Computer system with direct manipulation interface and method of operating same
First Claim
1. A computer system with direct manipulation interface, comprising:
- a display screen;
a pointing means capable of indicating a position on said display screen;
image-producing means for displaying an image on said display screen, said image including one or more task-calling areas, each of said task-calling areas being individually selectable and each of said task-calling areas being associated with a predefined task to be performed by said computer system;
handle-generating means for generating one or more handle areas associated with and proximal to at least one said task-calling area on said display screen if a handle-generating signal associated with said task-calling area is generated, each of said handle areas corresponding to an interface-modifying operation to be performed by said computer system on said task-calling area, said handle areas being removable in response to a handle-removing signal;
editing means for causing said computer system to respond, if any one of said handle areas is selected, by effecting the task-calling area interface-modifying operation corresponding to said selected handle area; and
task-performing means for causing said computer system to respond, if any one of said task-calling areas is selected, by performing the predefined task associated with said selected task-calling area, when said handle areas are currently being displayed on said display screen.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer system, including a display screen and a direct input device such as a mouse, with a direct manipulation interface, through which the user can not only cause the computer to perform a predefined task by selectively indicating a symbol representing the task but also edit such symbols and their attributes by causing handle-like figures to appear on the screen near the symbol to be edited. The system is operable in two modes. One is a use mode for having a predefined task carried out and no handle-like figures are shown. The other is an edit-and-use mode wherein the user can cause the handle-like figures to appear or disappear but can also carry out every task that can be carried out in the use mode regardless of whether or not these figures are being displayed.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer system with direct manipulation interface, comprising:
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a display screen; a pointing means capable of indicating a position on said display screen; image-producing means for displaying an image on said display screen, said image including one or more task-calling areas, each of said task-calling areas being individually selectable and each of said task-calling areas being associated with a predefined task to be performed by said computer system; handle-generating means for generating one or more handle areas associated with and proximal to at least one said task-calling area on said display screen if a handle-generating signal associated with said task-calling area is generated, each of said handle areas corresponding to an interface-modifying operation to be performed by said computer system on said task-calling area, said handle areas being removable in response to a handle-removing signal; editing means for causing said computer system to respond, if any one of said handle areas is selected, by effecting the task-calling area interface-modifying operation corresponding to said selected handle area; and task-performing means for causing said computer system to respond, if any one of said task-calling areas is selected, by performing the predefined task associated with said selected task-calling area, when said handle areas are currently being displayed on said display screen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of operating a computer system having a display screen and a pointing device capable of indicating a position on said screen, said method comprising the steps of:
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displaying an image on said display screen, said image including one or more task-calling areas, each of said task-calling areas being individually selectable and each of said task-calling areas being associated with a predefined task to be performed by said computer system; generating one or more handle areas associated with and proximal to at least one said task-calling area on said display screen if a handle-generating signal associated with said task-calling area is generated, each of said handle areas corresponding to an interface-modifying operation to be performed by said computer system on said task-calling area, said handle areas being removable in response to a handle-removing signal; causing said computer system to respond, if any one of said handle areas is selected, by effecting the task-calling area interface-modifying operation corresponding to said selected handle area; and causing said computer system to respond, if any one of said task-calling areas is selected, by performing the predefined task associated with said selected task-calling area, when said handle areas are currently being displayed on said display screen. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification