Function designate method for designating a variety of functions to be performed by a control unit

• US 5,943,054 A
• Filed: 01/30/1996
• Issued: 08/24/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Hirano, Toru, Imaki, Kazuhiro, Hosokawa, Masumi, Monden, Kazumi, Shima, Akihide
• Primary Examiner(s): Lintz, Paul R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Alam, Hosain T.
• Application Number:
  US08/593,852
• Time in Patent Office: 1,302 Days
• Field of Search: 395/326, 395/333-335, 395/339, 395/347, 395/348, 395/349, 395/352-355, 345/348-354
• US Class Current: 715/827
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/532 Query formulation, e.g. graphical querying
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/54 Browsing; Visualisation therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99948 Application of database or data structure, e.g. distributed, multimedia, or image

Abstract

A function designate method for designating a variety of functions to be performed by a control unit. The method includes the step of displaying graphic icons under ordinary circumstances, which are for designating a variety of functions to the control unit on a display device. The method further includes displaying character icons, each of which includes one of the graphic icons and one character for designating a key on a keyboard, when a predetermined control key has been pressed. Also, the method includes a graphic icon by a cursor or simultaneously pressing the control key and a key corresponding to a character displayed together therewith. Finally, the method includes designating a function that has been allocated to the graphic icon to the control unit.

Claims

1. A function designate method for designating a variety of functions to be performed by a control unit, comprising:

displaying a plurality of graphic icons under ordinary circumstances, which are for designating a variety of functions and for specifying one of the graphic icons corresponding to the function to be executed by a cursor;

displaying character icons, each of which includes one of said graphic icons and one character for designating a key on a keyboard, when a predetermined control key has been pressed, in a case where a plurality of graphic icons are displayed;

specifying one of the graphic icons by simultaneously pressing the control key and a key corresponding to a character displayed with the graphic icon; and

designating a function that has been allocated to said graphic icon to the control unit.

2. A function designate method according to claim 1, wherein said one of the graphic icons and said one character are displayed together in the character icon so that they are capable of being recognized.