Proximity selection of selectable item in a graphical user interface
First Claim
1. A method for enabling a selection of a selectable item in a graphical user interface displayed on a computer display screen, comprising:
- receiving a user definable fixed shape and size of an area surrounding a displayed moveable cursor;
for a given user defined area, i) enabling a selectable item to be selected when the cursor is moved and a portion of the user defined area surrounding the displayed cursor intersects with a portion of the selectable item;
ii) receiving an input selection when the selectable item is enabled to be selected; and
iii) causing the selectable item to be selected.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The focus on a selectable item, such as a menu item, desktop icon, hyperlink, etc., changes based on proximity of the cursor. Whenever a portion of the area surrounding the cursor moves over a portion of the selectable item, the item can be selected upon a mouse click or other selection means. In addition, the displayed region or window or page is divided up into non-overlapping regions among the selectable items. When the cursor moves into one of the non-overlapping regions, the item associated with that region would be selected if a selection means were to be utilized. Furthermore, focus is changed to an item if a cursor moves toward it. As such, the direction of movement of the cursor predicts the item the user is moving towards. The item then becomes selectable.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for enabling a selection of a selectable item in a graphical user interface displayed on a computer display screen, comprising:
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receiving a user definable fixed shape and size of an area surrounding a displayed moveable cursor;
for a given user defined area, i) enabling a selectable item to be selected when the cursor is moved and a portion of the user defined area surrounding the displayed cursor intersects with a portion of the selectable item;
ii) receiving an input selection when the selectable item is enabled to be selected; and
iii) causing the selectable item to be selected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A device having a processor, memory, a display screen, and means for enabling a selection of a selectable item in a user interface displayed on the display screen, comprising:
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means for receiving a user definable fixed shape and size of an area surrounding a displayed moveable cursor;
means for enabling a selectable item to be selected when the cursor is moved and a portion of the user defined area surrounding the displayed cursor intersects with a portion of the selectable item;
means for receiving an input selection when the selectable item is enabled to be selected; and
means for causing the selectable item to be selected. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A program on a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means for enabling a selection of a selectable item in a user interface displayed on a display screen, comprising:
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means for receiving a user definable fixed shape and size of an area surrounding a displayed moveable cursor;
means for enabling a selectable item to be selected when the cursor is moved and a portion of the user defined area surrounding the displayed cursor intersects with a portion of the selectable item;
means for receiving an input selection when the selectable item is enabled to be selected; and
means for causing the selectable item to be selected. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification