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Linear-viewing/radial-selection graphic for menu display

  • US 5,596,699 A
  • Filed: 02/02/1994
  • Issued: 01/21/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/02/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A computer menu selection system for pointing device selection of a plurality of menu options by a user, comprising:

  • a computer system for generating a plurality of option target areas, each target area corresponding to one of said menu options;

    said option target areas each in part comprising an active generally rectangular area responsive to pointing device selection which contains one of said menu options;

    said option target areas being disposed such that each of said rectangular areas is vertically arranged in one of two parallel columns, each column defining a generally vertical axis and to present said menu options as two vertically arranged lists, each list being justified along a line;

    said computer system including an origin establishing means for defining an origin point which is offset from each of said vertical axes;

    said option target areas each further comprising an active nonrectangular area responsive to pointing device selection and laterally adjacent said rectangular area and having a plurality of boundaries which converge at said origin point;

    whereby said option target areas are geometrically configured and arranged such that the user visually scans said list of menu options in a vertical direction and wherein said pointing device, when positioned at said origin point, allows a user to select any of said option target areas with substantially equal movement.

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