Computer interface toolbar for acquiring most frequently accessed options using short cursor traverses
First Claim
1. A multiple target interactive interface system for use with a computer, the system comprising:
- an interactive display having a plurality of user-selectable display areas associated with a plurality of computer operations;
a central-area associated with said interactive display;
at least one toolbar-region disposed radially outwardly from said central-area, wherein said toolbar-region defines a space for at least one of collecting and associating a plurality of target-icons;
wherein at least one target-icon associated with the plurality of target-icons is operable to initiate a computer operation associated with the plurality of computer operations when the target-icon is interactively selected by a user.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pop-up toolbar is disclosed which is demonstrably faster and easier to utilize than the permanently displayed, horizontal toolbar. Two columns provide a variable number of irregularly shaped regions arrayed on either side of a generally circular central-area. Components of regions converge on the central area. Targets, each displaying an icon and an optional, descriptive label, appear within the regions. At pop-up of the toolbar, the cursor moves under system control to the central-area of the toolbar, enabling users to perform short, radial traverses of the cursor into targets, activating related functions by appropriate action. Alternatively, primary and secondary targets for regions may be designated for remote acquisition, whereby alternate user actions in any non-target area of a region activate the primary and secondary targets respectively defined for that region. The central-area is divided into a varying number of shapes permitting users to activate application, system, or toolbar management activities.
-
Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A multiple target interactive interface system for use with a computer, the system comprising:
-
an interactive display having a plurality of user-selectable display areas associated with a plurality of computer operations;
a central-area associated with said interactive display;
at least one toolbar-region disposed radially outwardly from said central-area, wherein said toolbar-region defines a space for at least one of collecting and associating a plurality of target-icons;
wherein at least one target-icon associated with the plurality of target-icons is operable to initiate a computer operation associated with the plurality of computer operations when the target-icon is interactively selected by a user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
Specification