Apple Exhibit 1007 Page 00001
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`US 6,593,945 B1
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`596219428 A
`2928922: 2
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`597249104 A
`2932:9133 2
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`5,771,042 A
`5,793,438 A
`5,812,132 A
`598189416 A
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`2
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`6,067,098 A
`690919430 A
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`6:151:059 A
`6,172,669 B1
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`1
`PARALLEL GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
`Patent Application No. 60/135,385 filed May 21,
`1999Expired, where this provisional application is incorpo-
`rated herein by reference in its entirety.
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`This invention relates to computer user interfaces and
`more specifically to a parallel graphical user interface for a
`digital computer.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The advent of the computer age saw users struggling with
`text based interfaces to manage and use a computer. The
`introduction of graphical user interfaces simplified computer
`use and prompted many people to buy and use computers.
`Generally, a computer has a single “primary” graphical user
`interface and all other programs run under it. As computer
`processor speed and complexity has increased it has become
`possible for computers and their displays to handle more and
`more tasks simultaneously as illustrated by the growth of
`multitasking applications. There is no more reason for a
`computer user to be limited to a single graphical user
`interface for computer control and interaction.
`What is needed is a parallel graphical user interface that
`may be used with conventional user interfaces to allow a
`computer user to exploit
`the capability of conventional
`displays and processors with a minimal
`impact on the
`functionality of the conventional user interfaces.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In a first aspect, the present invention includes a parallel
`graphical user interface (GUI) modeled as a dial tuning
`metaphor. This provides an intuitive interface that remains
`useable in spaces with high aspect ratios for convenient use
`in parallel with another more conventional GUI to increase
`the efficiency of a users computer experience.
`In another aspect of the present invention, a GUI accord-
`ing to the present invention may operate in display areas
`having aspect ratios of 3:1 or greater.
`These and other features and advantages of this invention
`will become further apparent from the detailed description
`and accompanying figures that follow. In the figures and
`description, numerals indicate the various features of the
`invention, like numerals referring to like features throughout
`both the drawings and the description.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example computer
`apparatus according to the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a line drawing of an example parallel GUI
`according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 3 is a simplified example of a menu tree according
`to the present invention.
`FIG. 4 is a line drawing of an example parallel GUI with
`an accessory container or cartridge according to an embodi-
`ment of the present invention.
`FIGS. 5-14 are example screen images from an example
`parallel GUI.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`2
`invention is shown. The present invention may be imple-
`mented in any electronic device presenting a GUI on a
`display for user control and interaction. Processor 12 may be
`any conventional digital computer processor running any
`appropriate conventional operating system such as the Win-
`dows 98”‘ operating system (Windows 98”‘ is a registered
`trademark of the Microsoft Corporation of Redmond
`Washington). System software 14 may be stored on storage
`unit 16 which may be any conventional storage device such
`as an internal fixed disk drive or any other conventional
`device. Also preferably stored on storage unit 16 may be
`parallel GUI software 18 as described in greater detail
`below. An interactive user input, where referenced below,
`may be provided via any standard input peripherals such as
`keyboard 20 and/or mouse 22. Graphical output created by
`processor 12 under control of GUI software 18 may be
`transmitted to any conventional display device such as video
`monitor 24 for display to users; equivalently, output may
`also be transmitted to any conventional hard copy output
`device to generate conventional hard copy output such as
`printer 13. Computer system 10 may also be connected to a
`network such as network 15.
`
`Referring now to FIG. 2, display area 26 includes a
`parallel GUI 28 according to the present invention. Display
`area 26 may be located anywhere on screen 24S of video
`monitor 24. For example, with long axis L oriented hori-
`zontally display area 26 may be located adjacent edge 24T
`or edge 24B. Alternatively, with long axis L oriented
`vertically, display area 26 may be located adjacent edge 24L
`or edge 24R.
`Aspect ratio 34 of parallel GUI 28 is the relationship
`between dimension 32 measured along long axis L and
`dimension 30 expressed as 34:1 where aspect ratio 34 is
`determined by equation 36.
`36 +Aspect ratio 34=dimension 32+dimension 30
`According to the preferred embodiment of the present
`invention, parallel GUI 28 includes bar 38 surrounded by
`area 28A. Bar 38 may include one or more containers or
`cartridges such as cartridge 86 of FIG. 3. Area 28A may be
`any color, in one preferred embodiment, area 28A is black.
`Bar 38 may be composed of separate elements such as title
`area 40, one or more help areas such as help area 42 and or
`help area 56, one or more rotators such as rotator 44 and or
`rotator 48, and one or more buttons such as button 46, button
`50, ticker 52 and button 54. A button may be depressible
`such as button 46 or non-depressible such as button 40. A
`depressible button such as button 46 may perform an asso-
`ciated action and display highlighting when selected and
`clicked on using any conventional pointing device such as
`mouse 22. A non-depressible button such as button 40 may
`act as a label and or initiate apparent rotation of the elements
`of bar 38 to the right of button 40 along with all
`the
`associated sound, apparent motion, and highlighting as
`described below.
`
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`Examples of some of the possible behaviors of bar 38 are
`now described.
`
`During a ‘mouse over’ condition, that is when a pointer
`such as arrow 64 is moved over a depressible button such as
`button 46,
`the appearance of button frame 62 may be
`changed such as by changing its color and thus the apparent
`intensity of emitted light. The change evoked in a button
`frame such as button frame 62 may be localized to a portion
`of the button frame such as comer 62A. In a currently
`preferred embodiment of the present invention, a ‘mouse
`over’ condition causes light to apparently emit from the
`lower left comer of the button frame such as comer 62B.
`
`60
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`65
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`Referring now to FIG. 1, the general architecture of a
`digital computer system 10 for implementing the present
`
`Clicking on or ‘mouse down’ condition of a depressible
`button such as button 46 may evoke apparent movement of
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`the button and or apparent lighting changes adjacent the
`effected button. In a currently preferred embodiment of the
`present invention, ‘mouse down’ of a depressible button
`such as button 46 causes button 46 to apparently move into
`bar 38 and an apparent increase of light from behind button
`frame 62. Apparent motion and light emission changes may
`be accomplished by any conventional means.
`Following a click on or ‘mouse down’ condition of a
`depressible button such as button 46 a ‘mouse up’ condition
`is initiated thus completing a button selection cycle. A
`‘mouse up’ condition may initiate an action such a hyperlink
`or launch an application associated with the acting button
`such as button 46. Additionally, a ‘mouse up’ condition may
`cause a button such as button 46 to reverse the apparent
`motion caused by the prior ‘mouse down’ condition, thus as
`in the prior example, button 46 apparently springs back out
`of bar 38 into alignment with bar 38. At the conclusion of a
`button selection cycle, a highlighting change of a selected
`button may also be included.
`In a currently preferred
`embodiment of the present invention, a post selection high-
`lighting is the same as the earlier described ‘mouse over’
`highlighting and is maintained until another button such as
`button 54 is selected or some other action within parallel
`GUI 28 is initiated.
`
`Actuation of a complete button selection cycle on a
`non-depressible button such as button 50, a title button such
`as title area 40, or on a rotator such as rotator 44 may initiate
`rotation about long axis L of the display area. In a currently
`preferred embodiment of the present invention a click of
`right mouse button 22R initiates rotation of 38 in a first
`direction D and a click of left mouse button 22L initiates
`
`rotation of 38 in a second direction U, opposite first direction
`D.
`
`Accompanying a complete button selection cycle as
`described above, sound may be used to enhance the expe-
`rience and thus heighten the similarity of a virtual metaphor
`to a real 3-dimensional device. In a currently preferred
`embodiment of the present invention, sound 66 may issue
`from computer system 10, sound 66 may resemble a sound
`or sounds issued from a real device such as a subtle
`
`mechanical click. Any other appropriate sound or sounds
`may also be used.
`A non-depressible button such as button 50 may be used
`a title button or a placeholder, and thus may not invoke a
`utility, URL or any other function if subjected to a complete
`button selection cycle. Accordingly, no highlighting or other
`special indicia would accompany a ‘mouse over’ condition
`of a non-depressible button such as button 50. In an alternate
`embodiment of the present
`invention, a non-depressible
`button such as button 50 may include the functionality of a
`rotator such as rotator 44 or 48. Thus a complete button
`selection cycle on such a non-depressible button would
`result in the apparent rotation of non-depressible button 50
`and all the elements of bar 38 to its right such as ticker 52
`and button 60.
`
`Tickers such as ticker 52 may be dynamic reading areas
`within a cartridge such as cartridge 86 as shown in FIG. 3.
`Scrolling updateable text such as text 53 can be displayed
`and the text reading area can also be dynamically linked to
`launchy an application or URL. A ticker such as ticker 52
`may be as long as a single button or any combination of
`multiple buttons. The text such as text 53 that is displayed
`may be scrolling or otherwise made to move through ticker
`window 52A. In a currently preferred embodiment of the
`present invention text enters ticker window 52A at right side
`52R and scrolls to the left to left side 52L. The scrolling text
`such as text 53 may repeat in a loop at the end of the text
`
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`string. Ticker text such as text 53 may be updated locally or
`over a network such as network 15. A ticker such as ticker
`
`52 may activate a hyperlink through a network such as
`network 15 when ticker 52 is clicked on, or subjected to a
`complete button cycle.
`Referring now to FIG. 3, an example of a menu tree that
`may be displayed and accessed through parallel GUI 28 is
`shown. Menu 70 includes title bands 72, 74, 76, 78 and 80
`which correspond to title area 40, button 46, button 50,
`ticker 52 and button 54 respectively. Rotators 44 and 48 are
`represented by bands 82 and 84 respectively.
`In this
`example, title area 40 includes 6 containers or cartridges,
`cartridges 86, 87, 88, 89, 90 and cartridge 91. Many more
`cartridges and titles may be available, the number of car-
`tridges or
`titles available may only be limited by the
`resources of the computer. Cartridges such as cartridge 90 or
`cartridge 91 may include accessories such as a web browser
`or media player or any other accessory. Accessories for a
`cartridge such as cartridge 90 may be installed for use with
`system software 14, or they may be components of parallel
`GUI software 18, or they may be available via a network
`such as network 15.
`
`Referring now to FIG. 4, parallel GUI 28 is shown with
`accessory cartridge 90 visible. Accessory cartridge 90 may
`include function specific actuators such as fast forward or
`next track for a CD player. A section of accessory cartridge
`90 or any other cartridge selected may also be dedicated to
`a single function such as web browser 92,
`to permit the
`browser to remain visible at all times that parallel GUI
`software 18 is running.
`Cartridges such as cartridges 86-91 may be pre-loaded
`with links and accessories. Alternatively, the elements or
`buttons of a cartridge may be blank for loading by a user.
`User cartridge(s) may include access to applications,
`documents, files, or network links such as URLs and or
`embedded functions. Some embedded functions which may
`be launched from a cartridge may include, for example, a
`browser, an MP3 player, instant messaging, trading notices
`for marketplace functions, alerts for auction results and or
`trades, agent checking regarding price comparison searches.
`User items such as, for example, applications, documents,
`files, or network links may be added to a user button via any
`conventional method such as copy and paste or drag and
`drop functions of system software 14 or of any web browser.
`In addition, the button may include access to an application
`which interprets text that is entered into an area on the button
`itself. In a currently preferred embodiment of the present
`invention user buttons may be renamed or cleared in any
`conventional manner.
`
`Aparallel GUI such as parallel GUI 28 may also include
`a help function. Help screens or menus may be implemented
`in any conventional manner. A map of the contents and
`organization of bar 38 may be provided in the form of a
`menu or tree such as menu 70 of FIG. 3. Menu 70 and other
`
`help screens may extend from display area 26 in any
`conventional manner. In a currently preferred embodiment
`of the present invention in which menu 70 is visible extend-
`ing away from edge 26T thus allowing bar 38 to remain
`visible, actuation of a complete button cycle on a title such
`as title 87C will initiate rotation of bar 38 to bring cartridge
`87 and title 87C to visibility on bar 38.
`In a currently preferred embodiment of the present inven-
`tion display area 26 includes 4 preset actuators 94. Activa-
`tion of a complete button cycle on an actuator such as
`actuator 96 will rotate bar 38 to a pre-selected position. A
`user may initially load, change or delete a preset setting
`associated with an actuator such as actuator 96.
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`Parallel GUI software 18 may also include a screen saver
`component such as idle component 96. If parallel GUI 28 is
`notified that system software 14 is in idle, rather than
`blanking display area 26 as in some conventional
`techniques, parallel GUI 28 may auto rotate through all
`possible cartridge displays of menu 70. When system soft-
`ware 14 returns to active mode, bar 38 will automatically
`return to the last active position prior to idle.
`If parallel GUI 28 is oriented with a title cartridge such as
`cartridge 86 with title 86Avisible on title area 40, a complete
`button cycle of title area 40 as described above may result
`in apparent rotation of bar 38 and thus display an adjacent
`cartridge such as cartridge 87 or cartridge 85 (not shown).
`Title area 40 may also include all buttons and rotators to the
`right of title area 40 as well. In an alternate embodiment, a
`complete button cycle of title area 40 changes the visible
`title such as title 86 and apparently rotates elements of bar
`38 to the right of title area 40 such as rotator 44, rotator 48,
`button 46, button 50, ticker 52 and button 54. The result of
`changing a cartridge and thus the title visible in title area 40
`is that as cartridge 87 is visible, title 87A may be visible as
`well as a set of it’s subordinate titles such as titles 87B, 87C,
`87D and 87E. Additional cycling of title area 40 will result
`in display of additional cartridges and thus additional titles
`of band 72 such as titles 88A and 89A.
`
`If title 89A is visible in band 72, execution of a complete
`button cycle on rotator 44 corresponding to band 82 will
`cause apparent rotation of bar 38 at button 46 corresponding
`to band 74 including everything to the right of button 46.
`Subsequent button cycles of a rotator such as rotator 44
`cause titles which appear on button 46 to sequentially cycle
`through titles 89B, 89C, 89D, 89E and 89F with a new title
`appearing after each button cycle.
`In a currently preferred embodiment of the present inven-
`tion a merge function may be included to allow cartridges
`such as cartridges 86-91 to be added to an existing parallel
`GUI such as parallel GUI 28. A cartridge such as cartridge
`86 may be added or merged with any existing cartridges in
`a parallel GUI such as parallel GUI 28 using any conven-
`tional technique such as copy and paste or drag and drop. A
`merged cartridge such as cartridge 86 may be added between
`any two adjacent cartridges such as cartridges 88 and 89.
`Similarly, existing cartridges may be reordered using a
`conventional sort function.
`
`New cartridges may be merged or added to an existing
`parallel GUI from any conventional media such as magnetic
`storage media, optical storage media, or from network
`resources such as the Internet, or any local or intranet
`network. Adelete and or a sort function may also be included
`to permit a user to organize or personalize a bar such as bar
`38 in parallel GUI according to their own wishes consistent
`with parallel GUI software 18.
`Although specific embodiments of, and examples for the
`present
`invention are described herein for illustrative
`purposes, it is not intended that the invention be limited to
`these embodiments. Equivalent methods, structures,
`processes, steps, and other modifications within the spirit of
`the invention fall within the scope of the invention. Also,
`those skilled in this art will understand how to make changes
`and modifications to the present invention to meet their
`specific requirements or conditions. For example, the teach-
`ings provided herein of the present invention can be applied
`to other types of computer systems, including those that
`control non-integrated display surfaces. Also, for example,
`the teachings provided herein can be applied to other types
`of user interface elements and other behaviors of such user
`
`interface elements. In addition, the teachings may be applied
`
`6
`to other types of devices that have display surfaces and other
`organizations of computer operating systems and environ-
`ments. These and other changes may be made to the inven-
`tion in light of the above detailed description. Accordingly,
`the invention is not limited by the disclosure and is set forth
`in the following claims.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A method in a computer system for presenting on a
`video display system a supplemental user interface that is
`used in conjunction with a user interface of a computer
`operating system, comprising:
`under the control of code outside of the control of the
`operating system,
`presenting an image on the video display system of a
`graphical bar having at least one cartridge and at least
`one user interface element associated with a behavior;
`receiving an indication of a selection of the element; and
`performing the behavior associated with the element.
`2. The method of claim 1 wherein the graphical bar further
`comprises a plurality of user interface elements.
`3. The method of claim 1 wherein the user interface
`element is linked to executable code that is launched when
`the behavior associated with the element is performed.
`4. The method of claim 1 wherein the user interface
`element is associated with an indicator to a web page that is
`accessed when the behavior associated with the element is
`performed.
`5. The method of claim 1 wherein the graphical bar further
`comprises a plurality of cartridges that are dynamically
`merged into the bar.
`6. The method of claim 5 wherein each cartridge includes
`a set of user interface elements that behave independently
`from the user elements of a different cartridge.
`7. The method of claim 5 wherein the bar includes a
`rotator as the at least one user interface element, and wherein
`a particular cartridge is displayed when an indication is
`received that the rotator has been selected.
`
`8. The method of claim 1 wherein the bar appears
`alongside the user interface of the computer operating
`system and is used to quickly access pre-selected capabili-
`ties.
`
`9. The method of claim 1 wherein the bar is displayable
`with different graphical appearances.
`10. The method of claim 9 wherein one of the graphical
`appearances resembles a dial based tuner.
`11. The method of claim 9, the bar having a plurality of
`cartridges, where at least two cartridges are displayed with
`different graphical appearances.
`12. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one user
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`interface element is a title area that displays a title.
`13. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one user
`
`interface element is a rotator which causes a portion of the
`bar to rotate when an indication has been received that the
`rotator has been selected.
`14. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one user
`
`interface element is a help button.
`15. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one user
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`interface element is a depressible button which performs a
`behavior when an indication has been received that the
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`button is depressed.
`16. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one user
`
`interface element is a non-depressible button which acts as
`a label to a portion of the bar.
`17. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one user
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`interface element is a ticker which displays dynamically
`scrolling text.
`18. A system for presenting on a video display system
`associated with an apparatus under control of a computer
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`US 6,593,945 B1
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`7
`operating system a supplemental user interface that is used
`in conjunction with a user interface of the apparatus under
`the control of code outside the computer operating system,
`comprising:
`an image rendering system that presents a graphical bar
`image on the video display system, the bar having at
`least one cartridge and at
`least one user interface
`element associated with a behavior; and;
`a supplemental user interface that receives an indication
`of a selection of the element and performs the behavior
`associated with the element.
`
`19. The system of claim 18 wherein the bar includes a
`plurality of cartridges.
`20. The system of claim 19 wherein the plurality of
`cartridges can be dynamically merged and deleted from the
`bar.
`
`21. The system of claim 18 wherein the bar includes a
`rotator as the at least one user interface element, and wherein
`a particular cartridge is displayed when an indication is
`received by the supplemental user interface that the rotator
`has been selected.
`
`22. The system of claim 18 wherein the bar includes a
`plurality of user interface elements.
`23. The system of claim 18 wherein the user interface
`element is linked to executable code that is launched by the
`supplemental user interface when the behavior associated
`with the element is performed.
`24. The system of claim 18 wherein the user interface
`element is associated with an indicator to a web page that is
`accessed when the behavior associated with the element is
`
`performed.
`25. The system of claim 18 wherein each cartridge
`includes a set of user interface elements that behave inde-
`
`pendently from the user elements of a different cartridge.
`26. The system of claim 18 wherein the bar includes a
`rotator as the at least one user interface element, and wherein
`a particular cartridge is displayed when an indication is
`received that the rotator has been selected.
`
`27. The system of claim 18 wherein the bar appears
`alongside the separately controlled user interface and is used
`to quickly access pre-selected capabilities.
`28. The system of claim 18 wherein the bar is displayable
`with different graphical appearances.
`29. The system of claim 18 wherein one of the graphical
`appearances resembles a dial based tuner.
`30. The system of claim 18, the bar having a plurality of
`cartridges, where at least two cartridges are displayed with
`different graphical appearances.
`31. The system of claim 18 wherein the at least one user
`interface element is a title area that displays a title.
`32. The system of claim 18 wherein the at least one user
`interface element is a rotator which causes a portion of the
`bar to rotate when an indication has been received that the
`rotator has been selected.
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`33. The system of claim 18 wherein the at least one user
`interface element is a help button.
`34. The system of claim 18 wherein the at least one user
`interface element is a depressible button which performs a
`behavior when an indication has been received that the
`
`button is depressed.
`35. The system of claim 18 wherein the at least one user
`interface element is a non-depressible button which acts as
`a label to a portion of the bar.
`36. The system of claim 18 wherein the at least one user
`interface element is a ticker which displays dynamically
`scrolling text.
`37. A computer-readable medium containing instructions
`for controlling a computer processor to present on a video
`display system under control of a computer operating system
`a supplemental user interface that is used in conjunction
`with a user interface of an apparatus associated with the
`video display system under the control of code outside the
`computer operating system by:
`presenting an image on the video display system of a
`graphical bar having at least one cartridge and at least
`one user interface element associated with a behavior;
`receiving an indication of a selection of the element; and
`performing the behavior associated with the element.
`38. The computer-readable medium of claim 37 wherein
`the graphical bar has a plurality of cartridges that are
`displayed one at a time.
`39. The computer-readable medium of claim 38 wherein
`each cartridge has a plurality of user interface elements, each
`element being one of the set of depressible buttons, non-
`depressible buttons, rotators, tickers, and titles.
`40. The computer-readable medium of claim 38 wherein
`at least two cartridges are displayable using different graphi-
`cal appearances.
`41. The computer-readable medium of claim 37 wherein
`the cartridge has a plurality of user interface elements, each
`element being one of the set of depressible buttons, non-
`depressible buttons, rotators, tickers, and titles.
`42. The computer-readable medium of claim 37 wherein
`the bar appears alongside the separately controlled user
`interface and is used to quickly access pre-selected capa-
`bilities.
`
`43. The computer-readable medium of claim 37 wherein
`the user interface element provides access to a web page.
`44. The computer-readable medium of claim 37 wherein
`