System for controlling computer processing utilizing a multifunctional cursor with decoupling of pointer and image functionalities in space and time

• US 4,984,152 A
• Filed: 10/06/1987
• Issued: 01/08/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: George Washington University
• Original Assignee: Bell Communications Research, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Muller, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eng, David Y.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Coleman, Eric
• Application Number:
  US07/106,587
• Time in Patent Office: 1,190 Days
• Field of Search: 364/200 MS, 364/900 MS, 364/709, 340/723, 340/721, 340/709, 340/724, 340/710
• US Class Current: 715/856
• 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 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34

Abstract

A human-computer interface for executing computer operations on data objects under control of a multifunctional cursor which represents multiple computer operations visually in the cursor, which facilitates execution of repeated operations through a "cycle" capability, and which decouples pointer and image functionalities in time and space.

The interface may be configured with a screen display and a movable region to display a cursor shape, which shape contains multiple icons representative of computer operations. Each computer operation may be executed under the control of a distinct input pattern. Multiple operations may be loaded in one or more sequences, which may themselves by cycled under control of a distinct input pattern.

The interface may also be configured with a screen display, a movable region to display a cursor pointer, and an image region to display computer operation icons. One operation from a menu of operations is associated with the image subarea, and then an icon representative of the associated operation is displayed in the image subarea as a local reminder of this operation. The associated operation may then be executed on a data object on the screen when prompted by the user. The image subarea may be subdivided so that multiple operations may be loaded, displayed, and then executed through cursor control. The pointer subarea and the image subarea are decoupled from one another in time and in space. The visibility of the image subarea is decoupled from the availability of operations indicated within that subarea.

Claims

1. A method for operating an interactive computer system having a memory, a screen display serving as a user interface, and a device to control movement of information on the screen and to communicate the information associated with the screen to the system, said method comprising the steps of

assigning a first area of the memory which corresponds to a movable region of the screen to display a pointer region, wherein said pointer region is movable about the screen display by changing the contents of the memory under control of the user,

assigning a second area of the memory which corresponds to a relocatable region of the region, decoupled from said pointer region, to display an image region, wherein said image region is movable about the screen display by changing the contents of the memory under control of the user,

displaying a pointer in said pointer region,

selecting a computer operation from a menu list of computer operations displayed on the screen display by moving said pointer to said computer operation on said menu list and executing a user-invoked select-event and storing said selected operation in the memory for later recall, wherein said operation, when recalled and invoked by the user, activates said selected computer operation for computer processing of a data object displayed on the screen and pointed at by said pointer, said step of selecting including the steps of

positioning, under control of the device, said pointer region onto one of the said operations to select said operation, and

transmitting an image icon from the system to the screen in response to operating the device to acknowledge the selection of said operation,

saving, as predetermined screen contents, the contents of the screen prior to any display of said image region,

displaying the image icon in said image region by presenting both said image region and said image icon on the screen after an assignable time interval following cessation of any movement of the device, and

displaying said predetermined screen contents during movement of the device.

2. A method for operating an interactive computer system having a memory, a screen display serving as a user interface, and a device to control movement of information on the screen and to communicate the information associated with the screen to the system, said method comprising the steps of

assigning a first area of the memory which corresponds to a movable region of the screen to display a pointer region, wherein said pointer region is movable about the screen display by changing the contents of the memory under control of the user,

assigning a second area of the memory which corresponds to a relocatable region of the screen, decoupled from said pointer region, to display an image region and subdividing said image region into a plurality of image subregions, wherein said image region is movable about the screen display by changing the contents of the memory under control of the user,

displaying a pointer in said pointer region,

selecting, for each of said image subregions,a computer operation from a menu list of computer operations displayed on the screen display by moving said pointer to said computer operation on said menu list and executing a user-invoked select-event and storing said selected operation in the memory for later recall, wherein said operation, when recalled and invoked by the user, activates said selected computer operation for computer processing a data object displayed on the screen and pointed at by said pointer, said step of selecting including the steps of

positioning, under control of the device, said pointer region onto one of said operations to select said operation, and

transmitting an image icon from the system to the screen in response to operating the device to acknowledge the selection of said operation,

saving, as predetermined screen contents,the contents of the screen prior to any display of said image region,

displaying each said image icon in corresponding ones of said image subregions by presenting said image region and each said image icon on the screen after an assignable time interval following cessation of any movement of the device, and

displaying said predetermined screen contents during movement of the device.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 wherein said step of displaying each said image icon further includes the steps of

choosing the screen location of said image region according to defaults and screen boundaries for visibility of said image region, and

writing said image region to the screen at said chosen screen location.

4. In a computer system having a memory and a terminal display area for displaying input/output information provided by a user of the system and wherein selected input information is provided to the system through a pointer display subarea movable about the display area under the control of a mouse-driven interface, the method comprising the steps of

defining an area of the memory which corresponds to a relocatable image display subarea decoupled from said pointer subarea, wherein said image subarea is movable about the terminal display by changing the contents of said memory area under control of the user,

associating another area of the memory which corresponds to a pointer icon with said pointer subarea and displaying said pointer icon in said pointer subarea,

selecting a computer system operation from a menu list of computer operations displayed on the terminal display by moving said pointer icon to said computer operation on said menu list and executing a user-invoked select-event and storing said selected operation in the memory for later recall, wherein said selected operation, when recalled and invoked by the user, activates said selected computer operation for computer processing of a data object displayed on the terminal display and pointed at by said pointer icon,

transmitting an image icon from the system to the terminal display in response to operating the mouse driver to acknowledge the selection of said operation,

saving, as predetermined display area contents, the contents of the terminal display area prior to any display of said image display subarea,

displaying said image icon in said image display subarea by presenting said image subarea in the display area after an assignable time interval following cessation of movement of the mouse driver, and wherein one component of the selected input information is said assignable time interval, and

displaying said predetermined display are contents during movement of the mouse driver.

5. The method as recited in claim 4 wherein said step of displaying said image icon further includes the steps of

choosing the display area location of said image subarea according to defaults and display area boundaries so as to insure visibility of said image subarea, and

writing said image subarea to said display area at said chosen display are location.