Matthew B Powers

US Patent:

58596380, Jan 12, 1999

Filed:

Feb 4, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/794480

Inventors:

Patricia J. Coleman - Menlo Park CA
James Edward Palmer - Redwood City CA
Matthew Justin Powers - Monte Sereno CA
Jeffrey Alan Herman - Palo Alto CA
Eli Cochran - Menlo Park CA
John Richard Powers - Monte Sereno CA

Assignee:

Apple Computer, Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G09G 508

US Classification:

345341

Abstract:

A user interface includes an object oriented graphic user interface having overlapping windows and provides an access window having topics, index and look for button functions for selection by a user. Through the use of the topics, index or look for functions, a help inquiry is defined. The access window includes an alpha scroll bar horizontally spanning a defined area of the access window. A plurality of alpha-numeric, symbolic or other characters (collectively "characters") are displayed along the length of the alpha scroll bar. A slider is provided which may be selectively positioned over a character displayed on the alpha scroll bar. The slider may be positioned through user manipulation of a cursor control device. The placement of the slider over a character on the alpha scroll bar results in a central processing unit (CPU) displaying data corresponding to the character selected. Entries are displayed in the defined area beginning alphabetically with the letter over which the slider has been placed.

US Patent:

58283749, Oct 27, 1998

Filed:

Mar 14, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/818288

Inventors:

Patricia J. Coleman - Menlo Park CA
James Edward Palmer - Redwood City CA
Matthew Justin Powers - Monte Sereno CA
Jeffrey Alan Herman - Palo Alto CA
Eli Cochran - Menlo Park CA
John Richard Powers - Monte Sereno CA

Assignee:

Apple Computer, Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G06F 300

US Classification:

345341

Abstract:

An object oriented graphic user interface having overlapping windows and an access window having topics, index and look for button functions may be selected by the user. Through the use of the topics, index, or look for functions, a help inquiry is defined. The access window includes an alpha scroll bar horizontally spanning a defined area of the access window. Characters are displayed along the length of the alpha scroll bar and a slider is provided which may be selectively positioned over a character displayed on the alpha scroll bar. The placement of the slider over a character on the alpha scroll bar results in the CPU displaying help data entries corresponding to the selected character.