Pie menu graphical user interface

• US 6,549,219 B2
• Filed: 04/09/1999
• Issued: 04/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Selker, Edwin J
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Cao H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BAUTISTA, XIOMARA L
• Application Number:
  US09/288,670
• Publication Number:
  US 20020122072A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,467 Days
• Field of Search: 345/809-811, 345/834-835, 345/841, 345/845, 345/846, 345/853, 345/854, 345/855, 345/902, 345/975
• US Class Current: 715/834
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/902 Menu display

Abstract

A graphical user interface includes a plurality of pie menu levels concentrically arranged. Located within the center most section are menu selections generally of greater importance, highest probability of use, historical favorites, category headings, tabs from a tab menu, as well as other high level menu items. Levels extending from the center decrease in frequency of use while increasing in granularity of menu items. Variations in geometric shapes, number of divisions, levels, use of color or texture enhance the use of the pie menus.

Claims

1. A computer based menu system comprising a plurality of levels of software menu items, said system comprising:

a first pie menu comprising a first grouping of said menu items, said first grouping of menu items comprising one or more items, said items dynamically selected based on importance, said importance including any of frequency of use, popularity, historical favorites, and positioned based on a relationship between individual items and items between said levels;

at least a second pie menu comprising a second grouping of menu items formed concentrically and essentially encapsulating said first grouping of menu items, said at least second grouping of menu items comprising secondary menu items, said secondary menu items dynamically selected based on importance, said importance including any of frequency of use, popularity, historical favorites, and positioned based on a relationship between individual items within a common level and items between said levels.

2. A computer based menu system as per claim 1, wherein said first and second groupings comprise 2ⁿ⁺¹ menu items, where n=grouping number.

3. A computer based menu system as per claim 1, wherein each of said groupings of menu items are independently and simultaneously selectable.

4. A computer based menu system as per claim 1, wherein said menu items are independently and simultaneously selectable as a dialog entry form and said first grouping includes a submission button.

5. A computer based menu system, as per claim 1, wherein said menu items are dynamically selected based on frequency of use as determined by an historical analysis.

6. A computer based menu system, as per claim 1, wherein most frequently used menu items are generally positioned in upper and right locations within each of said groupings.

7. A computer based menu system, as per claim 1, wherein each grouping may further comprise mixed levels of granularity.

8. A computer product, including computer code for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface comprising:

computer code generating a first pie menu comprising a first grouping of menu items, said first grouping of menu items comprising one or more menu items, said items dynamically selected and positioned based on frequency of use as determined by historical analysis;

computer code generating at least a second pie menu comprising a second grouping of menu items formed concentrically and essentially encapsulating said first grouping of menu items, said at least second grouping of menu items dynamically selected and positioned based on frequency of use relative to said first and second groupings.

9. A computer product, including computer code for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface as per claim 8, wherein said first and second groupings comprise 2ⁿ⁺¹ menu items, where n=group number.

10. A computer product, including computer code for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface as per claim 8, wherein each of said groupings of menu items are independently and simultaneously selectable.

11. A computer product, including computer code for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface as per claim 8, wherein said menu items are independently and simultaneously selectable as a dialog entry form and said first grouping includes a submission button.

12. A computer product, including computer code for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface, as per claim 8, wherein most frequently used menu items are dynamically placed in innermost groups of said concentric groupings and generally positioned in upper and right locations within each of said groupings.

13. A computer product, including computer code for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface, as per claim 8, wherein each grouping may further comprise mixed levels of granularity.

14. A computer based method for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface comprising:

dynamically arranging a first pie menu comprising a first grouping of menu items, said first grouping of menu items comprising a subset of one or more items from a set of menu items, said subset of items dynamically selected and positioned based on frequency of use as determined by an-historical analysis;

dynamically creating and positioning additional groupings of menu items, each of said additional groupings formed concentrically and sequentially and essentially encapsulating said first grouping of menu items, said additional groupings of menu items comprising less frequently used menu items relative to said first grouping of menu items.

15. A computer based method for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface as per claim 14, wherein said first and second groupings comprise 2ⁿ⁺¹ menu items, where n=grouping number.

16. A computer based method for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface as per claim 14, wherein said menu items are independently and simultaneously selectable.

17. A computer based method for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface as per claim 14, wherein said menu items are independently and simultaneously selectable as a dialog entry form and said first grouping includes a submission button.

18. A computer based method for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface, as per claim 14, wherein said most frequently used menu items are generally positioned in upper and right locations of each of said groupings.

19. A computer based method for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface, as per claim 14, wherein each grouping may further comprise mixed levels of granuality.