Michael A Mccowan

US Patent:

20100169818, Jul 1, 2010

Filed:

Dec 29, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/344605

Inventors:

Rebecca Hughes - Somerville MA, US
James Martineau - Lowell MA, US
Michael S. McCowan - Ayer MA, US

Assignee:

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 3/048

US Classification:

715773

Abstract:

A computer-implemented method of navigating a GUI can include, responsive to a user input initiating a navigation mode, overlaying, atop of the GUI located within a first layer, a virtual keyboard within a second layer, wherein the virtual keyboard includes a plurality of virtual keys. The method can include, for each virtual key, associating the virtual key with a region of the first layer including an area of the GUI beneath the virtual key. The method can include mapping each virtual key with a physical key of a physical keyboard communicatively linked with a computer rendering the GUI and, responsive to a user input selecting a physical key of the physical keyboard, selecting a region corresponding to the selected physical key. A level of magnification for the selected region can be increased within the first layer while keeping the virtual keyboard sizing constant.

US Patent:

20130311929, Nov 21, 2013

Filed:

Jul 29, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/953042

Inventors:

James Martineau - Somerville MA, US
Michael S. McCowan - Ayer MA, US

Assignee:

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 3/0488

US Classification:

715773

Abstract:

A computer-implemented method of navigating a GUI can include, responsive to a user input initiating a navigation mode, overlaying, atop of the GUI located within a first layer, a virtual keyboard within a second layer, wherein the virtual keyboard includes a plurality of virtual keys. The method can include, for each virtual key, associating the virtual key with a region of the first layer including an area of the GUI beneath the virtual key. The method can include mapping each virtual key with a physical key of a physical keyboard communicatively linked with a computer rendering the GUI and, responsive to a user input selecting a physical key of the physical keyboard, selecting a region corresponding to the selected physical key. A level of magnification for the selected region can be increased within the first layer while keeping the virtual keyboard sizing constant.

US Patent:

20170075430, Mar 16, 2017

Filed:

Nov 2, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/341810

Inventors:

- Armonk NY, US
James Martineau - Somerville MA, US
Michael S. McCowan - Ayer MA, US

International Classification:

G06F 3/023
G06F 3/0481
G06F 3/0484
G06F 3/0489

Abstract:

A computer-implemented method of navigating a GUI can include, responsive to a user input initiating a navigation mode, overlaying, atop of the GUI located within a first layer, a virtual keyboard within a second layer, wherein the virtual keyboard includes a plurality of virtual keys. The method can include, for each virtual key, associating the virtual key with a region of the first layer including an area of the GUI beneath the virtual key. The method can include mapping each virtual key with a physical key of a physical keyboard communicatively linked with a computer rendering the GUI and, responsive to a user input selecting a physical key of the physical keyboard, selecting a region corresponding to the selected physical key. A level of magnification for the selected region can be increased within the first layer while keeping the virtual keyboard sizing constant.

US Patent:

20140173567, Jun 19, 2014

Filed:

Dec 18, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/717768

Inventors:

- Armonk NY, US
James I. Martineau - Somerville MA, US
Lorelei M. McCollum - Somerville MA, US
Michael S. McCowan - Somerville MA, US

Assignee:

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 11/36

US Classification:

717125

Abstract:

An embodiment of the present invention utilizes the abilities of an operating system to manage the window focus while debugging a graphical user interface program. In an example, a debugger program intercepts a breakpoint in the code of a graphical user interface computer program undergoing automated testing by a separate computer program. The debugger program instructs the operating system to save states of the window focus. Responsive to determining the breakpoint condition has ended, the debugger program instructs the operating system to restore saved states of the window that had focus prior to the breakpoint condition. Another embodiment of the present invention arranges similar window focus management where an operating system on its own is unable to save and restore states of the window that had focus prior to the breakpoint condition.

US Patent:

20140173568, Jun 19, 2014

Filed:

Dec 18, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/717794

Inventors:

- Armonk NY, US
Lorelei M. McCollum - Somerville MA, US
Michael S. McCowan - Somerville MA, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 9/44

US Classification:

717125

Abstract:

An embodiment of the present invention manages window focus non-intrusive over-lays while debugging a graphical user interface program. In an example, the computer displays in a first graphical user interface, wherein the computer program is designed to manipulate a second graphical user interface of another computer program. The computer receives a command to debug the second graphical interface computer program and converts the first graphical user interface into a focus-less graphical user interface so the focus does not transfer from the second graphical user interface. The computer debugs the computer program and upon completing debugging, the computer restores the first graphical user interface into focus.

US Patent:

20140173569, Jun 19, 2014

Filed:

Nov 13, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/078661

Inventors:

- Armonk NY, US
James I. Martineau - Somerville MA, US
Lorelei M. McCollum - Somerville MA, US
Michael S. McCowan - Somerville MA, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 11/36

US Classification:

717125, 717129

Abstract:

An embodiment of the present invention utilizes the abilities of an operating system to manage the window focus while debugging a graphical user interface program. In an example, a debugger program intercepts a breakpoint in the code of a graphical user interface computer program undergoing automated testing by a separate computer program. The debugger program instructs the operating system to save states of the window focus. Responsive to determining the breakpoint condition has ended, the debugger program instructs the operating system to restore saved states of the window that had focus prior to the breakpoint condition. Another embodiment of the present invention arranges similar window focus management where an operating system on its own is unable to save and restore states of the window that had focus prior to the breakpoint condition.

US Patent:

20140173570, Jun 19, 2014

Filed:

Nov 13, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/078788

Inventors:

- Armonk NY, US
Lorelei M. McCollum - Somerville MA, US
Michael S. McCowan - Springfield MA, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 11/36

US Classification:

717125

Abstract:

An embodiment of the present invention manages window focus non-intrusive over-lays while debugging a graphical user interface program. In an example, the computer displays in a first graphical user interface, wherein the computer program is designed to manipulate a second graphical user interface of another computer program. The computer receives a command to debug the second graphical interface computer program and converts the first graphical user interface into a focus-less graphical user interface so the focus does not transfer from the second graphical user interface. The computer debugs the computer program and upon completing debugging, the computer restores the first graphical user interface into focus.