Patent ID: 6146027
Filing Date: 2000-11-14
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
In a computer system with a processor and a display, an apparatus for providing an object-oriented application interface between a cursor placement device having a user-operable button for controlling a pointer graphic and an object-oriented application program including a plurality of objects with logic and data for performing particular functions, the apparatus comprising:(a) an interactable object of said plurality of objects with logic and data in said application program, said interactable object includinglogic for displaying both an icon and a Thumbnail on said display, andlogic for manipulating said icon on said display;(b) means responsive to a depression of said user-operable button of said cursor placement device for generating a device event signal;(c) means responsive to a physical position of said pointer graphic on said display for generating device position signals; and(d) an interactor object comprising:timing means responsive to said device event signal for detecting when said user-operable button is depressed for a predetermined time interval;storage means for storing a peek threshold value;means responsive to said predetermined time interval and to said threshold value for generating a peek message if said user-operable button has been depressed longer than said peek threshold value; andmeans responsive to said peek message for invoking logic in said interactor object to change said display from displaying said icon to said Thumbnail display.