Patent ID: 6157367
Filing Date: 2000-12-05
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
Apparatus arranged to generate a graphic user interface (GUI) for presentation via a display device to a user, said apparatus supporting user-directed cursor manipulation of icons presented in the GUI and comprising:data processing means coupled with one or more storage devices and configured to generate a GUI, representative of apparatus operations and comprising a plurality of icons, for output to a display device;an input for user position signals coupled with said data processing means, said data processing means being arranged to generate a first cursor, an active cursor, within the GUI at a location determined by said user position signals; andan input for a user selection signal coupled with said data processing means, the active cursor acting to drag an overlaid icon, as directed by the user position signals, following receipt of a user selection signal;characterised in that the data processing means is further arranged to generate a second cursor, a passive cursor, within the GUI, movement of the passive cursor being determined at least partly by that of the active cursor when the separation of the active and passive cursors exceeds a threshold value, and the passive cursor being arranged to drag an icon placed thereon by the active cursor.