Apple Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. et al

Filing 1216

MOTION Samsung's Motion for Relief from Nondispositive Pretrial Order of Magistrate Judge re #1144 Order Granting-in-Part and Denying-in-Part Motionis to Strike Expert Reports filed by Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.. Responses due by 7/25/2012. Replies due by 8/1/2012. (Attachments: #1 Martin Decl., #2 Ex. 1, #3 Ex. 2, #4 Ex. 3, #5 Ex. 4, #6 Ex. 5, #7 Ex. 6, #8 Ex. 7, #9 Ex. 8, #10 Ex. 9, #11 Ex. 10, #12 Ex. 11, #13 Ex. 12, #14 Ex. 13, #15 Ex. 14, #16 Ex. 15, #17 Ex. 16, #18 Ex. 17, #19 Ex. 18, #20 Proposed Order)(Maroulis, Victoria) (Filed on 7/11/2012)

EXHIBIT 16

I Illll Illlllll Ill Illll Illll Illll
US006983424B1

(12) United States Patent

(lO) Patent No.:
US 6,983,424 BI
(45) Date of Patent:
Jan. 3, 2006

Dutta
(54) AUTOMATICALLY SCALING ICONS TO FIT
A DISPLAY AREA WITHIN A DATA
PROCESSING SYSTEM
(75)

Inventor:

(73)

6,138,130 A *
6,181,838 B1 *
6,225,998 B1 *
6,285,842 B1 *
6,310,634 B1 *
6,389,437 B2 *

10/2000 Adler et al .................
1/2001 Knowlton ...................
5/2001 Okita et al ..................
9/2001 Katamoto et al .............
10/2001 Bodnar et al ...............
5/2002 Stoub .........................

Assignee: International Business Machines
Corporation, Armonk, NY (US)

(*)

Notice:

Rabindranath Dutta, Austin, TX (US)

Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
U.S.C. 154(b) by 658 days.

(Continued)
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
62-266671

JP

Appl. No.: 09/599,893

(22)

Filed:

(51)

Int. CI.
GO6K 15/00
(2006.01)
U.S. Cl ........................................ 715/800; 715/790
Field of Classification Search ................ 345/798,
345/799-800, 838,837, 845, 846, 847, 784,
345/779, 744-747, 600, 661, 662-671,801,
345/790, 792, 794-796, 802, 804, 853-854,
345/806-807; 707/523; 715/800
See application file for complete search history.

(58)

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Jun. 23, 2000

Livingston et al., Microsoft Windows Me Secrets Millenium
Edition, pp. 37-65, 70-80, 117-160, 165-178, 238-243, IDG
Books, Foster City, Ca. Mar. 2000.*
(Continued)
Primary Examiner~teven Sax
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Marilyn S. Dawkins; Dillon
& Yudell LLP
ABSTRACT

(57)
(56)

11/1987

(Continued)

(21)

(52)

715/503
382/305
345/798
399/81
345/854
707/523

References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
5,227,771 A
7/1993
5,293,455 A *
3/1994
5,404,316 A *
4/1995
6/1995
5,428,736 A
5,721,848 A *
2/1998
5/1998
5,757,468 A
5,771,042 A *
6/1998
5,771,380 A *
6/1998
5,774,121 A *
6/1998
5,841,438 A
11/1998
5,852,440 A
12/1998
5,903,265 A * 5/1999
5,933,830 A
8/1999
6,057,842 A * 5/2000
6,072,486 A * 6/2000
6,112,184 A * 8/2000

Kerr et al ...................
340/731
Castelaz ......................
706/25
Klingler et al ..............
345/723
Kahl et al ................... 395/159
Joseph ....................... 345/798
Patton et al ..................
355/40
Santos-Gomez ............
345/800
Tanaka et al ............
707/104.1
Stiegler ...................... 715/769
Cave ..........................
345/348
Grossman et al ...........
345/348
Bogdan ...................... 715/800
Williams .................... 707/100
Knowlton et al ........... 345/846
Sheldon et al ..............
345/779
O’Brien, Jr .................... 705/5

A method, system, and program is provided for displaying
icons on a data processing system. The number of icons to
be displayed on the computer screen is determined. The
boundary area for displaying the icons on the computer
screen is calculated. The sizes of the icons are then scaled to
a size that allows all icons to be displayed in the boundary
area while utilizing all available display space. The minimum and maximum sizes of the icons can be limited based
on user preferences. If the icons cannot be scaled to fit within
the boundary area using the user selected minimum size,
then only a portion of the icon is displayed. In this manner,
all icons are scaled and displayed at a size that utilizes the
full boundary area of the display screen.
31 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets

@
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103"k.

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SAMNDCA00199786

US 6,983,424 B1
Page 2
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
6,424,354 B1 *
7/2002
6,456,305 B1 *
9/2002
6,473,102 B1 *
10/2002
6,501,487 B1 *
12/2002
2002/0000998 AI* 1/2002

Matheny et al .............
Qureshi et al ..............
Rodden et al ..............
Taguchi ......................
Scott et al ..................

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
JP
JP
JP
JP
JP
JP

05-282372
07-244568
07-146765
07-281863
07-334338
08-263255

10/1993
5/1995
6/1995
10/1995
12/1995
10/1996

345/619
715/800
715/788
345/788
345/667

JP
JP
JP
JP
JP

09-128192
10-293759
11-045169
11-110182
2000 200213

5/1997
11/1998
2/1999
4/1999
7/2000

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Microsoft Press, Windows NT Resource Kit, Ch. 10,
Microsoft Corporation, 1995.*
Report on Introduction of SQL Server, Magazine, Nov. 1,
1997, pp. 202-203, vol. 2, No. 11, IDG Communications
Corp., Chiyodaku, Japan.
* cited by examiner

SAMNDCA00199787

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to be displayed

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SAMNDCA00199798

US 6,983,424 B1
1

2

AUTOMATICALLY SCALING ICONS TO FIT
A DISPLAY AREA WITHIN A DATA
PROCESSING SYSTEM

description, it would be desirable to provide an improved
method of displaying icons on a video screen by scaling the
icons within a minimum and maximum size to fit the
available area of the video screen.
The present invention relates in general to data processing
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
5
systems and in particular, the present invention relates to
1. Technical Field
data processing systems for displaying icons. Still more
The present invention relates in general to data processing
particularly, the present invention relates to data processing
systems and in particular, the present invention relates to
systems for scaling icons to fit a display area of a video
data processing systems for displaying icons. Still more s0 screen.
particularly, the present invention relates to data processing
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
systems for scaling icons to fit a display area.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is therefore one object of the present invention to
Data processing systems commonly use icons to represent
an object that can be manipulated by a user of the data 25 provide an improved data processing system for displaying
icons.
processing system. Typical objects include programs, docuIt is another object of the present invention to provide an
ments, images, sound files, video files, and macro instrucimproved data processing system for scaling icons.
tions. The advantage of icons are that they serve as visual
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
mnemonics and allow users to control certain computer
actions without having to remember commands or type them 2o an improved data processing system for displaying icons by
automatically scaling the size of icons.
in at the keyboard. Icons are a significant factor in the
The foregoing objects are achieved as is now described.
user-friendliness of graphical user-interfaces.
A method, system, and program is provided for displaying
Data processing systems utilizing icons have display
icons on a data processing system. The number of icons to
screens with wide-ranging capabilities. Some data processing systems, such as small handheld devices, have screen 25 be displayed on the computer screen is determined. The
boundary area for displaying the icons on the computer
sizes as small as three inches by three inches. The small
screen is calculated. The sizes of the icons are then scaled to
physical size of the screen in such a system limits the
a size that allows all icons to be displayed in the boundary
amount of information that can be displayed on the screen
area while utilizing all available display space. The miniand still be large enough to be read by a user of the data
processing system. In other data processing systems, the 3o mum and maximum sizes of the icons can be limited based
on user preferences. If the icons cannot be scaled to fit within
physical size of the screen is very large and the screen can
the boundary area using the user selected minimum size,
display information at a very high resolution. When viewing
then only a portion of the icon is displayed. In this manner,
information designed for a standard screen on such a high
all icons are scaled and displayed at a size that utilizes the
resolution system, information appears to be physically
compressed. Due to this compression, the displayed infor- 35 full boundary area of the display screen.
The above as well as additional objects, features, and
mation can appear so small that the user is unable to read or
advantages of the present invention will become apparent in
recognize the information.
With reference to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a graphical the following detailed written description.
representation of a typical video display 102 with a display
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
screen 104 displaying window 106. This figure depicts a 4o
system that may have a small physical size, such as a
The novel features believed characteristic of the invention
handheld computer. Within window 106 are displayed icons
108. Due to the small screen size, icons 108 appear very are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself,
however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objects
large and they do not all fit within the dimensions of window
106. As a result, several icons are hidden from view and are 45 and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference
to the following detailed description of an illustrative
not readily accessible by the user. In order for a user to gain
embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompaaccess to these icons, the user must scroll window 106 down
nying drawings, wherein:
so that the hidden icons can be displayed within window
FIG. 1 illustrates a graphical representation of a conven106. A consequence of scrolling window 106 is that some of
the icons located at the top of window 106 will be scrolled 5o tional video display screen displaying icons;
FIG. 2 depicts a graphical representation of a convenbeyond the upper dimension of window 106 and become
tional video display screen displaying icons;
inaccessible. Scrolling the window to gain access to hidden
FIG. 3 illustrates a pictorial representation of a data
icons diminishes some of the efficiency of an icon.
With reference to FIG. 2, there is depicted a graphical processing system, which may be utilized to implement a
representation of a typical video display 102 with a display 55 preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 depicts a representative hardware environment of
screen 104 displaying window 202. This figure illustrates a
the data processing system illustrated in FIG. 3;
system that may have a large screen size with the display set
FIG. 5a illustrates a graphical representation of a video
at a high resolution mode. Within window 202 are displayed
display screen on a hand held device displaying icons that
icons 204. Due to the large physical size of the screen and
the high resolution display mode, icons 204 appear very 6o may be utilized to implement a preferred embodiment of the
small. Due to their small size, icons 204 are difficult to see present invention;
FIG. 5b depicts a graphical representation of a video
and read thereby making it difficult to locate and utilize a
particular icon. If a desired icon cannot be easily located and
display screen displaying icons that may be utilized to
implement a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
utilized, its usefulness is diminished.
Manually scrolling the screen to reveal hidden icons or 65 FIG. 6a illustrates a graphical representation of an icon,
hunting to find a difficult to identify icon is undesirable and
which may be utilized to implement a preferred embodiment
inconvenient. Accordingly, as is apparent from the foregoing
of the present invention;

SAMNDCA00199799

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3

4

FIG. 6b depicts a graphical representation of a graphic
usually a ball) located on the bottom of the mouse. A cable
only icon, which may be utilized to implement a preferred 310 connects mouse 308 to a computer such as data proembodiment of the present invention;
cessing system 300. By moving mouse 308 on a surface
FIG. 6c illustrates a graphical representation of a text only (e.g., a desk surface or a mouse pad), the user typically
icon, which may be utilized to implement a preferred 5 controls an on-screen cursor. Such a mouse is a relative
embodiment of the present invention;
pointing device, because the mouse’s movement is not
FIG. 7a depicts a graphical representation of a video
defined by limitations, and also because its placement on a
display screen displaying scaled icons that may be utilized
surface does not map directly to a specific location on a
to implement a preferred embodiment of the present invencomputer screen. Generally, to select items or choose corns0 mands on a screen displayed graphical user interface, the
tion;
FIG. 7b illustrates a graphical representation of a video
user presses one or more mouse functions, producing a
display screen on a hand held device displaying scaled icons
so-called mouse "click." The mouse can be utilized to
that may be utilized to implement a preferred embodiment of manipulate a mouse pointer which is an on-screen element
the present invention;
whose location changes as the user moves the mouse.
FIG. 8a depicts a graphical representation of a video 25 Depending on the location of the mouse pointer and the
display screen displaying graphic only icons that may be
operation of the program with which it is working, the area
utilized to implement a preferred embodiment of the present of the screen where the mouse pointer appears serves as the
invention;
target for an action when the user presses one of the mouse
FIG. 8b illustrates a graphical representation of a video
buttons.
display screen on a hand held device displaying graphic only 2o Data processing system 300 can be implemented utilizing
icons that may be utilized to implement a preferred embodi- any suitable computer such as the IBM ThinkpadO data
ment of the present invention;
processing system, a product of International Business
FIG. 9a depicts a graphical representation of a video
Machines Corporation, located in Armonk, N.Y. However,
display screen displaying text only icons that may be utilized
those skilled in the art will appreciate that a preferred
to implement a preferred embodiment of the present inven- 25 embodiment of the present invention can apply to any data
processing system, regardless of whether the computer is a
tion;
FIG. 9b illustrates a graphical representation of a video
complicated multi-user computing apparatus, a single user
display screen on a hand held device displaying text only
workstation, a laptop, a personal digital assistant, a palmtop,
icons that may be utilized to implement a preferred embodi- a hand held data processing device, or another portable
ment of the present invention; and
30 computer.
FIG. 10 depicts a high level logic flow diagram that
With reference now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a
illustrates a method for scaling icons, according to a prerepresentative hardware environment of the data processing
ferred embodiment of the present invention.
system illustrated in FIG. 3. Data processing system 300
includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 402, such as a
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
35 conventional microprocessor, and a number of other units
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
interconnected via a system bus 414. CPU 402 includes a
portion of data processing system 300 that controls the
This invention is described in a preferred embodiment in operation of the entire data processing system, including the
the following description with reference to the figures, in
arithmetical and logical functions contain in a particular
which like numbers represent the same or similar elements. 4o computer program. Although not depicted in FIG. 4, CPU’s
With reference now to the figures and in particular with
such as CPU 402 typically include a control unit that
reference to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a pictorial represen- organizes data and program storage in a computer memory
tation of a data proccssing systcm 300 which may bc utilizcd
and transfers the data and other information between the
to implement a preferred embodiment of the present invenvarious parts of the data processing system. Such CPUs also
tion. A data processing system 300 is depicted that includes 45 generally include an arithmetic unit that executes arithmetia system unit 302, a video display 102, a keyboard 306, and cal and logical operations, such as addition, comparison,
a mouse 308. Keyboard 306 is that part of data processing
multiplications and so forth. Such components and units of
system 300 that resembles a typewriter keyboard and which
data processing system 300 can be implemented in a system
enables a user to control particular aspects of the computer.
unit such as system unit 302 of FIG. 3.
Because information flows in one direction, from keyboard 50 Data processing system 300 further includes read-only
306 to system unit 302, keyboard 306 functions as an
memory (ROM) 404, random-access memory (RAM) 406,
input-only device. Functionally, keyboard 306 represents
display adapter 416, and Input-Output (I/O) adapter 408 for
half of a complete input/output device, the output half being
connecting peripheral devices (e.g., disk and tape drives
video display 102. Keyboard 306 includes a standard set of
410) to system bus 414. ROM 404 is a type of memory that
printable characters presented in a QWERTY pattern typical 55 retains information permanently and in which the stored
of most typewriters. In addition, keyboard 306 often
information cannot be altered by a program or normal
includes a calculator-like numeric keypad at one side. Some operation of a computer. RAM 406 is a type of memory
of these keys, such as the "control," "alt," and "shift" keys
designed such that the location of data stored in it is
can be utilized to change the meaning of another key. Other
independent of the content. Also, any location in RAM 406
special keys and combinations of keys can be utilized to 6o can be accessed directly without having to work through
control program operations or to move either text or cursor
from the beginning.
on the display screen of video display 102.
Video display 102 is the visual output of data processing
Mouse 308 is a commonly utilized pointing device. The system 300. Video display 102 can be a cathode-ray tube
basic features of a typical mouse include a casing with a flat
(CRT) based video display well known in the art of combottom that is designed to be gripped by one human hand. 65 puter hardware. However, with a portable or notebook-based
A typical mouse also includes one or more buttons located
computer, video display 102 can be replaced with a liquid
atop the mouse, and a multidirectional detection device (e.g., crystal display (LCD) based or gas plasma-based flat-panel

SAMNDCA00199800

US 6,983,424 B1
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6

display. Data processing system 300 further includes user
plays window 502. Window 502 has a display width 506 and
interface adapter 418 for connecting keyboard 306, mouse
display height 508 and includes vertical scroll bar 510
308, speaker 422, microphone 420, and/or other user intercomprising scroll up button 512 and scroll down button 524.
face devices, such as a touchscreen device (not shown), to
Window 502 displays vertical scroll bar 510 when there is
system bus 414. Communications adapter 412 connects data 5 insufficient room in window 502 to show all data loaded into
processing system 300 to a computer network. Although
window 502. The area within window 502 is referred to as
data processing system 300 is shown to contain only a single
a screen page.
CPU and a single system bus, it should be understood that
Scroll up button 512 and scroll down button 524 are
the present invention applies equally to data processing
responsive to user input and allow a user to shift the data
systems that have multiple CPUs and to data processing s0 displayed within window 502 up and down such that the user
systems that have multiple buses that each perform different
can see additional screen pages containing data not being
functions in different ways.
displayed. Although not shown, window 502 can include a
Data processing system 300 also includes an interface that
horizontal scroll bar to shift the data within window 502 left
resides within a machine-readable media to direct the operaand right. When all data loaded into window 502 is distion of data processing system 300. Any suitable machine- 25 played within the boundary of window 502, then neither
readable media may retain the interface, such as, ROM 404
vertical scroll bar 510 nor a horizontal scroll bar is disRAM 406, a magnetic diskette, magnetic tape, or optical
played.
disk (the last three being located in disk and tape drives 410).
As illustrated six icons, 504 are displayed within window
Any suitable operating system and associated interface (e.g.,
502. An icon is a small image displayed on the screen to
Microsoft Windows) may direct CPU 402. For example, the 20 represent an object that can be manipulated by the user. By
AIX operating system and AIX windows windowing system
serving as visual mnemonics and allowing the user to
can direct CPU 402. The AIX operating system is IBM’s
control certain computer actions without having to rememimplementation of the UNIXTM operating system. "UNIX"
ber commands or type them at the keyboard, icons 504 are
is a trademark of UNIX Systems Laboratories, Inc. Other
a significant factor in the user-friendliness of graphical user
technologies also can be utilized in conjunction with CPU 25 interfaces. Icon images are typically generated from vector
402, such as touchscreen technology or human voice congraphic files and bitmapped graphic files and can contain
trol. Operating systems typically include computer software
text.
for controlling the allocation and usage of hardware
Vector graphic images are generated from mathematical
resources such as memory, CPU time, disk space, and
descriptions that determine the position, length, and direcperipheral devices. The operating system is the foundation 30 tion in which lines are drawn. Vector graphic objects are
upon which applications, such as word-processing, spreadcreated as collections of lines rather than as patterns of
sheet, and web browser programs are built.
individual dots or pixels. A vector graphic can be scaled by
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the hardware
applying a scaling factor to the image’s mathematical defidepicted in FIG. 4 may vary for specific applications. For
nition so that a reduced or enlarged version of the image can
example, other peripheral devices such as optical disk 35 be displayed.
media, audio adapters, or chip programming devices, such
Bitmapped graphic images are represented as arrays of
as PAL or EPROM programming devices well-known in the
bits in memory that represent the attributes of the individual
art of computer hardware and the like, may be utilized in
pixels in an image. Many methods of scaling a bitmapped
addition to or in place of the hardware already depicted.
graphic to display a reduced or enlarged version of the image
In addition, system memory 424 is connected to system 40 are well understood by those skilled in the art.
bus 414, and includes a web control program 426. Control
Although FIG. 5a illustrates utilizing video display 102 of
program 426 resides within system memory 424, and cona typical desktop data processing system to window 502, it
tains instructions that, when executed on CPU 402, carries
is appreciated that other data processing systems such as
out the operations described herein to display windows as
hand held devices may be utilized to implement a preferred
illustrated in FIGS. 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b. Control program 426 also 45 embodiment of the present invention. For example, with
can be referred to as a program product.
reference now to FIG. 5b, there is illustrated a graphical
It is important to note that, while the present invention has
representation of a video display 103 of a hand held data
processing system which includes display screen 105 which
been (and will continue to be) described in the context of a
fully functional data processing system, those skilled in the
displays icons 504 in window 502 in an analogous manner
art will appreciate that the present invention is capable of 50 to window 502 displaying icons 504 illustrated in FIG. 5a.
being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms,
In typical hand held data processing devices, the physical
and that the present invention applies equally regardless of
dimensions of display screen 105 are so small, that window
the particular type of signal-bearing media utilized to actu502 often encompass the entire display screen 105.
ally carry out the distribution. Examples of signal-bearing
With reference now to FIGS. 6a, 6b, and 6c, there are
media include: recordable-type media, such as floppy disks, 55 depicted icons 600a, 600b and 600c respectively which may
hard disk drives, and CD ROMs, and transmission-type
be utilized to implement a preferred embodiment of the
media such as digital and analog communication links.
present invention. Icon 600a includes both graphic image
Examples of transmission media include devices such as
602 and text 604; icon 600b only has graphic image 602; and
modems. Modems are communication devices that enable
icon 600c only has text 604. With multiple icons types, a
computers such as data processing system 300 depicted in 60 user can select their preferred icon type to be utilized when
FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 to transmit information over standard
displaying icons. Additionally, when it is not practical to
telephone lines.
display the preferred icon type, the user could select an
With reference now to FIG. 5a, there is depicted a
alternative icon type to be displayed instead. These alternagraphical representation of video display 102 of a typical
tive icon types could include a graphic only version such as
desktop data processing system which may be utilized to 6s icon 600b, a text only version such as icon 600c, or some
implement a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
other variation commonly used and well known in the art to
Video display 102 includes display screen 104 which disabbreviate an image or an icon.

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With reference now to FIG. 7a, there is illustrated a
window. If there were thirteen icons instead of twelve, then
seven could be displayed on the first page and six on the
graphical representation of video display 102 of a data
second.
processing system which may be utilized to implement a
With reference now to FIG. 8a, there is depicted a
preferred embodiment of the present invention. Video display 102 includes display screen 104, which displays twelve 5 graphical representation of video display 102 which may be
utilized to implement a preferred embodiment of the present
icons 704 in window 702. According to the present inveninvention. Video display 102 includes display screen 104,
tion, the sizes of icons 704 are scaled such that all twelve
which displays twelve partial icons within window 802. This
icons 704 can be fully displayed within window 702 without
figure represents a situation wherein the dimensions of
displaying a horizontal or vertical scroll bar. In this manner,
s0 window 802 prevent all twelve icons 804 from being fully
a user of the data processing system may view and utilize
displayed at a size equal to or greater than the predetermined
each of the twelve icons 704 without the necessity of
minimum icon size selected by the user of the data processscrolling or resizing display window 702.
ing system.
It is appreciated that the present invention may be impleIn order to display all twelve icons 804 within window
mented on a variety of data processing systems. For 25 802, a partial representation of icons 804 is utilized. In this
example, with reference now to FIG. 7b, there is depicted a
example, icons 804 are represented without their text comgraphical representation video display 103 of a hand held
ponent in a manner analogous to icon 600b. By removing the
data processing device which may be utilized to implement
text from icons 804, the modified icons can now be scaled
a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown,
to a size equal to or greater than the predetermined minimum
video display 103 includes display screen 105, which dis- 2o icon size and to a size small enough so that they can all be
plays twelve icons 704 in window 702 wherein the sizes of
displayed within the dimensions of window 802. In this
icons 704 are scaled such that all twelve icons can be fully
manner, a user of the data processing system may view and
displayed within window 702.
utilize each of the twelve partial icons 804 without the
necessity of scrolling or resizing display window 802.
In some situations it may be preferable to limit the
With reference now to FIG. 8b, there is depicted a
maximum and minimum display size of icons 704. For 25
graphical representation video display 103 of a hand held
example, when utilizing a small hand held data processing
data processing device analogous to the video display 102
device, very small icons can be difficult to see and recognize.
illustrated in FIG. 8b. As shown, video display 103 includes
Additionally, users have different vision abilities and may
display screen 105, which displays twelve partial icons 804
wish to have a larger icons displayed on the display screen.
Very large icons can also be problematic to a user. To control 3o in window 802 wherein the sizes of icons 804 are scaled
such that all twelve partial icons can be fully displayed
the final display size of icons 704, a user may select a
within display window 702. In this example, icons 804 are
preferred icon size, a predetermined minimum icon size and
represented without their text component in a manner analoa predetermined maximum icon size. The predetermined
gous to icon 600b. In this manner, a user of the data
minimum icon size represents the smallest display size of
icons 704. The predetermined maximum icon size represents 35 processing system may view and utilize each of the twelve
partial icons 804 without the necessity of scrolling display
the largest display of icons 704.
window 802.
During situations in which all icons cannot be fully
With reference now to FIG. 9a, there is depicted a
displayed in the display window utilizing the predetermined
graphical representation of video display 102 which may be
minimum icon size selected by the user, a partial version of
4o utilized to implement a preferred embodiment of the present
the icon can be displayed. The style of the partial icon can
invention. Video display 102 includes display screen 104,
be selected by the user according to the users preferences.
which displays twelve partial icons within display window
In situations wherein the user does not wish to utilize
902. Analogous to FIG. 8a, This figure represents a situation
partial icons or wherein all icons cannot be displayed in a
wherein the dimensions of window 902 prevent all twelve
window utilizing partial icons, the icons could be scaled and 45 icons 904 from being fully displayed at a size equal to or
viewed on multiple display screens. For example, if twelve
greater than the predetermined minimum icon size selected
icons were loaded in a window but only eight icons would
by the user of the data processing system.
fit within the window display screen, then the icons would
In order to display all twelve icons 904 within display
need to be viewed on multiple display screens. The methods
window 902, a partial representation of icons 904 is utilized.
of displaying these icons include, but are not limited to the 50 In this example, icons 904 are represented without their
following:
graphic component in a manner analogous to icon 600c. By
First, the icons could be scaled to a size such that a
removing the graphic image from icons 904, the modified
maximum number of icons, in this case eight, could be
icons can now be scaled to a size equal to or greater than the
displayed within the current display window screen page.
predetermined minimum icon size and to a size small
The remaining icons, in this case four, would be accessible 55 enough so that they can all be displayed within the dimenby moving to the next screen page of the window. These four
sions of window 902. In this manner, a user of the data
icons could be scaled, according to the user’s preferences, to
processing system may view and utilize each of the twelve
the sanre size as the previous eight, to a preferred icon size,
partial icons 904 without the necessity of scrolling or
or to another size necessary to fit the icons within the display
resizing display window 902.
window.
With reference now to FIG. 9b, there is depicted a
6o
Second, the icons could be evenly distributed over the
graphical representation video display 103 of a hand held
fewest window screen pages possible. In this example, since
data processing device analogous to the video display 102
only eight icons will fit on one display screen page, two
illustrated in FIG. 9b. AS shown, video display 103 includes
display screen pages are necessary to display all twelve
display screen 104, which displays twelve partial icons 904
icons. The twelve icons would be spilt evenly between the 65 in window 902 wherein the sizes of icons 704 are scaled
two display screen pages and then scaled to a preferred icon
such that all twelve partial icons can be fully displayed
size or to another size necessary to fit the icons within the
within display window 702. In this example, icons 904 are

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represented without their graphic component in a manner
their newly scaled size within the boundary area of the
display screen. As depicted at block 1038, the process is
analogous to icon 600c. In this manner, a user of the data
terminated.
processing system may view and utilize each of the twelve
While this invention is described in terms of the best
partial icons 904 without the necessity of scrolling display
5 mode for achieving this invention’s objectives, it will be
window 902.
appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations may be
FIG. 10 illustrates a high-level logic flow diagram that
accomplished in view of these teachings without deviating
illustrates a method for scaling and displaying icons, accordfrom the spirit or scope of the present invention. For
ing to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As
example, the present invention may be implemented using
depicted at block 1002, the process is initiated. As illustrated so any combination of computer programming software, firmat block 1004, the number of icons to be displayed in a
ware or hardware. As a preparatory step to practicing the
particular boundary area of the display screen is determined.
invention or constructing an apparatus according to the
As shown at block 1006, the boundary area for displaying
invention, the computer programming code (whether softthe icons is determined. Next, as depicted at block 1008, a
ware or firmware) according to the invention will typically
scale factor (SF) for scaling the icons is determined such that 25 be stored in one or more machine readable storage mediums
the icons can be displayed entirely within the boundary area.
such as fixed (hard) drives, diskettes, optical disks, magnetic
As illustrated at block 1010, a test is performed to
tape, semiconductor memories such as ROMs, PROMs, etc.,
determine whether the scale factor (SF) is less than the
thereby making an article of manufacture in accordance with
predetermined maximum scale factor. If this test is true, then
the invention. The article of manufacture containing the
the process continues as described at block 1014. If this test 2o computer programming code is used by either executing the
is falsc, thcn thc proccss continucs as dcscribcd at block
code directly from the storage device, by copying the code
1012.
from the storage device into another storage device such as
Next, as depicted at block 1014, a test is performed to
a hard disk, RAM, etc. or by transmitting the code on a
network for remote execution. The method form of the
determine whether the scale factor (SF) is less than the
predetermined minimum scale factor. If this test is true, then 25 invention may be practiced by combining one or more
the process continues as described at block 1018. If this test
machine-readable storage devices containing the code
if false, then the process continues as described at block
according to the present invention with appropriate standard
1016.
computer hardware to execute the code contained therein.
An apparatus for practicing the invention could be one or
Thereafter, as depicted at block 1018, a test is performed
to determine whether the an alternative icon type should be 3o more computers and storage systems containing or having
network access to computer program(s) coded in accordance
utilized to display the icons. If this test is true, then the
with the invention.
process continues as described at block 1022. If this test if
As has been described, the present invention provides a
false, then the process continues as described at block 1020.
method and system to automatically scale icons to be
Next, as illustrated at block 1024, text is removed from
the icon image. As depicted at block 1026, graphics are 35 displayed on a display screen.
In a first aspect of the present invention, the sizes of the
removed from the icon image. As shown at block 1028, the
icons are reduced to fit within a boundary area of the display
scale factor (SF) for scaling the icons is determined such that
screen. According to a second aspect of the present inventhe icons can be displayed in the boundary area. This
tion, the sizes of the icons are increased to fit within a
procedure is analogous to the procedure shown at block
4o boundary area of the display screen.
1008.
While the invention has been particularly shown and
Still referring to FIG. 10, as depicted at block 1030, a test
described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will
is performed analogous to the one illustrated at block 1010
be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes
to determine whether the scale factor (SF) is less than the
in form and detail may be made therein without departing
predetermined maximum scale factor. If this test is true, then 45 from the spirit and scope of the invention.
the process continues as described at block 1032. If this test
What is claimed is:
is false, then the process continues through connector A to
1. A method of displaying icons within a data processing
block 1012.
system having a display screen, comprising the steps of:
Next, as depicted at block 1032, a test is performed
first determining a quantity of a plurality of icons to be
analogous to the one illustrated at block 1014 to determine 5o
displayed on a display screen of a data processing
whether the scale factor (SF) is less than the predetermined
system;
minimum scale factor. If this test is true, then the process
second determining a designated portion of said display
continues through connector C to block 1020. If this test is
screen for displaying said plurality of icons; and
false, then the process continues through connector B to
automatically scaling each of said plurality of icons in
block 1016.
55
response to said quantity of said plurality of icons and
Icon scale (IS) is set to a maximum value, as depicted at
said designated portion such that all of said plurality of
block 1012. The maximum value represents the scale factor
icons can be displayed in said designated portion of
used to show the icons at their maximum size as selected by
said display screen.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of first
the user. As shown at block 1016, icon scale is set to scale
factor (SF). As illustrated at block 1020, icon scale (IS) is set 6o determining a quantity of a plurality of icons to be displayed
to a minimum value. The minimum value represents the
on a display screen of a data processing system comprises
scale factor used to show the icons at their maximum size as
first determining a quantity of plurality icons defined by
selected by the user. As depicted at block 1034, the sizes of
vector graphics to be displayed on a display screen of a data
processing.
the icons are scaled by a factor of icon scale (IS). Thus, if
icon scale (IS) is less than 1, the icon image size is reduced. 65 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of first
If icon scale (IS) is greater than 1, the icon image size is
determining a quantity of a plurality of icons to be displayed
enlarged. As illustrated at block 1036, icons are displayed at
on a display screen of a data processing system comprises

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first determining a quantity of a plurality of icons defined by
comprises first determining a quantity of a plurality of icons
bitmapped graphics to be displayed on a display screen of a
defined by vector graphics to be displayed on a display
data processing system.
screen of a data processing.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of
17. The article of manufacture of claim 15, wherein said
displaying all of said plurality of icons on said designated 5 step of first determining a quantity of a plurality of icons to
portion of said display screen.
be displayed on a display screen of a data processing system
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of comprises first determining a quantity of a plurality of icons
displaying all of said plurality of icons on said designated
defined by bitmapped graphics to be displayed on a display
portion of said display screen, wherein said plurality of icons
screen of a data processing system.
comprise a graphic image and a text image.
s0 18. The article of manufacture of claim 15, further com6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of prising the step of displaying all of said plurality of icons on
said designated portion of said display screen.
displaying all of said plurality icons on said designated
portion of said display screen, wherein said plurality of icons
19. The article of manufacture of claim 15, further comonly comprise a text image.
prising the step of displaying all of said plurality of icons on
7. The method of claim 4, wherein said step of displaying 25 said designated portion of said display screen, wherein said
all of said plurality of icons on said designated portion of
plurality of icons comprise a graphic image and text image.
said display screen, comprises displaying all of said plurality
20. The article of manufacture of claim 15, further comof icons on said designated portion of said display screen,
prising the step of displaying all of said plurality of icons on
wherein said designated portion of said display screen has a
said designated portion of said display screen, wherein said
2o plurality of icons only comprise a text image.
fixed pixel width and a fixed pixel height.
8. A icon scaling system for use with a data processing
21. The article of manufacture of claim 18, wherein said
system having a display, said icon scaling system comprisstep of displaying all of said plurality of icons on said
ing:
designated portion of said display screen, comprises disa calculation routine that determines a quantity of a
playing all of said plurality of icons on a display screen,
plurality of icons to be displayed on a display screen of 25 wherein said display screen has a fixed pixel width and a
a data processing system;
fixed pixel height.
22. A method, for displaying icons within a data processa boundary routine that determines a designated portion of
ing system having a display screen, comprising the steps of:
said display screen for displaying said plurality of
determining a size of a designated portion of a display
icons; and
screen for displaying a plurality of icons;
a scaling routine that automatically scales said plurality of 3o
icons in response to quantity of a plurality of icons and
displaying all of said plurality of icons within said detersaid designated portion such that all of said plurality of
mined size of said designated portion by at least one of
icons can be displayed in said designated portion of
a) automatically scaling said icons; b) displaying a
said display screen.
portion of each one of said plurality of icons; and c)
9. The system of claim 8, wherein said plurality of icons 35 creating a plurality of selectable displayed screen pages
are defined by vector graphics.
wherein each screen page has a portion of said plurality
of icons displayed within said determined size of said
10. The system of claim 8, wherein said plurality of icons
designated portion.
axe defined by bitmapped graphics.
11. The system of claim 8, fiber comprising a display40 ¯ 23. A method, for displaying icons within a data processmg system having a display screen, comprising the steps of:
routine that displays said plurality of icons, on said display
screen.
determining a size of a designated portion of a display
screen for displaying a plurality of icons;
12. The system of claim 8, wherein said plurality of icons
comprise a graphic image and a text image.
utilizing a predetermined minimum size and a predetermined maximum size for an individual icon;
13. The system of claim 8, wherein said plurality of icons45
displaying all of said plurality of icons within said detercomprise only a text image.
mined size of said designated portion, based upon said
14. The system of claim 8, wherein said designated
predetermined minimum size and said predetermined
portion of said display screen has a fixed pixel width and a
maximum size, by at least one of a) automatically
fixed pixel height.
scaling said icons; b) displaying a portion of each one
15. An article of manufacture for use in a data processing 5o
of said plurality of icons; and c) creating a plurality of
system for scaling icons on a display screen, the article of
selectable displayed screen pages wherein each screen
manufacture comprising computer readable storage media
page has a portion of the plurality of icons displayed
including program logic embedded therein that causes conwithin said determined size of said designated portion.
trol circuitry to perform the steps of:
first determining a quantity of a plurality of icons to be 55 24. The method of claim 23 wherein said predetermined
minimum size and said predetermined maximum size are
displayed on a display screen of a data processing
predetermined based on user input.
system;
second determining a designated portion of said display
25. A data processing system having a display screen,
comprising:
screen for displaying said plurality of icons; and
automatically scaling said plurality of icons in response to 6o means for determining a size of a designated portion of a
said quantity of said plurality of icons and said desigdisplay screen for displaying a plurality of icons;
nated portion such that all of said quantity of said
means for displaying all of said plurality of icons within
plurality of icons can be displayed in said designated
said determined size of said designated portion by at
portion of said display screen.
least one of a) automatically scaling said icons; b)
65
displaying a portion of each one of said plurality of
16. The article of manufacture of claim 15, wherein said
step of first determining a quantity of a plurality of icons to
icons; and c) creating a plurality of selectable displayed
be displayed on a display screen of a data processing system
screen pages wherein each screen page has a portion of

