clicking a hotkey;

clicking a mouse button; and

turning on the apparatus.

22. The cursor-based computing apparatus of claim 4, wherein said customizer means permits a user to hide the UDI.

12. In a data processing system having a user defined interface (UDI), a method comprising the steps of:

(a) managing the UDI in response to user commands;

(b) providing at least one template that defines position for a plurality of command regions corresponding to the UDI; and

(c) providing a theme that defines attributes and commands f or the for a plurality of command regions.

13. An apparatus, comprising:

(a) a user defined interface (UDI) having a plurality of command regions;

(b) a command processor that manages an interactive skin (IS) having

i. a template that defines position information for the plurality of command regions corresponding to the UDI and at least one of default attributes and default commands for the plurality of command regions, and

ii. a theme that defines at least one of

(1) attributes if the template only defines default commands for the plurality of command regions, and

(2) commands if the template only defines default attributes for the plurality of command regions; and

(c) a customizer that permits at least one of user replacing and user extending of at least one of the default attributes and the default commands of at least one of the plurality of command regions.

15. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having control logic stored therein for causing a computer to provide a cursor-based computing environment for use with an apparatus having a display, said control logic comprising:

a first computer readable program code means for causing the computer to display a user definable interface (UDI) upon activation by a user, wherein the UDI has a plurality of buttons and is displayed in a relative position about a cursor position to reduce cursor commute;

a second computer readable program code means for causing the computer to permit the user to select a visual appearance and shape of the UDI, and the number of buttons; and

a third computer readable program code means for causing the computer to permit the user to assign a command to each of the plurality of buttons by dragging and dropping from one or more applications of the apparatus.

17. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having control logic stored therein for causing a computer to provide a cursor-based computing environment for use with an apparatus having a display, said control logic comprising:

a first computer readable program code means for causing the computer to provide a command processor to manage the UDI;

a second computer readable program code means for causing the computer to provide at least one template that defines position for a plurality of command regions corresponding to the UDI; and

a third computer readable program code means for causing the computer to provide a theme that defines attributes and commands for the for a plurality of command regions.

18. A cursor-based computing apparatus comprising:

(a) first means for displaying a user definable interface (UDI) upon activation by a user, wherein the UDI has a plurality of buttons and is displayed in a relative position about a cursor position to reduce cursor commute;

(b) second means for permitting the user to select a visual appearance and shape of the UDI, and the number of buttons; and

(c) third means for permitting the user to assign a command to each of the plurality of buttons by dragging and dropping from one or more applications of the apparatus.

21. An apparatus comprising:

(a) a user-defined interface (UDI) having a plurality of command regions;

(b) command processor means for managing an interactive skin (IS) having

i. a template that defines position information for the plurality of command regions corresponding to the UDI and at least one of default attributes and default commands for the plurality of command regions, and

ii. a theme that defines at least one of

(1) attributes if the template only defines default commands for the plurality of command regions, and

(2) commands if the template only defines default attributes for the plurality of command regions; and

(c) customizer means that permits at least one of user replacing and user extending of at least one of the default attributes and the default commands of at least one of the plurality of command regions.

23. The cursor-based computing apparatus of claim 21, wherein said customizer means permits a user to hide a portion of the UDI.

24. The cursor-based computing apparatus of claim 21, wherein said customizer means permits a user to have the UDI display upon launch.

25. The cursor-based computing apparatus of claim 21, wherein said customizer means permits a user to launch the UDI from a system tray.

26. The cursor-based computing apparatus of claim 21, wherein the UDI is displayed in a relative position about a cursor position.

27. The cursor-based computing apparatus of claim 21, wherein the customizer permits a user to define the relative position.

28. The cursor-based computing apparatus of claim 21, wherein the customizer permits a user to scale the size of the UDI.