Computer interface method and system

• US 5,943,055 A
• Filed: 03/16/1995
• Issued: 08/24/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: U S West Inc.
• Inventors: Sylvan, Loren M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brier, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEWIS, DAVID LEE
• Application Number:
  US08/412,312
• Time in Patent Office: 1,622 Days
• Field of Search: 345/146, 345/156, 345/112, 345/349, 345/339, 345/351, 345/356, 395/200, 395/326-358, 379/93.17, 379/93.23, 379/110.01, 379/201, 379/204, 379/206, 455/556, 455/557, 455/566
• US Class Current: 715/839
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04895 Guidance during keyboard input operation, e.g. prompting
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2473 Telephone terminals interfacing a personal computer, e.g. using an API (Application Programming Interface) details of API H04M7/0021
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2478 Telephone terminals specially adapted for non-voice services, e.g. email, internet access centralized arrangements where telephones services are combined H04M7/0024; for recording text messages H04M3/5322; for accessing Internet H04M3/4938
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27475 using interactive graphical means or pictorial representations

Abstract

A method and system are disclosed for processing and presenting graphic objects using a telephone station at which a user is capable of performing a number of functions. The telephone station includes a computer and a display device having a display screen adapted to cooperate with a pointing device. The method includes displaying graphic objects including foreground and background icons on the display screen. The method also includes selecting one of the foreground icons using the pointing device to identify a desired application, and displaying an application window containing graphic objects representing the functions of the desired application. The method further includes selecting one of the graphic objects using the pointing device to identify the function to be performed.

Claims

1. A method for processing and presenting graphic objects at a telephone station at which a user is capable of performing a number of functions, the telephone station including a computer and a display device connected to the computer, the display device having a display screen adapted to cooperate with a pointing device for inputing data to the computer through the display device and for selecting the graphic objects displayed on the display screen, the method comprising the steps of:

displaying on the display screen at least one non-selectable low intensity background icon representing an application category for applications having commonality;

displaying on the display screen at least one user selectable foreground icon superimposed over a background icon, the foreground icon representing an application having a group of functions, the foreground icon occupying a surface area less than the surface area of the background icon;

selecting one of the foreground icons using the pointing device to identify the application;

displaying an application window on the display screen based on the step of selecting, the application window containing at least one graphic object, the at least one graphic object representing one of the functions; and

selecting the at least one graphic object displayed on the display screen using the pointing device to identify the function to be performed.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of displaying an application window includes the step of redisplaying the background icons and foreground icons on the display screen.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of displaying an application window includes the step of visually highlighting the selected foreground icon on the display screen.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of displaying an advertising window on the display screen.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

displaying at least one graphic input object on the display screen to prompt the user of the system to input data with the pointing device required by the identified function; and

transmitting the input data to the computer using the pointing device to select the at least one input object on the display screen.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the at least one graphic input object is selected from the group consisting essentially of buttons, icons, graphic tablets and text.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of transmitting the input data includes using the pointing device to create handwritten messages on the screen display.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of transmitting the input data includes the step of converting analog audio data into digital audio data at the telephone station.

9. A system for processing and presenting graphic objects at a telephone station at which a user is capable of performing a number of functions, the telephone station including a computer and a display device connected to the computer, the display device having a display screen adapted to cooperate with a pointing device for inputing data to the computer through the display device and for selecting graphic objects displayed on the display screen, the system comprising the steps of:

means for displaying on the display screen at least one non-selectable low intensity background icon representing an application category for applications having commonality,

means for displaying on the display screen at least one user selectable foreground icon superimposed over a background icon, the foreground icon representing an application having a group of functions, the foreground icon occupying a surface area less than the surface area of the background icon;

means for detecting a selection of one of the foreground icons;

means for displaying an application window on the display screen based on the step of selecting, the application window containing at least one graphic object, the at least one graphic object representing one of the functions; and

means for detecting a selection of the at least one graphic object on the display screen.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the means for displaying an application window includes means for redisplaying the background icons and foreground icons on the display screen.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the means for displaying an application window includes means for visually highlighting the selected foreground icon on the display screen.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein the pointing device is operable by the user to input data to the computer through the display device and to select objects displayed on the display screen by touching the display screen.

13. The system of claim 9 further comprising means for displaying an advertising window on the display screen.

14. The system of claim 9 further comprising:

means for displaying at least one input object on the display screen to prompt the user of the system to input data with the pointing device required by the identified function; and

means for transmitting the input data to the computer using the pointing device to select the at least one input object on the display screen.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the means for transmitting the input data includes means for creating handwritten messages on the screen display.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein the means for transmitting the input data includes means for converting analog audio data into digital audio data at the telephone station.