Appeal No. 2002-2023 Paper 31
Application No. 08/689,526 Page 2
II. The invention
Many computer users are familiar with graphic user interfaces ("GUIs") where
computer commands are given by using a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or joystick, to
point-and-click a pointer, e.g., a cursor, onto an icon or command button on a display
screen to activate a desired function. The claimed invention is directed to methods,
apparati and program products "for controlling pointer movement ... [to] assist computer
users in selecting desired operations or objects for minimizing potential for inadvertent
user selections or mistakes" (specification, p. 12), e.g., unintentionally clicking on the
wrong icon on a crowded display screen or on the erase, instead of save, button in word
processing program. Specifically, "[s]elected areas of a display screen are defined to
provide predetermined pointer movement control actions" (id., p. 2, ll. 31-32).
As illustrated in FIG. 3A, selected areas, represented by a barrier 302A of
the display screen 108 are defined to provide predetermined pointer
movement control actions. Barrier 302A is a screen space defined by line
coordinates B(X1,Y1), and B(X2,Y2). The barrier 302A can be defined as
any other screen element when the user interface 108 is defined, and
hidden, if desired. Or a new property of any screen can be defined as the
barrier property, also specified at screen element definition time, (and
programmatically manipulatable at run time to react to dynamic
conditions). At barrier 302A, the pointer 300 changes speed, such as
slows down, or stops so that screen space beyond barrier 302A cannot be
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