Rubber band graphical user interface control
First Claim
1. A method for interfacing with a user of a computer system having a graphical user display, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) controlling a pointer element on the graphical user display with a user pointer controller, the pointer controller having position and selection status responsive to operation by a user;
(b) displaying on said graphical user display a control icon having one or more action areas, said action areas comprising at least one forward action area or one backward action area;
(c) monitoring said position and selection status of said pointer controller to detect if one of said action areas has been selected by said user;
(d) altering the appearance of said control icon and said pointer to visually indicate the selection of said action area by displaying a virtual rubber band on said graphical user display, said virtual rubber band encircling said action area and said pointer element; and
(e) allowing repetitive operation of said action area while said selection is detected by autonomously repeatedly periodically generating a signal to said computer system indicative of a selection made by said user of said control icon action area.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A rubber band variable-rate GUI control for use in conjunction with GUI controls, such as sliders, scroll bars, virtual joysticks, and oppositional buttons (up/down, left/right, plus/minus, next/previous, etc.). A user may place a pointer or cursor over a GUI control, select (e.g. click and hold a mouse button) and drag away from the control, and a virtual rubber band extending between the pointer and the GUI control is displayed. The further the user moves or “pulls” the pointer from the GUI control, the thinner and more elyptical the rubber band is displayed, and the faster the selections scrolls or the control operation is repeated. When the user moves the pointer closer to GUI control, the rubber band is displayed fatter and more circular in shape, and the scrolling or control operation repetition slows.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for interfacing with a user of a computer system having a graphical user display, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) controlling a pointer element on the graphical user display with a user pointer controller, the pointer controller having position and selection status responsive to operation by a user;
(b) displaying on said graphical user display a control icon having one or more action areas, said action areas comprising at least one forward action area or one backward action area;
(c) monitoring said position and selection status of said pointer controller to detect if one of said action areas has been selected by said user;
(d) altering the appearance of said control icon and said pointer to visually indicate the selection of said action area by displaying a virtual rubber band on said graphical user display, said virtual rubber band encircling said action area and said pointer element; and
(e) allowing repetitive operation of said action area while said selection is detected by autonomously repeatedly periodically generating a signal to said computer system indicative of a selection made by said user of said control icon action area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer-readable storage medium having stored therein computer-readable program code for interfacing with a user of a computer system, the computer system having a graphical user display and a processor, wherein the program code when executed by the processor causes the processor to perform the steps of:
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(a) controlling a pointer element on the graphical user display with a user pointer controller, the pointer controller having position and selection status responsive to operation by a user;
(b) displaying on said graphical user display a control icon having one or more action areas, said action areas comprising at least one forward action area or one backward action area;
(c) monitoring said position and selection status of said pointer controller to detect if one of said action areas has been selected by said user;
(d) altering the appearance of said control icon and said pointer to visually indicate the selection of said action area by displaying a virtual rubber band on said graphical user display, said virtual rubber band encircling said action area and said pointer element; and
(e) allowing repetitive operation of said action area while said selection is detected by autonomously repeatedly periodically generating a signal to said computer system indicative of a selection made by said user of said control icon action area. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A computer system for interfacing with a user, comprising:
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(a) a graphical user display with a control icon displayed on said graphical user display, said control icon having one or more action areas, said action areas comprising at least one forward action area or one backward action area;
(b) a pointer controller operable by said user for positioning a pointer element on the graphical user display, the pointer controller having position and selection status responsive to operation by a user;
(c) a pointer position and selection status monitor for detecting when one of said action areas has been selected by said user; and
(d) a virtual rubber band controller which alters the appearance of said control icon and said pointer element to visually indicate the selection of said action area by displaying a virtual rubber band on said graphical user display, said virtual rubber band encircling said action area and said pointer element; and
(e) a signal generator for signaling said computer system in response to a continued selection by said user, said signal generator allowing repetitive operation of said action area while said selection is detected by autonomously repeatedly periodically generating a signal to said computer system. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification