Method and apparatus for locating a cursor on a computer screen
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of assisting a user in locating a stationary, non-blinking cursor on a visual display device of a computer, the method comprising the steps of:
- waiting for a selected input to the computer by the user;
identifying an active portion of the stationary, non-blinking cursor on the visual display device after receiving the selected input;
drawing a geometric shape on the visual display device about the stationary, non-blinking cursor while the cursor remains stationary, the geometric shape having a center on the visual display device that is approximately collocated with the identified active portion of the stationary, non-blinking cursor and an average distance to the center equal to a selected value;
displaying the drawn geometric shape for a predetermined time period; and
repeating the steps of drawing and displaying to draw at least one additional geometric shape, each subsequently drawn geometric shape after the first drawn geometric shape having a progressively decreasing average distance to its center until the average distance to the center is approximately equal to a first value.
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Abstract
A method and computer system detects when a user of a computer depresses and releases a modifier key, for example, the CTRL key. The computer is programmed under a routine to locate the position of an active point of a cursor that is displayed on a computer screen. The computer thereafter generates and sequentially displays on the computer screen, concentric rings of decreasing size that radiate inward, centered on the active point, to thus help a user visually locate the cursor on the computer screen.
137 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method of assisting a user in locating a stationary, non-blinking cursor on a visual display device of a computer, the method comprising the steps of:
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waiting for a selected input to the computer by the user; identifying an active portion of the stationary, non-blinking cursor on the visual display device after receiving the selected input; drawing a geometric shape on the visual display device about the stationary, non-blinking cursor while the cursor remains stationary, the geometric shape having a center on the visual display device that is approximately collocated with the identified active portion of the stationary, non-blinking cursor and an average distance to the center equal to a selected value; displaying the drawn geometric shape for a predetermined time period; and repeating the steps of drawing and displaying to draw at least one additional geometric shape, each subsequently drawn geometric shape after the first drawn geometric shape having a progressively decreasing average distance to its center until the average distance to the center is approximately equal to a first value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of assisting a user in locating a stationary, non-blinking cursor on a visual display device of a computer, the method comprising the steps of:
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displaying the stationary, non-blinking cursor on the visual display device; waiting for a selected input to the computer by the user; identifying the stationary, non-blinking cursor on the visual display device after receiving the selected input; drawing a first shape on the visual display device fully proximate to the stationary, non-blinking cursor; and temporarily displaying the first shape on the visual display device. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of increasing the visibility of a stationary, non-blinking object displayed on a visual display device of a system to permit a user to more easily determine the object'"'"'s location on the display device, the method comprising the steps of:
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displaying the stationary, non-blinking object on the display device after the system has been powered up; sensing an input by the user; and displaying a plurality of graphic elements on the display device, the plurality of graphic elements being approximately centered about the stationary, non-blinking displayed object. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of assisting a user in locating a stationary, non-blinking cursor on a visual display device of a computer, the method comprising the steps of:
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continuously displaying the stationary, non-blinking cursor on the visual display device; waiting for a selected input to the computer by the user; identifying the stationary, non-blinking cursor on the visual display device after receiving the selected input, the cursor having a preselected visual appearance; altering the preselected visual appearance of the stationary, non-blinking cursor on the visual display device for a predetermined period of time; and displaying the stationary, non-blinking cursor in its preselected visual appearance after the predetermined time period. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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27. An apparatus comprising:
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a computer having a screen, a pointing device having a movable member, and a user input device; a stationary, non-blinking cursor displayed on the screen; and the computer being programmed to detect a selected input from the user input device and display a plurality of graphic elements of sequentially decreasing size about the stationary, non-blinking cursor upon detection of the selected input and without movement of the movable member of the pointing device, each graphic element in the plurality of graphic elements being sequentially displayed on the screen for a predetermined time period. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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Specification