Multiple menus for use with a graphical user interface

• US 8,136,045 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2007
• Issued: 03/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
• Inventors: Miura, Britt S., Morrison, Scott C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Roswell, Michael
• Application Number:
  US11/773,193
• Publication Number:
  US 20070250793A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,715 Days
• Field of Search: 715/764, 715/765, 715/768, 715808-813, 715/825, 715/828, 715/834
• US Class Current: 715/764
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04812 Interaction techniques based on cursor appearance or behaviour, e.g. being affected by the presence of displayed objects
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence

Abstract

An approach for using multiple menus with a graphical user interface is disclosed. A multiple menu comprises a menu panel with two or more selection regions, each of which is associated with a base menu. A user requests the menu panel without selecting a menu object displayed on a display unit, such as by right-clicking. The menu panel is displayed along with one base menu, and other base menus are displayed by the user moving the cursor to another selection region. The user selects a menu item from a base menu to cause the application to execute the function associated with the menu item. The selection regions of the menu panel do not include information describing the content of the associated base menus. By arranging the base menus around the menu panel, cursor movement is minimized to improve user efficiency in using the application.

Claims

1. A method for managing menus associated with a graphical user interface that is displayed on a display unit, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

receiving a request from a user for a menu panel, wherein;

the request is not associated with the user selecting any menu objects that are displayed on the display unit at the time of the request,

the menu panel comprises two or more selection regions,

each of the two or more selection regions is associated with one base menu, and

at least one base menu includes one or more menu items; and

in response to the request from the user;

displaying on the display unit the menu panel, wherein the menu panel is displayed at a location based on a first position of a cursor when the user requests the menu panel, and

displaying on the display unit a first base menu that is associated with a first selection region of the two or more selection regions, wherein the first base menu includes multiple instances of a single menu item aligned in a direction that extends from the center of the menu panel to a midpoint of the first selection region, and a function associated with the single menu item is executed in response to the cursor being moved in a direction from the menu panel towards the multiple instances of the single menu item.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

when the cursor is moved to a second position that is closer to a second selection region of the two or more selection region than to the first selection region;

ceasing to display the first base menu, and

displaying on the display unit a second base menu that is associated with the second selection region.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the computer-implemented step of:

in response to receiving the request from the user, simultaneously displaying on the display unit the one base menu that is associated with each of the two or more selection regions.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one selection region of the two or more selection regions does not contain content that relates to menu items included in the base menu that is associated with the at least one selection region.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

receiving input from the user that identifies a menu item included in the first base menu, wherein the menu item is associated with a function of an application; and

in response to the input from the user,

ceasing to display the menu panel and the first base menu, and

causing the function to be executed by the application.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

receiving input from the user that identifies a menu item included in the first base menu, wherein the menu item is associated with a dialog box that includes options for the application; and

in response to the input from the user,

ceasing to display the menu panel and the first base menu, and

displaying on the display unit the dialog box.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the request from the user is received in response to the user pressing one or more keys on a keyboard.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the request from the user is received in response to the user pressing one or more buttons on a cursor control device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the request from the user is received in response to the user pressing one or more keys on a keyboard and wherein the request does not depend on where the cursor is located on the display unit.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the request from the user is received in response to the user pressing one or more keys on a keyboard in combination with the user pressing one or more buttons on a cursor control device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the request from the user is received in response to the user providing a voice command.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein a menu title is displayed with at least one base menu.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one base menu is transparent such that an image displayed on the display unit prior to displaying the at least one base menu is still visible when the at least one base menu is displayed over at least a portion of the image.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein:

at least one base menu includes at least one menu item; and

the at least one menu item, when selected by the user, causes a sub-menu to be displayed on the display unit.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising the computer-implemented step of:

selecting, based on one or more criteria, one or more menu items for display in at least one base menu.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the graphical user interface includes a display of two or more objects, and wherein the step of selecting, based on the one or more criteria, one or more menu items for display in the at least one base menu comprises the computer-implemented step of:

selecting the one or more menu items for display in the at least one base menu based upon which of the two or more objects is currently selected.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein:

at least a first object of the two or more objects and a second object of the two or more objects are of different types; and

the one or more menu items selected for display in the at least one base menu depends upon which type of object is currently selected.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of selecting, based upon the one or more criteria, one or more menu items for display in the at least one base menu comprises the computer-implemented step of:

selecting the one or more menu items for display in the at least one base menu based upon whether the one or more menu items was previously selected from the at least one base menu.

19. A method for managing menus associated with a graphical user interface that is displayed on a display unit, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

receiving a request from a user for a menu panel that includes a vertex; and

in response to the request from the user, wherein the request is not associated with the user selecting any other menu objects that are displayed on the display unit at the time of the request;

displaying on the display unit the menu panel at a location based on a first position of a cursor when the user requests the menu panel, wherein;

the menu panel comprises at least a first selection region, a second selection region, and a third selection region,

the first selection region, the second selection region, and the third selection region are adjacent to the vertex,

the first selection region is associated with a first base menu,

the second selection region is associated with a second base menu,

the third selection region is associated with a third base menu, and

at least one base menu of the first base menu, second base menu, and third base menu includes multiple instances of a single menu item aligned in a direction that extends from the center of the menu panel to a midpoint of the first selection region, and a function associated with the single menu item is executed in response to the cursor being moved in a direction from the menu panel towards the multiple instances of the single menu item; and

displaying on the display unit the first base menu that is associated with the first selection region.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein at least one selection region of the first selection region, second selection region, and third selection region does not display information that describes content of an associated base menu that is associated with the at least one selection region.

