Closely integrated key icons in a graphical interface

• US 5,694,562 A
• Filed: 01/17/1995
• Issued: 12/02/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas A. Fisher
• Original Assignee: Thomas A. Fisher
• Inventors: Fisher, Thomas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Breene, John E.
• Application Number:
  US08/373,561
• Time in Patent Office: 1,050 Days
• Field of Search: 395/155-161, 395/149, 395/326-358, 395/970, 395/977, 345/117-120, 345/146, 345/902, 345/168-180, 364/188-190, 341/22, 382/187, 382/309-311
• US Class Current: 715/839
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/977 Dynamic icon, e.g. animated or live action

Abstract

"Key icons in a graphical user interface for a computer system resemble physical keys on the keyboard and are closely integrated with the functionalities they invoke. A desired functionality may be invoked by pointing and clicking the associated key icon, or by physically pressing the corresponding key on the keyboard. In either case, the key icon changes its appearance to resemble a depressed key in response to the pressing of the physical key or to selecting the key icon. Key icons may invoke a menu function."

Claims

1. In a graphical user interface to be displayed on a computer screen for enabling the user of a computer program to interact with and control said program by selecting icons on the screen display, each icon being associated with a particular function of the program, the computer being equipped with a keyboard, and the program also susceptible of interaction and control by the user'"'"'s depressing keys on the keyboard, functions of the program being associated with particular keystrokes or sequences or combinations of keystrokes,

key icons in the screen display closely integrated with the functionalities each invokes and with the keyboard keys for invoking the corresponding functions, the number of key icons in the screen display being substantially smaller than the number of keys on the keyboard,

wherein further the graphical user interface includes a menu of functions, each of which is denoted by an alphanumeric entity, each alphanumeric entity being also contained in an icon on the graphical user interface and on a keytop on the keyboard, and

any of said functions is invoked either by selecting its corresponding key icon or by striking its corresponding keytop on the keyboard.

2. In a graphical user interface to be displayed on a computer screen for enabling the user of a computer program to interact with and control said program by selecting icons on the screen display, each icon being associated with a particular function of the program, the computer being equipped with a keyboard, and the program also susceptible of interaction and control by the user'"'"'s depressing keys on the keyboard, functions of the program being associated with particular keystrokes or sequences or combinations of keystrokes,

key icons in the screen display closely integrated with the functionalities each invokes and with the keyboard keys for invoking the corresponding functions, the number of key icons in the screen display being substantially smaller than the number of keys on the keyboard,

wherein further each icon in the screen display is a graphical depiction of the keyboard key the depression of which invokes the same function as the selection of the key icon,

the graphical user interface includes a menu of functions, each of which is denoted by an alphanumeric entity, each alphanumeric entity being also contained in an icon on the graphical user interface and on a keytop on the keyboard, and

any of said functions is invoked either by selecting its corresponding key icon or by striking its corresponding keytop on the keyboard.

3. The graphical user interface of claim 2 wherein further:

when a function is invoked, regardless of whether by selecting its associated key icon or striking its associated keytop, the associated key icon aminates its appearance to that of a depressed keytop and remains that way until the execution of the function commences.

4. The graphical user interface of claim 3 wherein further:

while a key icon has the appearance of a depressed keytop it also is displayed in a color other than the color it had before taking on the appearance of a depressed keytop.