Auto selecting scrolling device

• US 5,363,481 A
• Filed: 06/22/1992
• Issued: 11/08/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tektronix Incorporated (Fortive Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Tektronix Incorporated (Fortive Corp.)
• Inventors: Tilt, Christopher E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Application Number:
  US07/902,250
• Time in Patent Office: 869 Days
• Field of Search: 395/156, 395/155, 395/157, 395/160, 345/123, 345/124, 345/119
• US Class Current: 715/814
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/973 Scroll tool, e.g. window scroll bar

Abstract

An auto selecting scrolling device is an improved user interface for viewing and making selection of a parameter from a menu. When a device, used to scroll through a menu, is activated the menu appears. A timer with user preset time limit is started. As long as the scrolling device is being used to scroll through the parameters in the menu, the timer is reset. While the scrolling is taking place the parameters are not only highlighted but also magnified. If the menu is no longer being scrolled through, then the timer expires upon attaining the user set limit. When the timer expires, the last highlighted parameter is selected and the menu is closed.

Claims

1. A method of selecting a parameter from a list of parameters within a menu displayed on a computer based method comprising the steps of:

opening a menu;

starting a timer as the menu is opened;

scrolling through the list of parameters within the menu;

resetting the timer while scrolling;

restarting the timer whenever scrolling ceases; and

selecting the last parameter scrolled to when the timer expires.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein opening the menu comprises the step of activating a scrolling device.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of presetting a timer to a predetermined time interval.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein each parameter is highlighted and magnified while it is scrolled to.