Method and system for providing size adjustment for a maximized window in a computer system graphical user interface

• US 6,141,008 A
• Filed: 03/20/1992
• Issued: 10/31/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Bloomfield, Marc Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Mark K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vo, Cliff N.
• Application Number:
  US07/854,257
• Time in Patent Office: 3,147 Days
• Field of Search: 395/155, 395/157, 395/158, 395/161, 345/326, 345/333, 345/334, 345/339, 345/340, 345/341, 345/342, 345/343, 345/344, 345/345
• US Class Current: 715/800
• 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

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an improved mobile data processing device and a method of operating a mobile data processing device. The mobile data processing device includes a relatively small display screen. The present invention utilization by the mobile data processing device of an application which includes a plurality of screens which have been written for use in a data processing system having a relatively large display screen. When the application is loaded into the mobile data processing device and started, at least a portion of a particular one of the plurality of screens of the application is displayed on the relatively small display screen of the mobile data processing device. Next, the mobile data processing device is utilized to determine whether or not display items from said particular one of said plurality of screens are not fully displayed within said relatively small display screen of said mobile data processing device. If it is determined that said display items from said particular one of said plurality of screens are not fully displayed within said relatively small display screen of said mobile data processing device, then said mobile data processing device automatically generates a substitute screen for said particular one of said plurality of screens in said application. The substitute screen relocates said display items to render them visible on said relatively small display screen of said mobile data processing device.

Claims

1. A method for displaying a window on a computer screen in a computer system employing a graphical user interface which includes a pointer, said method comprising the steps of:

displaying on said computer screen a window including a periphery and a border being situated around said periphery;

maximizing said window to occupy substantially all of said computer screen;

locating said pointer on said border;

activating said pointer, and

moving said pointer to a desired location on said computer screen, said window changing in dimension in correspondence to said moving of said pointer on said computer screen.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said border completely surrounds the periphery of said window.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said window is rectangular.

4. A method for displaying on a computer screen in a computer system employing a graphical user interface which includes a pointer, said method comprising the steps of:

displaying on said computer screen a window including a periphery and a periphery border being situated around said periphery said window being maximized;

locating said pointer on said periphery border;

activating said pointer;

superimposing a sizing border on said periphery border;

moving said pointer to a desired location on said computer screen, said sizing border changing in dimension in correspondence to said moving of said pointer on said computer screen; and

the periphery border assuming said dimension of said sizing border when said pointer is inactivated.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said periphey border completely surrounds the periphery of said window.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein said window is rectangular.

7. A method for displaying a window on a computer display screen in a computer system employing a graphical user interface which includes a pointer and a pointing device, said method comprising the steps of:

displaying on said computer screen a window including a periphery and a first border being situated around said periphery;

maximizing said window to occupy substantially all of said computer screen;

locating said pointer on said first border by moving said pointer with said pointing device;

selecting said first border with said pointing device to create a sizing border initially superimposed on said first border and having dimensions substantially equal thereto;

dragging a portion of said sizing border from a first location on said computer screen to a second location on said computer screen to change said dimensions of said sizing border;

deselecting said sizing border with said pointing device, and

changing said first border to match said dimensions of the sizing border.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said first border completely surrounds the periphery of said window.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein said window is rectangular.

10. A data processing system for displaying a window on a computer screen in said data processing system, said data processing system having a graphical user interface which includes a pointer, said data processing system comprising:

means for displaying on said computer screen a window including a periphery and a border being situated around said periphery;

means for maximizing said window to occupy substantially all of said computer screen;

means for locating said pointer on said border;

means for activating said pointer;

means for moving said pointer to a desired location on said computer screen; and

means for changing said window in dimension in correspondence to said moving of said pointer on said screen.