ZEROCLICK

• US 20110093819A1
• Filed: 09/08/2010
• Published: 04/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zeroclick, LLC (Nes Irvine)
• Original Assignee: Nes Stewart Irvine
• Inventors: Irvine, Nes Stewart
• Granted Patent: US 8,549,443 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/856
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04812 Interaction techniques based on cursor appearance or behaviour, e.g. being affected by the presence of displayed objects
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

A GUI interface, a method of programming a GUI interface, and an apparatus which enables functions of controls in the GUI to be activated by a movement to a control and then another subsequent movement related to that control. It may be defined more precisely below, A GUI in which, when a pointer 0 is immediately adjacent or passes over a control area 1, a procedure is initiated whereby subsequent movement of the pointer over a predetermined path area 3 generates a ‘click’ event which simulates direct clicking of the control 1 and moving outside the predetermined path area 3 prior to completion of the path 3 resets the control to as if the pointer has never started along the predetermined path area 3.

Claims

1. A method of operating one or more functions within a graphical user interface GUI by a movement of a pointer (0), that is one or more changes of the location of the pointer (0) within a computer screen (300) within the GUI generates one or more functions within the GUI.

2. A method of operating a GUI as defined in claim 1, wherein the method of operating the GUI by the movement of a pointer (0) is according to the following two step method:

first the pointer (0) is immediately adjacent or passes within a control area (1), which is an area of the screen (300) that can be any size including from a pixel on the screen (300) to occupying the whole screen (300),

and second by the completion of a subsequent movement of said pointer (0) according to a specified movement generates a ‘

click’

event, thereby triggering one or more functions within the GUI.

3. A method of operating a GUI as defined in claim 2 that includes at least one of the following is features:

a) the second step of said two step method is;

second by the completion of said subsequent movement of said pointer (0) within a predetermined path area (3) according to a specified movement generates said ‘

click’

event, which simulates the direct clicking of a control, thereby triggering a function related with said control area (1),

b) said subsequent movement and/or said predetermined path area (3) of said pointer (0) is adjustable for the purpose of error prevention, so that said one or more functions accessible within the GUI generated by said ‘

click’

event is less likely to be accidentally triggered than if said one or more functions accessible within the GUI was triggered by said pointer (0) being immediately adjacent or moving over said control area (1),

c) an existing program operated by said one or more other methods can be updated to operate any function by said two step method,

d) one or more functions operated by said one or more other methods can be updated to operate by said two step method,

e) said control area (1) is displayed on said screen (300) and/or said control area (1) covers only a part of said screen (300),

f) said predetermined path area (3) is displayed on said screen (300) and/or said predetermined path area (3) is an identical area or less within said control area (1),

g) said control area (1) is visible,

h) said control area (1) is invisible,

i) said control area (1) is associated with plural predetermined path areas (3) that can generate different respective said ‘

click’

events,

j) plural specified pointer movements within said predetermined path area (3) can generate different respective said ‘

click’

events,

k) said predetermined path area (3) extends outside said control area (1),

l) the appearance of said screen (300) outside said control area (1) is adjustable to is provide visual feedback to the user,

m) the appearance of said control area (1) is adjustable to provide visual feedback to the user,

n) visual feedback comprises information on how to complete the specified movement to generate said ‘

click’

event and/or comprises visible subareas within said predetermined path area (3),

o) within one or more of the movement stages, from initial contact with said control area (1) to final movement that leads to said ‘

click’

event provides visual feedback and/or other feedback to the user,

p) said predetermined path area (3) is adjustable so that it fits on said screen (300) on which the GUI is displayed if the original position of said control area (1) would have meant that said predetermined path area (3) would have gone off said screen (300) and not be accessible to said pointer (0),

q) said predetermined path area (3) is adjustable to suit a certain screen size,

r) the position and/or the appearance and/or size and/or shape of said predetermined path area (3) and/or the specified movement are adjustable for the purposes of user preference, that is predetermining any of the preceding features to increase the user'"'"'s choice to generate at least one said ‘

click’

event related to said control area (1) instead of operating that event by one or more said other methods,

s) the position and/or the appearance and/or size and/or shape of said predetermined path 11 area (3) and/or the specified movement are adjustable for the purposes of speed of completing said ‘

click’

event, that is predetermining any of the preceding features so that said ‘

click’

event is faster to complete compared to the slowest specified movement of said pointer (0) to complete within said predetermined path area (3),

t) whole control of a computer is a series of pointer (0) movements,

u) two or more said ‘

click’

events for controlling the control are listed,

v) the list of said ‘

click’

events for controlling the control includes a description of the functions to be selected,

w) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the two step method including said pointer (0) is positioned or moves over a control, where said control includes an icon, menu item, or window,

x) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the two step method including said pointer (0) is positioned over a pixel or within a certain area of said screen (300),

y) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the two step method including a mouse or pointer device button press and/or button release,

z) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the two step method including a mouse or pointer device wheel movement,

aa) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the two step method including a jog wheel movement,

bb) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the two step method including a slider device movement,

cc) said other method can be a method of operating a function within he GUI other than the two step method including a lever movement,

dd) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the two step method including a joystick button press and/or button release,

ee) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the two step method including a pen-down, that is where the pen makes contact at a specific location on the touch screen (300),

ff) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than is the two step method including a pen-up, that is where the pen leaves contact at a specific location on the touch screen (300),

gg) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the two step method including a digit-down, that is where the digit makes contact at a specific location on the touch screen (300),

hh) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the two step method including a digit-up, that is where the digit leaves contact at a specific location on the touch screen (300),

ii) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the two step method including a pen-down, that is where the pen makes contact at a specific location on the touch pad,

jj) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the two step method including a pen-up, that is where the pen leaves contact at a specific location on the touch pad,

kk) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the two step method including a digit-down, that is where the digit makes contact at a specific location on the touch pad,

ll) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the two step method including a digit-up, that is where the digit leaves contact at a specific location on the touch pad,

mm) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the two step method including one or more key presses and/or key releases on a keyboard,

nn) said other method can be a method of operating the GUI other than the two step method including voice activation triggering a function,

oo) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the two step method including device button press and/or release,

pp) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the two step method including waiting a period of time while said pointer (0) is over the area of the control on the screen (300),

qq) wherein said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the two step method including a timer,

rr) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the two step method,

ss) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the two step method including two or more said other methods in combination with each other,

tt) the GUI has at least one control area (1) in the form of a bordergrid, that is, a menu system associated with said control area in which the menu is activated by one or more ‘

click’

events,

uu) said bordergrid has one or more menu items activated by one or more said ‘

click’

events,

vv) said bordergrid comprises one or more of the following;

a qualifier grid, hierarchical cascading grid HCG, sequential grid and operating according to a patternclick,

ww) said ‘

click’

event is used in conjunction with one or more said other methods to generate said one or more functions within the GUI,

xx) comprising completing a specified movement within said predetermined path area (3) related to said control area (1) of a pixel on said screen (300) which generates said ‘

click’

event triggering the function causing a further control area (1) moving synchronously with said pointer (0) and the associated predetermined path area (3) to cease to move and be accessible to said pointer (0), and thereby can generate a further said ‘

click’

event that is associated with said pixel of the screen (300),

yy) said subsequent movement of the pointer (0) is said subsequent movement of said pointer (0) within a predetermined path area (3) according to a specified movement is a direction of pointer movement over the screen (300) including one of the following said direction of pointer movement;

a left to right said direction of pointer movement, a right to left said direction of pointer movement, an upwards said direction of pointer movement, a downwards said direction of pointer movement, a downward left to right diagonal said direction of pointer movement, a upward left to right diagonal said direction of pointer movement, a downward right to left diagonal said direction of pointer movement, a upward right to left diagonal said direction of pointer movement,

zz) the input of movement of said pointer (0) can be generated by any input device that can move said pointer (0) according to a specified movement on said screen (300),

aaa) the input of movement of said pointer (0) can be generated by any input device that can move said pointer (0) according to a specified movement on said screen (300) including moving a mouse or pointer device over a surface to move said pointer (0) on said screen (300),

bbb) the input of movement of said pointer (0) can be generated by any input device that can move said pointer (0) according to a specified movement on said screen (300) including moving said pointer (0) over said screen (300) by moving a joystick,

ccc) the input of movement of said pointer (0) can be generated by any input device that can move said pointer (0) according to a specified movement on said screen (300),

