Graphical menu providing simultaneous multiple command selection

• US 5,745,717 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 04/28/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nancy Weyl, Vayda, Mark
• Original Assignee: Nancy Weyl, Vayda, Mark
• Inventors: Vayda, Mark, Weyl, Nancy
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Phu K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vo, Cliff N.
• Application Number:
  US08/486,238
• Time in Patent Office: 1,056 Days
• Field of Search: 395/156, 395/161, 395/352, 395/353, 395/348, 345/146, 345/168, 345/169
• US Class Current: 715/834
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0236 using selection techniques to select from displayed items
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus

Abstract

A computer system comprises a processor, a program memory, coupled to the processor, for storing programs executed by the processor, and a display, coupled to the processor, for displaying images under control of the programs executed by the processor. The programs stored in the program memory including at least one menu driven program for creating a graphical display on the display. A menu generating system is provided, cooperating with the at least one menu driven program, for displaying at least one menu on the display. Each menu comprises a focus position and a horizontal menu bar extending through the focus position having a plurality of first commands distributed horizontally therein, one of the first commands being located substantially at the focus position, and a vertical menu bar extending through the focus position having a plurality of second commands distributed horizontally therein, one of the second commands being located substantially at the focus position.

Claims

1. A computer system comprising:

a processor means;

a program memory means, coupled to the processor means, for storing programs executed by the processor;

a display means, coupled to the processor means, for displaying images under control of the programs executed by the processor means;

the programs stored in the program memory including at least one menu driven program for creating a graphical display on the display means;

a menu generating means, cooperating with the at least one menu driven program, for displaying at least one menu on the display means;

each menu comprising;

a focus position;

a first menu bar extending through the focus position having a first plurality of commands distributed therein, one of the first plurality of commands being located substantially at the focus position; and

a second menu bar extending through the focus position having a second plurality of commands distributed horizontally therein, one of the second plurality of commands being located substantially at the focus position.

2. The computer system of claim 1 further comprising:

a user input means, connected to the menu generating means, for selecting one of the first and second plurality of commands for execution;

wherein the processor means executes the commands selected from the first and second plurality of commands.

3. The computer system of claim 2 wherein the menu generating means is responsive to the user input means to permit a user to scroll through the first and second plurality of commands that are located substantially at the focus position.

4. The computer system of claim 2 further comprising:

means for scrolling through the first commands on the first menu bar such that each of the first plurality of commands are located at the focus position;

means for scrolling through the second commands on the second menu bar such that each of the second plurality of commands are located at the focus position;

means for activating the commands from the first and second plurality of commands located substantially at the focus position; and

wherein the processor means executes the commands activated from the first and second plurality of commands.

5. The computer system of claim 2 wherein said user input means comprises a mouse.

6. The computer system of claim 1 wherein the first and second menu bars divide the shape into quadrants.

7. The computer system of claim 6 wherein sub-command selection menus are presented in at least one of the quadrants.

8. The computer system of claim 7 wherein the sub-command selection menu are activated by snapping the highlighter from the focus position into the quadrant containing that sub-command selection menu.

9. The computer system of claim 2 further comprising a selection display providing an illustration of the effect of the execution of the selected command from the first and second plurality of commands.

10. The computer system of claim 1 wherein commands distributed in the first and second menu bar comprise generic commands having specific commands corresponding therewith and further comprising:

user input means, connected to the menu generating means, for requesting a specific command menu.

11. The computer system of claim 10 wherein the menu generating means is responsive to the specific command menu request to generate a highlighter at the focus position and specific command menu headings radially distributed about the focus position;

wherein the user input means is capable of indicating a directional selection by the user; and

wherein the menu generating means is responsive to the directional selection to move the highlighter in a corresponding direction on the menu and present a specific command menu corresponding to the generic command and the direction of highlighter movement.

12. A computer system comprising:

a processor means;

a program memory means, coupled to the processor means, for storing programs executed by the processor;

a display means, coupled to the processor means, for displaying images under control of the programs executed by the processor means;

the programs stored in the program memory including at least one menu driven program for creating a graphical display on the display means;

a menu generating means, cooperating with the at least one menu driven program, for displaying at least one menu on the display means;

each menu comprising;

a focus position;

a plurality of menu bars extending through the focus position and having a plurality of commands distributed therein, one of the plurality of commands being located substantially at the focus position.

13. The computer system of claim 12 further comprising:

user input means, connected to the menu generating means, for selecting a command from the plurality of commands of each of the plurality of menu bars; and

wherein the processor means executes each of the commands selected.

14. The computer system of claim 13 wherein the menu generating means is responsive to the user input means to permit a user to scroll through the selected command from the plurality of commands located substantially at the focus position.

15. The computer system of claim 13 further comprising:

means for scrolling through the plurality of commands on the each of the plurality of menu bars such that each of the plurality of commands of each of the plurality of menu bars are located at the focus position.

16. The computer system of claim 12 wherein at least one of the plurality of menu bars comprises at least one scroll position.

17. The computer system of claim 16 wherein the user input means is responsive to snap into one of the scroll positions.

18. The computer system of claim 17 wherein the menu generating means is responsive to the user input means to scroll through the commands on the plurality of menu bars having the at least one scroll position from the at least one scroll position.

19. The computer system of claim 12 further comprising means for "PARK"ing a command such that the command becomes a permanent resident key.

20. The computer system of claim 12 further comprising means for adjusting the menu according to indications received from the user input means.

21. The computer system of claim 20 wherein the means for adjusting adjusts the size of the menu.

22. The computer system of claim 12 further comprising means for adjusting the menu according to indications received from the user input means.

23. The computer system of claim 22 wherein the means for adjusting rotates the command bars around the focus position.

24. A computer system comprising:

a processor means;

a program memory means, coupled to the processor means, for storing programs executed by the processor;

a display means, coupled to the processor means, for displaying images under control of the programs executed by the processor means;

the programs stored in the program memory including at least one menu driven program for creating a graphical display on the display means;

a menu generating means, cooperating with the at least one menu driven program, for displaying at least one menu on the display means;

each menu comprising;

a focus position;

a horizontal menu bar extending through the focus position having a plurality of first commands distributed horizontally therein, one of the first commands being located substantially at the focus position; and

a vertical menu bar extending through the focus position having a plurality of second commands distributed horizontally therein, one of the second commands being located substantially at the focus position.

25. A method of operating a computer system having a menu driven program for generating a graphical display operating thereon, the method comprising the steps of:

generating a menu comprising a focus position and a plurality of menu bars extending through the focus position and having a plurality of commands distributed therein, one of the plurality of commands of each menu bar being located substantially at the focus position;

inputting a direction indicative signal from a user;

scrolling through the commands on the menu bar arranged along a radius most closely correlated to the direction of the direction indicative signal; and

selecting the commands of each of the menu bars located substantially at the focus position.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising the step of executing the commands selected.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein the step of moving a highlighter is a snap.