Doug J Benson

US Patent:

58086102, Sep 15, 1998

Filed:

Aug 28, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/697671

Inventors:

Doug Benson - Plano TX
Keith Bottner - Richardson TX
Michael Froman - Allen TX
Scott Thompson - Plano TX

Assignee:

Macromedia, Inc. - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

G06F 314

US Classification:

345342

Abstract:

A computer program displaying a plurality of panels on the display of a computer system. Each panel contains one or more sets of tools, commands, and information displays that can be used to modify the contents of a window or document within the computer system. The panels can be docked by dragging a first panel and dropping it in proximity with a second panel while holding down a modifier key. When the panels are docked, a docking wedge is created between the panels. Docked panels can be moved as if the panels were a single panel. In addition, docked panels can be reduced in size by pressing a minimize button on any one of the docked panels. Panels can be undocked by either pressing the docking wedge or dragging a panel while holding down a modifier key. In response to either method of undocking, the docking wedge is removed and the panels become separate.