Removing a cursor from over new content
First Claim
1. In an apparatus of the kind having a user interface in which a cursor is displayed on a display screen and moved in response to actions of a user, a method of displaying content on the display screen, comprising:
- identifying a cursor region corresponding to a region of the screen occupied by the cursor;
detecting a collision between the cursor region and a content region of the screen where new content is to be displayed, the content region covering less than the entire visible screen; and
removing the cursor from its position on the screen when a collision is detected, whereby the cursor does not obscure the new content on the screen.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus implementing a technique for displaying content on a display device of a computer system and removing a cursor so it does not obscure the content as it is being displayed. In general, in one aspect, the technique includes identifying a cursor region occupied by the cursor on a display device screen, detecting collisions between new content and the cursor region, and removing the cursor from its position on the screen in response to collisions. As a result, the cursor does not obscure the new content on the screen.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. In an apparatus of the kind having a user interface in which a cursor is displayed on a display screen and moved in response to actions of a user, a method of displaying content on the display screen, comprising:
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identifying a cursor region corresponding to a region of the screen occupied by the cursor;
detecting a collision between the cursor region and a content region of the screen where new content is to be displayed, the content region covering less than the entire visible screen; and
removing the cursor from its position on the screen when a collision is detected, whereby the cursor does not obscure the new content on the screen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
the cursor region is larger than the cursor.
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3. The method of claim 1, wherein:
removing the cursor comprises moving the cursor to a different location, wherein the cursor remains visible on the screen.
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4. The method of claim 1, wherein:
removing the cursor comprises making the cursor invisible.
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5. The method of claim 1, wherein:
removing the cursor comprises making the cursor invisible for a user-selected period of time or until the user acts to move the cursor.
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6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
returning the cursor to its original position after a period of time or in response to user activity or computer activity.
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7. The method of claim 6, wherein:
returning the cursor comprises returning the cursor to its original appearance.
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8. The method of claim 1, wherein:
removing the cursor comprises making the cursor appear as an outline.
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9. The method of claim 1, wherein:
removing the cursor comprises clipping the cursor.
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10. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the content is text.
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11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
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receiving a user input; and
removing the cursor in accordance with the user input.
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12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
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identifying a direction of the displaying of the content; and
wherein removing the cursor includes moving the cursor in a direction determined in reference to the direction of the displaying.
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13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
removing the cursor to a region of the display screen having no content, wherein the cursor remains visible on the screen.
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14. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the cursor is not removed if the cursor has not been stationary for a user-selected period of time.
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15. A computer system for displaying content on a display screen, where the computer system is of the kind having a user interface in which a cursor is displayed on the display screen and moved in response to actions of a user, the computer system comprising:
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means for identifying a cursor region corresponding to a region of the screen occupied by the cursor;
means for detecting a collision between the cursor region and a content region of the screen where new content is to be displayed, the content region covering less than the entire visible screen; and
means for removing the cursor from its position on the screen when a collision is detected, whereby the cursor does not obscure the new content on the screen. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
removing the cursor comprises moving the cursor to a different location, wherein the cursor remains visible on the screen.
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17. The computer system of claim 15, further comprising:
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means for receiving a user input; and
means for removing the cursor in accordance with the user input.
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18. The computer system of claim 15, further comprising:
means for removing the cursor to a region of the display screen having no content, wherein the cursor remains visible on the screen.
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19. In an apparatus of the kind having a user interface in which a cursor is displayed on a display screen and moved in response to actions of a user, a computer program for displaying content on the display screen, the computer program including instructions to cause the computer system to:
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identify a cursor region corresponding to a region of the screen occupied by the cursor;
detect a collision between the cursor region and a region of the screen where new content is to be displayed, the content region covering less than the entire visible screen; and
remove the cursor from its position on the screen when a collision is detected, whereby the cursor does not obscure the new content on the screen. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
removing the cursor comprises moving the cursor to a different location, wherein the cursor remains visible on the screen.
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21. The computer program of claim 19, further including instructions to cause the computer system to:
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receive a user input; and
remove the cursor in accordance with the user input.
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22. The computer program of claim 19, further including instructions to cause the computer system to:
remove the cursor to a region of the display screen having no content, wherein the cursor remains visible on the screen.
Specification