Dialog box method and system for arranging document windows

• US 5,929,854 A
• Filed: 11/30/1995
• Issued: 07/27/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vixel Viking, LLC
• Original Assignee: Michael M. Ross
• Inventors: Ross, Michael M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Breene, John E.
• Application Number:
  US08/565,503
• Time in Patent Office: 1,335 Days
• Field of Search: 395/326-358
• US Class Current: 715/783
• 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

Abstract

Methods and systems for optimizing the display and selection of document windows for word processing and desktop publishing in a multiple document interface. Pairs of document windows can be displayed side by side (or above and below) each other according to user preferences and without regard to the number or type of documents that have been opened. The system enables users to work with the same or different views of different documents or with different views of the same document in a highly intuitive and convenient manner.

Claims

1. A method for the simultaneous display on a computer screen of selected document windows in a multiple document interface computer system by means of a dialog box interface, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) opening the dialog box interface;

(b) selecting from within the dialog box interface document windows to be displayed and their screen display positions;

(c) closing the dialog box interface;

(d) displaying the selected document windows simultaneously on the computer screen at the selected screen positions.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein an active document window is a first selected document window and wherein a user selects a second document window.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the first and second windows are tiled when displayed.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the first and second windows are tiled horizontally.

5. A method according to claim 3 wherein the first and second windows are tiled vertically.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the multiple document interface is for a word processing application.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the multiple document interface is for a desktop publishing application.

8. A multiple document interface computer system with a dialog box interface for the simultaneous display on a computer screen of selected document windows, comprising:

(a) means for opening the dialog box interface;

(b) means for selecting in the dialog box interface document windows to be displayed;

(c) means for selecting in the dialog box interface screen display positions of selected document windows;

(d) means for closing the dialog box interface;

(e) means for simultaneously displaying the selected document windows at the selected screen positions on the computer screen.

9. A computer system according to claim 8 wherein said means function in accordance with the source code set forth in section III. of the Source Code Appendix entitled A FIRST PREFERRED EMBODIMENT--VIEW2™

.

10. A computer system according to claim 8 wherein said means function in accordance with the source code set forth in section III. of the Source Code Appendix entitled A SECOND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT--VIEW2™

PLUS.