Relocatable menu icon for accessing an application in a graphical user interface
First Claim
1. A method of providing access to a first application in a graphical user interface, comprising the steps of:
- a) determining if a first window is associated with the first application, wherein the first window has a current focus;
b) placing a menu icon within a distance D of an end of a title bar of the first window, if the first application is not associated with the first window; and
c) providing a menu associated with the first application if the menu icon is selected.
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Abstract
A computer-implemented method of providing access to a first application in a graphical user interface is described. For a first window having the current focus, a determination is made as to whether the first window is associated with the first application. A menu icon is placed within a title bar of the first window if the first application is not associated with the first window. A menu associated with the first application is provided if the menu icon is selected. A method of proportionate placement of the menu icon when resizing or switching between windows is also described. A computer implemented method of repositioning a menu icon is provided to maintain proportional location of the menu icon when switching from a first application window to a second application window or when forming a second application window by resizing the first application window. A new location, d, for the menu icon is computed from d=l*D/L wherein l represents the length of the second application window title bar, L represents the length of the first application window title bar, and D represents the distance from the menu icon to an end of the first application window title bar. The menu icon is then located at the distance, d, from a corresponding end of the second application window title bar. These methods help ensure ready access to an application in a graphical user interface regardless of focus changes, window position, window movement, or window resizing.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of providing access to a first application in a graphical user interface, comprising the steps of:
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a) determining if a first window is associated with the first application, wherein the first window has a current focus; b) placing a menu icon within a distance D of an end of a title bar of the first window, if the first application is not associated with the first window; and c) providing a menu associated with the first application if the menu icon is selected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of repositioning a menu icon located within a distance D of an end of a title bar of a first window, the menu icon capable of providing a menu associated with a first application, the first application not associated with the first window, comprising the steps of:
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a) determining if a second window will obscure at least a portion of the first window; b) determining if the second window is within a distance, l, of the menu icon; and c) repositioning the menu icon to a new location within the first window, wherein the menu icon is not within a distance, l, of the second window. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of repositioning a menu icon located within a distance D of an end of a title bar of a first window, the menu icon capable of providing a menu associated with a first application, the first application not associated with the first window, comprising the steps of:
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a) determining if an edge of a display device is within a distance, l, of the menu icon, wherein at least a portion of the first window is displayed on the display device; and b) repositioning the menu icon to a new location within the first window, wherein the menu icon is not within the distance, l, of the edge of the display device, wherein the new location is within a viewing area of the display device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method of relocating a menu icon in a graphical user interface, comprising the steps of:
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a) determining if a triggering event has occurred; b) determining if the menu icon is obscured by another graphical object, the menu icon capable of providing a menu associated with a first application, wherein the menu icon is located within a distance D of an end of a title bar of a first window of a second application; c) determining if the menu icon can be relocated to a first area within a viewing area of a display device. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification