Window splitter bar system

• US 6,195,094 B1
• Filed: 09/29/1998
• Issued: 02/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Netscape Communications Corporation (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Celebiler, Jonas
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Luu, Sy D.
• Application Number:
  US09/163,070
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 345/342, 345/339, 345/340
• US Class Current: 715/764
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04803 Split screen, i.e. subdividing the display area or the window area into separate subareas
• 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

A window splitter bar system in a computer environment provides a control button in the splitter bar between two panes in a multi-pane window application. The control button is used to open and close the pane. It is clicked to close the pane when the pane is open. The splitter bar stays visible when the pane is collapsed, appearing stuck next to the window'"'"'s outer edge with the control button remaining visible. The control button is then clicked again to open the pane. The splitter bar can also be dragged in order to resize the pane, with the system storing the location of all of the splitter bars on the screen for restoring a closed pane back to its open state. The user can also drag the splitter bar to open and close the pane. When a pane is closed and the user drags an item over the splitter bar, the pane automatically expands so the user can drop the item into the pane. Once the item has been deposited in the pane, it automatically closes. This is enhanced with spring loaded folders where, not only does the pane itself open, but the hierarchy of a folder that the user wants to drop the item in expands. The user simply drags the item over the collapsed folder and presses the space bar or numerical keypad plus key to expand the folder, without needing to release the mouse button. If the folder is above or below the current view in the pane, the user simply points the item to the upper or lower border of the pane and the pane will automatically scroll up or down, respectively. A tool tip is displayed to the user when the user sets the preferences for whether automatic tool tips are displayed. When the mouse rolls over the button or splitter bar, and the user is not clicking on the button or anything else, the tool tip comes up to explain to the user what he can do with that area.

Claims

1. A process for controlling panes in a multi-pane window application in a computer environment, comprising the steps of:

creating a button, said button is associated with a pane in said window;

creating a splitter bar, said splitter bar is placed between two panes and at least one button resides on said splitter bar, said splitter bar having an open and closed position;

detecting the user mouse position and mouse button click;

moving said splitter bar to a desired position on said window when said splitter bar is in an open position and said mouse button is held over said splitter bar;

storing the position of said splitter bar;

updating said window to reflect new splitter bar positions;

snapping said splitter to a closed position, thereby closing a pane when said splitter bar is in an open position and said button associated with said pane is clicked on with said mouse button; and

snapping said splitter to an open position, thereby opening a pane when said splitter bar is in a closed position and said button associated with said pane is clicked on with said mouse button, said splitter bar is restored to said stored position.

2. The process of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

highlighting said button when said mouse position is over said button.

3. The process of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

dragging said splitter to a closed position, thereby closing a pane when said splitter bar is in an open position and said mouse button is held over said splitter bar and is dragged in close proximity to the opposite edge of said pane; and

dragging said splitter to an open position, thereby opening a pane when said splitter bar is in a closed position and said mouse button is held over said splitter bar and is dragged to a location on said window.

4. The process of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

automatically expanding a closed pane when an item is dragged over said splitter bar and said splitter bar is in a closed position; and

snapping the splitter bar to a closed position wh en said item is dropped into said pane.

5. The process of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

automatically expanding a folder in an open pane when an item is dragged over said folder and a selected key is pressed.

6. The process of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

displaying a tool tip to the user according to the preferences set by said user when said mouse position is over said splitter bar or said button for a predetermined amount of time.

7. The process of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

providing a first button and a second button residing on said splitter bar;

wherein said snapping closed step snaps said splitter bar closed in a first direction when said splitter bar is in an open position and said first button is clicked on with said mouse button; and

wherein said snapping closed step snaps said splitter bar closed in a second direction when said splitter bar is in an open position and said second button is clicked on with said mouse button, said second direction is opposite of said first direction.

8. An apparatus for controlling panes in a multi-pane window application in a computer environment, comprising:

a button, said button is associated with a pane in said window;

a splitter bar, said splitter bar is placed between two panes and at least one button resides on said splitter bar, said splitter bar having an open and closed position;

a module for detecting the user mouse position and mouse button click;

a module for moving said splitter bar to a desired position on said window when said splitter bar is in an open position and said mouse button is held over said splitter bar;

a module for storing the position of said splitter bar;

a module for updating said window to reflect new splitter bar positions;

a module for snapping said splitter to a closed position, thereby closing a pane when said splitter bar is in an open position and said button associated with said pane is clicked on with said mouse button; and

a module for snapping said splitter to an open position, thereby opening a pane when said splitter bar is in a closed position and said button associated with said pane is clicked on with said mouse button, said splitter bar is restored to said stored position.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

a module for highlighting said button when said mouse position is over said button.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

a module for dragging said splitter to a closed position, thereby closing a pane when said splitter bar is in an open position and said mouse button is held over said splitter bar and is dragged in close proximity to the opposite edge of said pane; and

a module for dragging said splitter to an open position, thereby opening a pane when said splitter bar is in a closed position and said mouse button is held over said splitter bar and is dragged to a location on said window.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

a module for automatically expanding a closed pane when an item is dragged over said splitter bar and said splitter bar is in a closed position; and

a module for snapping the splitter bar to a closed position when said item is dropped into said pane.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

a module for automatically expanding a folder in an open pane when an item is dragged over said folder and a selected key is pressed.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

a module for displaying a tool tip to the user according to the preferences set by said user when said mouse position is over said splitter bar or said button for a predetermined amount of time.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

a first button and a second button residing on said splitter bar;

wherein said snapping closed step snaps said splitter bar closed in a first direction when said splitter bar is in an open position and said first button is clicked on with said mouse button; and

wherein said snapping closed step snaps said splitter bar closed in a second direction when said splitter bar is in an open position and said second button is clicked on with said mouse button, said second direction is opposite of said first direction.