Patents by Inventor Robert George Johnston

Robert George Johnston has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7631320
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing actions while selecting objects on a user interface display. A user may select a first item in an area of a display controlled by a first process and drag that item to a second area on a display controlled by a second process. The second process may negotiate with the first process to provide certain data types, and based upon those data types, the second process will determine a list of actions in hierarchical fashion which may be performed upon the data. Such actions may include, but are not limited to, printing, sending electronic mail, and performing other actions in the computer system. Alternative and primary actions may also be specified by a user, such as by selecting various keys on a keyboard or other input device. Further, a user may specify that the second process display a list of actions which may be performed upon the selected item and allow the user to select an action from a list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Ludwig Stern, Robert George Johnston, Jr., Elizabeth Ann Robinson Moller
  • Publication number: 20080155439
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing actions while selecting objects on a user interface display. A user may select a first item in an area of a display controlled by a first process and drag that item to a second area on a display controlled by a second process. The second process may negotiate with the first process to provide certain data types, and based upon those data types, the second process will determine a list of actions in hierarchical fashion which may be performed upon the data. Such actions may include, but are not limited to, printing, sending electronic mail, and performing other actions in the computer system. Alternative and primary actions may also be specified by a user, such as by selecting various keys on a keyboard or other input device. Further, a user may specify that the second process display a list of actions which may be performed upon the selected item and allow the user to select an action from a list.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Mark Ludwig Stern, Robert George Johnston, Elizabeth Ann Robinson Moller
  • Patent number: 6807668
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing actions while selecting objects on a user interface display. A user may select a first item in an area of a display controlled by a first process and drag that item to a second area on a display controlled by a second process. The second process may negotiate with the first process to provide certain data types, and based upon those data types, the second process will determine a list of actions in hierarchical fashion which may be performed upon the data. Such actions may include, but are not limited to, printing, sending electronic mail, and performing other actions in the computer system. Alternative and primary actions may also be specified by a user, such as by selecting various keys on a keyboard or other input device. Further, a user may specify that the second process display a list of actions which may be performed upon the selected item and allow the user to select an action from a list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Ludwig Stern, Robert George Johnston, Jr., Elizabeth Ann Robinson Moller
  • Publication number: 20030208639
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing actions while selecting objects on a user interface display. A user may select a first item in an area of a display controlled by a first process and drag that item to a second area on a display controlled by a second process. The second process may negotiate with the first process to provide certain data types, and based upon those data types, the second process will determine a list of actions in hierarchical fashion which may be performed upon the data. Such actions may include, but are not limited to, printing, sending electronic mail, and performing other actions in the computer system. Alternative and primary actions may also be specified by a user, such as by selecting various keys on a keyboard or other input device. Further, a user may specify that the second process display a list of actions which may be performed upon the selected item and allow the user to select an action from a list.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Mark Ludwig Stern, Robert George Johnston, Elizabeth Ann Robinson Moller
  • Patent number: 6535930
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing actions while selecting objects on a user interface display. A user may select a first item in an area of a display controlled by a first process and drag that item to a second area on a display controlled by a second process. The second process may negotiate with the first process to provide certain data types, and based upon those data types, the second process will determine a list of actions in hierarchical fashion which may be performed upon the data. Such actions may include, but are not limited to, printing, sending electronic mail, and performing other actions in the computer system. Alternative and primary actions may also be specified by a user, such as by selecting various keys on a keyboard or other input device. Further, a user may specify that the second process display a list of actions which may be performed upon the selected item and allow the user to select an action from a list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Ludwig Stern, Robert George Johnston, Jr., Elizabeth Ann Robinson Moller
  • Publication number: 20010018715
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing actions while selecting objects on a user interface display. A user may select a first item in an area of a display controlled by a first process and drag that item to a second area on a display controlled by a second process. The second process may negotiate with the first process to provide certain data types, and based upon those data types, the second process will determine a list of actions in hierarchical fashion which may be performed upon the data. Such actions may include, but are not limited to, printing, sending electronic mail, and performing other actions in the computer system. Alternative and primary actions may also be specified by a user, such as by selecting various keys on a keyboard or other input device. Further, a user may specify that the second process display a list of actions which may be performed upon the selected item and allow the user to select an action from a list.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventors: Mark Ludwig Stern, Robert George Johnston, Elizabeth Ann Robinson Moller
  • Patent number: 6212577
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing actions while selecting objects on a user interface display. A user may select a first item in an area of a display controlled by a first process and drag that item to a second area on a display controlled by a second process. The second process may negotiate with the first process to provide certain data types, and based upon those data types, the second process will determine a list of actions in hierarchical fashion which may be performed upon the data. Such actions may include, but are not limited to, printing, sending electronic mail, and performing other actions in the computer system. Alternative and primary actions may also be specified by a user, such as by selecting various keys on a keyboard or other input device. Further, a user may specify that the second process display a list of actions which may be performed upon the selected item and allow the user to select an action from a list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Ludwig Stern, Robert George Johnston, Jr., Elizabeth Ann Robinson Moller
  • Patent number: 6061058
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manipulation of data in a computer-controlled display system. A user may select data from a first application program and drag it to an area on the computer system display representing a third application program. The first application program creates a series of formats into which the data may be provided and, in some instance, the data itself. Moreover, a second process appends to that list of formats a series of formats that it can provide the data in. Then, upon receipt of the list of formats and/or data of the first item, the third process can request the data in any of the formats from either the first or second processes, if required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Owens, Nick G. Kledzik, Robert George Johnston, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5754178
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved user interaction and feedback on a computer system display. Interapplication dragging upon a user interface display is provided allowing a user to select a first item in a first window and move that first item to a second window which is under control of second process. Feedback is provided in the second window under control of the second process if the second application program can accept the data. In addition, other improved user interface actions are described, such as improved selection feedback, improved navigation, and improved completion feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert George Johnston, Jr., David Lawrence Evans, David H. Owens, Nick G. Kledzik, Mark Ludwig Stern, Herman Jesus Camarena, Bruce Bartholomew Gaya, John R. Meier, Stephen Fisher, Eric Mathew Trehus
  • Patent number: 5696915
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for associating routines for controlling user actions in a computer-controlled display system. Each of a first of plurality of routines may be linked for controlling the computer-controlled display system when the system is in a first context. Each of the first plurality of routines may control different aspects of the functioning of the display system, such as the functioning of various user interface objects on the display. Further, a second plurality of routines may be linked for controlling the system when the system is in a second context. Each of the pluralities of routines are activated when the system is either in the first or second context.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert George Johnston, Jr., David Lawrence Evans