Virtual windows desktop

• US 5,841,435 A
• Filed: 07/26/1996
• Issued: 11/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Kelley, Edward E., Motika, Franco, Dauerer, Norman J.
• Primary Examiner(s): HUYNH, BA
• Application Number:
  US08/686,835
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 245/326, 245/329, 245/330, 245/331, 245/332, 245/339, 245/340, 245/342, 245/343, 245/344, 245/348, 245/345, 245/351
• US Class Current: 715/775
• 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

Abstract

A process for a virtual windows desktop system visually organizing multiple computer application objects on a computer screen comprising the steps of: 1) providing for a virtual display with application objects arranged thereon and having a virtual area larger than the screen when the application objects are resolvable on the screen; 2) providing for a physical display for displaying the application objects; 3) locating the physical display at a position corresponding to at least one of the application objects on the virtual display; 4) viewing the application object through the physical display; and 5) moving the physical display or a larger group of application objects in one single, continuous movement or one discreet movement anywhere on the virtual display. The process extends the windows work area within the virtual display area, beyond the physical limitations of the system'"'"'s display devices.

Claims

1. A process for visually organizing multiple computer application objects on a computer screen, said objects being adapted to execute a computer program with a graphical user interface comprising the steps of:

a) providing a virtual display, said virtual display adapted to display application objects arranged thereon, said virtual display having a single, continuous virtual area larger than the screen when said application objects are resolvable on the screen and configurable to any desired size;

b) providing a physical display adapted to be displayed on the screen or a portion thereof for displaying said application objects, said physical display being smaller than said virtual display;

c) moving said physical display in a single, continuous movement to locate said physical display at a position corresponding to at least one of said application objects on said virtual display;

d) viewing said at least one of said application objects through said physical display;

e) moving said physical display in discreet movements equal to the size of the physical display to locate said physical display at a position corresponding to another one of said application objects on said virtual display;

f) viewing said another one of said application objects through said physical display;

g) grouping a plurality of said application objects encompassing an area of said virtual display independent of the size of said physical display, together for viewing and moving as a group, and

h) moving the group of application objects on said virtual display with said physical display, and viewing said group through said physical display.

2. A process for visually organizing multiple computer application objects on a computer screen, said objects adapted to execute a computer program with a graphical user interface comprising the steps of:

a) providing a virtual display, said virtual display adapted to display application objects arranged thereon, said virtual display having a virtual area larger than the screen when said application objects are resolvable on the screen;

b) providing a physical display adapted to be displayed on the screen or a portion thereof for displaying said application objects;

c) locating said physical display at a position corresponding to at least one of said application objects on said virtual display;

d) viewing said application object through said physical display;

e) coupling said application object to said physical display; and

f) moving said physical display to effect simultaneous movement of said application object.

3. A process for visually organizing multiple computer application objects on a computer screen, said objects adapted to execute a computer program with a graphical user interface comprising the steps of:

a) providing a virtual display, said virtual display adapted to display application objects arranged thereon, said virtual display having a virtual area larger than the screen when said application objects are resolvable on the screen;

b) providing a physical display adapted to be displayed on the screen or a portion thereof for displaying said application objects;

c) locating said physical display at a position corresponding to at least one of said application objects on said virtual display;

d) viewing said application object through said physical display;

e) locking said virtual display or a portion thereof with a password; and

f) moving said physical display over the locked portion of said virtual display without viewing the contents of said virtual display.

4. A process for visually organizing multiple computer application objects as claimed in claim 3 and further comprising the step of unlocking said locked portion of said virtual display with a password.

5. A process for visually organizing multiple computer application objects on a computer screen, said objects adapted to execute a computer program with a graphical user interface comprising the steps of:

a) providing a virtual display, said virtual display adapted to display application objects arranged thereon, said virtual display having a virtual area larger than the screen when said application objects are resolvable on the screen;

b) providing a physical display adapted to be displayed on the screen or a portion thereof for displaying said application objects;

c) locating said physical display at a position corresponding to at least one of said application objects on said virtual display;

d) viewing said application object through said physical display; and

e) associating a plurality of said application objects to form a group for viewing through said physical display and moving with said physical display as a group on said virtual display.