Method and apparatus for directly selecting and signalling start and stop times in an electronic calendar
First Claim
1. An improved method for directly selecting and signalling a start time and a stop time for a new event being scheduled by a user on an electronic calendar of a data processing system which includes a pointing device, comprising the steps of:
- positioning a pointer associated with the pointing device in a predesignated time selection area of the calendar;
automatically displaying user oriented instructions on said pointer upon entrance of said pointer to said selection area;
selecting a desired start time with said pointer from a time line of the electronic calendar for the event being scheduled;
automatically displaying new user oriented instructions on said pointer subsequent to selecting said start time; and
selecting a desired stop time with said pointer from said time line of the electronic calendar for said event.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pointer associated with a computer pointing device is used to give instructions to the user of a computer program as to what actions are expected/required from the user. Upon placing the pointer in a predesignated action area of a panel of the computer program, the pointer is automatically changed to an action required pointer to indicate what the user is expected and/or required to do. Additionally, the pointer is used to directly designate a time, for example, a start and/or stop time for an event to be scheduled on an electronic calendar program. By placing the pointer at the appropriate time on a time line and activating the pointing device, the time is selected.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An improved method for directly selecting and signalling a start time and a stop time for a new event being scheduled by a user on an electronic calendar of a data processing system which includes a pointing device, comprising the steps of:
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positioning a pointer associated with the pointing device in a predesignated time selection area of the calendar; automatically displaying user oriented instructions on said pointer upon entrance of said pointer to said selection area; selecting a desired start time with said pointer from a time line of the electronic calendar for the event being scheduled; automatically displaying new user oriented instructions on said pointer subsequent to selecting said start time; and selecting a desired stop time with said pointer from said time line of the electronic calendar for said event. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A data processing system for directly selecting and signalling a start time and a stop time for a new event being scheduled by a user of an electronic calendar associated with the data processing system, comprising:
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means for positioning a pointer associated with the pointing device in a predesignated time selection area of the calendar; means for automatically displaying user oriented instructions on said pointer upon entrance of said pointer to said selection area; means for selecting a desired start time with said pointer from a time line of the electronic calendar for the event being scheduled; means for automatically displaying new user oriented instructions on said pointer subsequent to selecting said start time; and means for selecting a desired stop time with said pointer from said time line of the electronic calendar for said event. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification