Appeal No. 2002-2023 Paper 31
Application No. 08/689,526 Page 3
entered from the direction of approach through the barrier 302A.
[Specification, p. 4, l. 25 - p. 5, l. 4.]
* * * * * *
... A preliminary check of whether the pointer movement line 301 and
barrier line 302A can possibly overlap is performed. ... If it is determined ...
that both lines do reach the X,Y point, then pointer 300 is placed at
location X,Y at the barrier 302A ... . If determined ... that the pointer
movement line 301 and barrier line 302A do not overlap or that both lines
do not reach the X,Y point ..., then the pointer is placed at the projected
new location P(X2,Y2) as normally done .... [Id., p. 5, ll. 15-33.]
* * * * * *
This technique can be used to effectively exaggerate the spacing
between screen elements, or prevent pointing at an element unless
entered only through one direction, such as through a door rather than just
coasting onto it from any direction (id., p. 6, ll. 2-6).
(See Brief, pp. 2-6, for a more detailed description of appellant's invention.)
III. Illustrative claims
Claims 1, 8 and 15 are the only independent claims on appeal and are directed
to a computer-implemented method for controlling pointer movement on a display
screen and an apparatus and computer program product therefore, respectively.
Claim 1 is illustrative and reads as follows (emphasis added).
1. A computer-implemented method for controlling pointer
movement on a user interface display screen in a computer system
comprising the steps of:
defining a selected area of the user interface display screen as a
barrier;
identifying a pointer movement line;
comparing said pointer movement line with said barrier;
providing predetermined pointer movement control actions
responsive to said compared pointer movement line with said barrier
including the steps of
changing a speed of pointer movement responsive to said
compared pointer movement line with said barrier; and
changing an orientation of the pointer responsive to said
compared pointer movement line with said barrier.
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