Edward G Anderson

US Patent:

6819345, Nov 16, 2004

Filed:

Feb 17, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/024311

Inventors:

Christopher R. Jones - Seattle WA
Christopher R. Brown - Seattle WA
Michael A. Schmidt - Issaquah WA
Sankar Ramasubramanian - Redmond WA
Sean L. Flynn - North Bend WA
Edward Jason Anderson - Duvall WA
Mark H. Enomoto - Seattle WA
Gayna Williams - Seattle WA
Bryan T. Starbuck - Redmond WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 1300

US Classification:

345856, 345854, 345853, 345764

Abstract:

In a graphical desktop environment displaying desktop components, a control is provided to track the position of a pointer on a screen, and when the pointer enters relevant regions with respect to a desktop component, a thin or thick border in displayed around the desktop component to enable a user to resize the desktop component, and/or a caption bar is displayed along an edge of the component to enable a user to move the desktop component on the desktop. The caption bar may additionally be provided with menu and close buttons, to enable the user to bring up a menu of properties and/or actions for the desktop component, and close the desktop component, respectively. When the pointer is outside any region relevant to a desktop component, no borders or caption bars are displayed, thereby resulting in a visually less cluttered appearance.

US Patent:

7284209, Oct 16, 2007

Filed:

Sep 23, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/949080

Inventors:

Christopher R Jones - Seattle WA, US
Christopher R Brown - Seattle WA, US
Michael A Schmidt - Issaquah WA, US
Sankar Ramasubramanian - Redmond WA, US
Sean L Flynn - North Bend WA, US
Edward J Anderson - Duvall WA, US
Mark H Enomoto - Seattle WA, US
Gayna Williams - Seattle WA, US
Bryan T Starbuck - Redmond WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 13/00

US Classification:

715856, 715853, 715764, 715821, 345145, 345146

Abstract:

In a graphical desktop environment displaying desktop components, a control is provided to track the position of a pointer on a screen, and when the pointer enters relevant regions with respect to a desktop component, a thin or thick border in displayed around the desktop component to enable a user to resize the desktop component, and/or a caption bar is displayed along an edge of the component to enable a user to move the desktop component on the desktop. The caption bar may additionally be provided with menu and close buttons, to enable the user to bring up a menu of properties and/or actions for the desktop component, and close the desktop component, respectively. When the pointer is outside any region relevant to a desktop component, no borders or caption bars are displayed, thereby resulting in a visually less cluttered appearance.

US Patent:

7290217, Oct 30, 2007

Filed:

Sep 24, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/949838

Inventors:

Christopher R Jones - Seattle WA, US
Christopher R Brown - Seattle WA, US
Michael A Schmidt - Issaquah WA, US
Sankar Ramasubramanian - Redmond WA, US
Sean L Flynn - North Bend WA, US
Edward J Anderson - Duvall WA, US
Mark H Enomoto - Seattle WA, US
Gayna Williams - Seattle WA, US
Bryan T Starbuck - Redmond WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

715764, 715856, 715517, 715788, 345145, 345146

Abstract:

In a graphical desktop environment displaying desktop components, a control is provided to track the position of a pointer on a screen, and when the pointer enters relevant regions with respect to a desktop component, a thin or thick border in displayed around the desktop component to enable a user to resize the desktop component, and/or a caption bar is displayed along an edge of the component to enable a user to move the desktop component on the desktop. The caption bar may additionally be provided with menu and close buttons, to enable the user to bring up a menu of properties and/or actions for the desktop component, and close the desktop component, respectively. When the pointer is outside any region relevant to a desktop component, no borders or caption bars are displayed, thereby resulting in a visually less cluttered appearance.

US Patent:

6278448, Aug 21, 2001

Filed:

Feb 17, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/024673

Inventors:

Christopher R. Brown - Seattle WA
Michael A. Schmidt - Issaquah WA
Sankar Ramasubramanian - Redmond WA
Sean L. Flynn - North Bend WA
Edward Jason Anderson - Duvall WA
Matthew C. Squires - Redmond WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 300

US Classification:

345333

Abstract:

A method of creating a composite desktop built from Web content retrieved from one or more Web sites is disclosed. A component on a Web page can be selected and positioned on the composite desktop. The component can be a static image or an active desktop component providing dynamic content. An entire Web page can also be selected and positioned as a component on the composite desktop. Components can be selected for the composite desktop using one of several mechanisms. Selection of a control on a Web page causes the selection of a corresponding component on the Web page. A control panel utility allows the designation of a URL to select the corresponding Web page for inclusion as a component on the composite desktop. Images from Web pages and objects representing URLs can be dragged and dropped onto the composite desktop. Icons on a composite desktop are displayed in front of the composite desktop components.