ddd) the input of movement of said pointer (0) can be generated by any input device that can move said pointer (0) according to a specified movement on said screen (300) including pressing one or more arrow keys and/or one or more other device buttons and/or one or more other keys to move said pointer (0) in a similar manner to arrow keys moving said pointer (0) over said screen (300),

eee) the input of movement of said pointer (0) can be generated by any input device that can move said pointer (0) according to a specified movement on said screen (300) including moving said pointer (0) by sliding a digit in contact over a touch screen (300),

fff) the input of movement of said pointer (0) can be generated by any input device that can move said pointer (0) according to a specified movement on said screen (300) including moving said pointer (0) by sliding a pen over a touch screen (300),

ggg) the input of movement of said pointer (0) can be generated by any input device that can move said pointer (0) according to a specified movement on said screen (300) including moving said pointer (0) over a touch screen (300) by moving a pen with a sequence of intermittent contact over a touch screen (300) so said pointer (0) moves in jumps to different locations of the touch screen (300) to complete a specified pointer movement,

hhh) the input of movement of said pointer (0) can be generated by any input device that can move said pointer (0) according to a specified movement on said screen (300) including moving said pointer (0) over a touch screen (300) by moving a digit with a sequence of intermittent contact over a touch screen (300) so said pointer (0) moves in jumps to different locations of the touch screen (300) to complete a specified pointer movement,

iii) the input of movement of said pointer (0) can be generated by any input device that can move said pointer (0) according to a specified movement on said screen (300) including moving said pointer (0) by sliding a digit in contact over a touch pad,

jjj) the input of movement of said pointer (0) can be generated by any input device that can move said pointer (0) according to a specified movement on said screen (300) including moving said pointer (0) by sliding a pen over a touch pad,

kkk) the specified movement of said pointer (0) to be completed within said predetermined path area (3) to generate said ‘

click’

event includes moving said pointer (0) in a certain direction within said predetermined path area (3) including one of the following;

a right pointer movement, a left pointer movement, a up pointer movement, a down pointer movement, any other specified direction of pointer movement,

lll) the specified movement of said pointer (0) to be completed within said predetermined path area (3) to generate said ‘

click’

event includes moving said pointer (0) a certain distance,

mmm) the specified movement of said pointer (0) to be completed within said predetermined path area (3) to generate said ‘

click’

event includes a change in direction of said pointer (0) within said predetermined path area (3) including either a reverse pointer movement or an angled pointer movement,

nnn) the specified movement of said pointer (0) to be completed within said predetermined path area (3) to generate said ‘

click’

event includes more than one change in direction of said pointer (0) within said predetermined path area (3),

ooo) the specified movement of said pointer (0) to be completed within said predetermined path area (3) to generate said ‘

click’

event includes and/or moving said pointer (0) sequentially within two or more subareas of said predetermined path area (3) in the correct sequence thereby to complete a specified pointer movement while said pointer (0) remains within said predetermined path area (3),

ppp) the specified movement of said pointer (0) to be completed within said predetermined path area (3) to generate said ‘

click’

event includes any sequence of one or more of the specified movement of said pointer (0),

qqq) the pointer movement by a pointer device includes at least one of the following pointer devices, a mouse, a joy stick, a touch screen, a keyboard, a number pad, one or more keys on an apparatus, one or more buttons on an apparatus, voice input, a dial on an apparatus, a slider on an apparatus, and any other pointer device that can change the coordinates of a pointer on the screen (300) within the GUI,

rrr) the GUI is displayed on a touch screen (300),

sss) the specified movement required to generate said ‘

click’

event over the touch screen (300) can be generated by the movement of one pointer (0),

ttt) the specified movement required to generate said ‘

click’

event over the touch screen (300) can be generated by pointer movements,

uuu) the specified movement required to generate said ‘

click’

event over the touch screen (300) can be generated by movement of one digit over the touch screen (300),

vvv) the specified movement required to generate said ‘

click’

event over the touch screen (300) can be generated by finger movements over the touch screen (300),

www) one pointer movement can be generated by movement of each digit sliding in contact over the touch screen (300),

xxx) said ‘

click’

