Three dimensional depth cue for selected data

• US 20030043145A1
• Filed: 09/05/2001
• Published: 03/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
• Inventors: Thompson, Daniel Lee
• Granted Patent: US 6,927,768 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/419
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/00 Manipulating 3D models or images for computer graphics

Abstract

One or more embodiments of the invention provide a visual cue upon the selection of data in a three-dimensional view. Data is displayed at a first depth in a simulated three-dimensional view on a display device attached to a computer. A user may then select the data or a portion of the data. Once selected, the selected data is displayed at a second depth in the simulated three-dimensional view such that the selected data is distinguishable.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for indicating a selection of data in a simulated three-dimensional view, comprising:

displaying data at a first depth in the simulated three-dimensional view on a display device attached to a computer;

selecting the data; and

displaying the selected data at a second depth in the simulated three-dimensional view such that the selected data is distinguishable.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the second depth is closer to a viewer than the first depth.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the selected data is displayed at the second depth for a brief period of time.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

displaying the selected data at the first depth; and

repeat displaying the selected data at the first depth and the second depth.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the data remains at the second depth for editing.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the data comprises text.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the data comprises a graphical object.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the data comprises a spreadsheet table.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the data selected comprises an entry from a table.

10. An apparatus for indicating a selection of data in a computer-simulated three-dimensional view:

(a) a computer system;

(b) a display device coupled to the computer system; and

(c) one or more computer programs, performed by the computer, for;

(i) displaying data at a first depth in a simulated three-dimensional view on the display device;

(ii) selecting the data; and

(iii) displaying the data at a second depth in the simulated three-dimensional view such that the selected data is distinguishable.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the second depth is closer to a viewer than the first depth.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the selected data is displayed at the second depth for a brief period of time.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the one or more computer programs are further configured to:

display the selected data at the first depth; and

repeat displaying the selected data at the first depth and the second depth.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the data remains at the second depth for editing.

15. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the data comprises text.

16. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the data comprises a graphical object.

17. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the data comprises a spreadsheet table.

18. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the data selected comprises an entry from a table.

19. An article of manufacture comprising a program storage medium readable by a computer and embodying one or more instructions executable by the computer to perform a method for indicating a selection of data in a simulated three-dimensional view, the method comprising:

displaying data at a first depth in the simulated three-dimensional view on a display device attached to a computer;

selecting the data; and

displaying the selected data at a second depth in the simulated three-dimensional view such that the selected data is distinguishable.

20. The article of manufacture of claim 19 wherein the second depth is closer to a viewer than the first depth.

21. The article of manufacture of claim 19 wherein the selected data is displayed at the second depth for a brief period of time.

22. The article of manufacture of claim 19, the method further comprising:

displaying the selected data at the first depth; and

repeat displaying the selected data at the first depth and the second depth.

23. The article of manufacture of claim 19 wherein the data remains at the second depth for editing.

24. The article of manufacture of claim 19 wherein the data comprises text.

25. The article of manufacture of claim 19 wherein the data comprises a graphical object.

26. The article of manufacture of claim 19 wherein the data comprises a spreadsheet table.

27. The article of manufacture of claim 19 wherein the data selected comprises an entry from a table.