Graphical method of inputing time values

• US 5,247,284 A
• Filed: 04/30/1991
• Issued: 09/21/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Fleming, Steve S.
• Primary Examiner(s): BRIER, JEFFERY A
• Application Number:
  US07/693,741
• Time in Patent Office: 875 Days
• Field of Search: 340/706, 340/707, 340/709, 340/710, 340/712, 368/185, 368/281, 368/242, 395/155, 395/161
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34

Abstract

A method of displaying and inputting time values in a computer system that includes a display screen and a user operable pointing device. The method includes displaying on the screen a representation of an analog clock with hands that the user can position with the pointing device to input time values.

Claims

1. In a computer system that includes a graphical user interface and a user operable pointing device for providing graphical user interface input, a method of indicating a time value and providing user input of a time value, which comprises the steps of:

a) displaying the time value using a graphical representation of an analog clock including a clock face with an hour hand and a minute hand;

b) providing a first display area for user input via the pointing device to set the hour hand;

c) providing a second display area, separate from the first display area, for user input via the pointing device to set the minute hand; and

,

d) automatically updating the time value and the display thereof to reflect user input.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, including the steps of:

a) providing the clock face with graphical representations of said first and second display areas.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

a) said first display area is represented by a radially inner area of said clock face; and

b) said second display area is represented by a radially outer area of said clock face.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, including:

a) providing a graphical guide to enable the user to select time inputs.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, including the steps of:

a) selecting a point on said clock face;

b) determining whether said selected point is in said first display area or said second display area; and

,

c) calculating the time value corresponding to said selected point.

5. The method as claimed in 4, wherein said graphical guide includes a plurality of angularly spaced apart markers positioned about the center of said clock face.

7. In a computer system that includes a graphical user interface and a user operable pointing device for providing graphical user interface input, a method of indicating a time value and providing user input of a time value, which comprises the steps of:

a) displaying the time value using a graphical representation of an analog clock including a clock face with an hour hand and a minute hand;

b) providing a first display area represented by a radially inner area of said clock face, for user input via the pointing device to set one of said hands;

c) providing a second display area, separate from the first display area and represented by a radially outer area of said clock face, for user input via the pointing device to set the other of said hands; and

,

d) automatically updating the time value and the display thereof to reflect user input.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

a) user input with said pointing device to said first display area changes the position of said hour hand; and

b) user input with said pointing device to said second display area changes the position of said minute hand.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, including:

a) providing a graphical guide to enable the user to select time inputs.

11. The method as claimed in claim 7, including the steps of:

a) selecting a point on said clock face;

b) determining whether said selected point is in said first display area or said second display area; and

,

c) calculating the time value corresponding to said selected point.

10. The method as claimed in 9, wherein said graphical guide includes a plurality of angularly spaced apart markers positioned about the center of said clock face.

12. In a computer system that includes a graphical user interface and a user operable pointing device for providing graphical user interface input, a method of indicating a time value and providing user input of a time value, which comprises the steps of:

a) displaying the time value using a graphical representation of an analog clock including a clock face with an hour hand and a minute hand;

b) providing a first display area on said clock face for user input via the pointing device to set the hour hand;

c) providing a second display area on said clock face, separate from the first display area, for user input via the pointing device to set the minute hand;

d) selecting a point on said clock face;

e) determining whether said selected point is in said first display area or said second display area;

f) calculating the time value corresponding to said selected point; and

,

g) automatically updating the time value and the display thereof to reflect user input.