Method and system for facilitating the selection of icons

• US 5,740,390 A
• Filed: 09/17/1996
• Issued: 04/14/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Pickover, Clifford A., Schwartz, Michael Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KATBAB, ABDOLLAH
• Application Number:
  US08/715,158
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• Field of Search: 395/348, 395/349
• US Class Current: 715/835
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04895 Guidance during keyboard input operation, e.g. prompting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/977 Dynamic icon, e.g. animated or live action

Abstract

A method and system for facilitating the selection of one or more of a plurality of icons located on a computer display. A selection is made, from a plurality of icons, of one or more icons to announce itself, such that one or more selected icons is provided. Each of the one or more selected icons makes an announcement. In one example, the announcement includes a designation of the icon making the announcement. Further, the announcement may include sound or a display on the computer display. In one embodiment, in order to select the one or more icons to announce itself, a location of a cursor positioned on the computer display is determined and a further determination is made as to which of the plurality of icons are within a predetermined distance from the location. Those icons within the predetermined distance are the selected icons.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating selection of one of a plurality of icons located on a computer display, said method comprising the steps of:

moving a cursor located on said computer display within a predetermined distance from an icon to be selected, said predetermined distance being close to, but not touching said icon; and

selecting said icon when said cursor has moved within said predetermined distance.

2. A method for facilitating selection of one or more of a plurality of icons located on a computer display, said method comprising the steps of:

selecting from said plurality of icons one or more icons to announce itself, such that one or more selected icons is provided; and

having each of said one or more selected icons make an announcement.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said selecting step comprises:

determining a location of a cursor positioned on said computer display; and

determining which of said plurality of icons are within a predetermined distance from said location, wherein those icons within said predetermined distance are selected icons.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said announcement comprises a designation of the icon making the announcement.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein said announcement comprises indicating to a cursor located on said computer display which direction to move in order to select a particular icon.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein said announcement comprises one of sound and a display on said computer display.

7. A system for facilitating selection of one of a plurality of icons located on a computer display, said system comprising:

means for moving a cursor located on said computer display within a predetermined distance from an icon to be selected, said predetermined distance being close to, but not touching said icon; and

means for selecting said icon when said cursor has moved within said predetermined distance.

8. A system for facilitating selection of one or more of a plurality of icons located on a computer display, said system comprising:

means for selecting from said plurality of icons one or more icons to announce itself, such that one or more selected icons is provided; and

means for having each of said one or more selected icons make an announcement.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said selecting means comprises:

means for determining a location of a cursor positioned on said computer display; and

means for determining which of said plurality of icons are within a predetermined distance from said location, wherein those icons within said predetermined distance are selected icons.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein said announcement comprises a designation of the icon making the announcement.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein said announcement comprises indicating to a cursor located on said computer display which direction to move in order to select a particular icon.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein said announcement comprises one of sound and a display on said computer display.