Amy E Hurst

US Patent:

20030016253, Jan 23, 2003

Filed:

Jul 18, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/906667

Inventors:

Paul Aoki - Foster City CA, US
Richard Burton - Palo Alto CA, US
Amy Hurst - Atlanta GA, US
Allison Woodruff - Foster City CA, US
Victoria Bellotti - San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

XEROX CORPORATION - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G06F003/00

US Classification:

345/863000

Abstract:

A feedback mechanism usable with graphical user interface systems that do not have a cursor improves the usefulness of such graphical user interfaces. Locating, identifying and/or selecting hyperlink targets or active areas within a displayed image map or within a Web page is facilitated by providing distinctions to the hyperlink targets or active areas or by providing other locational indicators for a designated time period in response to a single user gesture. The distinctions or locational indicators may be provided in combination with other distinctions or locational indicators to further aid the hyperlink target or active area location, identification and/or selection process. After a designated time period expires, the distinctions, locational indicators, or their combination, are removed from the display without any additional user gesture. This increases the efficiency and convenience of locating, identifying and/or selecting hyperlink targets or active areas in a graphical user interface system.