Method, apparatus, and computer program product for an enhanced mouse pointer
First Claim
1. A method for selecting links in a page in a data processing system using an enhanced mouse pointer, said data processing system including a mouse that includes a scroll wheel, said method comprising:
- identifying a plurality of links in said page;
displaying a standard mouse pointer, associated with said mouse, in said page to form a displayed standard mouse pointer;
invoking an enhanced mouse pointer state causing said displayed standard mouse pointer to form a displayed enhanced mouse pointer, wherein said displayed enhanced mouse pointer has a tail and a distal tip;
in response to said invoking said enhanced mouse pointer state, determining a physically closest one of said plurality of links in said page to said displayed enhanced mouse pointer;
displaying an enhanced mouse pointer indicator that extends from said tip of said displayed enhanced mouse pointer to said determined physically closest one of said plurality of links; and
scrolling through said plurality of links sequentially, without moving said mouse, wherein said enhanced mouse pointer indicator moves to each link in said plurality of links in response to a rotation of said scroll wheel.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed for selecting links in a page using an enhanced mouse pointer. The page is displayed in a data processing system that includes a mouse that includes a scroll wheel. Multiple links are included in the page. A standard mouse pointer is displayed in the page. An enhanced mouse pointer state is then invoked causing the standard mouse pointer to become an enhanced mouse pointer. In response to invoking the enhanced mouse pointer state, a closest one of the links in the page to the enhanced standard mouse pointer is determined. An enhanced mouse pointer indicator is displayed that extends from the enhanced mouse pointer to the determined closest one of the links. The links may be scrolled through by rotating the scroll wheel.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for selecting links in a page in a data processing system using an enhanced mouse pointer, said data processing system including a mouse that includes a scroll wheel, said method comprising:
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identifying a plurality of links in said page; displaying a standard mouse pointer, associated with said mouse, in said page to form a displayed standard mouse pointer; invoking an enhanced mouse pointer state causing said displayed standard mouse pointer to form a displayed enhanced mouse pointer, wherein said displayed enhanced mouse pointer has a tail and a distal tip; in response to said invoking said enhanced mouse pointer state, determining a physically closest one of said plurality of links in said page to said displayed enhanced mouse pointer; displaying an enhanced mouse pointer indicator that extends from said tip of said displayed enhanced mouse pointer to said determined physically closest one of said plurality of links; and scrolling through said plurality of links sequentially, without moving said mouse, wherein said enhanced mouse pointer indicator moves to each link in said plurality of links in response to a rotation of said scroll wheel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for selecting links in a page in a data processing system using an enhanced mouse pointer, said data processing system including a CPU and a mouse that includes a scroll wheel, said apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of links in said page; a standard mouse pointer, associated with said mouse, displayed in said page, to form a displayed standard mouse pointer; an enhanced mouse pointer state being invoked causing said displayed standard mouse pointer to form a displayed enhanced mouse pointer, wherein said displayed enhanced mouse pointer has a tail and a distal tip; in response to said invoking said enhanced mouse pointer state, said CPU executing code for determining a physically closest one of said plurality of links in said page to said displayed enhanced mouse pointer; said CPU executing code for displaying an enhanced mouse pointer indicator that extends from said tip of said displayed enhanced mouse pointer to said determined physically closest one of said plurality of links; and said scroll wheel for scrolling through said plurality of links sequentially, without moving said mouse, wherein said enhanced mouse pointer indicator moves to each link in said plurality of links in response to a rotation of said scroll wheel. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A program product stored on a computer readable medium for selecting links in a page in a data processing system using an enhanced mouse pointer, said data processing system including a mouse that includes a scroll wheel managing device identifiers, which when executed by a computer performs the following steps:
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identifying a plurality of links in said page; displaying a standard mouse pointer, associated with said mouse, in said page to form a displayed standard mouse pointer; invoking an enhanced mouse pointer state causing said displayed standard mouse pointer to form a displayed enhanced mouse pointer, wherein said displayed enhanced mouse pointer has a tail and a distal tip; in response to said invoking said enhanced mouse pointer state, determining a physically closest one of said plurality of links in said page to said displayed enhanced mouse pointer; displaying an enhanced mouse pointer indicator that extends from said tip of said displayed enhanced mouse pointer to said determined physically closest one of said plurality of links; and scrolling through said plurality of links sequentially, without moving said mouse, wherein said enhanced mouse pointer indicator moves to each link in said plurality of links in response to a rotation of said scroll wheel. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification