GUI pushbutton with multi-function mini-button

• US 5,736,985 A
• Filed: 07/02/1996
• Issued: 04/07/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Activision Publishing Incorporated (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Lection, David Bruce, Molander, Mark Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Breene, John E.
• Application Number:
  US08/674,373
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• Field of Search: 345/326-358, 345/145-146, 345/902
• US Class Current: 715/840
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34

Abstract

The present invention enhances the usability of a pushbutton in a graphical user interface (GUI) by allowing for multi-function pushbuttons where the secondary function can be one of many alternatives. This allows a user to have a straight-forward graphical interface to actuating functions that does not clutter the screen, yet still has the ability to offer many combinations of functions.

Claims

1. A method of providing a computer graphical user interface, utilizing a screen interface and a pointing device controlling a pointer, to a plurality of related functions comprising:

selecting a first displayed pushbutton, representing a first function, through the appropriate positioning of the pointer by way of said pointing device;

determining whether a mini-button exists within said first displayed pushbutton;

selecting one of a plurality of second functions available for said mini-button by using said pointing device;

invoking said first function and said selected second function sequentially by causing the pointing device to generate a selection signal while the pointer is positioned within either the pushbutton or the mini-button.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein one of said plurality of functions is chosen by clicking on button two of the pointing device to cycle through the plurality of functions.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein one of said plurality of functions is chosen by applying pressure to a touch screen in the area beside or ontop of the mini-button indicated by shadow boxes.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein one of said plurality of functions is chosen by double-clicking a pointing device.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the function related to said second actuating button can be a null function.

6. A method of providing a computer graphical user interface, utilizing a screen interface and a pointing device controlling a pointer, to a plurality of related functions comprising:

selecting a first displayed pushbutton, representing a first function, through the appropriate positioning of the pointer by way of said pointing device;

determining whether a mini-button exists within said first displayed pushbutton;

selecting one of a plurality of second functions available for said mini-button by using said pointing device;

invoking said first function if the pointing device is caused to generate a selection signal while the pointer is positioned within the pushbutton but not within the mini-button; and

,

invoking said first function and said selected second function sequentially by causing the pointing device to generate a selection signal while the pointer is positioned within the mini-button.

7. A data processing system comprising:

a processing unit;

a display area;

a pointing device; and

,

a graphical user interface further comprising;

means for actuating a graphical pushbutton related to a first function;

means for actuating a graphical mini-button related to one of a plurality of second functions.

8. The data processing system of claim 7 wherein a desired second function is chosen from said plurality of second functions by a predefined "clicking" pattern using said pointing device.

9. The data processing system of claim 8 wherein said predefined "clicking" pattern is a single click with mouse button two.

10. The data processing system of claim 9 wherein said predefined "clicking" pattern is a double click with a pen or a single "click" with the pen while holding a pen button down.

11. The data processing system of claims 7 or 8 wherein one of said second functions is a null function.

12. The data processing system of claim 11 wherein either the means for actuating the graphical pushbutton or the means for actuating the graphical mini-button will cause both the first function and the second function to be invoked.

13. A computer program product including a graphical user interface comprising:

a computer-readable storage medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium, said computer readable program code means comprising;

computer instruction means for means for actuating a graphical pushbutton related to a first function;

computer instruction means for actuating a graphical mini-button related to one of a plurality of second functions.

14. A computer program product as claimed in claim 13, wherein a desired second function is chosen from said plurality of second function by a predefined "clicking" pattern using a pointing means.