Easily dismissed message windows

• US 6,169,548 B1
• Filed: 11/02/1998
• Issued: 01/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Haynes, Thomas Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hailu, Tadesse
• Application Number:
  US09/185,255
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 345/173, 345/343, 345/334, 345/157, 345/145, 345/156, 345/358, 345/339, 345/159, 345/333
• US Class Current: 715/857
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04895 Guidance during keyboard input operation, e.g. prompting

Abstract

A method and system for efficiently dismissing displayed message windows or dialog boxes in a data processing system which includes a graphical pointing device and a moveable cursor controlled by physical movement of the graphical pointing device. Each time a message window or dialog box is displayed, the position of the moveable cursor is monitored. A slight oscillation or “wiggle” in the position of the moveable cursor is then utilized to dismiss the message window or dialog box, eliminating the requirement that specific elements within the display be selected by the user in order to dismiss the message window.

Claims

1. A method for efficient dismissal of displayed message windows within a graphical user interface within a data processing system having a graphical pointing device and a displayed moveable cursor associated therewith, each displayed message window having a selection button for acknowledgment and dismissal of said message window, said method comprising the steps of:

monitoring a position of said displayed moveable cursor during display of a message window; and

dismissing said message window in response to a detected oscillation in position of said displayed moveable cursor.

2. The method for efficient dismissal of displayed message windows within a graphical user interface within a data processing system according to claim 1 wherein said step of dismissing said message window in response to a detected oscillation in position of displayed moveable cursor comprises the step of dismissing said message window in response to a detected small movement of said displayed moveable cursor in a first direction followed by a detected small movement of said displayed moveable cursor in a substantially opposite direction.

3. A system for efficient dismissal of displayed message windows within a graphical user interface within a data processing system having a graphical pointing device and a displayed moveable cursor associated therewith, each displayed message window having a selection button for acknowledgment and dismissal of said message window, said system comprising the steps of:

means for monitoring a position of said displayed moveable cursor during display of a message window; and

means for dismissing said message window in response to a detected oscillation in position of said displayed moveable cursor.

4. The system for efficient dismissal of displayed message windows within a graphical user interface within a data processing system according to claim 3 wherein said means of dismissing said message window in response to a detected oscillation in position of displayed moveable cursor comprises means for dismissing said message window in response to a detected small movement of said displayed moveable cursor in a first direction followed by a detected small movement of said displayed moveable cursor in a substantially opposite direction.

5. An apparatus for efficient dismissal of displayed message windows within a graphical user interface within a data processing system, said apparatus comprising:

a display coupled to said data processing system for displaying message windows each displayed message window having a selection button for acknowledgment and dismissal of said message window;

a graphical pointing device coupled to said data processing system;

a moveable cursor visually depicted within said display and moveable in response to manipulation of said graphical pointing device;

means for monitoring a position of said displayed moveable cursor during display of a message window; and

means for dismissing said message window in response to a detected oscillation in position of said displayed moveable cursor.

6. The apparatus for efficient dismissal of displayed message windows within a graphical user interface within a data processing system according to claim 5, wherein said display means comprises a cathode ray tube display.

7. The apparatus for efficient dismissal of displayed message windows within a graphical user interface within a date processing system according to claim 5, wherein said display means comprises a mouse.

8. The apparatus for efficient dismissal of displayed message windows within a graphical user interface within a data processing system according to claim 5 wherein said means of dismissing said message window in response to a detected oscillation in position of displayed moveable cursor comprises means for dismissing said message window in response to a detected small movement of said displayed moveable cursor in a first direction followed by a detected small movement of said displayed moveable cursor in a substantially opposite direction.