Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus and method is disclosed which has application for use in computer controlled display systems, and in particular, display systems having object oriented graphic interfaces. A central processing unit (CPU) is provided and is coupled to a display for displaying graphic and other data. The CPU is further coupled to a pointer control device which permits a user to selectively position a pointer at a desired location on the display, and signal the CPU of selections in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Buttons are generated by the CPU and displayed which correspond to a single function to be executed by the CPU, a window button which displays a pop-up window, an abbreviated menu button or a menu button which has associated therewith a plurality of functions disposed on a menu. The menu includes a plurality of menu items. A menu button must be provided with a menu item which is a default function which is automatically executed by the CPU when a predetermined signal is provided by the user through the pointer control device. To select and execute a menu button default, a user places the pointer over the desired menu button and momentarily depresses a switch on the pointer control device, the default function is then executed without the need to choose the menu item function from the menu button menu. Placement of the pointer over the menu button and depressing another pointer control switch results in the display of the full button menu.

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First Claim