Patents by Inventor Eli Cochran

Eli Cochran 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: 5859638
    Abstract: A user interface includes an object oriented graphic user interface having overlapping windows and provides an access window having topics, index and look for button functions for selection by a user. Through the use of the topics, index or look for functions, a help inquiry is defined. The access window includes an alpha scroll bar horizontally spanning a defined area of the access window. A plurality of alpha-numeric, symbolic or other characters (collectively "characters") are displayed along the length of the alpha scroll bar. A slider is provided which may be selectively positioned over a character displayed on the alpha scroll bar. The slider may be positioned through user manipulation of a cursor control device. The placement of the slider over a character on the alpha scroll bar results in a central processing unit (CPU) displaying data corresponding to the character selected. Entries are displayed in the defined area beginning alphabetically with the letter over which the slider has been placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Patricia J. Coleman, James Edward Palmer, Matthew Justin Powers, Jeffrey Alan Herman, Eli Cochran, John Richard Powers, III
  • Patent number: 5828374
    Abstract: An object oriented graphic user interface having overlapping windows and an access window having topics, index and look for button functions may be selected by the user. Through the use of the topics, index, or look for functions, a help inquiry is defined. The access window includes an alpha scroll bar horizontally spanning a defined area of the access window. Characters are displayed along the length of the alpha scroll bar and a slider is provided which may be selectively positioned over a character displayed on the alpha scroll bar. The placement of the slider over a character on the alpha scroll bar results in the CPU displaying help data entries corresponding to the selected character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Patricia J. Coleman, James Edward Palmer, Matthew Justin Powers, Jeffrey Alan Herman, Eli Cochran, John Richard Powers, III
  • Patent number: 5825355
    Abstract: The system includes at least one central processing unit (CPU) which is coupled through appropriate input/output (I/O) circuitry to input devices, such as a keyboard, digital pad, mouse and/or track ball. The CPU is coupled to a hard disk drive for the storage of programs and data, and may also be coupled to a network through which the CPU may communicate with a variety of other system resources and devices. The CPU is further coupled to a display device such as a CRT or liquid crystal display, on which the present invention is displayed. The user interface of the present invention includes an object oriented graphic user interface having overlapping windows. The present invention includes an access window having topics, index and look for button functions for selection by a user. Through the use of the topics, index or look for functions, a help inquiry is defined. The selection of one of the button functions results in the CPU generating and displaying entries in a predefined area of the access window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: James Edward Palmer, Patricia J. Coleman, Jeffrey Alan Herman, Eli Cochran, John Richard Powers, III
  • Patent number: 5602996
    Abstract: The display system includes at least one central processing unit (CPU) which is coupled through appropriate input/output (I/O) circuitry to input devices, such as a keyboard, digital pad, mouse and/or trackball. The CPU is coupled to a hard disk drive for the storage of programs and data, and may also be coupled to a network through which the CPU may communicate with a variety of other system resources and devices. The CPU is further coupled to a display device such as a CRT or liquid crystal display, on which the present invention is displayed. The windows include defined areas having window features such as menu bars, command options, text, icons and/or button functions to be executed by the CPU. The help system includes an access window having topics, index and look for button functions for selection by a user. Through the use of the topics, index or look for functions, a help inquiry is defined which results in the CPU generating and displaying a presentation window on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Powers, III, James E. Palmer, Patricia J. Coleman, Jeffrey A. Herman, Eli Cochran
  • Patent number: 5600779
    Abstract: A user interface includes an object oriented graphic user interface having overlapping windows and provides an access window having topics, index and look for button functions for selection by a user. Through the use of the topics, index or look for functions, a help inquiry is defined. The selection of one of the button functions results in the generation and display of entries in a predefined area of the access window. Upon the selection of one of the entries by a user, phrases related to the selected entry are displayed in a working area of the access window. The selection of one of the phrases results in the display of a presentation window containing help instruction data to guide the user in the particular help task specified by the entry and phrase selection. To further assist the user, visual cues in the form of coach marks are generated for identifying features on the display which relate to the information disposed within the presentation window, but may identify any feature on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Palmer, John R. Powers, III, Patricia J. Coleman, Gregory S. Brewer, Jeffrey A. Herman, Eli Cochran
  • Patent number: 5488685
    Abstract: A user interface includes an object oriented graphic user interface having overlapping windows and provides an access window having topics, index and look for button functions for selection by a user. Through the use of the topics, index or look for functions, a help inquiry is defined. The selection of one of the button functions results in the generation and display of entries in a predefined area of the access window. Upon the selection of one of the entries by a user, phrases related to the selected entry are displayed in a working area of the access window. The selection of one of the phrases results in the display of a presentation window containing help instruction data to guide the user in the particular help task specified by the entry and phrase selection. To further assist the user, visual cues in the form of coach marks are generated for identifying features on the display which relate to the information disposed within the presentation window, but may identify any feature on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Palmer, John R. Powers, III, Patricia J. Coleman, Gregory S. Brewer, Jeffrey A. Herman, Eli Cochran
  • Patent number: 5469540
    Abstract: The display system includes at least one central processing unit (CPU) which is coupled through appropriate input/output (I/O) circuitry to input devices, such as a keyboard, digital pad, mouse and/or trackball. The CPU is coupled to a hard disk drive for the storage of programs and data, and may also be coupled to a network through which the CPU may communicate with a variety of other system resources and devices. The CPU is further coupled to a display device such as a CRT or liquid crystal display, on which the present invention is displayed. The windows include defined areas having window features such as menu bars, command options, text, icons and/or button functions to be executed by the CPU. The help system includes an access window having topics, index and look for button functions for selection by a user. Through the use of the topics, index or look for functions, a help inquiry is defined which results in the CPU generating and displaying a presentation window on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Powers, III, James E. Palmer, Patricia J. Coleman, Jeffrey A. Herman, Eli Cochran