Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Lora K McCambridge

Timothy T Brewer

Kenneth R Robertson

Anthony R Claflin

Teresa L Kelsey

Daniel S Hoeger

Michael W Van Flandern

Carl T Hellings

James A Andrews

Eric W Hanson

Samuel H Smith

Paul E Henderson, Jr

John P Pennock

Paul E Henderson

Jon B Kimmich

A system and method for minimizing clicks in the operation of a graphical user interface such as the WINDOWS operating environment is disclosed. Provided for minimizing the need for clicking to operate a graphical user interface is a 'Focus' feature, which essentially eliminates the need to click. In particular, the Focus feature eliminates the need to single click on predetermined windows and applications in order to establish a 'focus'. That is, as a user moves a pointer around the screen in Windows, the Focus feature essentially follows the pointer and the equivalent of a single click is sent to objects such as icons or system menus for the desktop environment, such as file manager and program manager in the explorer window of version 3.1, or such as to system menus when the pointer passes over them.

Method and system for activating focus

A cursor is displayed with one of several different cursor orientations depending on the current position to which the cursor points on a display screen. The 'cursor orientation' refers to the alignment of the cursor relative to an edge of the display screen. When the cursor points to a position that is within a predetermined distance from one of the edges of the display screen, the cursor is not visible on the display screen. Upon detecting that the cursor is not visible on the display screen, the cursor is displayed with a different cursor orientation such that the cursor is visible on the display screen. Preferably, the cursor orientation is selected so that when the cursor is displayed with the new cursor orientation, the entire cursor is visible on the display screen.

Distance control for displaying a cursor

A system and method for minimizing clicks in the operation of a graphical user interface such as the WINDOWS operating environment is disclosed. The invention emulates a double click (referred to as the 'ClickSaver' feature) which virtually eliminates the need to double click thereby making Windows easier for both the novice and experienced Windows user. A ClickSaver process determines the type of window on which a single click has occurred and, if ClickSaver is enabled and the window has been deemed eligible for a double click such as an icon or control menu, the ClickSaver process sends a double click signal in order to activate the application.

Method and system for activating double click applications with a single

A system determining an intended cursor location on the computer display screen and automatically repositions the cursor at the intended location. If the user selects a command that alters the contents of the display, such as opening a new window, the system analyzes the new screen display to determine whether there are user selectable options associated with the new screen display. The system determines if one of the user selectable options is a default option and automatically positions the cursor at the default option. If the new screen display is an application program, the system attempts to locate a user selectable option and repositions the cursor at the user selectable option. When the new window is closed, the system returns the cursor to the position it was at before the new window was opened. The system also predicts an intended location for a screen display that has not been altered, and automatically positions the cursor at the intended location. This feature can be selectively enabled to prevent the inadvertent repositioning of the cursor in the display.

System and method for computer cursor control

A routine allows a user to move a cursor in only mutually perpendicular, horizontal or vertical directions on a computer screen, despite erratic or wavy movement of a pointing device. The routine, once enabled, receives mouse movement signals produced when the user moves the pointing device, the mouse movement signals having x and y position components. The routine uses the greater of the change in the x and y components to initially move the cursor in either horizontal or vertical directions, respectively. The routine continues to move the cursor along the initially established direction, even if the change in mouse movement signals in the other perpendicular direction become greater during continued mouse movement. Only when the change in mouse movement signals in the perpendicular direction become much greater (e.g., ten times greater) will the routine switch to moving the cursor along the perpendicular direction.

Method and apparatus for moving a cursor on a computer screen

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Bellevue, WA, United States of America

Lora K McCambridge