Patents Represented by Attorney C. Lamont Whitham. Michael E. Whitham
  • Patent number: 4821211
    Abstract: The menu hierarchy of one or more computer programs on one or more computer systems is visually displayed in a graphical tree structure to facilitate the navigation by a user from one menu in a hierarchical structure of menus to another. Navigation from one menu to another is accomplished by selecting a menu in the graphical menu tree using a pointing device. The navigation may be from one menu to another in the hierarchy of one application program in a computer system or from one menu in the program to a specific menu in the hierarchy of another application program in the computer system or in another computer system. The benefits of the technique are expanded function for intra and interwindow navigation, enhanced learning of the computer system by visual presentation of capabilities and structure, and reduced learning requirements for the user to achieve navigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corp.
    Inventor: Robert J. Torres