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said plurality of icons displayed within said determined
automatically scaling said icons; b) displaying a portion
size of said designated portion.
of each one of said plurality of icons; and c) creating a
26. A data processing system for displaying icons on a
plurality of selectable displayed screen pages wherein
display screen, comprising:
each screen page has a portion of said plurality of icons
means for determining a size of a designated portion of a 5
displayed within said determined size of said desigdisplay screen for displaying a plurality of icons;
nated portion.
means for utilizing a predetermined minimum size and a
30. An article of manufacture for use in a data processing
predetermined maximum size for an individual icon;
means for displaying all of said plurality of icons within system for scaling icons on a display screen, the article of
said determined size of said designated portion, based s0 manufacture comprising computer readable storage media
upon said predetermined minimum size and said pre- including program logic embedded therein that causes condetermined maximum size, by at least one of a) auto- trol circuitry to perform the steps of:
matically scaling said icons; b) displaying a portion of
determining a size of a designated portion of a display
each one of said plurality of icons; and c) creating a
screen for displaying a plurality of icons;
plurality of selectable displayed screen pages wherein 25
utilizing a predetermined minimum size and a predetereach screen page has a portion of the plurality of icons
mined maximum size for an individual icon;
displayed within said determined size of said designated area.
displaying all of said plurality of icons within said deter27. The data processing system of claim 26 wherein said
mined size of said designated portion, based upon said
predetermined minimum size and said predetermined maxi- 2o predetermined minimum size and said predetermined
mum size are predetermined based on user input.
maximum size, by at least one of a) automatically
28. The data processing system of claim 26 wherein the
scaling said icons; b) displaying a portion of each one
data processing system is a hand held device.
of said plurality of icons; and c) creating a plurality of
29. An article of manufacture for use in a data processing
selectable displayed screen pages wherein each screen
system for scaling icons on a display screen, the article of 25
page has a portion of the plurality of icons displayed
manufacture comprising computer readable storage media
within said determined size of said designated portion.
including program logic embedded therein that causes con31. The article of manufacture claim 23 wherein said
trol circuitry to perform the steps of:
predetermined minimum size and said predetermined maxidetermining a size of a designated portion of a display
screen for displaying a plurality of icons;
3o mum size are predetermined based on user input.
displaying all of said plurality of icons within said determined size of said designated area by at least one of a)

SAMNDCA00199805

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
PATENT NO.
: 6,983,424 B1
APPLICATIONNO. : 09/599893
DATED
: January 3, 2006
: R. Dutta
INVENTOR(S)

Page 1 of 1

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent is
hereby corrected as shown below:

In Col. 11, please replace Claims 10 and 11 with the following
lines 37-38
-- 10. The system of claim 8, wherein said plurality of icons are defined by
bitmapped graphics.-ines 39-41
-- 11. The system of claim 8, further comprising a display routine that displays
all of said plurality of icons, on said designated portion of said display screen.--

Signed and Sealed this
Twenty-eighth Day of November, 2006

JON W. DUDAS
Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office

SAMNDCA00199806