System and method for dual browser modes

• US 6,049,326 A
• Filed: 05/12/1997
• Issued: 04/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Unify GmbH & Co. KG (Atos SE)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Information And Communication Networks, Inc.
• Inventors: Beyda, William J., Shaffer, Shmuel
• Primary Examiner(s): Saras, Steven J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ENGLISH, ALECIA DIANE
• Application Number:
  US08/864,873
• Time in Patent Office: 1,065 Days
• Field of Search: 345/145, 345/146, 345/156, 345/157, 345/348
• US Class Current: 345/157
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus

Abstract

A system and method for determining the relative distances from a plurality of hyperlinks 206 to a cursor 202 when a select button is depressed. The relative distances are compared and the hyperlink corresponding to the shortest distance has its function activated. If the distances are determined to be identical or if the distances are determined to be within a predetermined range of one another, the hyperlinks 206 are not activated. Instead, the user positions the cursor 202 such that it is relatively closer to one of the two or more relatively equidistant hyperlinks 206 and clicks again.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a user interface including one or more hyperlinks activatable by clicking a cursor pointing device, comprising:

calculating distances in a predetermined area of a screen between a location of a cursor and positions of said one or more hyperlinks, said one or more hyperlinks defined by visible hyperlink regions and invisible framing regions, a predetermined number of said positions being defined by points on said framing regions of said one or more hyperlinks; and

selecting one of said one or more hyperlinks responsive to a determination that a distance between said location of said cursor and a position of said one is a minimum.

2. The method for controlling a user interface according to claim 1, wherein one or more of said positions are defined by predetermined edge points on edges of said framing regions of said one or more hyperlinks.

3. A computer system, comprising:

a central processing unit (CPU);

a cursor pointing device operably coupled to said CPU; and

a video monitor, said video monitor being configured to display a graphical user interface, said graphical user interface displaying a cursor controlled by said cursor pointing device and a plurality of hyperlinks, said hyperlinks defining a function to be performed by said CPU, said plurality of hyperlinks defined by visible hyperlink regions and invisible framing regions;

wherein said CPU is configured to calculate a distance between a cursor reference point on said cursor and a hyperlink reference point of said plurality of hyperlinks responsive to an input from said cursor pointing device, and is configured to activate a function defined by a closest of said hyperlinks to said cursor pointing device, one or more of said hyperlink reference points being points on framing regions of said one or more hyperlinks.

4. A computer system according to claim 3, wherein said CPU is further configured to monitor movement of said cursor prior to activating a function defined by a hyperlink if said CPU determines that two or more distances are within a predetermined value of one another.

5. A computer system comprising:

means for determining distances between a cursor on a video screen and points on framing regions of a plurality of hyperlinks on said video screen, said plurality of hyperlinks defined by visible hyperlink regions and invisible framing regions; and

means for actuating one of said hyperlinks as a function of said distances.

6. The computer system of claim 5, wherein said actuating means includes means for activating functions associated with said hyperlinks.

7. A computer system according to claim 6, wherein said determining means includes means for waiting for a movement of said cursor responsive to a determination that one or more of said hyperlinks are substantially equidistant to said cursor.

8. A computer system according to claim 7, wherein said determining means calculates said distances responsive to an input after said cursor is moved.