Method for automatically switching windows of different sizes

• US 6,396,521 B1
• Filed: 09/10/1999
• Issued: 05/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Beijing Zhigu Tech Company, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Inventec Electronics Company Limited
• Inventors: Zhu, Rong-Hu, Pan, Yong, Lai, Cheng-Shing
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Application Number:
  US09/393,299
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• Field of Search: 345/800,798,784,785,856,788,802,803,789,777,781,864,157,160,162,168
• US Class Current: 715/800
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 Display of multiple viewports

Abstract

A method for automatically switching windows of different sizes particularly shown in a small display screen of a compact portable personal computer by means of determining a current position of a cursor and a key typed by a user is disclosed. By utilizing this, a larger window switching to a smaller window or vice versa is carried out automatically by the computer, thereby enabling a convenient operation.

Claims

1. A method for automatically switching windows of different sizes by means of determining a current position of a cursor and a key typed by a user, comprising the steps of:

setting an initial window as an active window;

obtaining a message about a movement of the cursor in the active window;

amplifying the active window when the active window is scrolled down;

setting the amplified active window as a new active window; and

reducing the active window when the active window is scrolled up.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the message about the movement of the cursor is created by pressing a predetermined key.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the pressed predetermined key is a page down key for scrolling down the active window.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the pressed predetermined key is a down key and the current position of the cursor is at a bottom position of the active window for scrolling down the active window.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the pressed predetermined key is a right key and the current position of the cursor is at a bottom right position of the active window for scrolling down the active window.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the pressed predetermined key is a page up key and the current position of the cursor is on a top position of the active window for scrolling up the active window.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the pressed predetermined key is an up key and the current position of the cursor is on the top position of the active window for scrolling up the active window.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the pressed predetermined key is a left key and the current position of the cursor is on a top left position of the active window for scrolling up the active window.

9. A method for automatically switching windows of different sizes by means of determining a current position of a cursor and a key typed by a user, comprising the steps of:

creating a first window and a second window smaller than the first window;

setting the second window as an active window;

obtaining a message about a movement of the cursor in the active window;

switching to the first window when the active window is scrolled down;

setting the first window as the active window;

switching to the second window when the active window is scrolled up; and

setting the second window as the active window.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the creation of windows comprises a setting of an initial position and a height thereof.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

saving the current position of the cursor;

disabling the active window;

switching to the other window;

setting the other window as the active window;

initializing the active window;

repositioning the cursor based on the saved position; and

editing the active window.