10 Inventions on scrolling and scrollbars in Graphical User Interface

Author: Umakant Mishra

Abstract:

Scrolling mechanism is used to display and edit large documents in a limited screen space or window. The scrolling mechanism may include a vertical scroll bar or a horizontal scroll bar or both to move the contents of the documents up and down or left and right. There may be navigation buttons on the screen representing the navigation keys on the keyboard. The user can click these buttons to scroll the screen.

           

There may be very different methods of scrolling such as by using the “thumb”, as popularly used with a PDF document. Scrolling may be achieved through eyeball tracking in a hands-free environment where the user does not have hands or wants to use hands for other activities. This article illustrates ten interesting inventions on scrolling selected from US patent database.

Keywords: TRIZ, Software Inventions, Graphical User Interface, Software inventions, Software Patents, Inventive Problem Solving, GUI, Scrolling, Scrollbar, Sidebars

Mishra, Umakant, 10 Inventions on Scrolling and Scrollbars in Graphical User Interface. (December 6, 2006), Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=949243

http://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=949243

http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.949243

http://works.bepress.com/umakant_mishra/23

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/256069605_10_Inventions_on_Scrolling_and_Scrollbars_in_Graphical_User_Interface

10 Inventions on Command Buttons in a Graphical User Interface

Author: Umakant Mishra

Abstract:

A command button may contain a textual label or a graphic image or both. It may be static or animated. There can be many different features to make a command button attractive and effective. As command button is a typical GUI element, most improvement on GUI in general will also be applicable to command buttons. Besides, there are also inventions to improve various aspects of command buttons in specific. This article illustrates 10 selected inventions from US patent database. Each invention is followed by a TRIZ based analysis in brief.

Keywords: TRIZ, Software Inventions, Graphical User Interface, Software inventions, Software Patents, Inventive Problem Solving, Command buttons, push buttons, GUI, Invention, Patent,

Mishra, Umakant, 10 Inventions on Command Buttons in a Graphical User Interface. (December 6, 2006)  Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=949240

http://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=949240

http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.949240

http://works.bepress.com/umakant_mishra/22

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228234011_10_Inventions_on_Command_Buttons_in_a_Graphical_User_Interface

Inventions on Menu and Toolbar Coordination

Author: Umakant Mishra

Abstract:

Both toolbar and dropdown menu are used popularly in a graphical user interface with a similar objective of providing easy access to the internal functions. Often the same functions are provided through both menu and toolbar.

           

Both toolbar and dropdown menu have their own advantages and disadvantages. A menu can provide more options occupying less real estate, while toolbar can provide a single click access without navigating through trees and branches.

           

As a menu and toolbar system shares many common objectives, it is often useful maintain some relationship to coordinate between both the elements of a GUI system. The relationships can be easy as both of them often share the same internal function. For example, the print option in a menu will (most likely) call the same function as the print button on the toolbar.

           

This article discusses the similarities and differences between a dropdown menu and toolbar. Five inventions trying to focus on both menu and toolbar are illustrated in the article.

Keywords: TRIZ, Software Inventions, Graphical User Interface, Software inventions, Software Patents, Inventive Problem Solving, Adaptable menu, Toolbar, expandable toolbar, collapsible toolbar, command buttons

Umakant Mishra, Inventions on Menu and Toolbar Coordination, (December 6, 2006 ) Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=949239 

http://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=949239

http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.949239

http://works.bepress.com/umakant_mishra/21

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228233996_Inventions_on_Menu_and_Toolbar_Coordination

10 inventions on Improving Toolbars: A TRIZ based analysis

Author: Umakant Mishra

Abstract:

Toolbar is one among the popular elements of a graphical user interface. The other popular elements of graphical user interface are buttons, menu, scrollbar, dialog box etc., all of which provide easy access to various functions of a GUI

System.

           

A toolbar often does a similar function as the menu but with certain differences. A menu has the advantage of holding a large number of items without needing any additional screen space. In contrast, each button on the toolbar permanently occupies some space on the screen. It’s not possible to implement large number of functions through a toolbar, as they will occupy more and more valuable screen space. However, the toolbar has an advantage as it gives a single click access to any function unlike a menu system where the user has to navigate through sub-menus to ultimate discover the item he is looking for.

           

This article explores the desired features of a toolbar and the ideal features of an advanced toolbar. The contradictions are described from a TRIZ perspective and solutions are derived using Inventive principles. Besides the article illustrates 10 inventions on improving Toolbars selected from US patent database.