event is generated by movement of said pointer (0) caused by the digit or pen jumping to different areas over the touch screen (300),

yyy) said ‘

click’

event is generated by the digit or pen moving in a specified movement over the touch screen (300),

zzz) the touch screen (300) comprises one of the following;

a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), Thin Film Transistor (TFT) or any other touch screen that can display the GUI,

aaaa) said ‘

click’

event generated by the input of pointer movement is as safe or is less likely to be accidentally activated on a touch screen (300) than a mechanical button press,

bbbb) said ‘

click’

event generates a function to activate an apparatus from low power to increased power and/or start an apparatus and/or deactivate an apparatus,

cccc) the input of pointer movement generating said ‘

click’

event can be operated by a touch sensitive surface (300), including;

a pen over a graphical tablet, a touch pad, or other touch sensitive surfaces, with or without markings, whereby these may operate in the same manner as a touch screen (300) except do not display the GUI,

dddd) any program, including an internet browser, operating by one or more said other is methods can increase its functionality operated by the input of pointer movement by generating one or more said ‘

click’

events to operate one or more functions of the program,

eeee) the specified movement of said pointer (0) required to generate said ‘

click’

event, is not deducible to the user and/or used for a child safety device and/or a secret code,

ffff) moving said pointer (0) outside said predetermined path area (3) prior to completion of the specified movement resets said control area (1) to as if the specified movement of said pointer (0) to be completed within said predetermined path area (3) has not been initiated.

gggg) the function activated by said ‘

click’

event can be reversed by a subsequent movement of said pointer (0) within a predetermined path area (3) according to another specified movement,

hhhh) said pointer (0) is visible,

iiii) wherein said pointer (0) is invisible,

jjjj) the function generated by said ‘

click’

event can be any function of the GUI, including any function which was previously activated in a GUI by one or more said other methods,

kkkk) a computer program having program instructions stored in a computer-readable medium for causing a computer to operate a GUI in accordance with all the steps of the two step method,

llll) a GUI as defined in claim 2,

mmmm) a computer apparatus having a GUI as defined in claim 2,

nnnn) the computer apparatus having a GUI as defined in claim 2 is a mobile phone with a touch screen (300),

oooo) the computer apparatus having a GUI as defined in claim 2 is a pocket-sized personal computer which has a touch screen (300),

pppp) the computer apparatus having a GUI as defined in claim 2 is an electrical switch,

qqqq) the computer apparatus having a GUI as defined in claim 2 is a control panel for an electrical and/or mechanical apparatus,

rrrr) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement can be a simple and distinct movement to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

ssss) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is a vertical movement of the pointer(0), that is a change in the y coordinate of the pointer to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

tttt) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is a horizontal movement of the pointer (0), that is a change in the x coordinate of the pointer to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

uuuu) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is a pattern of movement of the pointer (0) to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

vvv) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is a speed of movement of the pointer (0) to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

wwww) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is the distance of movement of the pointer (0) to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

xxxx) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is the beginning location of the movement of the pointer (0) to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

yyyy) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is the end location of the movement of the pointer (0) to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

zzzz) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is the path of the movement of the pointer (0) to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

aaaaa) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is the direction of the movement of the pointer (0) to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

bbbbbb) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is a change of direction of the movement of the pointer (0) to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

ccccc) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is a reverse movement of the pointer (0) to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

ddddd) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is a right angled movement of the pointer (0) to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

eeeee) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is an angled movement of the pointer (0) to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

fffff) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is the completion of a specified path of x,y coordinates of the pointer (0) to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

ggggg) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is a reverse movement of the pointer (0) to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

hhhhh) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) to generate one or more functions within the GUI is generated by a is movement of a digit in contact with the touch screen,

iiiii) a transforming program updates the operating system or program to enable the two step method to operate one or more functions within the GUI,

jjjjj) a developmental tool that has functions that can generate a two step method of operating a function within the GUI,

kkkkk) a function requiring a change of location of the pointer (0) when previously said function was triggered by said other method not requiring a change of location of the pointer (0),

lllll) a function within the GUI not previously known to require a change of location of the x,y coordinates of a pointer to trigger said function requires a change of location of the x,y coordinates to trigger said function.

4. A method of operating a GUI as defined in claim 1 that includes at least one of the following features:

a) a function within the GUI not previously triggered by a change of location of the x,y coordinates of a pointer (0) to trigger said function requires a change of location of the x,y coordinates to trigger said function,

b) one or more functions operated by one or more other methods can be updated to operate by said movement of the pointer (0),

c) the appearance of said screen (300) is adjustable to provide visual feedback to the user,

d) visual feedback comprises information on how to complete the pointer movement,

e) within one or more of the movement stages, from the start location to end location that leads to the triggering of a function within the GUI provides visual feedback and/or other feedback to the user,

f) said pointer movement is adjustable to suit a certain screen size,

g) the pointer movement is adjustable for the purpose of error prevention, so that said one or more functions accessible the GUI is less likely to be accidentally triggered than if said one or more functions within the GUI is triggered by the pointer (0) being positioned at or within the starting position of the pointer movement,

h) the pointer movement is adjustable for the purposes of user preference, that is triggering at least one function related to the GUI instead of operating the function by one or more said other methods,

i) the pointer movement is adjustable for the purposes of speed of triggering a function of the GUI, that is predetermining that a function of the GUI is triggered faster by completing the pointer movement than operating the function by one or more said other methods,

j) whole control of a computer is a series of pointer (0) movements,

k) two or more said functions are listed,

l) the list includes a description of the functions to be selected,

m) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the pointer movement including said pointer (0) is positioned or moves over a control, where said control includes an icon, menu item, or window,

n) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the movement of the pointer (0) including said pointer (0) is positioned over a pixel or within a certain area of said screen (300),

o) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than to the movement of the pointer (0) including a mouse or pointer device button press and/or button release,

p) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the movement of the pointer (0) including a mouse or pointer device wheel movement,

q) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than is the movement of the pointer (0) including a jog wheel movement,

r) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the movement of the pointer (0) including a slider device movement,

s) said other method can be a method of operating a function within he GUI other than the movement of the pointer (0) including a lever movement,

t) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the movement of the pointer (0) including a joystick button press and/or button release,

u) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the movement of the pointer (0) including a pen-down, that is where the pen makes contact at a specific location on the touch screen (300),

v) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the movement of the pointer (0) including a pen-up, that is where the pen leaves contact at a specific location on the touch screen (300),

w) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the movement of the pointer (0) including a digit-down, that is where the digit makes contact at a specific location on the touch screen (300),

x) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the movement of the pointer (0) including a digit-up, that is where the digit leaves contact at a specific location on the touch screen (300),

y) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the movement of the pointer (0) including a pen-down, that is where the pen makes contact at a specific location on the touch pad,

z) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the movement of the pointer (0) including a pen-up, that is where the pen leaves contact at a specific location on the touch pad,

aa) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the movement of the pointer (0) including a digit-down, that is where the digit makes contact at a specific location on the touch pad,

bb) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the movement of the pointer (0) including a digit-up, that is where the digit leaves contact at a specific location on the touch pad,

cc) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the movement of the pointer (0) including one or more key presses and/or key releases on a keyboard,

dd) said other method can be a method of operating the GUI other than the movement of a pointer (0) including voice activation triggering a function,

ee) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the movement of the pointer (0) including device button press and/or release,

ff) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the movement of the pointer (0) including waiting a period of time while said pointer (0) is over the area of the control on the screen (300),

gg) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the movement of the pointer (0) including a timer,

hh) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the movement of the pointer (0),

ii) said other method can be a method of operating a function within the GUI other than the movement of the pointer (0) includes two or more said other methods in combination with each other.

jj) wherein the GUI has at least one control area (1) in the form of a bordergrid, that is, a menu system associated with said control area in which the menu and/or menu items are activated by pointer movement,

kk) said bordergrid comprises one or more of the following;

a qualifier grid, hierarchical cascading grid HCG, sequential grid and operating according to a patternclick,

ll) wherein the pointer movement is used in conjunction with one or more said other methods to generate said one or more functions within the GUI,

mm) comprising a screen area (1) moving synchronously with said pointer (0) and a subsequent movement of the pointer (0) to generate one or more functions within the GUI.

nn) said subsequent movement of the pointer (0) is a direction of pointer movement over the screen (300) including one of the following said direction of pointer movement;

a left to right said direction of pointer movement, a right to left said direction of pointer movement, an upwards said direction of pointer movement, a downwards said direction of pointer movement, a downward left to right diagonal said direction of pointer movement, a upward left to right diagonal said direction of pointer movement, a downward right to left diagonal said direction of pointer movement, a upward right to left diagonal said direction of pointer movement,

oo) the input of movement of said pointer (0) can be generated by any input device that can move said pointer (0) according to a specified movement on said screen (300),

pp) the input of movement of said pointer (0) can be generated by any input device that can move said pointer (0) according to a specified movement on said screen (300) including moving a mouse or pointer device over a surface to move said pointer (0) on said screen (300),

qq) the input of movement of said pointer (0) can be generated by any input device that can move said pointer (0) according to a specified movement on said screen (300) including moving said pointer (0) over said screen (300) by moving a joystick,

rr) the input of movement of said pointer (0) can be generated by any input device that can move said pointer (0) according to a specified movement on said screen (300),

ss) the input of movement of said pointer (0) can be generated by any input device that can move said pointer (0) according to a specified movement on said screen (300) including pressing one or more arrow keys and/or one or more other device buttons and/or one or more other keys to move said pointer (0) in a similar manner to arrow keys moving said pointer (0) over said screen (300),

tt) the input of movement of said pointer (0) can be generated by any input device that can move said pointer (0) according to a specified movement on said screen (300) including moving said pointer (0) by sliding a digit in contact over a touch screen (300),

uu) the input of movement of said pointer (0) can be generated by any input device that can move said pointer (0) according to a specified movement on said screen (300) including moving said pointer (0) by sliding a pen over a touch screen (300),

vv) the input of movement of said pointer (0) can be generated by any input device that can move said pointer (0) according to a specified movement on said screen (300) including moving said pointer (0) over a touch screen (300) by moving a pen with a sequence of intermittent contact over a touch screen (300) so said pointer (0) moves in jumps to different locations of the touch screen (300) to complete a specified pointer movement,

ww) the input of movement of said pointer (0) can be generated by any input device that can move said pointer (0) according to a specified movement on said screen (300) including moving said pointer (0) over a touch screen (300) by moving a digit with a sequence of intermittent contact over a touch screen (300) so said pointer (0) moves in jumps to different locations of the touch screen (300) to complete a specified pointer movement,

xx) the input of movement of said pointer (0) can be generated by any input device that can move said pointer (0) according to a specified movement on said screen (300) including moving said pointer (0) by sliding a digit in contact over a touch pad,

yy) the input of movement of said pointer (0) can be generated by any input device that can move said pointer (0) according to a specified movement on said screen (300) including moving said pointer (0) by sliding a pen over a touch pad,

zz) the specified movement of said pointer (0) to be completed to trigger a function within the GUI includes moving said pointer (0) in a certain direction within said predetermined path area (3) including one of the following;

a right pointer movement, a left pointer movement, a up pointer movement, a down pointer movement, any other specified direction of pointer movement,

aaa) the specified movement of said pointer (0) to be completed within said predetermined path area (3) to generate said ‘

click’

event includes moving said pointer (0) a certain distance,

bbb) the specified movement of said pointer (0) to be completed to trigger a function within the GUI includes a change in direction of said pointer (0) within said predetermined path area (3) including either a reverse pointer movement or an angled pointer movement,

ccc) the specified movement of said pointer (0) to be completed to trigger a function within the GUI includes more than one change in direction of said pointer (0) within said predetermined path area (3),

ddd) the specified movement of said pointer (0) to be completed to trigger a function within the GUI includes and/or moving said pointer (0) sequentially within two or more subareas of said predetermined path area (3) in the correct sequence thereby to complete a specified pointer movement while said pointer (0) remains within said predetermined path area (3),

eee) the specified movement of said pointer (0) to be completed to trigger a function within the GUI includes any sequence of one or more of the specified movement of said pointer (0),

fff) the pointer movement by a pointer device includes at least one of the following is pointer devices, a mouse, a joy stick, a touch screen, a keyboard, a number pad, one or more keys on an apparatus, one or more buttons on an apparatus, voice input, a dial on an apparatus, a slider on an apparatus, and any other pointer device that can change the coordinates of a pointer on the screen (300) within the GUI,

ggg) the GUI is displayed on a touch screen (300),

hhh) the movement of a pointer (0) over the touch screen (300) according to a specified movement trigger a function within the GUI,

iii) pointer movements over the touch screen (300) to trigger one or more functions within the GUI

jjj) the movement of a pointer (0) over the touch screen (300) according to a specified movement trigger one or more functions within the GUI can be generated by movement of one digit over the touch screen (300),

kkk) the movement of a pointer (0) over the touch screen (300) according to a specified movement trigger one or more functions within the GUI can be generated by finger movements over the touch screen (300),

lll) pointer movements triggering one or more functions within the GUI can be generated by finger movements over the touch screen (300),

mmm) one pointer movement can be generated by movement of each digit sliding in contact over the touch screen (300),

nnn) the movement of a pointer (0) over the touch screen (300) according to a specified movement trigger one or more functions within the GUI by the digit or pen jumping to different areas over the touch screen (300),

ooo) the movement of a pointer (0) over the touch screen (300) according to a specified movement trigger one or more functions within the GUI by the digit or pen moving in a specified movement over the touch screen (300),

ppp) the touch screen (300) comprises one of the following;

a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), Thin Film Transistor (TFT) or any other touch screen that can display the GUI,

qqq) one or more functions within the GUI triggered by the input of pointer movement is as safe or is less likely to be accidentally activated on a touch screen (300) than a mechanical button press,

rrr) the movement of a pointer (0) over the touch screen (300) according to a specified movement triggers the function to activate an apparatus from low power to increased power and/or start an apparatus and/or deactivate an apparatus,

sss) the input of pointer movement to trigger one or more functions within the GUI can be operated by a touch sensitive surface (300), including;

a pen over a graphical tablet, a touch pad, or other touch sensitive surfaces, with or without markings, whereby these may operate in the same manner as a touch screen (300) except do not display the GUI,

ttt) any program, including an internet browser, operating by one or more said other methods can increase its functionality operated by the input of pointer movement by generating one or more said ‘

click’

events to operate one or more functions of the program,

uuu) the specified movement of said pointer (0) required to trigger one or more functions within the GUI is not deducible to the user and/or used for a child safety device and/or a secret code,

vvv) not completing a movement of the pointer according to a specified movement can reset the program to as if that movement of the pointer had not been initiated,

www) one or more functions within the GUI can be reversed by a subsequent movement of said pointer (0) according to another specified movement,

xxx) said pointer (0) is visible,

yyy) said pointer (0) is invisible,

zzz) the movement of a pointer (0) over the touch screen (300) according to a specified movement can trigger any function of the GUI, including any function which was previously activated in a GUI by one or more said other methods,

aaaa) a computer program having program instructions stored in a computer-readable medium for causing a computer to operate a GUI in accordance with all the steps of pointer movement,

bbbb) a GUI as defined in claim 1,

cccc) any computer apparatus having a GUI as defined in claim 1,

dddd) the computer apparatus having a GUI as defined in claim 1 is a mobile phone with a touch screen (300),

eeee) the computer apparatus having a GUI as defined in claim 1 is a pocket-sized personal computer which has a touch screen (300),

ffff) the computer apparatus having a GUI as defined in claim 1 is an electrical switch,

gggg) the computer apparatus having a GUI as defined in claim 1 is a control panel for an electrical and/or mechanical apparatus,

hhhh) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement can be a simple and distinct movement to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

iiii) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is a vertical movement of the pointer (0), that is a change in the y coordinate of the pointer to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

jjjj) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is a horizontal movement of the pointer (0), that is a change in the x coordinate in of the pointer to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

kkkk) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is a pattern of movement of the pointer (0) to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

llll) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen is (300) is a speed of movement of the pointer (0) to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

mmmm) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is the distance of movement of the pointer (0) to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

nnnn) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is the beginning location of the movement of the pointer (0) to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

oooo) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is the end location of the movement of the pointer (0) to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

pppp) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is the path of the movement of the pointer (0) to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

qqqq) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is the direction of the movement of the pointer (0) to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

rrrr) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is a change of direction of the movement of the pointer (0) to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

ssss) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is a reverse movement of the pointer (0) to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

tttt) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is a right angled movement of the pointer (0) to generate one or more functions is within the GUI,

uuuu) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is an angled movement of the pointer (0) to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

wwww) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is the completion of a specified path of x,y coordinates of the pointer (0) to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

xxxx) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is the end location of the movement of the pointer (0) to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

yyyy) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) is a reverse movement of the pointer (0) to generate one or more functions within the GUI,

zzzz) the movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on the screen (300) to generate one or more functions within the GUI is generated by a movement of a digit in contact with the touch screen,

aaaaa) a transforming program updates the operating system or program to enable pointer movement to operate one or more functions within the GUI,

bbbbb) a developmental tool that has functions that can trigger operating a function within the GUI by pointer movement,

ccccc) a function requiring a change of location of the pointer to be triggered when previously said function triggered by said one or more other methods,

ddddd) a function within the GUI not known to require a change of location of the x,y coordinates of a pointer to trigger said function requires a change of location of the x,y coordinates to trigger said function,

eeeee) a computer development language which allows a function not known to require pointer movement to trigger said function to be triggered by pointer movement,

fffff) a movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on a touch screen by finger movements touching the screen consecutively,

ggggg) a movement of the pointer (0) according to a specified movement on a touch screen by finger movements touching the screen simultaneously,

hhhhh) pointer movements on a touch screen generating specified movements by the pointer movement not being consecutive, that is simultaneous touching of the touch screen by finger movements generating one or more functions of the GUI,

iiiii) the computer apparatus having a GUI as defined in claim 1 which is a multimedia player with a touch screen 300.

5. A method of operating a GUI in which by pointer movement alone may activate functions, which were previously activated in existing programs by other methods.

6. A method of operating a GUI as defined in claim 5 by a movement of a pointer (0), that is one or more changes of the location of the pointer (0) within a computer screen (300) within the GUI generates one or more functions within the GUI.

7. A method of operating a GUI as defined in claim 6, wherein the method of operating the GUI by the movement of a pointer (0) is according to the following two step method:

first the pointer (0) is immediately adjacent or passes within a control area (1), which is an area of the screen (300) that can be any size including from a pixel on the screen (300) to occupying the whole screen (300),

and second by the completion of a subsequent movement of said pointer (0) according to a specified movement generates a ‘

click’

event, thereby triggering one or more functions within the GUI.

8. A method of operating one or more functions within a GUI on a touch screen 300 apparatus including a mobile phone with a touch screen 300.

9. A method of operating a GUI according to claim 8, wherein a function within the GUI not is previously triggered by a change of location of the x,y coordinates of a pointer (0) to trigger said function requires a change of location of the x,y coordinates to trigger said function.

10. A method of operating a GUI according to claim 8, wherein a function within the GUI previously triggered by a click event by a digit touching the touch screen 300 to trigger said function requires a change of location of the x,y coordinates to trigger said function.

11. A method of operating a GUI according to claim 8, wherein a function within the GUI previously triggered by a click event by a digit lifting off the touch screen 300 to trigger said function requires a change of location of the x,y coordinates to trigger said function.

12. A method of operating a GUI according to claim 8, which one function previously operated by a mechanical button or key press is operated by a digit on a touch screen 300.

13. A method of operating a GUI according to claim 8, wherein accidental triggering of said function can be reduced by requiring the change of position of a digit in contact with the touch screen 300 to another position of a digit in contact with the touch screen 300 to generate said function.

14. A method of operating a GUI according to claim 8, wherein a specified movement of a digit in contact with a touch screen 300 can generate said function.

15. A method of operating a GUI according to claim 8, wherein the change or changes of position of a digit on a touch screen can generate said function.

16. A method of operating a GUI according to claim 8, wherein pointer movements generated by digit movements on the touch screen 300 can generate said function.

17. A method of operating a GUI according to claim 8, wherein the touch screen does not to require a change in pressure on the touch screen, in addition to the contact of the digit on the touch screen operate the movement of the pointer, to generate said function and/or the user can glide the digit over the touch screen in a specified movement to generate said function.

18. A method of operating a GUI according to claim 8, wherein one function within the GUI previously triggered by a key or button that required pressure to trigger said function is is triggered by a digit touching a touch screen.