Cursor controller user interface system
First Claim
1. In a computer system for displaying operator selectable menu items and a cursor image, said system having memory means and an operator controllable cursor positioning device with selection signal generating means, a method comprising the steps of:
- storing in a first section of said memory means header data representing a menu header block and menu data representing a plurality of menu blocks;
transferring to a second section of said memory means in response to generation of a first selection signal a header bit pattern derived from said header data, said bit pattern representing a visual depiction of said menu header block; and
displaying a menu header block image based on said header bit pattern stored in said second memory section.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Menu item selection is performed in a personal computer system through the use of a mouse device which has means to allow the user to call up onto the display a header block which performs the function of the menu bar and to erase the header block from the screen when menu operations are not required. Multiple menu items can be selected during the same menu session by using a pair of mouse buttons to generate a sequence of selection commands which are utilized by unique system software to accumulate plural item selections without terminating the menu operation.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. In a computer system for displaying operator selectable menu items and a cursor image, said system having memory means and an operator controllable cursor positioning device with selection signal generating means, a method comprising the steps of:
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storing in a first section of said memory means header data representing a menu header block and menu data representing a plurality of menu blocks; transferring to a second section of said memory means in response to generation of a first selection signal a header bit pattern derived from said header data, said bit pattern representing a visual depiction of said menu header block; and displaying a menu header block image based on said header bit pattern stored in said second memory section. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. In a computer system for displaying operator selectable menu items and a cursor image, said system having memory means and an operator controllable cursor positioning device with selection signal generating means, a method comprising the steps of:
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displaying a menu block containing areas designating a plurality of selectable menu items; storing in a first section of said memory means a control word representing the menu block area in which said cursor image is positioned, said stored control word being changed when said cursor image is moved to reflect the menu block area in which said cursor image is currently positioned; and compiling a selection message in response to generation of a selection signal, said message including the control word in said first memory section at the time said selection signal is generated. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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13. In a computer system for displaying operator selectable menu items and a cursor image, said system having memory means and an operator controllable cursor positioning device with selection signal generating means for generating a plurality of first and a second selection signal a method comprising the steps of:
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displaying a menu block containing areas designating a plurality of selectable menu items; storing in a first section of said memory means a control word representing the menu block area in which said cursor image is positioned, said stored control word being changed when said cursor image is moved to reflect the menu block area in which said cursor image is currently positioned; transferring to a second section of said memory means from said first memory section a plurality of different control words, each of said plural control words being transferred in response to generation of a different one of said first selection signals; and compiling a selection message in response to generation of said second selection signal, said message including said plural control words present in said second memory section at the time said second selection signal is generated. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification