Computer system and method of manipulating a graphical user interface component on a computer display through collision with a pointer

• US 6,654,035 B1
• Filed: 03/28/2000
• Issued: 11/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: DeStefano, George Francis
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Kristine
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, THANH T
• Application Number:
  US09/536,559
• Time in Patent Office: 1,337 Days
• Field of Search: 345/798, 345/862, 345/856, 345/799, 345/788
• US Class Current: 715/798
• 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 computer system and method manipulate a window or similar graphical user interface component through collision of a pointer controlled by a user with the boundary of the window. When it is determined that user manipulation of a pointer along a first vector intersects a boundary segment of a window displayed on a computer display, the boundary segment is moved along a second vector. The second vector may be identical to the first vector, or may represent only a component thereof. Moreover, either the entire boundary of the window may be moved such that the window itself is effectively moved, or one or more segments of the boundary may be maintained at a fixed location such that the window is effectively resized. In addition, this feature may be selectively enabled and/or disabled by a user. Moreover, a pointer may be defined to have a single position from which the first vector extends, or in the alternative, a pointer may also have a proximity range having a perimeter that defines the extents of the pointer, and that may or may not be coextensive with the visible shape of the pointer.

Claims

1. A method of manipulating a window on a computer display, the method comprising:

(a) displaying a window on a computer display, the window including a boundary including at least one boundary segment;

(b) displaying a pointer on the computer display;

(c) receiving user input to move the pointer along a first vector,

(d) determining whether the first vector crosses the boundary segment of the window; and

(e) in response to determining that the first vector crosses the boundary segment of the window, moving at least the boundary segment of the window along a second vector;

wherein moving at least the boundary segment of the window along the second vector in response to determining that the first vector crosses the boundary segment of the window is performed without receiving additional user input directed to the boundary segment while the pointer is disposed over the boundary segment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein moving at least the boundary segment of the window includes moving the window.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein moving at least the boundary segment of the window includes resizing the window by maintaining at least one additional boundary segment in the boundary at a fixed location.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second vector extends in the same direction as the first vector.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second vector is perpendicular to the boundary segment.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second vector has a length that is substantially equal to the distance between an end position of the first vector and an intersection point between the boundary segment and the first vector.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second vector has a length that is based on a component of the first vector that extends perpendicular to the boundary segment.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein moving at least the boundary segment of the window responsive to the determination that the first vector crosses the boundary segment is further responsive to user selection of a predetermined mode.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising selectively disabling moving of at least the boundary segment of the window in response to additional user input during movement of the pointer.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein moving at least the boundary segment of the window responsive to the determination that the first vector crosses the boundary segment is further responsive to receipt of additional user input.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the additional user input includes depressing a mouse button.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the additional user input includes depressing a key.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the key is selected from the group consisting of a SHIFT key, a CONTROL key, an ALT key, and combinations thereof.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein moving of at least the boundary segment of the window is further responsive to a predetermined characteristic of the window.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the predetermined characteristic includes an active status of the window.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein moving of at least the boundary segment of the window is further responsive to a direction of the first vector relative to the boundary segment.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein moving at least the boundary segment of the window is performed only when an end position of the first vector is disposed within the window.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein moving at least the boundary segment of the window includes updating a position of the window, the method further comprising refreshing the computer display.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein receiving user input to move the pointer includes updating a position of the pointer prior to refreshing the computer display.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the first vector has a start position defined at a current position pointed to by the pointer.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the pointer includes a proximity range having a perimeter, a portion of which is spaced from a current position pointed to by the pointer, and wherein the first vector has a start position defined along the perimeter of the proximity range.

22. A computer system, comprising:

(a) a computer display upon which is displayed a window and a pointer, the window including a boundary including at least one boundary segment;

(b) a user input device configured to receive user input; and

(c) a processor, coupled to the computer display and the user input device, the processor configured to move the pointer along a first vector in response to user input, to determine whether the first vector crosses the boundary segment of the window, and, in response to a determination that the first vector crosses the boundary segment of the window, to move at least the boundary segment of the window along a second vector;

wherein the processor is configured to move at least the boundary segment of the window along the second vector in response to the determination that the first vector crosses the boundary segment of the window without receiving additional user input directed to the boundary segment while the pointer is disposed over the boundary segment.

