PIE MENU GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE

• US 20020122072A1
• Filed: 04/09/1999
• Published: 09/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: SELKER, EDWIN J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,549,219 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/834
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/902 Menu display

Abstract

A graphical user interface includes a plurality of pie menu levels concentrically arranged. Located within the center most section are menu selections generally of greater importance, highest probability of use, historical favorites, category headings, tabs from a tab menu, as well as other high level menu items. Levels extending from the center decrease in frequency of use while increasing in granularity of menu items. Variations in geometric shapes, number of divisions, levels, use of color or texture enhance the use of the pie menus.

Claims

1. A computer based menu system comprising:

a first non-linear grouping of menu items,

at least a second non-linear grouping of menu items formed concentrically and essentially encapsulating said first non-linear grouping of menu items.

2. A computer based menu system as per claim 1, wherein said first non-linear grouping of menu items comprises a pie menu.

3. A computer based menu system as per claim 1, wherein said second non-linear grouping of menu items comprises a pie menu.

4. A computer based menu system as per claim 1, wherein said first and second non-linear grouping of menu items comprise first and second level concentric pie menus.

5. A computer based menu system as per claim 4, wherein said first and second level pie menus retain one or more menu items.

6. A computer based menu system as per claim 4, wherein said first and second levels are related by a hierarchical relationship.

7. A computer based menu system as per claim 1, wherein said at least a second non-linear grouping of menu items comprises two or more non-linear groupings of menu items.

8. A computer based menu system as per claim 4, wherein said first and second level concentric pie menus comprise 2ⁿ⁺¹ menu items, where n=level number.

9. A computer based menu system as per claim 1, wherein said menu items are independently selectable.

10. A computer based menu system as per claim 1, wherein said menu items are independently and simultaneously selectable.

11. A computer based menu system as per claim 1, wherein said menu items are independently and simultaneously selectable as a dialog entry form.

13. A computer product, including computer code for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface as per claim 12, wherein said first non-linear grouping of menu items comprises a pie menu.

14. A computer product, including computer code for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface as per claim 12, wherein said second non-linear grouping of menu items comprises a pie menu.

15. A computer product, including computer code for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface as per claim 12, wherein said first and second non-linear grouping of menu items comprise first and second level concentric pie menus respectively.

16. A computer product, including computer code for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface as per claim 15, wherein said first and second level pie menus comprise at least one or more menu items.

17. A computer product, including computer code for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface as per claim 15, wherein said first and second levels are related by a hierarchical relationship.

18. A computer product, including computer code for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface as per claim 12, wherein said at least a second non-linear grouping of menu items comprises two or more non-linear groupings of menu items.

19. A computer product, including computer code for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface as per claim 15, wherein said first and second level concentric pie menus comprise 2ⁿ⁺¹ menu items, where n=level number.

12. A computer product, including computer code for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface comprising:

computer code generating a first non-linear grouping of menu items,

computer code generating a second non-linear grouping of menu items formed concentrically and essentially encapsulating said first level of menu items.

20. A computer based method for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface comprising:

arranging a first non-linear grouping of pie menu items,

creating at least a second non-linear grouping of pie menu items formed concentrically and essentially encapsulating said first level of menu items.

21. A computer based method for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface as per claim 20, wherein said first and second level pie menus comprise at least one or more menu items.

22. A computer based method for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface as per claim 20, wherein said first and second levels are related by a hierarchical relationship.

23. A computer based method for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface as per claim 20, wherein said step of creating at least a second non-linear grouping of pie menu items includes creating two or more non-linear groupings.

24. A computer based method for implementing a multiple level pie menu interface as per claim 20, wherein said first and second non-linear groupings of pie menu items comprise 2ⁿ⁺¹ menu items, where n=grouping number.