Method and system of docking panels
First Claim
1. A method of docking a first panel to a second panel, the first and second panels displayed on a display of a computer system, the method comprising the steps of:
- dragging the first panel towards the second panel;
dropping the first panel within a predetermined distance of the second panel; and
coupling the first panel to the second panel, wherein the first and second panels are both fully visible when coupled.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer program displaying a plurality of panels on the display of a computer system. Each panel contains one or more sets of tools, commands, and information displays that can be used to modify the contents of a window or document within the computer system. The panels can be docked by dragging a first panel and dropping it in proximity with a second panel while holding down a modifier key. When the panels are docked, a docking wedge is created between the panels. Docked panels can be moved as if the panels were a single panel. In addition, docked panels can be reduced in size by pressing a minimize button on any one of the docked panels. Panels can be undocked by either pressing the docking wedge or dragging a panel while holding down a modifier key. In response to either method of undocking, the docking wedge is removed and the panels become separate.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A method of docking a first panel to a second panel, the first and second panels displayed on a display of a computer system, the method comprising the steps of:
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dragging the first panel towards the second panel; dropping the first panel within a predetermined distance of the second panel; and coupling the first panel to the second panel, wherein the first and second panels are both fully visible when coupled. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computer system having a display displaying a plurality of panels, the computer system comprising:
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means for docking a first panel having a header bar and a minimize button with a second panel and displaying a docking wedge therebetween; means for dragging the docked panels via the header bar; means for zipping the panels when the minimize button is selected, the zipped panels including a zipped representation of the first panel and a zipped representation of the second panel; and means for undocking the panels when the docking wedge is selected. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A computer program product having a computer readable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon for displaying a plurality of panels on a display of a computer system having a processor and a memory, the computer program product comprising:
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means for docking the first and second panels, wherein selection of at least one button on either of said docked first and second panels operates as if a button on the other one of said docked first and second panels has also been selected; and means for displaying a docking wedge connecting the first and second panels. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A computer system having a display, the computer system comprising:
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means for displaying first and second panels on the display; means for dragging the first panel into proximity with the second panel; means for docking the first and second panels when the first panel is dragged into proximity with the second panel; means for graphically indicating whether the first and second panels are docked; and means for undocking the first and second panels. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification