Patent ID: 7134092

Claim:
A graphical user interface tool for use in connection with a computer program which can simultaneously display multiple files on a computer display device, each file appearing in a different panel on said display device, said tool comprising: means for allowing a user to invoke said tool in association with a selected one of said multiple files using a computer interface device; means for causing a graphic representation of said tool to appear on said display device responsive to being invoked by said user, said graphic representation comprising an icon having a plurality of portions, each corresponding to an operation that can be performed in connection with said selected file; means for allowing said user to select one of said plurality of operations using a user interface device: wherein said means for allowing said user to select one of said operations is responsive to said user positioning said cursor in a position indicative of a particular segment of said icon to tentatively select said operation corresponding to said segment and performing a subsequent act to select said operation corresponding to said segment; means for causing a line to appear on said display device, when icon appears on said display device, said line having a first end point centered on said icon and a second endpoint at said cursor; and means for causing said operation to be performed on said selected file.