U.S. patent application number 11/195919 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-08 for method, system, and computer program product for providing enhanced dropdown selection lists and combination boxes.
This patent application is currently assigned to International Business Machines Corporation. Invention is credited to Bryan E. Aupperle, Gabriel A. Cohen, Jonathan C. Gellin, Thomas R. Haynes.
Application Number | 20070033545 11/195919 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37718977 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070033545 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Haynes; Thomas R. ; et
al. |
February 8, 2007 |
Method, system, and computer program product for providing enhanced
dropdown selection lists and combination boxes
Abstract
The present invention provides enhanced dropdown selection lists
and combination boxes. A method in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention includes: providing a graphical user
interface (GUI) control that displays a dropdown list when
actuated, and displaying indicia in the GUI control indicating a
number of entries in the dropdown list, wherein a user can visually
determine from the indicia the number of entries in the dropdown
list prior to display of the dropdown list. A method in accordance
with another embodiment of the present invention includes:
providing a GUI control having an entry field; and displaying
indicia in the GUI control indicating whether the entry field of
the GUI control is writable, wherein a user can visually determine
from the indicia whether the entry field of the GUI control is
writable before placing a cursor in the entry field.
Inventors: |
Haynes; Thomas R.; (Apex,
NC) ; Aupperle; Bryan E.; (Cary, NC) ; Cohen;
Gabriel A.; (Durham, NC) ; Gellin; Jonathan C.;
(Raleigh, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOFFMAN WARNICK & DALESSANDRO LLC
75 STATE ST
14TH FLOOR
ALBANY
NY
12207
US
|
Assignee: |
International Business Machines
Corporation
Armonk
NY
|
Family ID: |
37718977 |
Appl. No.: |
11/195919 |
Filed: |
August 3, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
715/810 ;
715/826 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0482
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/810 ;
715/826 |
International
Class: |
G06F 17/00 20060101
G06F017/00 |
Claims
1. A method for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) control,
comprising: providing a GUI control that displays a dropdown list
when actuated; and displaying indicia in the GUI control indicating
a number of entries in the dropdown list, wherein a user can
visually determine from the indicia the number of entries in the
dropdown list prior to display of the dropdown list.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the GUI control comprises a
dropdown selection list.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicia includes a first
indicia indicating that the dropdown list contains a plurality of
entries, and a second entry indicating that the dropdown list
contains a single entry.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first indicia comprises a
down arrow of a first type, and wherein the second indicia
comprises a down arrow of a second type.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicia includes a number
indicating the number of entries in the dropdown list.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the GUI control comprises a
combination box.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:
displaying additional indicia in the GUI control indicating whether
an entry field of the GUI control is writable.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the additional indicia in the GUI
control for indicating whether the entry field of the GUI control
is writable comprises an arrow pointing toward the entry field.
9. Deploying an application for providing a GUI control,
comprising: providing a computer infrastructure being operable to
perform the method of claim 1.
10. Computer software embodied in a propagated signal for providing
a GUI control, the computer software comprising instructions to
cause a computer system to perform the method of claim 1.
11. A method for providing a graphical user interface (GUI)
control, comprising: providing a GUI control having an entry field;
and displaying indicia in the GUI control indicating whether the
entry field of the GUI control is writable, wherein a user can
visually determine from the indicia whether the entry field of the
GUI control is writable before placing a cursor in the entry
field.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the GUI control comprises a
combination box.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the indicia comprises an arrow
pointing toward the entry field.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein the GUI control is configured
to display a dropdown list having a number of entries when
actuated, further comprising: displaying additional indicia in the
GUI control indicating the number of entries in the dropdown list,
wherein a user can visually determine from the additional indicia
the number of entries in the dropdown list prior to display of the
dropdown list.
15. Deploying an application for providing a GUI control,
comprising: providing a computer infrastructure being operable to
perform the method of claim 11.
16. Computer software embodied in a propagated signal for providing
a GUI control, the computer software comprising instructions to
cause a computer system to perform the method of claim 11.
17. A system for providing a graphical user interface (GUI)
control, comprising: a system for providing a GUI control that
displays a dropdown list when actuated; and a system for displaying
indicia in the GUI control indicating a number of entries in the
dropdown list, wherein a user can visually determine from the
indicia the number of entries in the dropdown list prior to display
of the dropdown list.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the GUI control comprises a
dropdown selection list.
19. The system of claim 17, wherein the indicia includes a first
indicia indicating that the dropdown list contains a plurality of
entries, and a second entry indicating that the dropdown list
contains a single entry.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the first indicia comprises a
down arrow of a first type, and wherein the second indicia
comprises a down arrow of a second type.
21. The system of claim 17, wherein the indicia includes a number
indicating the number of entries in the dropdown list.
22. The system of claim 17, wherein the GUI control comprises a
combination box.
23. The system of claim 17, further comprising: a system for
displaying additional indicia in the GUI control indicating whether
an entry field of the GUI control is writable.
24. The system of claim 23, wherein the additional indicia in the
GUI control for indicating whether the entry field of the GUI
control is writable comprises an arrow pointing toward the entry
field.
25. A system for providing a graphical user interface (GUI)
control, comprising: a system for providing a GUI control having an
entry field; and a system for displaying indicia in the GUI control
indicating whether the entry field of the GUI control is writable,
wherein a user can visually determine from the indicia whether the
entry field of the GUI control is writable before placing a cursor
in the entry field.
26. The system of claim 25, wherein the GUI control comprises a
combination box.
27. The system of claim 25, wherein the indicia comprises an arrow
pointing toward the entry field.
28. The system of claim 25, wherein the GUI control is configured
to display a dropdown list having a number of entries when
actuated, further comprising: a system for displaying additional
indicia in the GUI control indicating the number of entries in the
dropdown list, wherein a user can visually determine from the
additional indicia the number of entries in the dropdown list prior
to display of the dropdown list.
29. A program product stored on a computer readable medium for
providing a graphical user interface (GUI) control, the computer
readable medium comprising program code for performing the steps
of: providing a GUI control that displays a dropdown list when
actuated; and displaying indicia in the GUI control indicating a
number of entries in the dropdown list, wherein a user can visually
determine from the indicia the number of entries in the dropdown
list prior to display of the dropdown list.
30. A program product stored on a computer readable medium for
providing a graphical user interface (GUI) control, the computer
readable medium comprising program code for performing the steps
of: providing a GUI control having an entry field; and displaying
indicia in the GUI control indicating whether the entry field of
the GUI control is writable, wherein a user can visually determine
from the indicia whether the entry field of the GUI control is
writable before placing a cursor in the entry field.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to graphical user
interfaces, and more specifically relates to a method, system, and
computer program product for providing enhanced dropdown selection
lists and combination boxes.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] In a graphical user interface (GUI), controls such as
dropdown selection lists and combination ("combo") boxes are
commonly used. An example of a control 10 that could be either a
dropdown selection list or a combination box is illustrated in FIG.
1. As shown, the control 10 includes an entry field 12 and a down
arrow button 14. When the down arrow button 14 is actuated (e.g.,
via a mouse click or keyboard button press), a dropdown list 16
appears as shown in FIG. 2, and the entries 18 that can be chosen
by a user are displayed.
[0005] In the case of a dropdown selection list, a user may actuate
the down arrow button 14 of the control 10, only to discover that
there is only one available entry 18 in the dropdown list 16, and
that the entry 18 was already visible in the entry field 12 of the
control 10. An example of this is illustrated in FIG. 3. In this
type of case, the user wastes time and effort actuating the down
arrow button 14 of the control 10. To this extent, there is a need
for a way for a user to visually determine, prior to the display of
a dropdown list, whether the dropdown list contains more than one
entry.
[0006] In the case of a combination box, a user can type data into
the entry field 12 of the control 10 or can actuate the down arrow
button 14 of the control 10 and select an entry 18 from the
dropdown list 16. Typically, a dropdown selection list and a
combination box look exactly the same, and the user has to try and
place a cursor in the entry field 12 to determine if it is writable
(e.g., a combination box) or read-only (e.g., a dropdown selection
list), wasting time and effort. To this extent, there is a need for
a way for a user to visually determine whether an entry field of a
combination box is writable, without first having to place a cursor
in the entry field. Further, since a dropdown list provided by a
combination box may include only a single entry, there is also a
need for a way for a user to visually determine, prior to the
display of a dropdown list, whether the dropdown list provided by a
combination box contains more than one entry.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In general, the present invention provides a method, system,
and computer program product for providing enhanced dropdown
selection lists and combination boxes.
[0008] A first aspect of the present invention is directed to a
method for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) control,
comprising: providing a GUI control that displays a dropdown list
when actuated; and displaying indicia in the GUI control indicating
a number of entries in the dropdown list, wherein a user can
visually determine from the indicia the number of entries in the
dropdown list prior to display of the dropdown list.
[0009] A second aspect of the present invention is directed to a
method for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) control,
comprising: providing a GUI control having an entry field; and
displaying indicia in the GUI control indicating whether the entry
field of the GUI control is writable, wherein a user can visually
determine from the indicia whether the entry field of the GUI
control is writable before placing a cursor in the entry field.
[0010] A third aspect of the present invention is directed to a
system for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) control,
comprising: a system for providing a GUI control that displays a
dropdown list when actuated; and a system for displaying indicia in
the GUI control indicating a number of entries in the dropdown
list; wherein a user can visually determine from the indicia the
number of entries in the dropdown list prior to display of the
dropdown list.
[0011] A fourth aspect of the present invention is directed to a
system for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) control,
comprising: a system for providing a GUI control having an entry
field; and a system for displaying indicia in the GUI control
indicating whether the entry field of the GUI control is writable;
wherein a user can visually determine from the indicia whether the
entry field of the GUI control is writable before placing a cursor
in the entry field
[0012] A fifth aspect of the present invention is directed to a
program product stored on a computer readable medium for providing
a graphical user interface (GUI) control, the computer readable
medium comprising program code for performing the following steps:
providing a GUI control that displays a dropdown list when
actuated; and displaying indicia in the GUI control indicating a
number of entries in the dropdown list; wherein a user can visually
determine from the indicia the number of entries in the dropdown
list prior to display of the dropdown list.
[0013] A sixth aspect of the present invention is directed to a
program product stored on a computer readable medium for providing
a graphical user interface (GUI) control, the computer readable
medium comprising program code for performing the following steps:
providing a GUI control having an entry field; and displaying
indicia in the GUI control indicating whether the entry field of
the GUI control is writable; wherein a user can visually determine
from the indicia whether the entry field of the GUI control is
writable before placing a cursor in the entry field.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] These and other features of this invention will be more
readily understood from the following detailed description of the
various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0015] FIGS. 1-3 depict a GUI control in accordance with the prior
art.
[0016] FIGS. 4-7 depict a dropdown selection list in accordance an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIGS. 8-11 depict a dropdown selection list in accordance
with another embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 12 depicts a dropdown selection list in accordance with
another embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIGS. 13-15 depict a combination box in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 16 depicts a combination box in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 17 depicts an illustrative computer system for
implementing embodiment(s) of the present invention.
[0022] The drawings are merely schematic representations, not
intended to portray specific parameters of the invention. The
drawings are intended to depict only typical embodiments of the
invention, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the
scope of the invention. In the drawings, like numbering represents
like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] A dropdown selection list 20 in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIGS. 4-7. The
dropdown selection list 20 includes a read-only entry field 22 and
a down arrow button 24. When the down arrow button 24 is actuated
(e.g., via a mouse click or keyboard button press), a dropdown list
26 appears as shown in FIG. 5, and the entries 28 that can be
chosen by a user are displayed.
[0024] In accordance with the present invention, the down arrow
button 24 includes indicia 30 for providing a user with a visual
indication of the number of (hidden) entries 28 in the dropdown
list 26. In FIG. 4, for example, the indicia 30 comprises a
downward pointing solid black arrow 32, indicating that the
dropdown list 26 includes a plurality of entries 28, as shown in
FIG. 5. In FIG. 6, however, the indicia 30 comprises a "grayed out"
downward pointing arrow 34, indicating that the dropdown list 26
includes only a single entry 28. The user can still actuate the
down arrow button 24, if desired, to display the dropdown list 26
as shown in FIG. 7. However, based on the indicia 30 (i.e., the
grayed out downward pointing arrow 34), the user will known ahead
of time that the dropdown list 26 contains only a single entry 28.
To this extent, based on the indicia 30, a user can easily
determine, prior to any actuation of the down arrow button 24,
whether the dropdown list 26 contains only one entry 28 or a
plurality of entries 28. In general, indicia 30 of different
colors, sizes, shapes, positions, etc., could be used to provide a
user with a visual indication of the number of entries 28 in the
dropdown list 26.
[0025] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, as depicted in FIG. 8, the indicia 30 displays a number
36 equal to the actual number of entries 28 in the dropdown list
26. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the indicia 30 includes the
number "4." This indicates that the dropdown list 26 contains four
entries 28 (see FIG. 9). In FIG. 10, however, the indicia 30
includes the number "1" indicating that the dropdown list 26
contains only a single entry 28 (see FIG. 11). Thus, based on the
indicia 30 (i.e., the number 36), a user can easily determine the
actual number of entries contained in the dropdown list 26, prior
to any actuation of the down arrow button 24. It should be noted
that in this embodiment of the present invention, the downward
pointing solid black arrow 36 on the down arrow button 24 simply
indicates, in a conventional manner, that actuation of the down
arrow button 24 will result in the display of the dropdown list 26.
