Method, Apparatus and Program Storage Device For Providing Customizable, Immediate and Radiating Menus For Accessing Applications and Actions

• US 20080222569A1
• Filed: 03/08/2007
• Published: 09/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Molander, Mark E., Meserth, Timothy Andreas, Windell, David Thomas, Smith, Jeffrey John, Nyeste, Patrick Gabor, Champion, David Frederick
• Granted Patent: US 8,352,881 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/834
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/35 Clustering; Classification
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus

Abstract

A method, apparatus and program storage device for providing customizable, immediate and radiating menus for accessing applications and actions. Upon initiation of a predetermined user action, such as a right-click operation, a primary menu is displayed and a second radial menu is displayed proximate the primary menu with the cursor position at a predetermined location for minimizing cursor manipulation for selecting a menu item from the second radial menu.

Claims

1. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium tangibly embodying at least one program of instructions executable by the computer to perform operations to cause a menu providing immediate access to menu items to be displayed, the menu comprising:

displaying a sequential menu proximate to a cursor position immediately in response to initiation of a predetermined action; and

displaying, immediately upon initiation of the predetermined action, a radial menu having predetermined selectable functions and having a center proximate the cursor and the sequential menu.

2. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the displaying a sequential menu and displaying a radial menu further comprise displaying a sequential menu and displaying a radial menu immediately in response to a right-click operation initiated by a user.

3. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the displaying a radial menu having predetermined selectable functions further comprises displaying a radial menu having predetermined selectable functions selected from a group comprising software applications and executable actions.

4. The computer program product of claim 3, wherein the displaying a radial menu having predetermined selectable functions selected from a group comprising software applications and executable actions further comprises displaying a radial menu of most recently used software applications.

5. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the displaying a radial menu having predetermined selectable functions further comprises displaying a radial menu having a selectable number of menu choices.

6. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the displaying a radial menu having predetermined selectable functions further comprises a radial menu having menu choices with a selectable display area.

7. The computer program product of claim 1 further comprising providing a setup procedure for allowing a number of menu choices in the radial menu to be selected.

8. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the displaying a radial menu comprises displaying an arrangement selected from a group comprising a quarter-circle divided into a plurality of sectors, the quarter-circle having a center positioned proximate the sequential menu, a semi-circle divided into a plurality of sectors, the quarter-circle having a center positioned proximate the sequential menu, a quarter of a rounded-rectangle divided into a plurality of sectors, the quarter-circle having a center positioned proximate the sequential menu, and a three-quarters-of-a-circle divided into a plurality of sectors, the quarter-circle having a center positioned proximate the sequential menu.

9. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the displaying a radial menu comprises displaying, proximate the sequential menu, a first proximal ring of selectable functions near a cursor and a second distal ring of selectable functions farther from the cursor, wherein the selectable functions positioned in the first proximal ring and second distal ring based upon frequency of use.

10. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the displaying a first proximal ring near a cursor and a second distal ring farther from the cursor further comprises displaying a first proximal ring and a second distal ring divided into sectors, wherein an area of the sectors of the second distal ring is greater than the area of the sectors of the first proximal ring.

11. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the displaying a radial menu includes displaying a plurality of sectors each including an icon representing a selectable function and changing a visual characteristic of the icon when a cursor is moved over the icon.

12. A menu for providing immediate access to menu items, comprising:

a sequential menu displayed proximate to a cursor position immediately in response to initiation of a predetermined action; and

a radial menu providing predetermined selectable functions, the radial menu being displayed immediately upon initiation of the predetermined action and having a center proximate the cursor and the sequential menu.

13. The menu of claim 12, wherein the predetermined action comprises a right-click operation initiated by a user.

14. The menu of claim 12, wherein the selectable functions comprises a set of most recently used software applications.

15. The menu of claim 12, wherein the selectable functions includes a selectable number of selectable functions.

16. The menu of claim 12, wherein the selectable functions comprise a selectable display area.

17. The menu of claim 12, wherein the radial menu comprises a selectable number of selectable functions.

18. The menu of claim 12, wherein the radial menu comprises a first proximal ring disposed near a cursor and a second distal ring disposed farther from the cursor, wherein the first proximal ring and the second distal ring includes icons representing the selectable functions having a position based upon a frequency of use and wherein a display area of the sectors of the second distal ring are greater than the area of the sectors of the first proximal ring.

19. The menu of claim 12, wherein the radial menu includes a plurality of sectors having an icon representing a selectable function, wherein a visual characteristic of the icon changes when a cursor is moved over the icon.

20. A method for providing a context menu, comprising:

performing a right-click operation;

in response to the right-click operation, immediately displaying a sequential menu displayed proximate to a cursor position and a radial menu providing predetermined selectable functions and having a center proximate the cursor and the sequential menu;

positioning a cursor at a predetermined location relative to the sequential menu and the radial menu to minimize cursor manipulation when selecting a menu item from the radial menu; and

moving the cursor to a desired area of the radial menu and clicking at a desired area within the radial menu to initiate an application or executable action represented at the desired area of the radial menu.