Command line provided within context menu of icon-based computer interface

• US 20070157115A1
• Filed: 12/29/2005
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Peters, Johan
• Granted Patent: US 7,487,466 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/808
• 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 9/45512 Command shells

Abstract

In an icon-based computer interface, a context menu includes a command line prompt for entry of textual parameter data for application programs. Computer operators may enter textual parameter data for the application via the command line prompt and launch the application corresponding to the icon in a manner that is determined by the parameter data.

Claims

1. An operating system, comprising a graphical user interface comprising:

a plurality of icons, and

a context menu that, when opened with respect to an icon that represents a computer program, includes a command line entry for textual input of program parameters.

2. The operating system of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface displays the context menu when an operator points to the icon that represents the computer program and enters a command via a secondary command button.

3. The operating system of claim 2, wherein the graphical user interface selects the icon when the operator points to the icon that represents the computer program and enters a command via a primary command button.

4. The operating system of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface displays a help window in association with the context menu, the help window listing command parameters that are valid for the computer program.

5. The operating system of claim 4, wherein the context menu ordinarily is not persistent but becomes persistent when text is entered in the command line.

6. The operating system of claim 4, wherein the context menu ordinarily is not persistent but becomes persistent when an operator interacts with the command line.

7. The operating system of claim 4, wherein the graphical user interface displays a command button in association with the command line entry to selectively display the help window.

8. The operating system of claim 4, wherein the graphical user interface

identifies the command parameters listed in the help window as being interactive, and

enters one of the command parameters in the command line when an operator interacts with a corresponding one of the command parameters from the help window.

9. The operating system of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface extends a length of the command line entry to accommodate a length of text entered therein by an operator.

10. A method of controlling operation of a program, comprising:

responsive to user interaction with an icon displayed via a graphical user interface, displaying a context menu in association with the icon,

wherein, if the icon represents a computer program, the context menu includes a command line prompt for entry of textual parameter data for the program, and

executing the computer program using parameters identified in the textual parameter data.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising displaying the context menu in response to user input entering a command via a secondary command button while a cursor is located over the icon.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising executing the computer program according to default parameters in response to a double click of a primary command button while the cursor is located over the icon.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising displaying a help window in association with the context menu, the help window listing command parameters that are valid for the computer program.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising displaying a command button in association with the command line entry to selectively display the help window.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising

displaying command parameters listed in the help window in a manner to indicate they are interactive, and

adding one of the command parameters in the command line in response to a user selection of a corresponding command parameter from the help window.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising extending a displayed length of the command line entry to accommodate a length of text entered therein by an operator.

17. Computer readable medium having stored thereon program instructions that, when executed by a processing device, cause the processing device to maintain a graphical user interface that:

displays a plurality of icons, and

displays a context menu that, when opened with respect to an icon that represents a computer program, includes a command line entry for program parameters,

accept textual data in the command line representing selected program parameters.

18. The medium of claim 17, wherein the graphical user interface displays the context menu in response to user input entering a command via a secondary command button while a cursor is located over the icon.

19. The medium of claim 18, wherein the graphical user interface selects the icon in response to a double click of a primary command button while the cursor is located over the icon.

20. The medium of claim 17, wherein the graphical user interface displays a help window in association with the context menu, the help window listing command parameters that are valid for the computer program.

21. The medium of claim 20, wherein the context menu ordinarily is not persistent but becomes persistent when text is entered in the command line.

22. The medium of claim 20, wherein the context menu ordinarily is not persistent but becomes persistent when an operator interacts with the command line.

23. The medium of claim 20, wherein the graphical user interface displays a command button in association with the command line entry to selectively display the help window.

24. The medium of claim 20, wherein the graphical user interface

identifies the command parameters listed in the help window as being interactive, and

enters one of the command parameters in the command line when an operator interacts with a corresponding one of the command parameters from the help window.

25. The medium of claim 17, wherein the graphical user interface extends a length of the command line entry to accommodate a length of text entered therein by an operator.