Matrix-based user interface and system for creating the same
First Claim
1. In a computer system having a graphical user interface including a display and a user selection device, a method of permitting a user to quickly view elements in a database comprising:
- (a) displaying in a matrix area on the display a matrix having a plurality of cells and a plurality of icons displayed in one or more of the cells, the matrix including displayed row headings and column headings and each icon corresponding to an element in the database;
(b) receiving an icon selection signal in response to a user selecting one of the icons with the user interface selection device; and
(c) in response to the icon selection signal, displaying a corresponding element.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system that includes a graphical user interface that may be used to access information contained in a database is provided. The graphical user interface includes a matrix of icons that correspond to textual excerpts. A textual excerpt is displayed above the matrix and the displayed textual excerpt changes as a user moves a pointing device over the icons. The user may perform searches of character strings contained in the textual excerpts. The color of the icons that correspond to textual excerpts that satisfy the search request is different from the color of the remaining icons. The interface also allows the user to rapidly and efficiently perform searches to retrieve information from the database.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. In a computer system having a graphical user interface including a display and a user selection device, a method of permitting a user to quickly view elements in a database comprising:
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(a) displaying in a matrix area on the display a matrix having a plurality of cells and a plurality of icons displayed in one or more of the cells, the matrix including displayed row headings and column headings and each icon corresponding to an element in the database; (b) receiving an icon selection signal in response to a user selecting one of the icons with the user interface selection device; and (c) in response to the icon selection signal, displaying a corresponding element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing:
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(a) displaying in a matrix location of a display a matrix of a plurality of icons, the matrix including displayed row headings and column headings and each icon corresponding to a file; (b) displaying in a file location of the display a file; (c) receiving an icon selection signal indicative of the user interface selection device pointing at one of the icons, and, in response to the selection signal, displaying a corresponding file in the file location. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. In a computer system having a graphical user interface including a display and a user selection device, a method of permitting a user to quickly view elements in a database comprising:
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(a) displaying in a matrix area on the display a matrix having a plurality of cells and a plurality of icons displayed in one or more of the cells, the matrix including displayed row headings and column headings and each icon corresponding to an element in the database, wherein the row headings identify sources from which the elements are obtained and the column headings identify subject matter to which the elements relate; (b) receiving an icon selection signal in response to a user selecting one of the icons with the user interface selection device; and (c) in response to the icon selection signal, displaying a corresponding element.
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Specification