Method and system for scaling a graphical user interface (GUI) widget based on selection pointer proximity

• US 20020171690A1
• Filed: 05/15/2001
• Published: 11/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Mcallister, Scott J., Fox, James E., Leah, Robert C.
• Application Number:
  US09/855,361
• Publication Number:
  US 20020171690A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/862
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04812 Interaction techniques based on cursor appearance or behaviour, e.g. being affected by the presence of displayed objects
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence

Abstract

On a display screen, the visual size of a graphical user interface (GUI) widget is scaled based on the distance between the GUI widget and a displayed selection pointer, such as an arrow pointer controlled by a mouse. As the selection pointer is moved toward or away from the widget, the widget changes size. This permits the widget to display additional information, such as icon text, as a user moves a selection pointer closer to the widget.

Claims

1. A method of displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) widget, comprising:

determining the distance D between a displayed GUI widget and a displayed selection pointer; and

scaling the visual size of the displayed GUI widget based on the distance D.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

defining a mass value m associated with the displayed GUI widget;

defining a mass value M associated with the displayed selection pointer; and

scaling the visual size of the displayed GUI widget based on the mass values m and M and the distance D.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

calculating B={square root}{square root over (m/M)}; and

scaling the visual size of the displayed GUI widget as a function of B.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

calculating a force value F=m*M/D²; and

scaling the visual size of the displayed GUI widget as a function of the force value F.

5. A computer-usable medium storing a computer program product for displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) widget, comprising:

means for determining the distance D between a displayed GUI widget and a displayed selection pointer; and

means for scaling the visual size of the displayed GUI widget based on the distance D.

6. The computer-usable medium of claim 5, further comprising:

means for defining a mass value m associated with the displayed GUI widget;

means for defining a mass value M associated with the displayed selection pointer; and

means for scaling the visual size of the displayed GUI widget based on the mass values m and M and the distance D.

7. The computer-usable medium of claim 5, further comprising:

means for calculating B={square root}{square root over (m/M)}; and

means for scaling the visual size of the displayed GUI widget as a function of B.

8. The computer-usable medium of claim 5, further comprising:

means for calculating a force value F=m*M/D²; and

means for scaling the visual size of the displayed GUI widget as a function of the force value F.

9. A computer system, comprising:

a display;

a graphical user interface (GUI) presented by the display;

a widget displayed in the GUI, the widget having a mass value m associated therewith;

a selection pointer displayed in the GUI, the selection pointer having a mass value M associated therewith;

means for determining a distance D between the displayed widget and selection pointer; and

means for scaling the visual size of the displayed widget based on the mass values m and M and the distance D.

10. The computer system of claim 9, further comprising:

means for calculating B={square root}{square root over (m/M)};

and

means for scaling the visual size of the displayed widget as a function of B.

11. The computer system of claim 9, further comprising:

means for calculating a force value F=m*M/D²; and

means for scaling the visual size of the displayed widget as a function of the force value F.