Method and apparatus for allowing a user to select from a set of mutually exclusive options
First Claim
1. A method for allowing a user to select an option from a plurality of mutually exclusive options, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:
- displaying a plurality of visual objects on a display of a computer system, each visual object of said plurality of visual objects corresponding to an option of said plurality of mutually exclusive options, each object of said plurality of visual objects having a visual appearance;
detecting an object-selecting action that selects one of said plurality of visual objects; and
changing the visual appearance of each of said plurality of visual objects in response to detecting said object-selecting action.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for allowing a user to select one of a plurality of mutually-exclusive options. A set of visual objects are displayed on the display device of a computer system. Each of the visual objects in the set corresponds to one of the mutually-exclusive options. No more than one of the visual objects is displayed in a selected state. The remainder of the visual objects in the set are displayed in an unselected state. The user selects one of the mutually exclusive options by performing a first action that selects one of the visual objects in the set, and then a second action that selects the option associated with the selected visual object. When the user performs the first action, the selected visual object is displayed in an excited state, and the remainder of the visual objects are displayed in a disappointed state. Thus, the user is provided visual feedback that identifies all of the options that will be affected by the user'"'"'s selection of the option associated with the selected visual object. In one embodiment, when the user performs the second action, the visual object associated with the selected option is displayed in a selected state, and the remainder of the visual objects in the set are displayed in an unselected state. According to one embodiment, the visual objects are radio buttons, an excited radio button is displayed as a happy face and a disappointed radio button is displayed as a sad face.
80 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for allowing a user to select an option from a plurality of mutually exclusive options, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:
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displaying a plurality of visual objects on a display of a computer system, each visual object of said plurality of visual objects corresponding to an option of said plurality of mutually exclusive options, each object of said plurality of visual objects having a visual appearance; detecting an object-selecting action that selects one of said plurality of visual objects; and changing the visual appearance of each of said plurality of visual objects in response to detecting said object-selecting action. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of sequences of instructions, said plurality of sequences of instructions including sequences of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause said processor to perform the steps of:
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displaying a plurality of visual objects on a display of a computer system, each visual object of said plurality of visual objects corresponding to an option of a plurality of mutually exclusive options, each object of said plurality of visual objects having a visual appearance; detecting an object-selecting action that selects one of said plurality of visual objects; and changing the visual appearance of each of said plurality of visual objects in response to detecting said object-selecting action. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A computer system comprising:
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a display device; a processor coupled to said display device; and a storage unit coupled to said processor; the storage unit having stored thereon a plurality of sequences of instructions, said plurality of sequences of instructions including sequences of instructions which, when executed by said processor, cause said processor to perform the steps of displaying a plurality of visual objects on said display device, each visual object of said plurality of visual objects corresponding to an option of a plurality of mutually exclusive options, each object of said plurality of visual objects having a visual appearance; detecting an object-selecting action that selects one of said plurality of visual objects; and changing the visual appearance of each of said plurality of visual objects in response to detecting said object-selecting action. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification