(12) United States Patent
`Malamud et al.
`
`USOO643780OB1
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,437,800 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Aug. 20, 2002
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 08/329,724
`(22) Filed:
`Oct. 26, 1994
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation of application No. 08/054,564, filed on Apr.
`28, 1993. now abandoned.
`(51) Int. Cl. .................................................. G09G 5/08
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................................ 345/711; 345/705
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 345/145, 146,
`34.5/156, 157, 163, 705, 711
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,789,962 A 12/1988 Berry et al. ................
`4,984,152 A 1/1991 Muller .............
`r: 36/200
`5,157,768 A 10/1992 Hoeber et al. .............. 395/157
`5,169,342 A 12/1992 Steele et al. ................ 434/112
`5,436,637 A * 7/1995 Gayraud et al. ............ 345/146
`
`(56)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`(54) INFORMATION CURSORS
`Meckler Corporation, Treasures of the Smithsonian, Evalu
`(75) Inventors: Mark A. Malamud, Seattle; John E.
`ation (from Dialog), pp. 1-4, May 2002.*
`Elsbree, King County; David A.
`Matthies, Kurt W. G. “Balloon Help Takes Off,” Power
`Barnes, Seattle, all of WA (US)
`Tools, Power Programming, Mac User, Dec. 1991, 5 pages.
`(73) Assignee: Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA Macintosh Reference 7, Apple Computer, Inc., Chapter 1, “A
`(US)
`Review of Standard Macintosh Operations,” 1991, pp.
`30-31.
`“Unobtrusive Application Icon Label Interface.” IBM Tech
`nical Disclosure Bulletin, New York, Nov. 1990, vol. 33
`(6A), p. 104.
`“User-Controlled Display of Hypermedia Links via Mouse
`Location.” IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, New York,
`Aug. 1993, vol. 36 (8), p. 669.
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner Richard Hjerpe
`Assistant Examiner-Henry N. Tran
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`Information cursors are provided for use in an operating
`System and/or application programs. Each information cur
`Sor includes a pointing portion to point to objects displayed
`on a Video displav and an information portion to displa
`information E. object to which f pointing E.
`points. The information displayed in an information cursor
`may include the name of the object, a preview of the
`contents of the object, or property information about the
`object
`eCl.
`
`13 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`72
`
`ADA7A AFPOCESS / NO
`SYSTEM
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`A
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`CAU
`
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`MEMOAy
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`A.
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`72?
`
`27
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`KEYBOARD
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`MOUSA
`
`// DAO
`(D/SAI AY
`
`OAFAA//WG a
`SYSTEM
`
`MOUSE
`ACAP/ /EA?
`
`2/
`
`
`
`Ebay Exhibit 1004, Page 1 of 12
`Ebay, Inc. v. Lexos Media IP, LLC
`IPR2024-00336
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`

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`Ebay Exhibit 1004, Page 2 of 12
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`IPR2024-00336
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 20, 2002
`
`Sheet 2 of 6
`
`US 6,437,800 B1
`
`,
`
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`D/Selay
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`---------
`27
`D/SALAY
`
`Ebay Exhibit 1004, Page 3 of 12
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`IPR2024-00336
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 20, 2002
`
`Sheet 3 of 6
`
`US 6,437,800 B1
`
`—
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`
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`voo
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`Ebay Exhibit 1004, Page 4 of 12
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`IPR2024-00336
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 20, 2002
`
`Sheet 4 of 6
`
`US 6,437,800 B1
`
`AEG/W
`
`MOVA COASOA
`AOS///OW WO
`AO/W/ //W W/WDOW
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`SAWO MESSAGA WO
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`O/SALAY COWVAW//0WA/
`CUPSOP
`
`Ebay Exhibit 1004, Page 5 of 12
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`IPR2024-00336
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 20, 2002
`
`Sheet S of 6
`
`US 6,437,800 B1
`
`(
`
`AAG//W
`
`64?
`
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`OAAPA//WG SYS/AW
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`
`Ebay Exhibit 1004, Page 6 of 12
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 20, 2002
`
`Sheet 6 of 6
`
`US 6,437,800 B1
`
`C BEG/W
`
`A26
`
`AOS/V/OW CAPSOP 0WAP
`SOURCE OBJECW AWD
`D/SALAY WAME OF
`SOAPCA OE/ECW /W
`CAPSOP
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`
`Ebay Exhibit 1004, Page 7 of 12
`Ebay, Inc. v. Lexos Media IP, LLC
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`
`

`

`1
`INFORMATION CURSORS
`
`US 6,437,800 B1
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
`This application is a continuation of U.S. patent appli
`cation Ser. No. 08/054,564, filed Apr. 28, 1993 now aban
`doned.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`The present invention relates generally to data processing
`Systems and, more particularly, to information cursors for
`use on video displays of data processing Systems.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Many operating Systems provide a cursor that indicates a
`current position on a Video display. The cursor is generally
`manipulable by an input device, Such as a keyboard or a
`mouse. In certain operating Systems, Such as the MicroSoft
`WINDOWS, version 3.1, operating system, which is sold by
`Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Washington, a window
`may have a Status bar that displays information about the
`object to which the cursor is currently pointing. AS the
`cursor is moved to point at different objects, the contents of
`the Status bar changes accordingly. The Status bar is a
`Separate graphic entity that is not connected to the cursor and
`does not move with the cursor. The Status bar is positioned
`on the Video display at a fixed location within a window. AS
`Such, a user has to look at two separate portions of the Screen
`if he wishes to view both the cursor and the status bar. This
`Separation of the Status bar from the cursor can be confusing
`and burdensome to the user.
`
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention,
`a method is practiced in a data processing System having a
`Video display and an input device. In this method, objects,
`including an information cursor, are displayed on a video
`display. The cursor is positioned over at least a portion of
`one of the objects that is displayed in response to a user
`using the input device. Information about the object which
`at least a portion of the cursor is over is displayed on the
`Video display.
`The information that is displayed as part of the cursor may
`include a name of the object, a preview of the contents of the
`object, or property information about the object. The prop
`erty information may include help information regarding the
`object. Furthermore, the input device may be a mouse that
`is used to position the cursor.
`The information cursor may be displayed as having a
`pointing portion for pointing to objects on the Video display
`and an information portion for displaying information about
`the object. The information cursor may be specified as “On”
`or “Off”. When the information cursor is specified as “On’,
`information about the object is displayed as part of the
`cursor. However, when the information cursor is Specified as
`“Off”, such information is not displayed as part of the cursor.
`In accordance with another aspect of the present
`invention, a cursor, a Source-object icon for a Source object,
`and a destination-object icon for a destination object are
`displayed on a Video display. The cursor is moved to point
`to the Source object icon in response to movements of a
`mouse by a user. A name of the Source object is displayed as
`part of the cursor on the Video display. In response to the
`user depressing the button of the mouse while the cursor
`points to the Source-object icon and moving the mouse while
`keeping the button depressed, the Source-object icon is
`
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`dragged over the Video display to where the destination
`object icon is positioned. The cursor then points to the
`destination object icon and the name of the destination
`object is displayed along with the name of the Source object
`as part of the cursor.
`In accordance with Still another aspect of the present
`invention, a method is practiced wherein a pointing portion
`of an information cursor is displayed on the Video display.
`The pointing portion points to an icon associated with an
`object. Information about the object that is associated with
`the icon to which the pointing portion points is displayed as
`part of the information cursor.
`In accordance with a further aspect of the present
`invention, a data processing System includes a Video display
`and an input device that is operable by a user to communi
`cate with the data processing System. The data processing
`System includes a means for producing a user interface on
`the Video display and a means for displaying objects on the
`user interface. The data processing System further includes
`a means for displaying a cursor and for moving the cursor in
`response to a user operating the input device. The cursor has
`an indicator portion and information display portion. The
`indicator portion indicates a user Selected one of the objects
`that is displayed on the user interface. In addition, the data
`processing System includes a means for displaying informa
`tion in the information display portion of the cursor regard
`ing the object that is indicated by the indicator portion of the
`CUSO.
`The means for displaying information may include a
`means for displaying a name of the object, a means for
`displaying a preview of the object, or a means for displaying
`property information about the object. Still further, the data
`processing System may include a means for turning “On' or
`“Off” the cursor Such that when the cursor is turned “off”,
`the means for displaying information is deactivated.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a data processing System for
`practicing a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
`FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c each contain a diagram showing an
`example of a name cursor generated in accordance with the
`preferred embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a preview
`cursor generated in accordance with the preferred embodi
`ment of the present invention.
`FIG. 4 is a diagram Showing an example of combined
`name and preview cursor generated in accordance with the
`preferred embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of property
`cursor generated in accordance with the preferred embodi
`ment of the present invention.
`FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the steps performed to
`implement the information cursors of the preferred embodi
`ment of present invention.
`FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating in more detail how
`information about an object is displayed in an information
`cursor generated in accordance with the preferred embodi
`ment of the present invention.
`FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the steps performed by
`the preferred embodiment of the present invention in dis
`playing a name cursor in a drag and drop operation.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`The present invention provides “information cursors”
`which display graphical or textual information about an
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`US 6,437,800 B1
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`object to which the cursor points. Each information cursor
`has two portions: a pointing portion and an information
`portion. The pointing portion points to a position on a Video
`display. The information portion displayS textual or graphi
`cal information about the object to which the pointing
`portion points. Information cursors are made available by an
`operating System to applications that are run on the operat
`ing System. Information cursors are available in a number of
`different varieties. Four varieties of information cursors are
`provided by the preferred embodiment. The four varieties of
`information cursors are name cursors, preview cursors,
`combined name and preview cursors, and property cursors.
`The four types of information cursors are described in more
`detail below.
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a data processing System 10
`that is Suitable for practicing the preferred embodiment of
`the present invention. The data processing System 10
`includes a central processing unit (CPU) 12 that oversees
`operation of the System. The data processing System 10 also
`includes a memory 14, a keyboard 16, a mouse 18, and a
`video display 20. The memory 14 may include different
`types of storage, such as RAM, ROM, or disk storage. The
`memory 14 holds a copy of an operating System 22. A mouse
`driver 24 is provided within the operating system 22 to drive
`the mouse 18.
`Before discussing the implementation details of the infor
`mation cursors in the preferred embodiment of the present
`invention, it is helpful to further examine the different
`varieties of information cursors that are provided by the
`preferred embodiment. FIG.2a shows an example of a name
`cursor 26 displayed on the video display 20. Name cursor 26
`includes a pointing portion 28 (i.e., a conventional pointing
`cursor) and a name box 30. The name box 30 displays the
`name of the object to which the pointing portion 28 points.
`FIG.2b shows an example of how the name cursor 26 is
`used. Suppose that a book icon 32, representing a book of
`text stored in the system 10 (FIG. 1), is displayed on the
`video display 20. When the pointing portion 28 of the name
`cursor 26 points to the book icon 32, the name box 30 of the
`name cursor displays the phrase “Book Cover”. More
`generally, the name box 30 displays the name of the item to
`which the pointing portion 28 points. The user interface may
`be programmed Such that, when the pointing portion 28
`points to nothing of Significance, the name box 30 remains
`blank. Alternatively, the user interface may be programmed
`So that the name box 30 disappears in Such an instance.
`In Some circumstances, the name cursor 26 may include
`two name boxes 30a and 30b, Such as shown in FIG.2c. For
`instance, in an operating System that Supports drag and drop
`operations, two names may be displayed in the name cursor
`26 during a drag and drop operation. In particular, the name
`of the Source object and the name of the target object are
`shown in name boxes 30a and 30b, respectively. The target
`object name is not shown until the pointing portion 28 of
`55
`the-name cursor 26 is moved to point to the target object. A
`Source object icon 33 for the Source object is dragged along
`with the cursor during the drag portion of the operation.
`FIG. 3 shows an example of a preview cursor 34, which
`includes a preview portion 36 and the same pointing portion
`28 as the name cursor 26. The preview cursor 34 provides a
`preview of the contents of the object to which the cursor
`points. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the preview cursor
`34 points to the book icon 32 displayed on the video display
`20. The preview portion 36 holds graphical data depicting a
`preview of the contents of the object (i.e., the book icon 32)
`to which the pointing portion 28 points. In the example of
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`FIG. 3, the book concerns chess, and the preview portion 36
`shows a graphical Scene of chess pieces flying through the
`air
`The name cursor 26 (FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c) and the
`preview cursor 34 (FIG. 3) may be combined into a com
`bined name and preview cursor 38, as shown in FIG. 4. The
`combined name and preview cursor 38 includes three com
`ponents. First, the preview cursor 38 includes a pointing
`portion 28 for pointing to an object on the video display 20,
`at least one name box 30 (two name boxes are used with a
`drag and drop operation, in a fashion analogous to that
`described above for the name cursor) for displaying the
`name of the object to which the pointing portion points and
`a preview portion 36 for holding a preview of the contents
`of the object to which the pointing portion points. In the
`example illustrated in FIG. 4, the name box 30 displays the
`phrase “Book Cover”, whereas the preview portion 36
`displays the graphic of chess pieces flying through the air.
`An additional variety of information cursor that is pro
`vided by the preferred embodiment of the present invention
`is a property cursor 40, such as shown in FIG. 5. A property
`cursor 40 includes the pointing portion 28 and a property
`box 42. The property box 40 displays property information
`(often including the name of the object) regarding the object
`to which the pointer portion 28 points. In the example of
`FIG. 5, the property cursor 40 serves as a help cursor that
`displays help information in the property box 42 for the
`object to which the pointing portion 28 points. In FIG. 5, the
`pointer portion 28 points to a maximize button 44. The text
`in the property box 42 identifies the nature of the maximize
`button 44 to which the pointer portion 28 points and displays
`relevant help information regarding this object.
`The implementation of the preferred embodiment of the
`present invention will now be described with reference to
`the Microsoft WINDOWS, version 3.1, operating system. In
`particular, the operating System 22 is an embellished version
`of the Microsoft WINDOWS, version 3.1, operating system
`that Supports the use of information cursors. The present
`invention is not limited to implementations with this oper
`ating System; rather, those skilled in the art will appreciate
`that the present invention may be implemented with other
`operating Systems as well.
`In explaining the implementation of the preferred embodi
`ment of the present invention, it is helpful to consider the
`type of input device that is used. In the discussion that
`follows, it is assumed that the mouse 18 (FIG. 1) is used as
`the input device for manipulating the position of the cursor
`on the video display 20. It should, nevertheless, be appre
`ciated that the present invention is not limited to the use of
`a mouse as the input device; rather, other input devices, Such
`as a keyboard or a pointing device, may alternatively be
`used.
`The operating system 22 (FIG. 1) logically divides the
`user interface into a number of windows. In general, each
`window has a separate window procedure associated with it.
`The operating System 22 maintains a message queue for
`each program that generates windows. As a program may
`generate multiple windows, the message queue may hold
`messages for multiple windows. When an event occurs, the
`event is translated into a message that is put into the message
`queue for the program. The program retrieves and delivers
`the message to the proper window procedure by executing a
`block of code known as the “message loop'. The window
`procedure that received the message then processes the
`meSSage.
`When a user positions a cursor with the mouse 18 over a
`window or clicks the mouse by depressing one of the mouse
`
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`buttons within the window, the procedure for the window
`receives a mouse message. The operating System 22 pro
`vides a number of predefined mouse messages. The mouse
`messages Specify the Status of mouse buttons and the
`position of the cursor within the window. The position of the
`cursor within the window is specified in (X,Y) coordinates
`relative to the upper left-hand cover of the window. The
`window procedure receives the mouse message and utilizes
`the information contained in the message to respond to the
`mouse activities. A new mouse message need not be gen
`erated for every Single pixel position change of a mouse
`within a window; rather, a message may be generated each
`time the mouse moves more than a threshold number of
`pixels transversed by the mouse.
`This message System plays a role in the implementation of
`information cursors described above. The appearance of the
`cursors on the video display 20 (FIG. 1) is dictated by
`bitmaps Stored within the operating System 22. The role that
`the message loop Serves in the implementation of the
`information cursors can be seen in the flowchart of FIG. 6,
`which illustrates the steps performed by the system 10 (FIG.
`1) when the cursor moves into a window that is displayed on
`the video display 20. Initially, the cursor position is moved
`by the mouse 18 or other input device to point within the
`window (step 48 in FIG. 6). A message is generated and sent
`to the application program that is executing, which, in turn,
`forwards the message to the window procedure associated
`with the window (step 50). The message specifies the
`position of the cursor in the window as described above. The
`window procedure then determines what is displayed at the
`cursor position within the window (Step 52). For instance, an
`object may be at the Specified position or nothing of par
`ticular importance may be at the Specified position. A
`determination is made whether the specified position corre
`sponds to the position of an object with an identity (step 54).
`In other words, a determination is made whether a named
`entity is present at the Specified cursor position. If a named
`entity is present at the Specified cursor position, the infor
`mation regarding the object at the Specified cursor position
`is displayed in the information cursor (step 56). If, however,
`a named entity is not present at the Specified cursor position,
`either a conventional cursor is displayed or the information
`containing portion (e.g., name box 30, preview portion 36 or
`property box 40) of the information cursor is shown in blank
`(step 57). The choice between these options is controlled by
`the application program.
`FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing in more detail the steps that
`must be performed in order to realize step 56 of FIG. 6. After
`the window procedure has determined what is at the Speci
`fied cursor position, the procedure passes a message to the
`operating System 22 (FIG. 1) that tells the operating System
`what type of cursor to display and Sets forth the contents and
`type of information to be displayed in the cursor (step 58 in
`FIG. 7). Suppose that the application program desires to
`display a name cursor 26 (FIG. 2a). A message requesting
`that a name cursor be displayed is passed to the operating
`System 22 along with a text String for the name to be
`displayed in the name box 30. However, if the cursor to be
`displayed is a preview cursor 34 (FIG. 3), a message
`Specifying that a preview cursor is required is sent. The
`message includes a pointer to a bitmap of graphical infor
`mation that the operating System 22 should use in the
`preview portion 36. Still further, a property cursor 46 may
`be requested in the message. The message, in Such a case,
`includes a text String for the text of property information to
`be displayed in the property box 42.
`Whether the information cursor is displayed depends
`upon whether the information cursor is designated as “On
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`or “Off”. The operating system checks whether the infor
`mation cursor is “On” (step 60). In certain instances, the user
`may have the option of Specifying whether the information
`cursor is “On' or “Off”. Alternatively, the information
`cursors may be programmed by the application program or
`operating System 22 (FIG. 1) Such that they are automati
`cally turned “On' when the conventional cursor points to a
`named entity. This latter option provides an automatic
`mechanism for Switching “On” or “Off” the information
`cursor. If the information cursor is not “On', a conventional
`cursor is displayed (step 64). As an example, consider the
`name cursor 26. If the name cursor 26 is “Off”, the name box
`30 is not displayed (FIG.2a). Instead, a conventional cursor
`is displayed. On the other hand, if the name cursor is “On’,
`the pointing portion 28 is displayed along with the appro
`priate name information (step 62) to be used in the name
`box.
`The name cursor 26 (FIG.2c) that is shown during a drag
`and drop operation is Somewhat unique relative to the other
`types of information cursors. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing
`the steps performed by the preferred embodiment of the
`present invention to display the name cursor 26 during a
`drag and drop operation. The generation of messages from
`the mouse 18 and the response of window procedures are the
`Same as described above for the Single-name-box name
`cursor. In Step 66, the pointing portion 28 of the name cursor
`points to a Source object, and the name of the Source object
`is displayed in the first name box 30a (see FIG.2c), such as
`described above for the Single-name-box name cursor of
`FIGS. 2a and 2b. A user then depresses the mouse button
`while the pointing portion 28 of the name cursor points to
`the Source-object icon (step 68) and drags the Source-object
`icon by moving the mouse and keeping the button depressed
`(step 70) until the source-object icon is positioned over a
`destination-object icon.
`The System performs a loop while the Source-object icon
`is being dragged. In particular, the System checks whether
`the pointing portion 28 of the name cursor is positioned over
`a destination object (Step 72). if not, a blank is displayed for
`the destination object name in the second name box 30b. The
`system checks whether the mouse is released (step 76). If
`not, the drag continues (step 70). When the pointing portion
`is positioned over a destination object, the name of the
`destination object is then displayed in the Second name box
`30b (see FIG.2c) of the name cursor 36 (step 72 of FIG. 8).
`The loop continues until the mouse button is released to
`terminate the drag and drop operation.
`While the present invention has been described with
`reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, those skilled in
`the art will appreciate that various changes and form of the
`detail may be made without departing from the Scope of the
`present invention as defined by the appended claims.
`What is claimed is:
`1. In a data processing System having a Video display and
`an input device, a method, comprising the Steps of:
`(a) displaying objects on the video display, said objects
`including an information cursor with a pointing portion
`for pointing to locations on the Video display and an
`information portion for displaying information that is
`displayed in a Selected relative position with respect to
`the pointing portion;
`(b) in response to a user using the input device, position
`ing the information cursor So that the pointing portion
`of the information cursor points to one of the objects
`that is displayed and the information portion is in the
`Selected relative position with respect to the pointing
`portion; and
`
`Ebay Exhibit 1004, Page 10 of 12
`Ebay, Inc. v. Lexos Media IP, LLC
`IPR2024-00336
`
`

`

`7
`(c) displaying currently undisplayed information on the
`Video display about the object to which the pointing
`portion of the information cursor points in the infor
`mation portion of the information cursor.
`2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of
`displaying currently undisplayed information on the Video
`display further comprises the Step of displaying a name of
`the object to which the pointing portion of the information
`cursor points.
`3. The method as recited in claim 2 wherein the step of
`displaying currently undisplayed information on the Video
`display in the information portion of the information cursor
`further comprises the Step of displaying a preview of con
`tents of the object to which the pointing portion of the
`information cursor points in the information portion of the
`information cursor.
`4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of
`displaying currently undisplayed information on the Video
`display in the information portion of the information cursor
`further comprises the Step of displaying a preview of con
`tents of the object in the information portion of the infor
`mation cursor to which the pointing portion of the informa
`tion cursor points.
`5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of
`displaying currently undisplayed information on the Video
`display further comprises the Step of displaying property
`information in the information portion of the information
`cursor about the object to which the pointing portion of the
`information cursor points.
`6. The method as recited in claim 5 wherein the step of
`displaying property information further comprises the Step
`of displaying help information in the information portion of
`the cursor regarding the object to which the pointing portion
`of the information cursor points.
`7. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the input
`device is a mouse and the Step of positioning the cursor
`further comprises the Steps of tracking movements of the
`mouse by the user and updating a position of the cursor on
`the Video display.
`8. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising
`the Step of determining what information is associated with
`the object to which the pointing portion of the information
`cursor points.
`9. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of
`displaying currently undisplayed information on the Video
`display further comprises the Steps of:
`(i) determining whether the information cursor is speci
`fied as “On”; and
`(ii) in response to determining whether the information
`cursor is specified as “On', displaying currently undis
`played information on the Video display about the
`object to which the pointing portion of the information
`cursor points when the information cursor is specified
`as “On.
`10. In a data processing System having a mouse, having at
`least one button, and a video display, a method comprising
`the Steps of:
`
`5
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
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`50
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`55
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`US 6,437,800 B1
`
`8
`(a) displaying a cursor, a Source-object icon for a Source
`object and a destination-object icon for a destination
`object on the Video display;
`(b) in response to movements of the mouse by a user,
`moving the cursor to point to the Source-object icon;
`(c) displaying on the Video display a name of the Source
`object as part of the cursor,
`(d) in response to the user depressing the button of the
`mouse while the cursor points to the Source object icon
`and moving the mouse while keeping the button
`depressed, dragging the Source-object icon over the
`Video display to where the destination-object icon is
`positioned So that the cursor points to the destination
`object icon; and
`(e) displaying a name of the destination object along with
`the name of the Source object as part of the cursor.
`11. A computer-readable medium whose contents cause a
`computer System having a Visual display and a mouse with
`at least one button to perform the Steps of
`displaying on the Visual display a cursor, a Source object
`icon for a Source object, and a destination object icon
`for a destination object;
`in response to movements of the mouse by a user, moving
`the cursor to point to the Source object icon;
`displaying on the Visual display a name of the Source
`object as part of the cursor,
`in response to the user depressing the button of the mouse
`while the cursor points to the Source object icon and
`moving the mouse while keeping the button depressed,
`dragging the Source object icon over the Visual display
`to where the destination object icon is positioned So
`that the cursor points to the destination-object icon; and
`displaying a name of the destination object along with the
`name of the Source object as part of the cursor.
`12. A method in a data processing System having an input
`device and a display device for displaying information
`relating to a displayed Visual element in a cursor used to
`Select the visual element, the method comprising the Steps
`of:
`displaying the Visual element and the cursor on the
`display device; and
`in response to user input received from the input device:
`moving the cursor into a region of the display device
`containing the Visual element, and
`displ