Computer human interface with multiapplication display
First Claim
1. A human interface in a data processing system, said interface comprising:
- display means for displaying a window;
means for representing information in at least two device-independent pictures;
means permitting a portion of said information of a first one of said pictures to be accessed by at least first and second independent applications and for permitting a portion of said information of a second one of said pictures to be accessed by at least third and fourth independent applications, wherein each of said portions comprises a plurality of picture elements which are uniquely linked with said respective applications, said picture elements of said first and second applications being intermingled, and said picture elements of said third and fourth applications being intermingled;
a picture manager process for controlling independently the picture elements linked with each of said respective applications; and
means for displaying said portions of information of each of said pictures in said window of said display means such that information representing said first and second applications is displayed in an intermingled manner and information representing said third and fourth applications is displayed in the intermingled manner.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a computer human interface an abstract, device-independent "picture" is capable of containing multi-application information. A picture comprises a number of abstract picture elements which can be arbitrarily combined. A particular application attributes meaning to a particular organization of picture elements. No one application need be aware of the existence of any other, nor is it affected by any other, even though several applications may be sharing the same picture. A single, cohesive visual image, incorporating information from various applications, is presented on a suitable output device, such as a video display unit. Images representing portions of any or all of the applications can be displayed and updated on the output device simultaneously and independently of one another. User interface interface information, such as menus, icons, prompts, and help text, is also contained in the picture and may be displayed simultaneously with the application image(s).
78 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A human interface in a data processing system, said interface comprising:
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display means for displaying a window; means for representing information in at least two device-independent pictures; means permitting a portion of said information of a first one of said pictures to be accessed by at least first and second independent applications and for permitting a portion of said information of a second one of said pictures to be accessed by at least third and fourth independent applications, wherein each of said portions comprises a plurality of picture elements which are uniquely linked with said respective applications, said picture elements of said first and second applications being intermingled, and said picture elements of said third and fourth applications being intermingled; a picture manager process for controlling independently the picture elements linked with each of said respective applications; and means for displaying said portions of information of each of said pictures in said window of said display means such that information representing said first and second applications is displayed in an intermingled manner and information representing said third and fourth applications is displayed in the intermingled manner. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification