(12) United States Patent
`Totman et al.
`
`(54) VISUALLY DISTINGUISHING MENU ITEMS
`
`(75) Inventors: Scott V. Totman, Vienna, VA (US);
`Jeffrey David Kimball, Great Falls, VA
`(US); Steve Clark, Oakton, VA (US);
`James Andrew Canfield, Arlington, VA
`(US); Elisa Nader, Ashburn, VA (US);
`Thomas Brent Canfield, Ashburn, VA
`(US); Keith R. Deaven, Lansdowne, VA
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: AOL LLC, a Delaware Limited
`Liability Company, Dulles, VA (US)
`
`* ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 1224 days.
`
`(21) Appl.No.: 10/112,029
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Apr. 1, 2002
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2003/0011641 Al
`
`Jan. 16, 2003
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/279,736, filed on Mar.
`30, 2001.
`
`(51)
`
`Int.Cl.
`G06F 31048
`G06F 3114
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
` 715/841; 715/810; 715/825;
`715/826
` 715/834,
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`715/810, 845, 841, 826, 825; 709/221
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
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`11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111II DI II
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`US0074547 14B2
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`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,454,714 B2
`Nov. 18, 2008
`
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`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner Weilun Lo
`Assistant Examiner Steven B Theriault
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Fish & Richardson P.C.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A graphical toolbar user interface is rendered and has one or
`more menu items. Each menu item has one or more visual
`identifier to distinguish the menu item from other of the menu
`items. At least one menu item has one or more submenu items.
`The submenu item has one or more visual identifiers of the
`corresponding menu item to distinguish the submenu item
`from submenu items corresponding to other of the menu
`items.
`
`64 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets
`
`go
`
`Page 1 of 22
`
`GOOGLE EXHIBIT 1010
`
`
`

`

`US 7,454,714 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,596,699 A *
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`5,598,523 A *
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`5,860,073 A *
`1/1999 Ferrel eta!.
`5,862,395 A *
`1/1999 Bier
`5,892,512 A * 4/1999 Donnelly etal.
`5,926,178 A * 7/1999 Kurtenbach
`5,940,076 A * 8/1999 Sommers eta!.
`5,946,696 A * 8/1999 Young
`5,999,180 A * 12/1999 Coskrey,IV
`6,002,402 A * 12/1999 Schacher
`6,029,196 A * 2/2000 Lenz
`6,032,024 A
`2/2000 Makino
`6,037,942 A * 3/2000 Millington
`6,065,047 A * 5/2000 Carpenter eta!.
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`6,111,576 A * 8/2000 Moreland etal.
`6,118,450 A * 9/2000 Proeh!etal.
`6,121,968 A * 9/2000 Arcuri eta!.
`6,131,098 A * 10/2000 Ze!!weger
`6,133,915 A * 10/2000 Arcurietal.
`6,144,378 A * 11/2000 Lee
`6,177,941 B1* 1/2001 Haynes etal.
`6,185,582 BI
`2/2001 Ze!!weger eta!.
`6,239,803 BI * 5/2001 Driske!!
`6,248,946 BI
`6/2001 Dwek
`7/2001 Mackin!ay eta!.
`6,256,649 BI
`6,278,450 BI * 8/2001 Arcuri eta!.
`6,414,700 BI * 7/2002 Kurtenbach eta!.
`6,456,304 BI * 9/2002 Angiu!o eta!.
`6,469,719 B1* 10/2002 Kino eta!.
`6,490,443 BI * 12/2002 Freeny, Jr.
`
` 715/834
` 715/840
` 345/634
` 715/825
` 715/808
` 715/841
` 715/810
` 715/747
` 715/841
` 715/845
` 348/569
` 715/834
` 715/841
` 715/808
` 715/834
` 715/821
` 715/522
` 712/1
` 715/764
` 715/834
` 715/834
` 707/104.1
` 715/810
` 715/810
` 709/221
`
` 715/835
` 709/218
` 715/862
` 715/841
` 715/841
` 715/810
` 715/825
` 707/102
` 715/779
` 715/767
` 715/810
`
` 715/810
`
` 715/763
` 715/810
` 715/779
` 715/810
` 455/406
`
`6,549,219 B2 * 4/2003 Se!ker
`6,563,521 BI * 5/2003 Perthmen
`6,618,063 BI * 9/2003 Kurtenbach
`6,693,652 BI * 2/2004 Barrus eta!.
`6,810,410 BI * 10/2004 Durham
`2003/0014752 Al * 1/2003 Zas!avsky eta!.
`
` 715/834
` 715/854
` 715/834
` 715/838
` 709/203
` 725/40
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Samuelson, Pamela, "Why the look and feel of software user inter-
`faces should not be protected by copyright law", May 1989, Com-
`munications of the ACM, Management of Computing, vol. 32 pp.
`563-572.*
`Sun Computer Systems, "Sun Product Documentation, So!aris Com-
`mon Desktop Environment: Advanced user's and systems adminstra-
`tors guide", 1994, pp. 116.*
`Hudson, Scott et a!,"Supporting Dynamic Down!oadab!e Appear-
`ances in an Extensible user Interface Too!kit" 1997, Communications
`of the ACM, pp. 159168.*
`Sharp, Alec, "Changing Widget at Runtime", 1997, Small-Talk
`Books, Chapter 26, pp. 1-11; http://www.iam.unibe.ch/-ducasse/
`Webpages/Freebooks .htm!.*
`Apple Computer Co, Inc, "The Appearance Manager", Nov. 27,
`2000, pp. 1-5, http://deve!oper.app!e.comldocumentation/Carbon/
`Conceptua!/ProgAppearanceManager/Concepts/Ap-
`pearanceManager.htm.*
`Sun Computer Systems, Inc. "The Java Tutorial, How to use menus",
`pp. 1-9; http://web.archive.org/web/20001212025100/www.java.
`sun.comldocs/books/tutoria!/uiswing/components/menu .htm!.*
`Birch Randy, "Changing application menu colours without affecting
`the system", Feb. 15, 2003, pp. 1-7, http://vbnet.mvps.org/code/
`menu/menuco!or.htm.*
`Macromedia, inc. et a! "Using Dreamweaver" 2000http://web.
`archive.org/web/20010208100203/www.macromedia.coni/support/
`dreamwaever/documentation.htm! .
`Galen Gruman and Jim Heid, "Macintoch Innovations," Mac World,
`vlln2, pp. 86-98, Feb. 1994.
`"The 8 th Annual Editors' Choice Awards," MacUser, v9, n3, pp.
`91-106, Mar. 1993.
`Nick Wilgus, "Things to Come: When it's time for a bit of Windows-
`dressing: If you've just got to be you, here's how to go about it,"
`Bangkok Post, p. 7, Aug. 1, 2001.
`Freeze.com:A new degree of free, pp. 1-2, Aug. 27, 2001, http://
`www.freeze.comlcat/MP3Skins48064.htm!.
`The FAQchest, "SuperCard Digest Oct. 2, 1997," pp. 1-28, Aug. 31,
`2001, http://faqchest.dynhost.comlcgi-bin/c!eanprint.p!.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Page 2 of 22
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 18, 2008
`Nov.18, 2008
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 18, 2008
`
`Sheet 11 of 11
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`US 7,454,714 B2
`
`110
`
`Host System
`
`(&j Optionally Connect
`to host
`
`Optionally Provide
`Toolbar UI update
`
`1035
`
`V
`
`Render Toolbar UI
`
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`Toolbar menu item
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`item (e.g., render
`Toolbar list level
`submenu UI)
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`Toolbar 1st level
`submenu item
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`submenu item (e g,
`render Toolbar 2d level
`submenu UI)
`
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`subnienu item
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`to Toolbar menu item visual
`identifier
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`menu item with changed
`visual identjler
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`identifier change to affected
`submenu items
`
`Fig. 10
`
`Page 13 of 22
`
`

`

`US 7,454,714 B2
`
`I
`
`VISUALLY DISTINGUISHING MENU ITEMS
`
`2
`message may be rendered when, for example, a user positions
`a pointing device over a menu item, and the menu item help
`message may have a visual identifier that is the same as the
`This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
`Application No. 60/279,736, filed Mar. 30, 2001, which is
`visual identifier of the corresponding menu item. The sub-
`incorporated by reference.
`5 menu item may include a drop-down menu selection or a glow
`button. The submenu item may have a customized link to an
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`object that is configured to share the submenu item visual
`identifier.
`The following description relates generally to providing a
`In one implementation, the visual identifier associated with
`graphical user interface and more particularly to grouping 10 at least one menu item is modified. The visual identifier may
`menu items in a graphical user interface.
`be modified automatically or manually, and the modification
`may occur periodically. The visual identifier may be auto-
`BACKGROUND
`matically modified based on a modification to a visual iden-
`tifier of at least one other menu item. The visual identifier also
`Online service providers are constantly offering new ser- 15 may be periodically modified based on a modification to a
`vices and upgrading existing services to enhance their users'
`visual identifier of at least one other menu item. Further, the
`online experience. Users have on-demand access to news,
`visual identifier of a submenu item may be modified based
`weather, financial, sports, and entertainment services as well
`upon a modification to the visual identifier of the correspond-
`as the ability to transmit electronic messages and to partici-
`ing menu item. The visual identifier of the submenu item may
`pate in online discussion groups. For example, users of online 20 be modified automatically or periodically. Modification of
`service providers such as America Online or CompuServe
`visual identifiers may be done by a client system or by a host
`may view and retrieve information on a wide variety of topics
`system.
`from servers located throughout the world. A server may be
`The graphical interface toolbar may include any combina-
`maintained by the service provider orby a third party provider
`tion of menu bars, icon bars, and navigation bars. In one
`who makes information and services available through the 25 implementation, at least one menu bar includes multiple
`worldwide network of computers that make up the online
`menu items, with one or more menu items being associated
`service.
`with a corresponding drop-down menu item. The function
`Online service providers facilitate access to information
`associated with the menu item may be one of a direct action
`and services by providing interactive Uls (User Interfaces)
`and a call to invoke a drop-down submenu item. At least one
`that help users navigate to desired resources. Uls often take 30 icon bar may include multiple icons, with each icon config-
`advantage of the graphics capabilities of a user's computer
`ured to initiate a particular function associated with the icon.
`and eliminate the need to type in text commands. Generally, a
`At least one navigation bar may include at least one naviga-
`UI allows a user to simply select screen objects such as icons,
`tion button, input box, and/or action button.
`windows, and drop-down menus to execute particular com-
`Aspects of the toolbar user interface may be implemented
`mands or to link to certain locations. The design of a UI is very 35 by an apparatus and/or by a computer program stored on a
`important to a user's online experience. In particular, the
`computer readable medium. The computer readable medium
`icons, windows, and menus of a UI must be arranged to
`may comprise a disc, a client device, a host device, and/or a
`enable a user to locate preferred information and services
`propagated signal. In addition, aspects of the toolbar user
`quickly and easily.
`interface may be implemented in a client/host context or in a
`40 standalone or offline client device. The toolbar user interface
`may be rendered in a client/host context and may be accessed
`or updated through a remote device in a client/host environ-
`In one general aspect, menu items of a graphical user
`ment. The toolbar user interface also may be rendered by the
`interface may be grouped by rendering a toolbar user inter-
`standalone/offline device and may be accessed or updated
`face having one or more menu items. Each menu item has one 45 through a remote device in a non-client/host environment
`or more visual identifiers, and at least one menu item has one
`such as, for example, a LAN server serving an end user or a
`or more submenu items. A submenu item is rendered, and has
`mainframe serving a terminal device.
`one or more visual identifiers of the corresponding menu item
`Other features and advantages will be apparent from the
`to distinguish the submenu item from submenu items corre-
`following description, including the drawings, and from the
`sponding to another of the menu items.
`50 claims.
`Implementations may include one or more of the following
`features. For example, the visual identifier may include a
`color, a shading, a visual texture, or a font. In one implemen-
`The patent or application file contains at least one drawing
`tation, each visual identifier of each menu item differs from
`all visual identifiers corresponding to other menu items. In ss executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application
`another implementation, a visual identifier of a menu item
`publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the
`Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.
`differs from a visual identifier corresponding to an adjacent
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communications system.
`menu item in order to distinguish the menu item from the
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an expansion of aspects of the
`adjacent menu item. In yet another implementation, a visual
`identifier of a menu item differs from a visual identifier cor- 60 communications system of FIG. 1.
`FIGS. 3A, 313, and 4-9 are illustrations of different graphi-
`responding to each adjacent menu item in order to distinguish
`the menu item from each adjacent menu item.
`cal user interfaces that may be implemented by the system of
`FIGS. 1 and 2 when executing the process of FIG. 10.
`The visual identifier of a menu item may be unique from
`FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a process that may be imple-
`the visual identifiers of other of the menu items. A title bar
`may establish the visual identifiers corresponding to the menu 65 mented by the system of FIGS. 1 and 2.
`Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate
`items. The visual identifier of a menu item maybe shared with
`a non-menu item. In one implementation, a menu item help
`like elements.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
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`US 7,454,714 B2
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`4
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`respectively, a client controller 125 and a host controller 140.
`The client device 120 and the host device 135 are connected
`In general, a rendered toolbar user interface (UI) may have
`to, respectively, the client controller 125 and the host control-
`ler 140 by, respectively wired or wireless data pathways 130
`one or more menu items. The menu items typically have one
`or more visual identifiers that distinguish the menu item from 5 and 145, which are capable of delivering data.
`other menu items such as a color, a shading, a visual texture,
`The client device 120, the client controller 125, the host
`or a font. A menu item may have one or more associated
`device 135, and the host controller 140 each typically include
`submenu items. A rendered submenu item has one or more of
`one or more hardware components and/or software compo-
`the visual identifiers of the corresponding menu item which
`nents. An example of a client device 120 or a host device 135
`enables the submenu item to be distinguished from submenu 10 is a general-purpose computer (e.g., a personal computer)
`items associated with different menu items. Coordination of
`capable of responding to and executing instructions in a
`visual identifiers such as color may be established in a title bar
`defined manner. Other examples include a special-purpose
`of the toolbar UI or otherwise.
`computer, a workstation, a server, a device, a component,
`For instance, a rendered toolbar user interface having two
`other physical or virtual equipment or some combination of
`menu items may include a first menu item having a visual 15 these capable of responding to and executing instructions.
`identifier of a first background color (e.g., blue) and a second
`The client device 120 and the host device 135 may include
`menu item having a visual identifier of a second background
`devices that are capable of peer-to-peer communications.
`color (e.g., red). Furthermore, the first menu item may have
`An example of client controller 125 or host controller 140
`two associated submenu items, each of which shares at least
`is a software application loaded on the client device 120 or the
`one visual identifier of the first menu item (e.g., the blue 20 host device 135 for commanding and directing communica-
`background color). Similarly, the second menu item may
`tions enabled by the client device 120 or the host device 135.
`have three associated submenu items, each of which shares at
`Other examples include a program, a piece of code, an
`least one visual identifier of the second menu item (e.g., the
`instruction, a device, a computer, a computer system, or a
`red background color).
`combination of these for independently or collectively
`The toolbar user interface may be rendered by any type of 25 instructing the client device 120 or the host device 135 to
`hardware, software, device, computer, computer system,
`interact and operate as described. The client controller 125
`equipment, component, program, application, code, storage
`and the host controller 140 may be embodied permanently or
`medium, or propagated signal. In one implementation, the
`temporarily in any type of machine, component, physical or
`toolbar user interface may be rendered in a client/host con-
`virtual equipment, storage medium, or propagated signal
`text, and the toolbar user interface may be accessed or 30 capable of providing instructions to the client device 120 and
`updated through a remote device in a client/host environment.
`the host device 135.
`In another implementation, the toolbar user interface may be
`The communications link 115 typically includes a delivery
`implemented in a standalone or offline client context. The
`network 160 making a direct or indirect communication
`toolbar user interface may be rendered by the standalone/
`between the client system 105 and the host system 110, irre-
`offline device and may be accessed or updated through a 35 spective of physical separation. Examples of a delivery net-
`remote device in a non-client/host environment such as, for
`work 160 include the Internet, the World Wide Web, WANs,
`example, a LAN server serving an end user or a mainframe
`LANs, analog or digital wired and wireless telephone net-
`serving a terminal device.
`works (e.g. PSTN, ISDN, and xDSL), radio, television, cable,
`For illustrative purposes, FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example
`or satellite systems, and any other delivery mechanism for
`of a communications system for implementing techniques for 40 carrying data. The communications link 115 may include
`transferring electronic data. For brevity, several elements in
`communication pathways 150, 155 that enable communica-
`the figures described below are represented as monolithic
`tions through the one or more delivery networks 160
`described above. Each of the communication pathways 150,
`entities. However, as would be understood by one skilled in
`the art, these elements each may include numerous intercon-
`155 may include, for example, a wired, wireless, cable or
`nected computers and components designed to perform a set 45 satellite communication pathway.
`of specified operations and/or may be dedicated to a particu-
`FIG. 2 illustrates a communications system 200 including
`lar geographical region.
`a client system 105 communicating with a host system 110
`Referring to FIG. 1, a communications system 100 is
`through a communications link 115. System 200 is one pos-
`capable of delivering and exchanging data between a client
`sible implementation of the communications system 100 of
`system 105 and a host system 110 through a communications 50 FIG. 1.
`link 115. The client system 105 typically includes one or
`The client device 120 typically includes a general-purpose
`more client devices 120 and/or client controllers 125, and the
`computer 270 having an internal or external storage 272 for
`host system 110 typically includes one or more host devices
`storing data and programs such as an operating system 274
`135 and/or host controllers 140. For example, the client sys-
`(e.g., DOS, WindowsTM, Windows 95TM, Windows 98TM,
`tem 105 or the host system 110 may include one or more 55 Windows 2000TM, Windows MeTM, Windows XPTM, Win-
`dows NFM, OS/2, or Linux) and one or more application
`general-purpose computers (e.g., personal computers), one or
`more special-purpose computers (e.g., devices specifically
`programs. Examples of application programs include author-
`programmed to communicate with each other and/or the cli-
`ing applications 276 (e.g., word processing, database pro-
`ent system 105 or the host system 110), or a combination of
`grams, spreadsheet programs, or graphics programs) capable
`one or more general-purpose computers and one or more 60 of generating documents or other electronic content; client
`special-purpose computers. The client system 105 and the
`applications 278 (e.g., AOL client, CompuServe client, AIM
`host system 110 may be arranged to operate within or in
`client, AOL TV client, or ISP client) capable of communicat-
`concert with one or more other systems, such as, for example,
`ing with other computer users, accessing various computer
`one or more LANs ("Local Area Networks") and/or one or
`resources, and viewing, creating, or otherwise manipulating
`more WANs ("Wide Area Networks").
`65 electronic content; and browser applications 280 (e.g.,
`The client device 120 and the host device 135 are generally
`Netscape's Navigator or Microsoft's Internet Explorer)
`capable of executing instructions under the command of,
`capable of rendering standard Internet content.
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`US 7,454,714 B2
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`6
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`general, the graphical UI 300 will be rendered on the user's
`The general-purpose computer 270 also includes a central
`processing unit 282 (CPU) for executing instructions in
`client system 105 using software stored on that client system
`105. The UI 300 contains one or more menu items, and each
`response to commands from the client controller 125. In one
`implementation, the client controller 125 includes one or
`menu item has one or more visual identifiers. The visual
`more of the application programs installed on the internal or 5 identifier of a given menu item generally differs from the
`external storage 272 of the general-purpose computer 270. In
`visual identifier of at least one other menu item, and may
`another implementation, the client controller 125 includes
`differ from the visual identifiers of all other menu items such
`application programs externally stored in and performed by
`that one or all menu items have unique visual identifiers. The
`one or more device(s) external to the general-purpose com-
`visual identifiers may include, for example, a color, a shading,
`puter 270.
`10 a texture, or a font. A visual identifier may include, for
`The general-purpose computer typically will include a
`example, different shadings, hues, and tones of a color as
`communication device 284 for sending and receiving data.
`being the same color. In other implementations, different
`One example of the communication device 284 is a modem.
`shadings, hues, and tones of a color may be treated as differ-
`Other examples include a transceiver, a set-top box, a com-
`ent colors.
`munication card, a satellite dish, an antenna, or another net- 15
`The graphical UI 300 includes a toolbar UI 310 for quickly
`work adapter capable of transmitting and receiving data over
`using many features of the OSP, such as, for example, reading
`the communications link 115 through a wired or wireless data
`and writing email, exchanging IM messages with another
`pathway 150. The general purpose computer 270 also may be
`user, entering chat areas with other users, shopping, or access-
`a television ("TV") tuner 286 for receiving television pro-
`ing the Internet. The toolbar 310 includes, for example, a
`gramming in the form of broadcast, satellite, and/or cable TV 20 menu bar 312, an icon bar 314, and a navigation bar 316.
`The menu bar 312, the icon bar 314, and the navigation bar
`signals. As a result, the client device 120 can selectively
`and/or simultaneously display network content received by
`316 each contain menu items. For example, the icon bar 314
`communications device 284 and television programming
`includes menu items for Mail 320, People 330, Services 340,
`content received by the TV tuner 286.
`Settings 350, and Favorites 360. Each ofthese menu items has
`The general-purpose computer 270 typically will include 25 a visual identifier that is different from the visual identifier of
`an input/output interface 288 for wired or wireless connection
`the other menu items. For example, color is the visual iden-
`to various peripheral devices 290. Examples of peripheral
`tifier used with the implementation of the icon bar 314 shown
`devices 290 include, but are not limited to, a mouse 291, a
`in FIG. 3A. The Mail menu item 320 is colored blue, the
`mobile phone 292, a personal digital assistant 293 (PDA), an
`People menu item 330 is colored green, the Services menu
`MP3 player (not shown), a keyboard 294, a display monitor 30 item 340 is colored purple, the Settings menu item 350 is
`colored aqua, and the Favorites menu item 360 is colored
`295 with or without a touch screen input, a TV remote control
`296 for receiving information from and rendering informa-
`maroon. Notably, as illustrated by this example, the visual
`tion to users, and an audiovisual input device 298.
`identifier of each menu item differs from the visual identifier
`Although FIG. 2 illustrates devices such as a mobile tele-
`of at least an adjacent menu item.
`phone 292, a PDA 293, and a TV remote control 296 as being 35
`The menu items may be, for instance, icons, buttons, or
`peripheral with respect to the general-purpose computer 270,
`items on drop-down menus. For example, as shown in FIG.
`in another implementation, such devices may themselves
`313, the Mail menu item 320 may include a Read menu item
`include the functionality of the general-purpose computer
`icon 322 and a Wire menu item icon 324. A user can find out
`270 and operate as the client device 120. For example, the
`the function of each menu item in the toolbar 310 by, for
`mobile phone 292 or the PDA 293 may include computing 40 example, positioning a pointer over the icon or button for a
`and networking capabilities and function as a client device
`few seconds to display a help message, which also may share
`120 by accessing the delivery network 160 and communicat-
`a visual identifier with the corresponding menu item. For
`ing with the host system 110. Furthermore, the client system
`example, as shown in FIG. 313, the user may find out the
`105 may include one, some or all of the components and
`function of Write menu item icon 324 by positioning a pointer
`devices described above.
`45 over Write menu item icon 324 and waiting for a few seconds
`A graphical user interface may be displayed on the display
`until help message 324a is displayed. In FIG. 313, the help
`monitor 295 or other peripheral device 290. The graphical
`message 324a shares a visual identifier, in this case a blue
`user interface may include a graphical user interface toolbar,
`background color, with the Write menu item icon 324 to
`which may include any combination of menu bars, icon bars,
`which it corresponds.
`A user may customize the toolbar 310. For example, the
`and/or navigation bars. The graphical user interface toolbar 50
`may include one or more menu items, examples of which
`user may modify a menu item to include links to submenu
`include buttons, such as glow buttons, which may be associ-
`items or content, and thus associate the visual identifier of the
`ated with corresponding actions or a drop-down menu items.
`menu item with the linked submenu item or content. In one
`instance, the favorites 360 menu item may be modified to
`Furthermore, a menu item may include one or more submenu
`items typically related thereto and typically included in a 55 include links to the user's favorite online places, which favor-
`drop-down menu item. For example, a menu item for e-mail
`ite online places will then share at least one visual identifier
`services may include a drop-down menu having submenu
`with the associated Favorites 360 menu item.
`items for composing and sending e-mail messages.
`Also, the user or the host may dynamically modify the
`Submenu items generally have one or more of the visual
`visual identifier for one or more menu items. For example, the
`identifiers of associated menu items. For example, a submenu 60 user may change the color of the Favorites menu item from
`item generally shares one or more of a distinguishing color,
`maroon to yellow. Such a modification may be propagated
`shading, texture or font with an associated menu item to
`manually or automatically to submenu items associated with
`enable perception of a relationship between the menu item
`the m