Apple Inc.

Eric Mathew Trehus

Stephen Fisher

Robert G Johnston, Jr

John R Meier

Bruce Bartholomew Gaya

Nick G Kledzik

Mark Ludwig Stern

David H Owens

David Lawrence Evans

Herman Jesus Camarena

Andreas F Atkins

Method and apparatus for a first process operative in a computer system controlling a user interface on a computer system display under control of a second process operative in the computer system. An event handler is installed for the second process, the event handler servicing events generated for controlling the user interface display under control of the second process. The first process may then perform a first set of functions in the computer system. The first process generates events for controlling the user interface display, the events related to the functions performed by the first process. The event handler receives the events generated by the first process and updates the user interface on the computer system display according to the events generated by the first process and received by the event handler.

Message protocol for controlling a user interface from an inactive

A method and apparatus for improved user interaction and feedback on a computer system display. Interapplication dragging upon a user interface display is provided allowing a user to select a first item in a first window and move that first item to a second window which is under control of second process. Feedback is provided in the second window under control of the second process if the second application program can accept the data. In addition, other improved user interface actions are described, such as improved selection feedback, improved navigation, and improved completion feedback.

Method and apparatus for improved feedback during manipulation of data

This invention provides a method and apparatus for displaying on a computer display device both a portion of a sorted list of unknown length having a plurality of items and an indicator which is a corresponding approximation of a location of the portion within the list. For a sorted list, keys pertaining to a characteristic used to sort the list are assigned key order values which are indicator values corresponding to a current position within the list. The first key and last key in the list are used to determine a range of values for the indicator. Keys may be arranged in groupings. In that case the keys within a particular grouping are mapped to the same key order value. Preferably, groupings are defined according to a statistical probability of occurrence of the members of the grouping such that each grouping has substantially the same statistical probability of occurring. Preferably, the mapping of keys or groupings is stored in a table such that given a particular key or grouping, an associated indicator value may be found and, likewise, that given a particular indicator value, an associated key or grouping may be found. The indicator reflects a relative location of a portion of the list being displayed with respect to the entire list. When a display of the list changes such that an item of a new key or grouping is being displayed, the display of the indicator changes to reflect the new positioning within the list. If a user changes the position of the indicator, a portion of the list approximately relating to the new indicator position is displayed in the display area.

Method and apparatus for displaying on computer display device a portion

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Milpitas, CA, United States of America

Eric Mathew Trehus