21. A method for displaying on a display unit multiple menus that are associated with a graphical user interface, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

displaying, on the display unit, a menu panel comprised of a lower right quadrant, an upper right quadrant, an upper left quadrant, and a lower left quadrant, wherein the menu panel is displayed in response to a request that is not associated with a user selecting any menu objects that are displayed on the display unit at the time of the request, and wherein the menu panel is displayed at a location based on a first position of a cursor when the user requests the menu panel;

displaying on the display unit a first selection region positioned in the lower right quadrant;

displaying on the display unit a second selection region positioned in the upper right quadrant;

displaying on the display unit a third selection region positioned in the upper left quadrant;

displaying on the display unit a fourth selection region positioned in the lower left quadrant;

displaying on the display unit a first base menu that is associated with the first selection region and that is positioned below the first selection region and that extends downward and right;

displaying on the display unit a second base menu that is associated with the second selection region and that is positioned above the second selection region and that extends upward and right;

displaying on the display unit a third base menu that is associated with the third selection region and that is positioned above the third selection region and that extends upward and left; and

displaying on the display unit a fourth base menu that is associated with the fourth selection region and that is positioned below the fourth selection region and that extends downward and left; and

wherein at least one of the four base menus includes multiple instances of a single menu item aligned in a direction that extends from the center of the menu panel to a midpoint of the first selection region, and a function associated with the single menu item is executed in response to the cursor being moved in a direction from the menu panel towards the multiple instances of the single menu item.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

displaying on the display unit a first menu title associated with the first selection region, wherein the first menu title is positioned right of the first selection region;

displaying on the display unit a second menu title associated with the second selection region, wherein the second menu title is positioned right of the second selection region;

displaying on the display unit a third menu title associated with the third selection region, wherein the third menu title is positioned left of the third selection region; and

displaying on the display unit a fourth menu title associated with the fourth selection region, wherein the fourth menu title is positioned left of the fourth selection region.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein one or more menu titles of the first menu title, the second menu title, the third menu title, and the fourth menu title include a title that is related to content of a particular base menu.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein one or more menu titles of the first menu title, the second menu title, the third menu title, and the fourth menu title does not include a title that is related to content of a particular base menu.

25. A computer system for displaying multiple menus in association with a graphical user interface, the computer system comprising:

a user input device configured to control a cursor; and

a display unit configured to;

display the cursor,

display a menu panel in response to a request from a user made with the user input device, wherein;

the request is not associated with the user selecting any menu objects that are displayed on the display unit at the time of the request,

the menu panel comprises at least two selection regions, and

the menu panel is displayed at a location associated with a first position of the cursor when the request from the user is received,

display a first base menu associated with a first selection region of the at least two selection regions, wherein, in response to the request from the user, the first base menu is displayed on the display unit when the cursor is closer to the first selection region than any other selection region of the at least two selection regions, and wherein the first base menu includes multiple instances of a single menu item aligned in a direction that extends from the center of the menu panel to a midpoint of the first selection region, and a function associated with the single menu item is executed in response to the cursor being moved in a direction from the menu panel towards the multiple instances of the single menu item, and

display a second base menu associated with a second selection region of the at least two selection regions, wherein, in response to the request from the user, the second base menu is displayed on the display unit when the cursor is closer to the second control region than any other selection region of the at least two selection regions.

26. The computer system of claim 25, wherein the menu panel, first base menu, and second base menu are no longer displayed after a menu item is selected from among the first base menu and the second base menu.

27. The computer system of claim 25, wherein the first base menu is cleared from said display unit when the cursor is no longer closer to the first selection region than any other selection region of the at least two selection regions.

28. The computer system of claim 25, wherein at least one selection region of the two or more selection regions does not display information that describes content of a base menu that is associated with the at least one selection region.

29. A computer system for accessing menus, comprising:

a processor;

a memory storing an application program that, when executed by the processor, causes a graphical user interface to be displayed; and

a display unit configured to display the graphical user interface that includes;

a menu panel that is displayed in response to a request from a user, wherein the request is not associated with the user selecting any menu objects that are displayed on the display unit at the time of the request, wherein the menu panel is comprised of a lower right quadrant, an upper right quadrant, an upper left quadrant, and a lower left quadrant, and wherein the menu panel is displayed at a location based on a first position of a cursor when the user requests the menu panel,

a first selection region positioned in the lower right quadrant,

a second selection region positioned in the upper right quadrant,

a third selection region positioned in the upper left quadrant,

a fourth selection region positioned in the lower left quadrant,

a first base menu associated with the first selection region, wherein the first base menu, when displayed, is positioned below the first selection region and extends downward and right,

a second base menu associated with the second selection region, wherein the second base menu, when displayed, is positioned above the second selection region and extends upward and right,

a third base menu associated with the third selection region, wherein the third base menu, when displayed, is positioned above the third selection region and extends upward and left, and

a fourth base menu associated with the fourth selection region, wherein the fourth base menu, when displayed, is positioned below the fourth selection region and extends downward and left, and

wherein at least one of the four base menus includes multiple instances of a single menu item aligned in a direction that extends from the center of the menu panel to a midpoint of the first selection region, and a function associated with the single menu item is executed in response to the cursor being moved in a direction from the menu panel towards the multiple instances of the single menu item.

