Linear-viewing/radial-selection graphic for menu display
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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Abstract
Elements of the value domain or option selections are displayed in two vertical, linear lists disposed in a menu structure having rectangular areas and nonrectangular areas. The nonrectangular areas have boundaries which radially diverge from an origin point at which the cursor is initially positioned. The origin point may be surrounded by a central zone which serves as a dead zone or optionally linked to a predefined option such as selection of a higher level menu. The resulting menu selection system results in a reduction in the physical effort expended to utilize the menu.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A computer menu selection system for pointing device selection of a plurality of menu options by a user, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification