CA1308815C

CA1308815C - Method and apparatus for removable menu window

Info

Publication number: CA1308815C
Application number: CA000580263A
Authority: CA
Inventors: William D. Atkinson
Original assignee: Apple Computer Inc
Current assignee: Apple Inc
Priority date: 1988-07-26
Filing date: 1988-10-14
Publication date: 1992-10-13
Anticipated expiration: 2009-10-13
Also published as: US4931783A

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION

A method and apparatus for removing a menu window from a menu bar on a display means in a computer controlled display system is described. The menu window is removed from the menu bar by positioning the cursor on a display means over a command option on the menu bar and then by manipulating a signal generating means to indicate to the computer display system that the user has selected the command option and then by manipulating a cursor control means to cause the cursor to cross a border of the menu window while the menu window is being displayed.

Description

"` 1 ~088 1 5 A. Fi~ld ot the Invention.
The pr~s~nt imention r01ates ~o thc field of comput~r controll~d display 5 systems for use in a compu~er system. More parlicularly, the tield of the invention relat~s to computsr syst~ms that includ~ manus, such as pull-down m~3nus, which are displayed on a vid~o scra0n controll~d by a comput~r systam.

B. PriorArt Background.
Many prior art computcr 'syst~ms includs comput~r controll~d display systems which utillz~ bit-mapped displays which typica!ly pres~nt a graphic imags to the user of th6 cornpu[~r system. In th~se comput0r controlt~d display syst~ms, a bit-mapped image appears on a display m0ans, such as a t ~ cathode ray tube (C:RT); the bit-mapped image is typically ~n~rat0d and stored in a fram~ buffer which ac2s as a msmory for thc display system. In th~s~display systems, th~ user typically interacts with th~ comput~r syst0m by manipulating a curssr control means, such as a mouss. Tha ussr us0s the mouss ~o position a cursor on th~ bit-mapp~d imag~ to s~l~ct op~ions which ar~
displayed under th~ control of ~h0 computer system on th~ dispiay msans. An example o~ such a prior a~ computer system is th~ Macin20sh s~ries o~
computers produced and offer~d by A~PIQ ~ompuleL !n~. of Cup~rtino, California. An examplary description of bit~mapped eomputer controll~d display systems may b~ ~ound in U.~. Patsnt No. 4,622,545, which is assignad :: 25 to th~ assign~e of tha instant invantion.

A typical prior art comput~r controll~d display systam is d~scrib~d in U.S. Pat6nt No. 4,464,652, which has be~n r~issu~d as U.S. Raissu~ Patent No. 32,632. In ~he display syst0m describ0d in that pat~nt, a mousa is coupl~d 30 to the comput0r display system to con~rol s~lactiv~ly th~ position of a cursor on a display m~ans, such as a compu~er scr~en simply ~y movin~ the mouso ov~r *Trade Mark ~ ?

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1 30~1 5 a surfac~, such as a d~sk, until ~ha dasir~d cursor position is shown on th~ ¦
display screen. The display system d~scribed in Reiseue Patent No. 32,632 includas a "pull-down" menu. The mouse described in that pa~nt includes a switch msans which is utilizsd with the positioning of th~ cursor on th~ scr~en i 5 to selectively display command items corresponding to a par~icular command option (sometim~s rsf~rred 10 as a m~nu titl~) which app0ars along a m0nu bar on the scr~cn (display means~. The command it~ms are displaysd in a menu window which is typically immediatsly below the command option which has be~n ssl3ct~d. That command option is select~d by placin~ th~ cursor on or !
10 n0ar the command option and setting th~ switch on the mouse to a s~cond position, thsr~by causing th~ menu window to be display3d. If th~ us0r wish0s to mak0 a sel~ction o~ one of the it~ms in the menlJ window, th~ us~r continu3s to drag the mouse and thereby the cursor, down the menu window until th0 cursor appears over or n~ar ths parUcular command itam th~ user wishes to 15 s~l9ct. Th~ user than rel~ases the switch maans to thereby s~t th~ switch in a ~irst position, which instructs the computer ~o exscute the command itam s~lected.

While this prior art display systsm cmploying pull-down menus has m~t 20 with considerabl~ suco~ss, th~ pull-down manu which is p~oduced by this method frequantly obscur~s portions of ths imag~s on the display means wh~n the us~r would like to see thos~ portions (e.g. to determins what salection to mak~ in the pull-down menu). That is, sinc0 ~hs pull-down window ~en~rates a I -mcnu window which is typically in a tixad position, any imag~s naar that flxed ~5 position ar~ fr~quently obscur~d by a m~nu window whan it is ~0nerated by the fore~oin~ tachnitlues. Mor~ov~r, the menu window ~nerated th~ou~h th~se pull-down msnu tschniqu~s i~ acc~ssibl~ only when a command option has baen s210ct~d. In oth0r words, th~ command it~ms pres~nt in a pa~icular m~nu window ar~ not accossible until a command option has been ~claeted.

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-` 1 30~ 1 5 ' The pr~sont inv~ntion provides eln improvad computer controll0d display system in which the rnenu windows may be removed from ~he menu bar and positionad on th~ scr~en of th~ display means. Oncfi the menu window has baan r~movcd from the menu bar, ths menu window may be repositioned on the 5 screen of the display means or may b~ closed and th~reby removad 1rom the screan.

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l3n~sls Il. ~U.~M~FIY OF THE INYENTION

The computer controllsd display system of the invention provides an inter~ace ~or a user to provide intormation, including instructions, to a comput~r systcm. The computer controlled display system includes a display means .
which has a plurality of command options alon~ a manu bar, typically near the !
t~p of the display maans. Each oommand option has command items corr~s,oonding to that command option which ara displayed within a menu window when that particular command option is s~lscted. Eaoh menu window includes a border, which typically corr~sponds to the sid~s of the m~nu window. A cursor control m~ans, such as a mous~, is usad to control the , cursor's position on the display ms~ns; the cursor control m0ans is typically . ;
couplod to the computsr con~roll~d display system. The manipulation (e.~.
movemsnt) of the cursor control msans by th~ user rcsults In a corr~s,~ndin~
movem~nt of tha cursor on th0 display m~ans. H~nca, th~ ussr manipulat~s tha cursor control maans to pr~duce a movem~nt of th~ cursor cn th~ display moans. A signal gen~ration means (e.g. a switch m0ans, such as a button or s~voral buttons) is coupl~d to ~h~ comput~r controll~d display syst~m. A si~nal ~eneration means may have a tirst and a second position (e.~. button up and button down, respsc~ively) which the user may use ~o signal to the computer the instructions ~rom th~ usar. Ths m~nu window is r~moved from th~ m~nu bar while the menu window is display~d by manipulating the cursor cont~ol m~ans so as to moYe the cursor across 1h~ bordar o~ the m~nu window while signaling via th~ signal g~n~ration means to th~ computer 1hat the us~r dasires to r~movQ
ths menu window.

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130~15 The mathod of th~ inv~ntion for rsmoving a menu window from th~ menu bar comprisas several stsps. The m~nu bar is displayed by a comput~r controlied display sys~m and ~ypically includas sav~ral eornmand options whieh are display~d along ~he menu bar. Thc command option is selected by 5 positionin~ the cursor on tha display, using the cursor con~rol means, in the vicinity of the command option b~ing s~lscted and thcn by usin~ tha si~nal gcneration means to signal to th~ computar that th~ comman~ option is b~in~
s~lected by the lls~r. Onc~ a par~icular command option has bsen salsct~d, the command it~ms corr~sponding to that command option ~r~ displayed in a 10 m~nu window which includ3s a border. That is, ths menu window (b~in~
attachad to 2h~ menu bar) is displayed by salactin~ th0 command option. Ths monu window is than removad from th~ msnu bar whil~ ~ha~ menu windsw i~ still displayad ~y manipulating 1he cursor control means so as to move the cursor across the bord~r of tha menu window whila signaling to th~ comput~r th~t tha 15 manu window is to be remov~d, theraby r~movin~ ~ha menu window from the msnu bar.

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Figur~ 1a shows a display means o~ the invention.

5 Fi~ure 1b diagrammatically shows the screen of the display m0ans of the invention with a pull-down manu activated. I

Figur~ 2 shows the computer controlled display syst~m o~ the inv~ntion with a m~nu window which has been remov~d from th~ menu bar.
Figur~ 3a shows a r~mov~d m~nu window with the cursor position~d over a command ~em.

Fi~ure 3b shows a removed menu window with the cursor positioned over the handls icon.

Figure 4a is th~ ~irst par~ of a flow chalt which describes and shows the process of the pres~nt invention.

Figure 4b is the second part of a flow chart whioh describes and shows the process of the present inv~n~ion.
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Figur~ ~ diagrammaticaily shows tho display m~ans of the pr~sant invention and furlh~r shows a m~nu wind~w being moved.
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~i~uro 6 shows an alterna1ive ~mbodim~nt of the remov~able menu window of the inv~ntion wh~re the menu bar is positioned near ~he middle o~ th~ display mean~. ` .

Fi~ure 7 shows an ambodim~nt o~ th~ apparatus o~ tl~e pr~s~nt invengion.
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IV. .~EIAlLE~ ~ES~RIPIIQN OF THE I~
1308~15 A process tor r~movin~ a m~nu window from a m0nu bar on a display m~ans in a computer oontrol1ed display syst~m is describ~d. In th~ followin~
5 d~scription, sp~cific steps, procedures, command options, command itams and oth~r sp~cifics ars s~t forth in ordsr to provid~ a thorDugh und~rstandin~ of th~
presant invention. Howev~r, it will b~ appar~n~ to on0 skill~d in tha art that tha pres~nt invention may be practiced without th~ sp~cific d~tails. In othar instances, well known syst~ms are shown in dia~rammatic or block diagram 10 Sorm in order not to obscur~ in unnecessary detail th~ pr~s~nt inv~ntion.

Ths computer controlled display system of th~ pr~s~nt inv~ntion is pa~
of a computer system, such as that shown in Figur0 7. Th~ computer controll~d display systam includ~s a display m~ans 7, such as a CRT monitor or a liquid 15 crystal dispiay (LCD) and ~urthsr includ~s a cursor control maans 20, such asa rnouse of tha type shown in U.S. Reissu~ Patant No. R~. 32,~32. Typically, the cursor control m~ans 20, such as a mouse, includes a si~nal ~aneration means, such as a switch means having a ~irs~ position and a sacond position.
For example, th~ mouss shown and d~scribed in U.S. R~issud Pat0nt Re.
20 32,632 includss a switch means 90 which tha ussr of th~ computar system us~s to ~enerate signals dir~cting th~ comput~r to sx~cut~ c~rtain commands.
The disclosuro in U.S. Pat~nt R~. 32,632 is particularly pertinent to ~he computer control display syst~m havin~ a ~pull-down~ m~nu bar display which is disclosod in 25 that pat~nt. For th~ purposes of gh~ pr~sant invention, ~hs cursor control means of th~ prasont inv~ntiQn may bo substantially id~ntioal to tha cursor csntrol msans in U.S. Pat~nt Ra. 32,632 (for ~xampi~, shown as cursor control unlt 20 in Fi~ur~ 1 of U.S. Pat~nt ~a. 32,632). How~ver, it will b~ und~rstood by thoso in th~ art that many othor types o~ cwrsor control m~ans may ba utilizod, such 30 as ~raphic tabl~ts, a mous~ with a plurality o~ switches (i.a. buttons), trackballs, ~tc. lndcsd, any dcvic~ capabl~ o~ indicatin~ x-y locations and capable of controlling a cursor on a display m~ans of a computer syst~m may be utilized in `- the pr~sent inv~ntion as the cursor control m0ans.

R~ferrin~ again to Figur~ 7, tha cursor 6 on th~ display mcans 7 is S contrslled by tha cursor control means 20 which is shown in Fi~ure 7. The cursor control means 2a is coupled to the comput0r system 21 to permit the user to contrsl ~hc position of the cursor 6 on display m~ans 7. Th~ cornputer systern 21 includ~s a CPLI 24 which is coupl6d betwe~n a m~mory 26 and V0 circuit y 22 by bidirectional buses. The l/O oircuitry 2~ is coupled, typically by 10 a bidirectional bus, to 2 mass m~mory stora~e uni~ 32, such as a disc drive, and th3 i/0 circuitry 22 is also coupled to a kayboard means 30. The ItO
circuitry 22 is coupled to the cursor control means 20 and to th~ display means 7. Th~ IIO circuitry 22 r~ceives dala from the cursor control m~ans 20 and the keyboard 30 and provides that data to the CPV 24 and ~hs mass memory 32.
15 Thc computer syst~m shown in Figur~ 7 is w~ll known (~.9. th~ Macintosh series of ~mput0rs sold by Appl~ Computer, Inc.? and h0nce a datail~d description is not n0cessary herein. A furthsr description of tha computer system shown in Figure 7 may b0 lound in U.S. Patent 4,622,545 (which system is shown in and dascribed with r~f~rQnc~ to Figur0 1 of U.S. ~atent 20 4,622,545).
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Figure 1a illustra~es th~ display m~ans 7 whsn there is no pull-down mcnu actiYated; that is, the mar1u bar 3 has no command options which hav~
25 b0en sel0cted and therefor0 no menu windows appear ~pull0d-down" from tho menu bar 3. As shown in Figur~ la, tha m~nu bar 3 typically has a plurality of command options 4, such as command options "file" and ~edit~. The cursor 6 shown in Flgur~ 1a, which is under the con~rol of th0 cursor control m~ans 20 has bsan positk)ned in close proxirnity to ths oornmand option 4 which is 30 labelled as 'Edit~. Th0 command it~ms which correspond to the command option ~Edit~ may b~ displayed by th~ use~s control of a signal gen~ration *Tra~l~ Mark B
. ~ , , 130~315 mcans (0.g. a switch msans 90) which is couplQd to the computer controlled display system. For example, if a simpls switch msans such as that ~hown in U.S. Patent R~. 32,632 (designat~d switch 90 in that paten~) is us~d, the user would set the switch means in a secondl position (e.g. press down on th~ switch by pressing the switch cap 91 ) there~y si~nalin~ to the comput~r to display themanu window associated with tha command option which has ba~n selact~d.

Raf~rring now to Figur~ 1b, a display means 7 is shown as havin~ a msnu bar 3 and a menu window 1 (having command items 5 such as "Fila~;
~Edit"; etc.) which has ba~n 'pulled-down" from th~ msnu bar 3. Fi~ure 1b also shows the cursor 6, which is near ths border 16 of the menu window 1. The menu bar 3 includes a plurality of oommand optione 4 (e.~. Wfil~"; "edit~; "Tj";etc.). Imagina~y dash~d lin~s 11 have been added to Figuras 1b and 2 to illustrate divisions between ~he command eptiens shown in the m~nu bar 3 (it 16 will be undarstood thal the dashed lines are not typi~ally part o~ thc menu bar 3~.

Figuras 1 a and 1 b will be used to illustr~te the operation of the ~pull-down" m~nu. Figure 1 a iilustrates the appearanc~ of the display means 7 when no menu window has b~sn ~pulled-down~ ~rom ~ha menu bar 3. in other wor~s, no command op~ion 4 has been ssl~ d in Figure 1a To sele~ a particular command option 4, the us~r pocitions th~ cursor 6 on or near that particular command option (e.g. ths cursor 6 is positioned near the command option ~Edit~ in Fi~ure 1 a) and ~ets the switch means 90 to ~ s~cond po~ition, typically by pr~s~ing the switch cap 91 elown to thareby set the switch means 9û in th~ sacondl (down) position. This usually causes the "pull~own~ of the menu window for that particular comrnand option (thereby selacted~ ~o appear immsdiat01y below that particular command eption. For example, as shown in ~i~urs 1 b, the command items app~arin~ in the menu window 1 for the ~: 30 comrnand option ~edit" appear immediat01y below the command option 4 which is labell0d "eaiit". The command i~ems 5 are typic~lly arran~ed within user .

1 308~1 5 s~lcctable araas of the m~nu window to permit th~ us0r to sel0ct a singl0 command it~m from a particular menu window. Th~ proc~ss lor s~lectin~ a particular command it~m in the msnu window (prior to removal) is dascrib~d in more detail in U.S. Patent ~. 32,632. Il can be saen that a pa~icular menu 5 window when actiYated by pulling down th~ menu window from th~ m0nu bar will obscure a portion of the scrcen, thereby prev~nting the user from se~in~
that poriion of the screen and the menu window simultaneously. This invcntion provides a m~thod tor removing th~ menu window from the m~nu bar and positioning that menu window on the screcn in a user selectable location to 10 parmit th~ user to vi~w portions of thc scr~n which wolJld not b~ viewable ifthe menu window was still a~ached to the menu bar. Moreover, the user may want tha ~mmand items in the particular menu window to be constantly accessible without having to activate the comm~nd option in th~ menu bar 3 to cause th~ manu window to appear. It is thass ne~ds that the pres~nt invention 15 attempts to address. Accordingly, a method for remDvin~ a m~nu window from a menu bar on a display means will be dascrib0d.

The process of the inv~ntion will be describ~d in conjunction wi~h Fi~ures 4a and 4b, which show, in flow chart ~orm, the steps of th~ invention.
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Figure 4a shows the ini~ial part of the method; initially, the computer controll~d display syst~m starts (stsp 100) by displ~ying ths m~nu bar 3 (stcp 101) on the display means 7 as shown in Fi~ure ta. Th~ comput~r thcn determines ~in step 102) wheth~r the usar has selected a command option in 25 tha menu bar by setting th~ switch m~ans ts a s~cond position ~nS=2~) (or by rnanipulaiing otht~r si~nal ~cn~ration means to si~nal sel~c~ion of a commanâ
option). If the us~3r has not s~ ted a cornmand option in the m~nu bar th~
computor recirculates (back to stap 101) and continues to display the rnenu bar 3. If ths uscr s~lects a particular command option in the mcnu bar, th~
30 command items associated with that command option are displayed within a menu window (i.e. a pull~own m3nu is activatad in st~p ~03). Such a pull-l 3n~ s down m~nu is shswn in Figur~ 1 b for th~ command option "edit~. The pull-down menu typically remains on lhe menu bar of display means 7 as long as th~ switch m~ans is k~pt in the secondl position and th~ cursor 6 is k~pt withinthe border 16 of the menu window 1. Next, the computer checks for th~
5 selection of a oommand it~m by eh~cking the position of the cursor 6 and chscking the status of the swi~ch means 90 (step 104). lt the command it~m is selected by positioning th~ cursor near a particular commanditom and changin3 Ih~ switch m~ans 90 7rom the second position ~o ~h~ first position, ~h~computor performs th~ command item s~10ctcd by th~ ussr (in st~p 105) and the 10 comput~r recirculates back to th~ star~ of tha s~quenca ~step 1û1). lf no command it~m has been sel0cted, the computer determines ~in step 106~
wh4ther the cursor 6 has cross~d a border of th~ m~nu window. The cursor 6 in Figure 1 b is shown nearing a border 16 of the menu window 1. That border 16 corresponds to th~ sid~ 1c of the m~nu window 1 shown in Figur~ 1b. Menu : ~ 15 window 1 has three sides labelled side 1a, side 1b and side 1c. Sidas 1a and lc aro parall~l ver~ical sides. Each side h~s associated therewith a bordsr which ext~nds a small distance Nd" 15 from th0 bord0r. As shown in Fi~ur~ 1 b, the border 16 is typically parallel to its associated sid~ and extends a perpendicular distanc~ ot "d" 16 from the respectivé side; ~d~ may be any 20 reasonable distance to allow for a margin of error in moving th~ cursor 6 aoro s the display me~ns 7. lf no margin of error is neoessary, "d" may be SGt ~qual tozaro such that ths bordar and its associated sid~ will b~ the same.

To removs the menu win~low 1 from th~ menu bar 3 afl~r causin~ the 25 menu window (pull-down m~nu) to be displaysd, the user ke~ps the swltch means 90 set at th~ seoond position whil~ moving 1he cursor control m0ans 20 such fhat tha cursor 6 is mov~d frorn within the menu window to cross the bor~er 10 of th~ manu window 1. Thus, the menu window 1 is r~m~v~d from the menu bar 3 while the m~nu window 1 is bein~ displayed on the display means 30 7. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 b, th~ menu window 1 ineludes an ~d~e 1d which is juxtapos~d to th~ menlJ b-r 3; çrossin~ th0 ed~ 1dl will not 1 3 0 ~3 (~ 1 ') ramove the m~nu window 1 from th~ menu bar 3 but will rath0r continue the selec~ion of th~ command option "edit".

Rcfcrring again to Figur~ 4a, if ~he cursor has not crossad th0 border o~
5 the menu window (i.e. the switch moans is still set ~t S=2 and thc oursor 6 iswithin th~ border of the manu window 1), the computer racirculates baok to the pull-down menu being activat~d in step 103 as shown in Figurc 4a. On tha other hand, if the cursor has cross~d a bord~r o~ the menu window 1, ths oomputer then determines (in step 107) th~ location of th~ menu window, 10 particularly with respsct to th~ menu bar to prsYont overlapping of the menu bar by the m~nu window. Overlapping of the menu bar should be preventsd because the detached m~nu window will obscur~ command options on the monu bar if overlapping occurs. If there is overlap of the nenu bar by the menuwindow, tha menu window is not removed and ~he computer recirculatss back 15 to the step of th~ pull~own manu being ac~ivat~d (stap 103). If ther~ is no overlap of the rn~nu bar by th~ m~nu window, the outline 9 of th~ menu window follows ths cursor (s~ep 108). In ths pref~rr~d embodim0nt, a handlo icon 2 and a olose icon 8 are added lo ~he manu window and the outline 9 of the menu window 1 with the handl0 icon and close box follows th~ cursor around the 20 display m~ans 7. As long as the user ke3ps th6 switch means 90 in the secQnd position, the manu window 1 will follow the cursor around the disp3ay means 7 as long as there is no overlap of tha m~nu bar 3 by the manu window 1.

Figur~ 4a shows that wh~le the outlins ot the menu window 1 follows th~

2~ cursor 6 around the display m~ns 7 (in st0p 108~ th~ compu~or rep~atedly ch~cks ~o detsrmine (in step 109) whether the d~tach~d menu 1 overlaps th~
menu bar 3 at ths pr~sent location of th~ cursor 6. Thatis, whiie the menu window 1 follows t~le cursor 6 arouncl (wi~h th~ us~r main~ainin~ a SWitCtl means 90 in the second positlon), tha comput~r determin~s ~in step 109~ whether the 30 dstach~d m~nu window ov~rlaps th~ menu bar. Ifth0 detaohed rnenu window ovarlaps th~ m~nu bar,th~n th~ computer cQuses the oultlin~ of~h~ menu .

~2 130~(~15 window to disapp~ar (in step 110); then, the computsr dat~rmines whether th0 us~r has selected ~Q~h~ command option in step 111 ~j.Q. a cemmand option other than tha command o~tion which was sslscted ~o pull~down the ori~inal menu window). If th~ us~r has not select~d another command option, the 5 computer returns to step 103 ~hare the comput0r displays the menu window 1 as a pull-down menu attachad to ths merlu bar 3. If the user has selactad another eommand option the current pull-down m~nu which includes the original menu window 1 disappears (in step 112) and th~ computer racycles to the stap 102 of determining whather the user has s~l~cted a command option in 10 the menu bar 3. Rsferring a~ain to step 109, if tha menu window 1 does not ovarlap the menu bar 3, ~he cemputcr than d~terminss whether the m~vement of tha menu window has stopp0d by determinin~ ( in step 113) the position of tha ~witch means 90. Ifthe switch means is still in the s~cond position the menuwindow 1 will continue to lollow the cursor 6 around th~ display rneans 7. As 15 soon as the switch means 90 is se~ to the first posilion, (e.~. by releasin~ the button 91~, th~ computer r~cogniz~s that th~ movement of th3 menu window has ceased and will immedia~ely ohQck for a menu bar overlap (in step 114). If :` thare is no menu bar overiap ~hen the pull-dewn menu showin~ the ori~inal menu window 1 attached to the m~nu bar 3 disappears and th~ computer 20 proce~ds into the rcmainder of the steps shown in FiQur~ 4b (through node 1).If thara is a m0nu bar overlap at the end of the rnove, the outlin~ of the menu window 1 disapp~ars (in stsp 115) and tha pull-dswn rn~nu (i.3. th~ m~nu window is attach~d to the m~nu bar 3) disappaars and the comput~r r~turns to start (step 1 16).
Referrin~ now to Fi~ur~ 4b, once the computer ha~ detennin~ that the user has ~nded the move after uteanng off" the menu window frorn the menLI bar 3, the computer in st~p 1 1 8 deposits th~ detached menu window 1 onto ~h~ :display m~ans 7. Fgura 2 shows ~he m~nu window 1 which has been 30 deposit~d on th~ dispiay m~an~ 7. Tha cursor 6 is ~hown as havin~ n mov0d away ~rom th0 manu window 1, and the display m~ans 7 further includes l3ns(~ls a m~nu bar 3 havin~ a plurality of command options 4. Ths m~nu windew 1 includes command it~ms 5 and further includes a handls icon 2 and a close icon 8. As shown in Figure 2, ths handla icon 2 may inelude th~ nam~ of the csmmand option which was selectsd when the menu window was removcd.
A~tar th~ computer deposits the d~tached menu window 1, such as ths d~tach~d menu window 1 shown in Fj91Jre 2, the computer ch~cks to determine in step 119 wh~ther an old d0tached menu window ~mains on th~ display m~ans 7. lf th~r~ is such as old d~taoh~d menu window, th~n th~ computer in stop ~20 closes that old d~tachsd menu window, th~r~by r~movin~ it from th~
display m~ans 7 so that it no longcr appears on the display means 7. 3f therc was no old de~achad manu window on ~he display mealls 7 when lhe detach~d menu window 1 was d6posited on ths display maans 7, then the computer continu~s to thc next step, st~p 121, shown on Figuro 4b. At this point, Ihe computer dstarmin0s in st~p 121 whcth~r a command item in th~ d~tach~d msnu window has been sel~cted.
' A command item 5 in the detached menu window 1 i~ typically selectad by first positioning th~ cursor 6 ov~r or near th~ parlicular comrnand it~m S
which the user ss~ks Io s~l~ct and then by signalin~ to the computer controllcd displ~y syst~m tha~ th~ it~m is s~l~cted through a signal g~n0ration means.
The cursor 6 is, as desoribad abov~, positioned on th~ display m~ans 7 by manipulating tha cursor control m~ans 20 ~o cause corr~spondin~ movement of tne cursor 6. Fi~ure 3a shows ~he cursor 6 positioned over the cornmand itam 5 2~ which is labelled "Undo". Typically, atter positionin~ th~ cursor 6 as described, the usor signals the sel~ction of the command it~m by tir~t setting the switch maans in a second position and th0n by s~ins the switeh m~ans to ?
a tirst position. For exampl~, on th~ cursor ~ontrol m~ans 20 ol Fi~ure 1 (and of U.S. R~issu~ Pat~nt No. 32,632), th~ user pr~ssas the button ~switch cap 91 ) down to the second position and then r*leases th0 button which then ~baing i308~15 spring loaded) pops up to tha first position. Other means for si~naiing will be apparsnt to those skilled in the art.

lf such a command item has been s~lected, ~h~ comput~r por~orms in 5 step 122 th~ command it~m in the detached menu window and recircula~es back to the b~ginning of st~p 121, in which ~he computer d~termines whsth~r a command item in the detach~d m~nu window has ba~n sel~cted. lf no command i~m in the detach~d msnu window has b~n selsct~d, the computer 1hsn determines in step 123 wh~ther the user has s01~cted a command option 10 in the m~nu bar, which the comput~r usually continu~s to display since th~
start of lh~ steps of the pr~s~nt invention as shown in Fi~ure 4a and 4b.

Referring to stsp 1~3 of Fi~ure 4b, the computer will d0t~rmine whe~h~r the user has salsc~ed a command option in the menu bar 3. lf the user has so 15 selected a command sption in tha menu bar 3, Ihe pull-down menu for that par~icular command option will b~ displayed and the commarld items in that pull-down menu will appear (st~p 124). The computer then moYes to step 125, in which the computer det~rmines whelther a command item has b~en s~l~ct~d in the pull-down m~nu that has b~en just activatsd in the prior step 124. lf a 20 command it~m has b~n scla~d from the pull-down menu at~ached io th~
menu bar 3, the computer psr~rms in step 126 that eommand item in ~he pull-down menu and ~ntinues to step 127. Ref~rrin~ again to step 125~ if no ~ommand iiem has b~en sal~cted in th~ pull-down m~nu attach~d to ~he mljnu bar 3, ths computer proco0ds tO step 127, which dsterminas wh~ther the ussr 25 dssir~s to close th~ d~tach~d m~nu win~ow. R~errin~ again to st~p 1~3, it theusor did not sel~ct a command op~ion in th~ menu bar 3, th~ computer also proc~cds ~o step 127 det~rmining whs~her ~o close the d~ach0d menu wind~w.

Referring again to s~p 1~7, the computer dfltcrminss wh~ther the user 30 desires to elosa thfl d~tached manu window 1 by determinin~ wh~ther the position of the CL rsor 6 is ov~r th0 ar~a of the close i~n 8 ~which is shown in 130~15 Figurcs 2, 3a and 3b as a r~ctanguiar area which overlaps the area o~ the handle icon 2) ~ whether, while th~ cursor 6 ~Qm~ over the ciose icon 8, ths switch position has be~n set to the s~cond position ~e.~. the switch m~ans 90 has been pushed down) and then s~t ~o a first position (e.g. switch m~ans 90 5 is raleased up). If all conditions ot tha ~or~going are tru~, then tha computer closQs th~ detached menu window eausing the detached menu window 1 to disappsar from th~ display of the display msans 7. Th~ oomputer th~n proceeds back to start step 100 on Figure 4a and r~cyclss through the st~ps described above.
Continuing from st~p 127, if the us~r has not signaied th~ oomput~r to CIOS9 the detachcd m~nu window 1, then the computer d~terminss in step 130 whether the user desires to move the msnu window 1 around ths scra~n of th~
display maans 7. Th~ computer dctermin~s wh0ther ~he user desires to mov0 15 the detached menu window 1 by determinin~ whether, while thQ position o~ the cursor 6 is over the handle icon 2, the user has placed ths switch me ns 90 in the s~oond position; that is, the computar determines whether ~he user has manipulat~d the switch maans 90 to plac~ it in the sacond position whil~ the cursor 6 is over the handle icon 2 as shown in Fi~ure 3b. It the oursor is not 20 over the handle icon or ths switch has no~ besn sa~ to th~ s~cond position, then the computer r~tums to s~p 121 shown in Figure 4b (~Has a command item in the d~tached m~nu window b~en sel~cted?"). If the computer determin~s that the cursor is ov~r 1he handle icon 2 and th~ switch position is s~t to the s~eond position, then th~ comput~r pro~ssds to 1he next etep (step 131 ) whereirl the 25 outlina 9 o~ th~ àsta~hsd menu window 1 follows tho oursor 6 whila the curr~n~
d~tachad menu window 1 ~mains display~d. The outlin~ 9 of the m~nu - window 1 will follow the cursor 6 as long as th0 user maintains the switch means 90 in the s~cond position while movin~ th0 cursor con~rol mean~ 20 (e.g. a mouse). While the outline 9 of the detachad rnenu window 1 follows the 30 cursor 6 around th~ display m~ans 7 as the cursor control means 2û is moved, the oomputer r~paat~dly checks for a m~nu bar overlap (e.~. in stap 132). That 1 308(~ 1 5 is, the computer determines in step 132 whether, at the presant position of the cursor 6, th0 oullin~ 9 of th~ d~tach~d menu window 1 overlaps the m~nu bar 3. Figure 5 shows the outline 9 of the detached menu window ~ and shows the cursor 6 being positioned over the area enolosed by the outline 9 of the 5 detached menu window 1. If no portion o~ the outline 9 o~ ~he menu window 1 ovarlaps with th~ menu bar 3 (i.~. no m~nu bar ov~rlap) then the compu~0r detarmines in st~p 133 whelher the usl3r d~sirss to and the move ot Ih~
detachad menu window 1. At this steFI 133, the oomputar dat~rmines whsth~r the switch means is in the s0cond position; if it is, th~n ~he computer 10 r~circulat~s back to st~p 131 whare the outline 9 of ~he detached menu window1 follows the cursor 6. That is, in a typical embodim~nt, the user signals to th~
computar that the user d~sires to continue mo~/ing th~ outline of the d~tach~d menu window 1 by ke~ping tha switch means 90 s~t to the sacond position. If, on the other hand, th~ switch means 9O has be~n s~t to tha first position, th~n 15 the computer deposits (in st~p ~18) the dstached menu window a~ the location corresponding to the position of the outline 9 when the oomputor found in stap 133 that tha switch m~ans was set to ~ha first position. The last position ot the cursor 6 typioally det3rminss where the ougline 3 was when st~p 133 is ex~cuted. The comput~r contr~ d display system will also rsmove the outlin0 20 9 from the display means 7 aiter depositing the detachsd menu window ~t th~
n~w location. In this cas~, th0 us~r signals to th~ computer that th~ us~r has finished rnoving the outline 9 of ~h~ d~tached menu window 1 by sefting the switch maans 9O to the first position. Th~ oomputsr th0n proc~eds to th~ n~x~
step (step 119) shown in Figur~ 4b.
If, whil~ moving ~h~ outlin~ 9 of the m~nu window 1 with th~ cursor 6, th~re is a m~nu bar ov~rlap, th~n ~he comput~r per~orms c~rtain operaiions shown in Figun~ 4b (i.e. ~h~ steps labelled 134, 135, 136, 137 and 138). In particlllar, if thflre is a menu bar ovsrlap, the outline 9 of the dstach~d m~nu30 window 1 disappears but ~h~ curren~ detached menu window 1 is sUII display~d on lhe display m~ans 7 (in step 134). The oomputer therl proceeds ~o step 135 1 30~ 1 5 wherQin the computer d~t~rmines wh~th~r th0re is (still) a m~nu bar overlap; if there is (at this time) no m~nu bar ov~rlap (e.~. th~ cursor has be~n mov~d away from the menu bar 3 to ~liminate th~ overlapping of the outline 9 of the detached menu window 1 with ths m~nu bar 3) th~n the computer proceeds to 5 step 138 in which it causes the outline g of the d~tached menu window 1 to reappear and the outline of th~ detached menu window follows the cursor 6.
Following st~p 138 ih~ computer then proceeds to step 133 in which it tcsts if the ussr has finished moving th~ menu window 1 by examining the status o~ the switch m~ans. R~fcrring again to stap 136, if th~ m~nu bar overlap continues 10 (i.e. menu bar ovsrlap still exists when t~sted in step 135) than the computer n~xt det0rmines in step 136 whether the meving of th~ d0lachad menu window is completed. If (in step 136) the ~nd of th~ movam~nt of detached m~nu window 1 has not bc~n rcaGh~d thc computer reeycles back to stap 135 to determine wh~ther thare is a menu bar ov~riap. Th~ oompuler tests for tha end 15 of th~ movom~nt of the detach~d manu window by ch~cking the status of the switch m~ans 9O; in particular, if in step 136 the cornputer finds that the switch means 9O is in the s~cond positisn, th~n ~he computer de~arrnines lhat th~ user is still a~tempting ~o move ~he outlins g of the detached menu window. On the other hand, if in step 136, th3 swilch means 9O is in the first position, then the 20 computsr d~tsrmines that tha user has stopped trying to move the outlino 9, and the computer will proc~ed to st~p 137. If, in st~p 136, the user has indicat~d tha1 lhe moving of the m~nu window is ovar (by sening ~he switch maans 90 to the first position~, the computer proc~eds te step 137 and will not rslocat3 ~h~detached rnenu window and wi11 eontinue ~o display the current detach~d menu window (sinca the computer last dctermined that th~re was a m~nu bar overlap). Followin~ stsp 137, t~i~ ~mputer proceeds back to stop 121 to detormine wheth~r a command it~m in lhc d~tached m~nu window 1 has b~n s~l~ctcd.

Th~ for~oing description dsscribes tha op~ration of the pr~s~nt invsntion as embodied in the pr~ferr~d ~mbodiment o1 the invention, a ~8 compu~er program marketed under the nam~ "Hyp~rCard" which is sold by th~
assignee of th~ pr~s~nt invention, A~ple CompLller. Inc fot use on th~ 1 3 0 ~ 8 1 Macintosh s~ri~s of computers. Many alternativ~ 6mbodimonts will be racognized by thos~ skillod in the ar~ upon r~ference to this disclosure. For 5 example, th~ name of tho command option may appear in tha handls icon as shown in Figure 2. Mor00ver, multiple switches may be us0d as th~ signal generation means; for axample, three separate switch~s may be us~d: on~ for pulling down and ramoving a rnsnu window; a s~oond for closing a d~tached menu window; and a third for moving a detached m0nu window. As another 10 example, an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 6 will now be describ0d.

Figure 6 r~presents an alterna~ive embodim~nt of the prasen~ invantion in which th~ msnu bar 12 is located in the proximity o~ the middls of the display means 7. The menu bar 12, which may b3 located in many diffarent positions, 15 includ~s command options 4, labelled diagrammatically ~1, T2, etc. Dashed Iines 11 ar~ used to illustrate the demarcations betwe6n one pr~det~rmined area associat~d with and corresponding to one command option and another predeterminad ar~a associated with and corr~sponding to ano~her oommand option. The menu 1 ? operat~s in the same fashion as the menu bar 3 and in the 20 samo fashion as the menu bar and display system described in U.S. Patent Re.
32,632. Howevcr, due to th~ changs in location of the m~nu bar 12 (relativa to tho menu bar 3) it is now possible to "tear off" ~ . remov0) a menu window not only from tha sida of th~ menu window 10 ~such as sides 10a, 10b or 10c) but also on ths border 13 of manu ~indow 10 which is abov~ th~ msnu bar 12. For 2~ examplc, th~ m~nu window 10 may be remov~d from the menu bar 12 by manipulating the cursor control maans 20 and ~ha signal ~en~ration means such that tha cursor 6 is oaused to cross a bordar associatad with a particular side 10a, 10b or 10c o~ the manu window, when, at th~ samc time, the signal gen~ration m~ans indicates to the oomputer controll~d display system that the 30 menu window should be ramov~d. It is also possibl~ to remov~ ths m0nu window 10 by causin~ tha aJrsor to move ~oross the border 13 abov~ the *'rrade Mark 130~3~5 menu bar 12 with th~ signal ~eneration m~ans set to indicate to the computer controlled display system that the m~nu window is ~o be remov~d from the menu bar.

.
Tha ~or0goin~ method of the present invsntion may conveniently b~
implem%nt~d in a comput~r pro~ram that is basad upon the flow chart in Fi~ures 4a and 4b. No particular programmin~ languag~ has besn indicated for carrying out th~ various procedur~s d~soribed abev~ becausa it is consider~d that the opsrations, steps and proc~dures d~s~ribed abov~ and illustrated in ths accompanying drawings ars suffici~ntly disclos~d to psrmit 0n6 of ordinary skill in the art to practice the instant invsntion. Moreover, ~here are many comput~rs and Dperating systems which may b~ us~d in praclicing th~ instant invention and thar~ore nc detailad computsr pro~ram could b~ provided which would b~ applicabl~ to these many diffarsnt systems. Each user of a par~ioular 1~ computer will b~ awar0 of th~ language and ~ools whieh are most us9tul for that ussr's ne~ds snd purposes. For example, those skilled in the art will recognize that a computer pro~ram (based on the flow chart in Figures 4a and 4b) for the Macintosh seriss o~ computars may bs simplifisd by usin~ presanlly existin~
routines ("tools"), such as the Window Manager, whioh routines are desuibed in the ref~rence manuals ~n~itled ~j~, which ara published by th~
Addison-W~sley Publishing Company, Inc.

Whilo th~ present invention has b~n specifically describ~d with r~ferenc~ ~ Figures 1a-7, and~Nith emphasis on certain computer eontrolled display syst6ms, it s~lould be undsrstood that ths ~i~ures are for illustra~ion oniy and should no~ bl3 taken as limitations upon the invention. It Is contempla~ed that many chan~l3s and modifications rr ay bo made, by on~ of ordinary skil~ in th~ arl, to the apparatus and m~thod of the pr~s~n~ inv~n~ion withou~ d3partin~
from the spint and scop0 of th~ inv~ntion ae olaim~dl b010w.
.

; ~ :

Claims

1. In a computer controlled display system having a display wherein a command option is displayed along a menu bar and command items corresponding to said command option are displayed once said command option has been selected, said command items being displayed within a menu window having a border, a method for removing said menu window from said menu bar comprising the steps of:
generating and displaying saw menu bar having said command option;
positioning a cursor on said display using a cursor control means, the manipulation of said cursor control means by a user resulting in a corresponding movement of said cursor on said display;
displaying said menu window by selecting said command option, said command option being selected by said users control of a signal generation means being coupled to said computer controlled display system;
removing said menu window from said menu bar while displaying said menu window by manipulating said cursor control means so as to move said cursor across said border, whereby said menu window may be removed from said menu bar.

2. In a computer controlled display system having a display means wherein a plurality of command options and displayed along a menu bar and command items corresponding to each command option are displayed once said command option has bean selected, said command items corresponding to each command option being displayed within a menu window being defined by a first edge being juxtaposed to said menu bar and by at least two sides, a method for removing said menu window from said menu bar and manipulating said menu window on said display means, said method comprising the steps of: .
generating and displaying said menu bar having said plurality of command options;

positioning a cursor on said display means using a cursor control means, the movement of said cursor control means by a user resulting in a corresponding movement of said cursor on said display means;
displaying said menu window by placing said cursor over said command option and selecting said command option, said user selecting said command option by placing a switch means coupled to said display system in a second position while positioning said cursor over a first predetermined area on said display corresponding to said command option;
removing said menu window from said menu bar while displaying said menu window by keeping said switch means in said second position while moving said cursor across one of said sides, said menu window following said cursor around said display means while said switch means is in said second position, said menu window being positioned on said display at a user selected position when said switch mean is changed from said second position to a first position, whereby said menu window may be removed from said menu bar and positioned on said display by said user.

3. A method as defined in Claim 2 wherein once said menu window has been removed from said menu bar, said menu window further comprises a handle icon for moving said menu window, said handle icon having a second predetermined area in said menu window, said user moving said menu window by positioning said cursor over said second predetermined area and placing said switch means in said second position and then moving said cursor around said display, said menu window following said cursor around said display means until said switch is placed in said first position, said menu window beingpositioned on said display means where said menu window was located when said switch was placed in said first position, whereby said menu window may be moved around said display means after said menu window has been removed from said menu bar.

4. A method as defined in Claim 3 wherein once said menu window has been removed from said menu bar, said menu window further comprises a close icon for closing said menu window to cause said menu window to disappear from said display, said close icon having a third predetermined area in said menu window, said user closing said menu window by positioning said cursor over said third predetermined area while placing said switch means in said second position and then placing said switch switch in said first position thereby causing said menu window to close and disappear from said display, whereby said menu window after it has been removed from said menu bar may be deleted from said display.

5. A method as defined in Claim 2 wherein said menu window before being removed from said menu bar is defined by said first edge and by three sides of said menu window and wherein said menu window is removed from said menu bar by keeping said switch in said second position while moving said cursor across one of said three sides of said menu window.

6. A method as defined in Claim 5 wherein said cursor control means is a mouse.

7. A method as defined in Claim 5 wherein said cursor control means is a mouse having said switch means.

8. In a computer system, a computer controlled display system for providing an interface with a user of said computer system, said computer controlled display system comprising:
a display means for producing a display having a plurality of command options displayed along a menu bar and for producing command items corresponding to each command option once said command option has been selected, said command items corresponding to each command option being displayed when said command option is selected within a menu window having a first edge being juxtaposed to said menu bar and having sides and having a border corresponding to said sides of said menu window;
a cursor control means coupled to said computer controlled display system, said cursor control means controlling the position of a cursor on said display;
a switch means coupled to said computer controlled display system, said switch means having a first position and a second position, said switch means for selecting said command option by setting said switch means in said second position while positioning said cursor over a first predetermined area on said display corresponding to said command option, thereby causing said menu window to be displayed, said menu window being removed from said menu bar by keeping said switch means in said second position while moving said cursor across said border, said menu window following said cursor around said display while said switch means is in said second position, said menu window being positioned on said display at a user selected position when said switch means is changed from said second position to a first position, whereby said menu window may be removed from said menu bar and positioned on said display by said user.

9. A computer controlled display system as defined in Claim 8 wherein once said menu window has been removed from said menu bar, said menu window further comprises a handle icon for moving said menu window, said handle icon having a second predetermined area in said menu window, said user moving said menu window by positioning said cursor over said second predetermined area and placing said switch means in said second position and then moving said cursor, thereby dragging said menu window with said cursor around said display until said switch means is placed in said first position, said menu window being positioned on said display where said menu window was located when said switch means was placed in said first position, whereby said menu window may be moved around said display after said menu window has been removed from said menu bar.

10. A computer controlled display system as defined in Claim 9 wherein once said menu window has been removed from said menu bar, said menu window further comprises a close icon for closing said menu window to cause said menu window to disappear from said display, said close icon having a third predetermined area in said menu window, said user closing said menu window by positioning said cursor over said third predetermined area while placing said switch means in said second position and then placing said switch means in said first position thereby causing said menu window to close and disappear from said display, whereby said menu window after it has been removed from said menu bar may be deleted from said display.

11. In a computer controlled display system having a display wherein a command option is displayed along a menu bar and command items corresponding to said command option are displayed once said command option has been selected, said command items being displayed within a menu window having at least two sides and having a border associated with at least one of said two sides of said menu window, a method for removing said menu window from said menu bar comprising the steps of:
generating and displaying said menu bar having said command option;
positioning a cursor on said display using a cursor control means, the manipulation of said cursor control means by a user resulting in a corresponding movement of said cursor on said display;
displaying said menu window by placing said cursor over said command option and selecting said command option by setting a switch means in a second position while positioning said cursor over a first predetermined area on said display corresponding to said command option, said switch means having a first position and said second position and being coupled to said computer controlled display system;
removing said menu window from said menu bar while displaying said menu window by keeping said switch means in said second position while ?

moving said cursor across said border, said menu window following said cursor around said display while said switch means is in said second position, said menu window being positioned on said display at a user selected position when said switch is changed from said second position to said first position, whereby said menu window may be removed from said menu bar and positioned on said display by said user:

12. A method as defined in Claim 11, wherein said menu window has three sides and said border of said menu window before being removed from said menu bar is defined by said three sides of said menu window and wherein said menu window is removed from said menu bar by keeping said switch in said second position while moving said cursor across one of said three sides of said menu window.