General Magic, Inc.

William D Atkinson

Andrew J Hertzfeld

Kevin M Lynch

Susan D Kare

A graphical navigation user interface for enabling user control of a computer system may incorporate navigation levels. Each navigation level is based on a physical real-word metaphor. The navigation system includes a three four levels: a individual object level, a room level, a building level, a town level. An individual object level is the lowest navigation level and corresponds to specific function. The room level provides a user with options of specific functions. The building level includes a hallway metaphor where the user has options of choosing room objects through a doorway. The town level provides the user with options of choosing various building objects connect by a street metaphor.

Graphical user interface for navigating between street, hallway, room,

A graphical navigation user interface for enabling user control of a computer system incorporating navigation levels, each of which is based on a physical real-world metaphor. The navigation system includes a first navigation level, a second navigation level and a third navigation level. The first navigation level includes a plurality of first level objects having a respective plurality of functions. When the first navigation level is accessed, a first level object is displayed. The presentation of the first level object is based on the appearance of a corresponding real-world device. From the first level, the second level is accessed by actuating a step back control. The second navigation level includes a second level object which represents a room or a similar architectural structure. This second level object includes a plurality of objects representing first navigation level objects. From the second level room object, navigation to a first level is performed by actuating one of the first level objects. From the second navigation level, the third navigation level is accessed by actuating a step back control. The third navigation level includes a third level object which depicts a hallway or similar commonly understood continuous structure for linearly moving between locations. From the third navigation level, the second navigation level is accessed by touching an object representing the second level. The third level object can be extended lengthwise to provide navigation space for new second level and first level objects.

Graphical user interface for navigating between levels displaying

A graphical user interface for changing characteristics, properties, or attributes of graphical objects in which particular values of particular characteristics are represented themselves as graphical objects called coupons. A user changes a characteristic of a graphical object by selecting a coupon representing a desired value of the characteristic and indicating that the coupon is to be applied to the graphical object. A coupon is selected and applied using a drag and drop technique. Particular values of particular characteristics of a first graphical object can be transferred to a second graphical object by use of a tinker window graphical user interface. A tinker window contains one or more coupons representing the state of the first object in terms of characteristics of the first object. The user selects a coupon from the tinker window and applies the coupon to the second object to transfer to the second object a characteristic of the first object. In some instances, the particular characteristic represented by the coupon is a series of computer instructions associated with a graphical object.

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Portola Valley, CA, United States of America

William D Atkinson