List-bar interface control apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A method of displaying and processing information on a display device as proficiency in a program is achieved, the method comprising:
- providing a group of elements for display on the display device component of an interface subsystem of a computing device, wherein each of the elements is configured to execute a function in the program associated with the computing device;
identifying a first class of selectable elements within the group of elements, wherein the first class of selectable elements comprise a menu;
identifying a second class of selectable elements within the group of elements, wherein the second class of selectable elements comprise a toolbar, and wherein individual selectable elements of the second class correspond to individual selectable elements of the first class in both position and functionality;
executing the functions in the program upon selection of at least one selected from the group consisting of the first class of selectable elements and the second class of selectable elements; and
selectably concealing a class of selectable elements from the display device as familiarity with the program advances, wherein the concealed class is selected from the group consisting of the first class and the second class.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An enhancement to graphical user interface software adds training and customization features that allow users to select between levels of interface sophistication according to skill level. While pull-down menu functions and toolbar functions are commonly presented independently, the List-Bar interface control allows a user to present a menu and a toolbar together, including positional cues to further speed user familiarization with the toolbar'"'"'s symbolic abstraction of menu terminology. A novice or occasional user can choose to use a menu alone, while an expert may prefer a toolbar alone. For a progressing user, having both modes displayed, active, and positioned in parallel can speed and reinforce learning. In addition to allowing direct arrow-key-class, mouse-class, and stylus-class pointing and selection tools, List-Bar interface control further directly supports touchscreen-controlled user interface, for which variable and generally more widely spaced selection element presentation on the display is accommodated.
26 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of displaying and processing information on a display device as proficiency in a program is achieved, the method comprising:
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providing a group of elements for display on the display device component of an interface subsystem of a computing device, wherein each of the elements is configured to execute a function in the program associated with the computing device;
identifying a first class of selectable elements within the group of elements, wherein the first class of selectable elements comprise a menu;
identifying a second class of selectable elements within the group of elements, wherein the second class of selectable elements comprise a toolbar, and wherein individual selectable elements of the second class correspond to individual selectable elements of the first class in both position and functionality;
executing the functions in the program upon selection of at least one selected from the group consisting of the first class of selectable elements and the second class of selectable elements; and
selectably concealing a class of selectable elements from the display device as familiarity with the program advances, wherein the concealed class is selected from the group consisting of the first class and the second class. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An information acquisition, maintenance, and display system, comprising:
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means for displaying a group of elements at display locations on a display device component of an interface subsystem of a computing device, wherein each of the elements is configured to execute a function in the program associated with the computing device;
means for identifying a first class of selectable elements within the group of elements, wherein the first class of selectable elements comprise a menu;
means for identifying a second class of selectable elements within the group of elements, wherein the second class of selectable elements comprise a toolbar, and wherein individual selectable elements of the second class correspond to individual selectable elements of the first class in both position and functionality; and
means for selectably concealing a class of selectable elements from the display device as familiarity with the program advances, wherein the concealed class is selected from the group consisting of the first class and the second class. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer readable medium with program instructions for displaying and processing information, comprising the instructions for:
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providing a group of elements for display on the display device component of an interface subsystem of a computing device, wherein each of the elements is configured to execute a function in the program associated with the computing device;
identifying a first class of selectable elements within the group of elements, wherein the first class of selectable elements comprise a menu;
identifying a second class of selectable elements within the group of elements, wherein the second class of selectable elements comprise a toolbar, and wherein individual selectable elements of the second class correspond to individual selectable elements of the first class in both position and functionality;
executing the functions in the program upon selection of at least one selected from the group consisting of the first class of selectable elements and the second class of selectable elements; and
selectably concealing a class of selectable elements from the display device as familiarity with the program advances, wherein the concealed class is selected from the group consisting of the first class and the second class. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for increasing proficiency in a software program located on a computer processing device by altering items presented on a display, the apparatus comprising:
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a menu comprising at least one selectable, executable function displayed in a menu format;
a toolbar comprising at least one selectable, executable function displayed in a toolbar format, wherein the at least one executable function displayed in the toolbar format is substantially equivalent to and is positioned substantially in parallel with the at least one executable function displayed in the menu format;
a proficiency tool configured to permit alteration of the display such that as user efficiency is increased, toolbar availability substantially increases, and, whereinafter, as user efficiency is further increased, menu availability substantially decreases. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification