The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 28, 1998
Filed:
Dec. 19, 1996
Timothy T Brewer, Bellevue, WA (US);
Daniel S Hoeger, Woodinville, WA (US);
Lora K McCambridge, Bellevue, WA (US);
Teresa L Kelsey, Seattle, WA (US);
Anthony R Claflin, Bellevue, WA (US);
Kenneth R Robertson, Redmond, WA (US);
Michael W Van Flandern, Seattle, WA (US);
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
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.