Pointer memory for improved selection accuracy

• US 6,760,049 B1
• Filed: 06/01/2000
• Issued: 07/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Todd, Stephen James Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Kristine
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, LE V
• Application Number:
  US09/585,652
• Time in Patent Office: 1,496 Days
• Field of Search: 345/812, 345/754, 345/813-814, 345/822, 345/856-861, 345/862
• US Class Current: 715/813
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence

Abstract

An improved graphics system for a graphical user interface in which a plurality of screen objects are displayed is disclosed. Conventional systems comprises targeting means for determining a screen object targeted by the pointer; and selection means for reading a pointer selection and for selecting a screen object. The invention is characterized by the selection means comprising means for selecting a screen object which has been continuously targeted for a predetermined time (pi).

Claims

1. A graphics system for a graphical user interface in which a plurality of screen objects are displayed comprising:

targeting software module determining a screen object targeted by a pointer; and

selection software module reading a pointer selection and for selection a screen object;

said graphic system being characterized by;

said selection software module selecting a screen object which has been continuously targeted for a predetermined time (pi) and for a predetermined time (ni) after it ceases to be targeted, and

wherein a control panel is associated with said graphics system, said control panel being responsive to user interaction and updating said predetermined times ni and pi according to said interaction.

2. The graphics system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said targeting software module reads a time at which a screen object becomes targeted.

3. The graphics system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said targeting software module reads a pointer position before determining which object is targeted.

4. The graphics system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predetermined time ni and pi are stored within said graphics system.

5. The graphics system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predetermined time pi is greater than said predetermined time ni.

7. The graphics system of claim 1, embodied in an application wherein said application is one of a general purpose application and a dedicated application.

6. A graphics system for a graphical user interface embodied in an operating system in which a plurality of screen objects are displayed comprising:

targeting software module determining a screen object targeted by a pointer; and

selection software module reading a pointer selection and for selecting a screen object;

said graphics system being characterized by;

said selection software module selecting a screen object which has been continuously targeted for a predetermined time (pi) and for a predetermined time (ni) after it ceases to be targeted, and

wherein a control panel is associated with the graphics system, the control panel being responsive to user interaction and updating the predetermined times ni and pi according to the interaction.

8. A computer program product comprising computer program code stored on a computer readable storage medium for, when executed on a computing device, controlling the selection of screen objects, the program code comprising a graphical user interface in which a plurality of screen objects are displayed comprising:

targeting software module determining a screen object targeted by a pointer; and

selection software module reading a pointer selection and for selection a screen object;

said graphic system being characterized by;

said selection means comprising means for selecting a screen object which has been continuously targeted for a predetermined time (pi),

said selection software module selecting a screen object which has been continuously targeted for a predetermined time (pi) and for a predetermined time (ni) after it ceases to be targeted, and

wherein a control panel is associated with said graphics system, said control panel being responsive to user interaction and updating said predetermined times ni and pi according to said interaction.

9. A graphics system for a graphical user interface in which a plurality of screen objects are displayed comprising:

targeting means for determining a screen object targeted by a pointer;

selection means for reading a pointer selection and for selecting said screen object; and

said graphics system being characterized by;

said selection means comprising means for selecting said screen object which has been continuously targeted for a predetermined time (pi),

said selection means comprising means for selecting a screen object which has been continuously targeted for the predetermined time (pi) and for a predetermined time (ni) after it ceases to be targeted, and

wherein a control panel is associated with said graphics system, said control panel being responsive to user interaction and updating said predetermined times ni and pi according to said interaction.