User definable interface system and method

Abstract

In a cursor-based computing environment having a display, a user definable interface (UDI) is displayed upon activation by a user. The UDI has a plurality of levels each having a plurality of buttons and is displayed in a selectable position about a pointer position in a display area to reduce pointer commute. The user selects a visual appearance and shape of the UDI, and the number of buttons. The user assigns a command to each of the plurality of buttons at each of the plurality of levels by dragging and dropping from one or more applications of the apparatus.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09 / 986,765, filed Nov. 9, 2001 (now allowed), which application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 247,643, filed Nov. 9, 2000, and 60 / 325,179, filed Sep. 28, 2001, which are all incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK NOTICES [0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. [0003] Zenu is a trademark of Change Tools Inc. Unix is a registered trademark of The Open Group. Microsoft, Microsoft Windows, Window NT and / or other Microsoft products referenced herein are either trademar...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] The present invention relates to a user definable interface that minimizes cursor commute.

[0015] The present invention is to be implemented in a cursor-based computing environment having a display. According to the present invention a user definable interface (UDI) is displayed upon activation by a user, wherein the UDI has a plurality of buttons and is displayed in a relative position about a cursor position to reduce cursor commute. The present invention permits the user to select a visual appearance and shape of the UDI, and the number of buttons. The present invention also permits the user to assign a command to each of the plurality of buttons by dragging and dropping from one or more applications of the apparatus.

[0016] The present invention further permits the user to form a first group of buttons and at least a second group of buttons. The user is permitted to assign a first icon representing a first specific one of the one or more applications to a first given button of the first group and assign commands, associated with the first specific one of the one or more applications to the second group of buttons. The present invention further permits the user to assign a second icon representing a second specific one of the one or more applications to a second given button of the first group and assign commands, associated with the second specific one of the one or more applications to the second group of buttons. The appearance of, and commands associated with, the second group of buttons change based on which button of the first group of buttons is selected.

Problems solved by technology

The manipulation of data in a data processing system is well known in the art and the large amounts of data that are available to the user of a modern state-of-the-art data processing system often become overwhelming in magnitude and complexity.

As a result of this increasing complexity, simplified interface methods and systems are needed between the user and the data processing system or device.

This movement is called “cursor commute.” This results in a time-consuming, less efficient and confusing user interface.

Therefore, it is difficult for the young, the elderly, handicapped, or any novice user to traverse and coordinate the position of the pointing device and, thus, the cursor with which the execution is made.

Pop-up menus, however, are limited to the number of commands they can contain and they often cover up part of the work area.

Images