Docking and floating menu/tool bar
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method of manipulating information, comprising the steps of:
- (a) displaying a visual representation of the information in a window on a monitor connected to the computer;
(b) displaying a selectively docking and floating generic menu/tool bar on the monitor connected to the computer in conjunction with the display of the window, wherein the menu/tool bar includes selectable functions for manipulating the displayed visual representation of the information;
(c) when docking mode is selected, then selecting a window to be active from a plurality of windows, and automatically attaching the menu/tool bar to the said selected window; and
(d) when floating mode is selected, automatically floating the menu/tool bar apart from the window.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing a selectively docking and floating menu/tool bar for windows displayed on a monitor connected to a computer. The docking or floating nature of the menu/tool bar is selectable by the user, generally by selecting either a docking mode or floating mode from a menu displayed on the monitor. When floating mode is selected, the menu/tool bar automatically floats apart from the window. When docking mode is selected, the menu/tool bar automatically docks adjacent to the window. In floating mode, the selection of a window as an "active" window results in the activation of the menu/tool bar. In docking mode, the selection of a window as an "active" window results in the activation and immediate docking of the menu/tool bar to that window. Thereafter, any manipulation of the active window results in an identical manipulation of the docking menu/tool bar.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A computer-implemented method of manipulating information, comprising the steps of:
-
(a) displaying a visual representation of the information in a window on a monitor connected to the computer; (b) displaying a selectively docking and floating generic menu/tool bar on the monitor connected to the computer in conjunction with the display of the window, wherein the menu/tool bar includes selectable functions for manipulating the displayed visual representation of the information; (c) when docking mode is selected, then selecting a window to be active from a plurality of windows, and automatically attaching the menu/tool bar to the said selected window; and (d) when floating mode is selected, automatically floating the menu/tool bar apart from the window. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A computer-implemented apparatus for manipulating information, comprising:
-
(a) a computer with a monitor connected thereto; (b) means, performed by the computer, for displaying a visual representation of the information in a window on the monitor connected to the computer; (c) means, performed by the computer, for displaying a selectively docking an generic menu/tool bar on the monitor connected to the computer in conjunction with the display of the window, wherein the menu/tool bar includes selectable functions for manipulating the displayed visual representation of the information; (d) when docking mode is selected, then selecting a window to be active from a plurality of windows, and automatically attaching the menu/tool bar to the said selected window; and (e) when floating mode is selected, automatically floating the menu/tool bar apart from the window. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. An article of manufacture comprising a program storage medium readable by a computer and embodying one or more instructions executable by the computer to perform method steps for manipulating information, the method comprising the steps of:
-
(a) displaying a visual representation of the information in a window on a monitor connected to the computer; (b) displaying a selectively docking and floating generic menu/tool bar on the monitor connected to the computer in conjunction with the display of the window, wherein the menu/tool bar includes selectable functions for manipulating the displayed visual representation of the information; (c) when docking mode is selected, then selecting a window to be active from a plurality of windows, and automatically attaching the menu/tool bar to the said selected window; and (d) when floating mode is selected, automatically floating the menu/tool bar apart from the window. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
Specification