However, the above-described arrows 32, 34 could be used in
conjunction with the number 36 to provide an additional indication
of the number of entries 28 in the dropdown list 26.
[0026] In another embodiment of the present invention, as depicted
in FIG. 12, the down arrow button 24 of a dropdown selection list
20 can include a "grayed out" arrow 60 pointing toward the entry
field 22 to signify that the entry field 22 is read-only. Other
indicia (not shown) can be used to indicate the number of entries
in the dropdown list.
[0027] A combination box 40 in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention is depicted in FIGS. 13-15. The combination box
40 includes an entry field 42 and a down arrow button 44. When the
down arrow button 44 is actuated (e.g., via a mouse click or
keyboard button press), a dropdown list 46 appears as shown in FIG.
14, and the entries 48 that can be chosen by a user are
displayed.
[0028] In accordance with the present invention, the down arrow
button 44 includes indicia 50 that provides a user with a visual
indication that the entry field 42 is writable. In particular, as
shown in FIG. 13, the indicia 50 comprises an arrow 52 pointing
toward the entry field 42 to signify that the entry field 42 is
writable. Thus, based on the indicia 50, a user can visually
determine whether the entry field 42 of the combination box 40 is
writable, without first having to place a cursor in the entry field
42. Although shown as comprising an arrow 52 pointing toward the
entry field 42, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that
many other types (e.g., colors, sizes, shapes, positions, etc.) of
indicia 50 could be used to signify that the entry field 48 is
writable.
[0029] Combining various aspects of the above-described
embodiments, the indicia 50 can include both an arrow 52 pointing
toward the entry field 42 to signify that the entry field 42 is
writable, and a downward pointing arrow to signify single/multiple
entries 48 in the dropdown list 46. In particular, in FIG. 13, a
downward pointing solid black arrow 54 can be used to indicate that
the dropdown list 46 includes a plurality of entries 48. As shown
in FIG. 15, however, a "grayed out" downward pointing arrow 56 can
be used to indicate that the dropdown list 46 includes only a
single entry 48. Again, it will be apparent to one skilled in the
art that many other types (e.g., colors, sizes, shapes, positions,
etc.) of indicia 50 could be used in the practice of this
embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] In another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in
FIG. 16, the indicia 50 can comprise an arrow 52 pointing toward
the entry field 42 to signify that the entry field 42 is writable,
and a number 58 indicating the number of entries 48 in the dropdown
list 46. In FIG. 16, for example, the number 58 is "4," indicating
that the dropdown list 46 contains four entries 48.
[0031] A computer system 100 for providing enhanced dropdown
selection lists and combination boxes in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 17.
Computer system 100 is provided in a computer infrastructure 102.
Computer system 100 is intended to represent any type of computer
system capable of carrying out the teachings of the present
invention. For example, computer system 100 can be a laptop
computer, a desktop computer, a workstation, a handheld device, a
server, a cluster of computers, etc. In addition, as will be
further described below, computer system 100 can be deployed and/or
operated by a service provider that provides a service for
providing enhanced dropdown selection lists and combination boxes
in accordance with the present invention. It should be appreciated
that a user 104 can access computer system 100 directly, or can
operate a computer system that communicates with computer system
100 over a network 106 (e.g., the Internet, a wide area network
(WAN), a local area network (LAN), a virtual private network (VPN),
etc). In the case of the latter, communications between computer
system 100 and a user-operated computer system can occur via any
combination of various types of communications links. For example,
the communication links can comprise addressable connections that
can utilize any combination of wired and/or wireless transmission
methods. Where communications occur via the Internet, connectivity
can be provided by conventional TCP/IP sockets-based protocol, and
an Internet service provider can be used to establish connectivity
to the Internet.
[0032] Computer system 100 is shown including a processing unit
108, a memory 110, a bus 112, and input/output (I/O) interfaces
114. Further, computer system 100 is shown in communication with
external devices/resources 116 and one or more storage systems 118.
In general, processing unit 108 executes computer program code,
such as GUI system 130, that is stored in memory 110 and/or storage
system(s) 118. While executing computer program code, processing
unit 108 can read and/or write data, to/from memory 110, storage
system(s) 118, and/or I/O interfaces 114. Bus 112 provides a
communication link between each of the components in computer
system 100. External devices/resources 116 can comprise any devices
(e.g., keyboard, pointing device, display (e.g., display 120,
printer, etc.) that enable a user to interact with computer system
100 and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.) that
enable computer system 100 to communicate with one or more other
computing devices.