23. A program product, comprising:

(a) a program configured to perform a method of manipulating a window on a computer display, the method comprising;

(1) displaying a window on a computer display, the window including a boundary including at least one boundary segment;

(2) displaying a pointer on the computer display;

(3) receiving user input to move the pointer along a first vector;

(4) determining whether the first vector crosses the boundary segment of the window; and

(5) in response to determining that the first vector crosses the boundary segment of the window, moving at least the boundary segment of the window along a second vector; and

(b) a signal bearing media bearing the program;

wherein moving at least the boundary segment of the window along the second vector in response to determining that the first vector crosses the boundary segment of the window is performed without receiving additional user input directed to the boundary segment while the pointer is disposed over the boundary segment.

24. The program product of claim 23, wherein the signal bearing media includes at least one of a recordable media and a transmission type media.

25. A method of manipulating a window on a computer display, the method comprising:

(a) displaying a window on a computer display, the window including a boundary;

(b) displaying a pointer on the computer display, the pointer including a perimeter defining a proximity range around the pointer;

(c) moving the pointer in response to user input;

(d) determining whether any of a plurality of points along the perimeter of the pointer intersects the boundary of the window during movement of the pointer; and

(e) manipulating the window responsive to determining that any of the plurality of points along the perimeter of the pointer intersects the boundary of the window during movement of the pointer;

wherein the window boundary includes at least one boundary segment, wherein the pointer moves along a first vector having a start position disposed on the perimeter of the rointer, wherein manipulating the window is performed in response to the first vector intersecting the boundary segment of the window, and wherein manipulating the window is performed without receiving additional user input directed to the boundary segment while the pointer is disposed over the boundary segment.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein manipulating the window includes moving the window.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein manipulating the window includes resizing the window.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the perimeter is coextensive with a visible extent of the pointer displayed on the computer display.

29. A computer system, comprising:

(a) a computer display upon which is displayed a window and a pointer, the window including a boundary, and the pointer including a perimeter defining a proximity range around the pointer;

(b) a user input device configured to receive user input; and

(c) a processor, coupled to the computer display and the user input device, the processor configured to move the pointer in response to user input, to determine whether any of a plurality of points along the perimeter of the pointer intersects the boundary of the window during movement of the pointer, and, responsive to a determination that any of the plurality of points along the perimeter of the pointer intersects the boundary of the window during movement of the pointer, to manipulate the window;

wherein the window boundary includes at least one boundary segment, wherein the pointer moves along a first vector having a start position disposed on the perimeter of the pointer, wherein the processor is configured to manipulate the window in response to the first vector intersecting the boundary segment of the window, and wherein the program is configured to manipulate the window without receiving additional user input directed to the boundary segment while the pointer is disposed over the boundary segment.

30. A program product, comprising:

(a) a program configured to perform a method of manipulating a window on a computer display, the method comprising;

(1) displaying a window on a computer display, the window including a boundary;

(2) displaying a pointer on the computer display, the pointer including a perimeter defining a proximity range around the pointer;

(3) moving the pointer in response to user input;

(4) determining whether any of a plurality of points along the perimeter of the pointer intersects the boundary of the window during movement of the pointer; and

(5) manipulating the window responsive to determining that any of the plurality of points along the perimeter of the pointer intersects the boundary of the window during movement of the pointer; and

(b) a signal bearing media bearing the program;

wherein the window boundary includes at least one boundary segment, wherein the pointer moves along a first vector having a start position disposed on the perimeter of the pointer, wherein manipulating the window is performed in response to the first vector intersecting the boundary segment of the window, and wherein manipulating the window is performed without receiving additional user input directed to the boundary segment while the pointer is disposed over the boundary segment.