United States Patent m
Asuma et al.
■■aiHIHUIIMII
US005684970A
5,684,970 *Nov. 4, 1997
Patent Number: Date of Patent:
[54] ICON MENU DISPLAY APPARATUS AND ICON MENU DISPLAY METHOD
[75] Inventors: Hajime Asuma, ChigasaM; Tsukasa Hasegawa, Hiratsuka; Akira Naito; Yasubiko Kasai, both of Fujisawa; Tomoko Tsuchiya, Minato-ku; Shinichi Yoshida, Yokohama; Yasumasa Matsuda, Nerima-ku, all of Japan
[73] Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd., Japan
[ * ] Notice: The term of this patent shall not extend beyond the expiration date of Pat. No. 5,592,605.
[21] Appl. No.: 705,760
[22] Filed: Aug. 30, 1996
Related U.S. Application Data
[63] Continuation of Ser. No. 285,036, Aug. 2, 1994, Pat No. 5,592,605.
[30] Foreign Application Priority Data
Aug. 5, 1993 [JP] Japan 5-194469
Jan. 19, 1994 [JP] Japan 6-004118
[51] IntCI.6 G06F3/14
[52] U.S. CI 395/348; 395/351
[58] Field of Search 395/159,155,
395/156, 157, 158, 115, 133, 144, 351, 350, 348, 349
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
4,868,766 9/1989 Oosterholt 395/120
5,040,131 8/1991 Torres 364/521
5,062,060 10/1991 Kolnick 395/159
5,159,324 10/1992 Ohtani et al 340/712
5,317,732 5/1994 Gedach, Jr. et al 395/600
5,339,392 8/1994 Risbergetal 395/161
5,345,250 9/1994 Inoueetal 345/100
5,408,333 4/1995 Kojimaetal 358/400
5,592,605 1/1997 Asuma etal 395/348
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
3-222033 of 0000 Japan .
5-28157 of 0000 Japan.
Primary Examiner—Raymond J. Bayerl
Assistant Examiner—Steven P. Sax
Attorney, Agent or Firm—Evenson, McKeown, Edwards &
Lenahan P.L.L.C.
[57] ABSTRACT
The icon menu display method and apparatus according to the invention displays a perspective view of a work room over an entire screen as a background against which a plurality of icons are displayed. The icons are arranged against the background image at locations which are functionally related to the functions associated with each icon.
23 Claims, 27 Drawing Sheets
