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Time-space object containment for graphical user interface

  • US 5,404,439 A
  • Filed: 04/15/1992
  • Issued: 04/04/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A computer-implemented method for dynamically selecting objects created, modified or referenced at certain times and displayed at certain locations on a computer-controlled display device by manipulating an input device, comprising the steps:

  • (a) storing for each displayed object the time that it was created, modified or referenced and its location on the display,(b) providing means for a user manipulating the input device to invoke an object selector, said object selector when invoked tracing a path on the display,(c) providing means to establish and store space and time object selection criteria for selecting display objects, wherein the space object selection criterion comprises the location of a displayed object relative to the path traced on the display by the object selector, a displayed object satisfying the space object selection criterion when the displayed object location is within, or within a certain distance of, the path traced by the object selector, and the time object selection criterion comprises the time of creation, modification or reference of a displayed object relative to the time of creation, modification or reference of another displayed object satisfying the space object selection criterion, a displayed object satisfying the time object selection criterion when it was created modified or referenced at substantially the same time or within a certain time interval from that of said another displayed object,(d) manipulating the input device to invoke the object selector and thereby identify as selected one or more displayed objects that satisfy the space object selection criterion,(e) collecting the objects identified in step (d),(f) modifying the collection of objects established in step (e) by adding to the collection non-selected displayed objects that satisfy the time object selection criterion, or by deleting from the collection selected displayed objects that do not satisfy the time object selection criterion.

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