Ex Parte BROOKS - Page 2




              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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