[0033] Computer infrastructure 102 is only illustrative of various
types of computer infrastructures that can be used to implement the
present invention. For example, in one embodiment, computer
infrastructure 102 can comprise two or more computing devices
(e.g., a server cluster) that communicate over a network (e.g.,
network 106) to perform the various process steps of the invention.
Moreover, computer system 100 is only representative of the many
types of computer systems that can be used in the practice of the
present invention, each of which can include numerous combinations
of hardware/software. For example, processing unit 108 can comprise
a single processing unit, or can be distributed across one or more
processing units in one or more locations, e.g., on a client and
server. Similarly, memory 110 and/or storage system(s) 118 can
comprise any combination of various types of data storage and/or
transmission media that reside at one or more physical locations.
Further, I/O interfaces 114 can comprise any system for exchanging
information with one or more external devices/resources 116. Still
further, it is understood that one or more additional components
(e.g., system software, communication systems, cache memory, etc.)
not shown in FIG. 17 can be included in computer system 100.
However, if computer system 100 comprises a handheld device or the
like, it is understood that one or more external devices/resources
116 (e.g., a display) and/or one or more storage system(s) 118 can
be contained within computer system 100, and not externally as
shown.
[0034] Storage system(s) 118 can be any type of system (e.g., a
database) capable of providing storage for information under the
present invention. Such information can include, for example,
dropdown box entries, etc. To this extent, storage system(s) 118
can include one or more storage devices, such as a magnetic disk
drive or an optical disk drive. In another embodiment, storage
system(s) 118 can include data distributed across, for example, a
local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN) or a storage area
network (SAN) (not shown). Moreover, although not shown, computer
systems operated by user 104 can contain computerized components
similar to those described above with regard to computer system
100.
[0035] Shown in memory 110 (e.g., as a computer program product) is
a GUI system 130 for providing enhanced dropdown selection lists
and combination boxes in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention. The GUI system 130 includes a generating system 132 for
generating dropdown selection lists and combination boxes for
display (e.g., on display 120). Included in the generation system
132 is an indicia system 134 for generating indicia for display in
dropdown selection lists and combination boxes. In particular, the
indicia system 134 provides indicia indicating the number of
entries in a dropdown list provided by a dropdown selection list or
combination box, as described above. Further, also as described
above, the indicia system 134 provides indicia indicating the
writeability of the entry field in a combination box.
[0036] The present invention can be offered as a business method on
a subscription or fee basis. For example, one or more components of
the present invention can be created, maintained, supported, and/or
deployed by a service provider that offers the functions described
herein for customers. That is, a service provider can be used to
provide a service for providing enhanced dropdown selection lists
and combination boxes, as described above.
[0037] It should also be understood that the present invention can
be realized in hardware, software, a propagated signal, or any
combination thereof. Any kind of computer/server system(s)--or
other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described
herein--is suitable. A typical combination of hardware and software
can include a general purpose computer system with a computer
program that, when loaded and executed, carries out the respective
methods described herein. Alternatively, a specific use computer,
containing specialized hardware for carrying out one or more of the
functional tasks of the invention, can be utilized. The present
invention can also be embedded in a computer program product or a
propagated signal, which comprises all the respective features
enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and
which--when loaded in a computer system--is able to carry out these
methods.
[0038] The invention can take the form of an entirely hardware
embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodiment
containing both hardware and software elements. In a preferred
embodiment, the invention is implemented in software, which
includes but is not limited to firmware, resident software,
microcode, etc.
[0039] The present invention can take the form of a computer
program product accessible from a computer-usable or
computer-readable medium providing program code for use by or in
connection with a computer or any instruction execution system. For
the purposes of this description, a computer-usable or
computer-readable medium can be any apparatus that can contain,
store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by
or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus,
or device.
[0040] The medium can be an electronic, magnetic, optical,
electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system (or apparatus or
device), or a propagation medium. Examples of a computer-readable
medium include a semiconductor or solid state memory, magnetic
tape, removable computer diskette, random access memory (RAM),
read-only memory (ROM), rigid magnetic disk and optical disk.
Current examples of optical disks include a compact disk--read only
disk (CD-ROM), a compact disk--read/write disk (CD-R/W), and a
digital versatile disk (DVD).
[0041] Computer program, propagated signal, software program,
program, or software, in the present context mean any expression,
in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions
intended to cause a system having an information processing
capability to perform a particular function either directly or
after either or both of the following: (a) conversion to another
language, code or notation; and/or (b) reproduction in a different
material form.
[0042] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of
this invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed, and obviously, many
modifications and variations are possible. Such modifications and
variations that may be apparent to a person skilled in the art are
intended to be included within the scope of this invention as
defined by the accompanying claims.
* * * * *