Keywords: TRIZ, Software Inventions, Graphical User Interface, Software Patents, Inventive Problem Solving, Adaptable menu, Toolbar, flexible toolbar, expandable toolbar, collapsible toolbar, command buttons

Mishra, Umakant, 10 Inventions on Improving Toolbars: A TRIZ Based Analysis (September 7, 2007). Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1264683

http://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=1264683

http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1264683

http://works.bepress.com/umakant_mishra/20

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/254880375_10_Inventions_on_Improving_Toolbars_A_TRIZ_Based_Analysis?ev=srch_pub

Inventions on Adaptable Menu: A TRIZ based analysis

Author: Umakant Mishra

Abstract:

The menu is one of the most widely used elements of a graphical user interface. The objective of a menu system is to provide various commands and functions to the user in an easy way so that the user can just select the desired operation from a given list instead of typing a complex command in the command prompt.

           

In a conventional menu system the menu items or options are hard-coded in the computer program. The programmer or developer composes menu items at the time of development. The developer tries to include all options that he feels may be required by the user in future. Although the items are decided from “requirement analysis” and other studies, it is difficult to know the exact need of a user at a future period of time. This leads to inclusion of a lot of items in the menu, which leads to user confusion and frustration.

           

Thus there is a need for adaptable menu that can be changed according to user requirement. The items of the adaptable menu should change from user to user and from time to time depending on the program context and likelihood of user selection.

This article defines the Ideal Final Result of a dropdown menu system, defines the desirable functions of an adaptable menu, finds and solves the contradictions faced in achieving the desirable functions, and illustrates six selected cases on adaptable menu from US patent database.

Keywords: TRIZ, Software Inventions, Graphical User Interface, Software Patents, Inventive Problem Solving, Adaptable menu, Dynamic Menu, expandable menu, invisible menu, dropdown menu, GUI, Menu, Software, Invention, Patent, Human computer interface

Umakant Mishra, Inventions on Adaptable Menu: A TRIZ Based Analysis. December 6, 2006, Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=949236

http://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=949236

http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.949236

http://works.bepress.com/umakant_mishra/19

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/256069413_Inventions_on_Adaptable_Menu_A_TRIZ_Based_Analysis?fulltextDialog=true

Inventions on Integrating Pointing Devices with Computer Keyboard

Author: Umakant Mishra

Abstract:

A keyboard is the most essential input device for the computer. Although a keyboard contains navigation keys, in most cases we use a pointing device like mouse to operate the cursor. There are many kinds of pointing devices like mouse, track ball, touch pad, touch stick, joy stick and so on each used for different purposes.

           

Although each of these pointing devices have specific advantages, the disadvantages of using all these pointing devices is that they occupy lot of desk space, clutter the table by using several cables and makes the place messy. Many inventors have tried to integrate one or more of these pointing devices with the computer so that the user can save space and get operating comfort as well.

This article illustrates 14 inventions on integrating various pointing devices to the keyboard. The patents are selected from US patent database. The inventions try to combine a mouse, joystick, stylus, touch pad and other pointing devices with the keyboard to get the advantage of cost, space and convenience.

Keywords: TRIZ, Computer Keyboard, Computer Hardware, Hardware Inventions, Computer Patents, Inventive Problem Solving, Computer accessories, computer keyboard, Pointing devices, mouse, trackball, touch pad, joystick, stylus

http://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=932278

http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.932278

http://works.bepress.com/umakant_mishra/18

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258120360_Inventions_on_integrating_Pointing_Device_with_Computer_Keyboard_-A_study_based_on_US_patents  

10 Inventions on Ergonomically Developed Computer Accessories

Author: Umakant Mishra

Abstract:

The height, shape and habit of every human being are different. In large workplaces, the construction of computer furniture and accessories cannot be of that user.

           

The major made according these peculiarities of every human being. As a result every computer user has to work on standard computer furniture and standard computer accessories that may not match with his physical construction and peculiarities physical problems caused by prolonged computer usage can be categorized as neck pain and stiffness, low back pain and stiffness, and strain of the wrists. These problems are caused by chairs, computer desks, and keyboard support stands that are unsuitable for the particular computer user.

           

This article illustrates 10 inventions on ergonomically developed computer accessories including keyboard stands, monitor accessories, stands and tables which attempt to substantially reduce these problems caused by uncomfortable positioning of computer devices.

Keywords: TRIZ, Computer Keyboard, Computer Hardware, Hardware Inventions, Computer Patents, Inventive Problem Solving, Computer accessories, computer stand, computer table, ergonomic accessories

http://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=932277

http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.932277

http://works.bepress.com/umakant_mishra/17

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/256069217_10_Inventions_on_Ergonomically_Developed_Computer_Accessories