Patents by Inventor Robert G. Johnston, Jr.
Robert G. Johnston, Jr. 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).
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Patent number: 8531480Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a user with increased flexibility and control over the appearance and behavior of objects on a user interface are described. Sets of objects can be grouped into themes to provide a user with a distinct overall impression of the interface. These themes can be switched dynamically by switching pointers to drawing procedures or switching data being supplied to these procedures. To buffer applications from the switchable nature of graphical user interfaces according to the present invention, colors and patterns used to implement the interface objects are abstracted from the interface by, for example, pattern look-up tables.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2009Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Joseph Ruff, Robert G. Johnston, Jr., Robert Ulrich
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Publication number: 20100269888Abstract: A system for the selectable adjustment of an angle of elevation of groups of PV panels or panel arrays, relative to a roof to which the panels are attached, includes a platform, upon or thru the roof. The platform including horizontally secured rails. Also included are a parallel series of lower couplings, each member of the series provided upon the rails, and having a transverse distance between them sufficient to accommodate a PV panel array. Each of the couplings are provided with integral extensions or tabs, each having an aperture within a portion not in engagement with the platform. The system also includes linear support members secured to undersides of the panel arrays to be selectably elevated, each of the support members substantially co-planar with the rails of the parallel series of lower couplings.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2009Publication date: October 28, 2010Inventor: Robert G. Johnston, JR.
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Publication number: 20100011306Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a user with increased flexibility and control over the appearance and behavior of objects on a user interface are described. Sets of objects can be grouped into themes to provide a user with a distinct overall impression of the interface. These themes can be switched dynamically by switching pointers to drawing procedures or switching data being supplied to these procedures. To buffer applications from the switchable nature of graphical user interfaces according to the present invention, colors and patterns used to implement the interface objects are abstracted from the interface by, for example, pattern look-up tables.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2009Publication date: January 14, 2010Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Joseph RUFF, Robert G. JOHNSTON, JR., Robert ULRICH
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Patent number: 7609279Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a user with increased flexibility and control over the appearance and behavior of objects on a user interface are described. Sets of objects can be grouped into themes to provide a user with a distinct overall impression of the interface. These themes can be switched dynamically by switching pointers to drawing procedures or switching data being supplied to these procedures. To buffer applications from the switchable nature of graphical user interfaces according to the present invention, colors and patterns used to implement the interface objects are abstracted from the interface by, for example, pattern look-up tables.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2005Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Joseph Ruff, Robert G. Johnston, Jr., Robert Ulrich
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Patent number: 7499024Abstract: A method and apparatus providing visual feedback to a computer user while dragging selected text is described. As its first step, the processing logic creates a text object from the selected text once the computer user has initiated a drag. Simultaneously, the selected text is visually de-emphasized. Secondly, the processing logic snaps the text object to the cursor so that the text object follows the cursor without obscuring text at the insertion point. Finally, when the computer user selects the final insertion point, the selected text is visually zoomed from the source location to the final insertion point.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2003Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Robert G. Johnston, Jr., Scott Jenson
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Patent number: 6958758Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a user with increased flexibility and control over the appearance and behavior of objects on a user interface are described. Sets of objects can be grouped into themes to provide a user with a distinct overall impression of the interface. These themes can be switched dynamically by switching pointers to drawing procedures or switching data being supplied to these procedures. To buffer applications from the switchable nature of graphical user interfaces according to the present invention, colors and patterns used to implement the interface objects are abstracted from the interface by, for example, pattern look-up tables.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2002Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: Robert R. Ulrich, Robert G. Johnston, Jr.
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Patent number: 6909437Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a user with increased flexibility and control over the appearance and behavior of objects on a user interface are described. Sets of objects can be grouped into themes to provide a user with a distinct overall impression of the interface. These themes can be switched dynamically by switching pointers to drawing procedures or switching data being supplied to these procedures. To buffer applications from the switchable nature of graphical user interfaces according to the present invention, colors and patterns used to implement the interface objects are abstracted from the interface by, for example, pattern look-up tables.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2001Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Ruff, Robert G. Johnston, Jr., Robert Ulrich
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Patent number: 6731310Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a user with increased flexibility and control over the appearance and behavior of objects on a user interface. Sets of objects can be grouped into themes to provide a user with a distinct overall impression of the interface. These themes can be switched dynamically by switching pointers to drawing procedures or switching data being supplied to these procedures. To buffer applications from the switchable nature of graphical user interfaces, colors and patterns used to implement the interface objects are abstracted from the interface by, for example, pattern look-up tables.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: Timothy Craycroft, Jeffrey R. Cobb, Robert G. Johnston, Jr., Robert R. Ulrich
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Patent number: 6710782Abstract: A method and system are described for creating and editing a theme associated with a graphical user interface (GUI). In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a theme is selected from a plurality of themes. The theme is edited by modifying information associated with at least one GUI definition object, wherein the at least one GUI definition object is associated with the theme. Information associated with the at least one GUI definition object is stored as part of the theme.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2001Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Ruff, Robert G. Johnston, Jr., Robert Ulrich
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Patent number: 6690356Abstract: A method and apparatus providing visual feedback to a computer user while dragging selected text is described. As its first step, the processing logic creates a text object from the selected text once the computer user has initiated a drag. Simultaneously, the selected text is visually de-emphasized. Secondly, the processing logic snaps the text object to the cursor so that the text object follows the cursor without obscuring text at the insertion point. Finally, when the computer user selects the final insertion point, the selected text is visually zoomed from the source location to the final insertion point.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2002Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: Robert G. Johnston, Jr., Scott Jenson
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Patent number: 6664981Abstract: The program code for control objects in a graphical user interface is organized in a multi-level hierarchial structure. At one level of the structure, each different type of control defines a class of objects. The definition of a class includes most, if not all, of the functionality associated with the objects of that class. In addition, the class definition includes the overall structure of the object, such as the relative positions of different elements which make up the object. The actual appearance of these elements is defined by user selectable software that resides at a lower level of the hierarchy. Using this approach, only one instance of the program code which defines the functionality and overall structure of each object is required, resulting in smaller the overall memory requirements of the program code.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2001Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: Dylan B. Ashe, Robert G. Johnston, Jr., Joseph A. Ruff, Daniel Clifford
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Patent number: 6466228Abstract: A method and system are described for creating and editing a theme associated with a graphical user interface (GUI). In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, at least one GUI object is selected from a library of GUI objects. The theme is edited by adding the at least one GUI object to the theme. Information associated with the at least one GUI object is stored as part of the theme.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2001Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: Robert R. Ulrich, Robert G. Johnston, Jr.
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Patent number: 6404433Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a user with increased flexibility and control over the appearance and behavior of objects on a user interface are described. Sets of objects can be grouped into themes to provide a user with a distinct overall impression of the interface. These themes can be switched dynamically by switching pointers to drawing procedures or switching data being supplied to these procedures. To buffer applications from the switchable nature of graphical user interfaces according to the present invention, colors and patterns used to implement the interface objects are abstracted from the interface by, for example, pattern look-up tables.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 1996Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Ruff, Robert G. Johnston, Jr., Robert Ulrich
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Patent number: 6307574Abstract: The program code for control objects in a graphical user interface is organized in a multi-level hierarchial structure. At one level of the structure, each different type of control defines a class of objects. The definition of a class includes most, if not all, of the functionality associated with the objects of that class. In addition, the class definition includes the overall structure of the object, such as the relative positions of different elements which make up the object. The actual appearance of these elements is defined by user selectable software that resides at a lower level of the hierarchy. Using this approach, only one instance of the program code which defines the functionality and overall structure of each object is required, resulting in smaller the overall memory requirements of the program code.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1995Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: Dylan B. Ashe, Robert G. Johnston, Jr., Joseph A. Ruff, Daniel Clifford
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Patent number: 6243102Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a user with increased flexibility and control over the appearance and behavior of objects on a user interface are described. Sets of objects can be grouped into themes to provide a user with a distinct overall impression of the interface. These themes can be switched dynamically by switching pointers to drawing procedures or switching data being supplied to these procedures. To buffer applications from the switchable nature of graphical user interfaces according to the present invention, colors and patterns used to implement the interface objects are abstracted from the interface by, for example, pattern look-up tables.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1999Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Ruff, Robert G. Johnston, Jr., Robert Ulrich
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Patent number: 6239795Abstract: Systems and method for providing a user with increased flexibility and control over the appearance and behavior of objects on a user interface. Sets of objects can be grouped into themes to provide a user with a distinct overall impression of the interface. Themes can be switched dynamically by switching pointers to drawing procedures or switching data being applied to these procedures. To buffer applications from the switchable nature of graphical user interfaces, colors and patterns used to implement the interface objects are abstracted from the interface by, for example, pattern look-up tables.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1999Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: Robert R. Ulrich, Robert G. Johnston, Jr.
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Patent number: 6104391Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a user with increased flexibility and control over the appearance and behavior of objects on a user interface are disclosed. Sets of objects can be grouped into themes to provide a user with a distinct overall impression of the interface. These themes can be switched dynamically by switching pointers to drawing procedures or switching data being supplied to these procedures. To buffer applications from the switchable nature of graphical user interfaces, colors and patterns used to implement the interface objects are abstracted from the interface by, for example, pattern look-up tables.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1999Date of Patent: August 15, 2000Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: Robert G. Johnston, Jr., Robert R. Ulrich, Timothy Craycroft, Jeffrey R. Cobb
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Patent number: 5963206Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a user with increased flexibility and control over the appearance and behavior of objects on a user interface. Sets of objects can be grouped into themes to provide a user with a distinct overall impression of the interface. Themes can be switched dynamically by switching pointers to drawing procedures or switching data being supplied to these procedures. To buffer applications from the switchable nature of graphical user interfaces, colors and patterns used to implement the interface objects are abstracted from the interface by, for example, pattern look-up tables.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 1997Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: Robert R. Ulrich, Robert G. Johnston, Jr.
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Patent number: 5959624Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a user with increased flexibility and control over the appearance and behavior of objects on a user interface are disclosed. Sets of objects can be grouped into themes to provide a user with a distinct overall impression of the interface. These themes can be switched dynamically by switching pointers to drawing procedures or switching data being supplied to these procedures. To buffer applications from the switchable nature of graphical user interfaces, colors and patterns used to implement the interface objects are abstracted from the interface by, for example, pattern look-up tables.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1997Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: Robert G. Johnston, Jr., Robert R. Ulrich, Timothy Craycroft, Jeffrey R. Cobb
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Patent number: 5880729Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an enhanced visual appearance to a graphical user interface are described. Control elements portrayed by the graphical user interface on a display are associated with at least two states. When transitioning between states, an animated transition effect can be provided to provide further user or designer customization of the interface appearance.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1995Date of Patent: March 9, 1999Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: Robert G. Johnston, Jr., Elizabeth Robinson Moller, Robert Ulrich