30. The computer system of claim 29, wherein the graphical user interface further includes:

a first menu title associated with the first selection region, wherein the first menu title, when displayed, is positioned right of the first selection region;

a second menu title associated with the second selection region, wherein the second menu title, when displayed, is positioned right of the second selection region;

a third menu title associated with the third selection region, wherein the third menu title, when displayed, is positioned left of the third selection region; and

a fourth menu title associated with the fourth selection region, wherein the fourth menu title, when displayed, is positioned left of the fourth selection region.

31. The computer system of claim 30, wherein one or more menu titles of the first menu title, the second menu title, the third menu title, and the fourth menu title includes a title that is related to a particular base menu.

32. The computer system of claim 30, wherein one or more menu titles of the first menu title, the second menu title, the third menu title, and the fourth menu title does not include a title that is related to a particular base menu.

33. A computer-readable storage medium storing one or more sequences of instructions for managing menus associated with a graphical user interface that is displayed on a display unit, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the steps of:

receiving a request from a user for a menu panel, wherein;

the request is not associated with the user selecting any menu objects that are displayed on the display unit at the time of the request,

the menu panel comprises two or more selection regions,

each of the two or more selection regions is associated with one base menu, and

at least one base menu includes one or more menu items; and

in response to the request from the user;

displaying on the display unit the menu panel, wherein the menu panel is displayed at a location based on a first position of a cursor when the user requests the menu panel, and

displaying on the display unit a first base menu that is associated with a first selection region of the two or more selection regions, wherein the first base menu includes multiple instances of a single menu item aligned in a direction that extends from the center of the menu panel to a midpoint of the first selection region, and a function associated with the single menu item is executed in response to the cursor being moved in a direction from the menu panel towards the multiple instances of the single menu item.

34. A computer-readable storage medium storing one or more sequences of instructions for managing menus associated with a graphical user interface that is displayed on a display unit, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the steps of:

receiving a request from a user for a menu panel that includes a vertex; and

in response to the request from the user wherein the request is not associated with the user selecting any menu objects that are displayed on the display unit at the time of the request;

displaying the menu panel on the display unit at a location based on a first position of a cursor when the user requests the menu panel, wherein;

the menu panel comprises at least a first selection region, a second selection region, and a third selection region,

the first selection region, the second selection region, and the third selection region are adjacent to the vertex,

the first selection region is associated with a first base menu

the second selection region is associated with a second base menu,

the third selection region is associated with a third base menu, and

at least one base menu of the first base menu, second base menu, and third base menu includes multiple instances of a single menu item aligned in a direction that extends from the center of the menu panel to a midpoint of the first selection region, and a function associated with the single menu item is executed in response to the cursor being moved in a direction from the menu panel towards the multiple instances of the single menu item; and

displaying on the display unit the first base menu that is associated with the first selection region.

35. A computer-readable storage medium storing one or more sequences of instructions for displaying on a display unit multiple menus that are associated with a graphical user interface, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the steps of:

displaying on the display unit a menu panel comprised of a lower right quadrant, an upper right quadrant, an upper left quadrant, and a lower left quadrant, wherein the menu panel is displayed in response to a request that is not associated with any menu objects that are displayed on the display unit at the time of the request, and wherein the menu panel is displayed at a location based on a first position of a cursor when the user requests the menu panel;

displaying on the display unit a first selection region positioned in the lower right quadrant;

displaying on the display unit a second selection region positioned in the upper right quadrant;

displaying on the display unit a third selection region positioned in the upper left quadrant;

displaying on the display unit a fourth selection region positioned in the lower left quadrant;

displaying on the display unit a first base menu that is associated with the first selection region and that is positioned below the first selection region and that extends downward and right;

displaying on the display unit a second base menu that is associated with the second selection region and that is positioned above the second selection region and that extends upward and right;

displaying on the display unit a third base menu that is associated with the third selection region and that is positioned above the third selection region and that extends upward and left; and

displaying on the display unit a fourth base menu that is associated with the fourth selection region and that is positioned below the fourth selection region and that extends downward and left; and

wherein at least one of the four base menus includes multiple instances of a single menu item aligned in a direction that extends from the center of the menu panel to a midpoint of the first selection region, and a function associated with the single menu item is executed in response to the cursor being moved in a direction from the menu panel towards the multiple instances of the single menu item.