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:
Dec. 14, 1999
Filed:
Nov. 19, 1997
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for use with a computer having a graphical user interface, including a desktop, displayed on a computer screen. The system is designed for controlling the execution of a computer application program, and the relative position of a window associated with said application along a z-axis defined as extending perpendicular to the surface of the computer screen. The invention includes a new graphical user interface element in the form of a handle positioned along a peripheral edge of a desktop. The handle is configured so that it is always visible on the desktop, and the position of the handle is user defined or programmable according to a convention. A link is provided between the handle and an associated application so that when handle is activated by means of a pointing device, a window associated with the application will be displayed as a foreground window on the desktop. The system permits the application to be efficiently and quickly accessed by activation of the handle.