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:
Nov. 07, 2006
Filed:
Jan. 14, 2005
Charles W. Stabb, Seattle, WA (US);
David A. Matthews, Seattle, WA (US);
Sarah E. Schrock, Bellevue, WA (US);
Charles W. Stabb, Seattle, WA (US);
David A. Matthews, Seattle, WA (US);
Sarah E. Schrock, Bellevue, WA (US);
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
Automatic assignment of shortcut keys for launching applications or for providing other commands is provided based on the position of corresponding application listings or shortcuts in a menu. The menu may include an applications menu, such as a start menu. The menu may also include an application launch bar listing applications that may be launched therefrom by selecting the respective application, or by entering shortcut keys that are automatically assigned based on the position of the application listing on the launch bar. Methods are provided for assigning application launch shortcut keys, for identifying assigned shortcut keys, for modifying shortcut keys, and for using shortcut keys for instantiating or switching applications.