Context-based display technique
First Claim
1. In a computer system comprising a display and at least one user input device, a method for displaying elements in a database, the method comprising:
- displaying, in a matrix area on the display, a matrix having a plurality of cells and a plurality of icons displayed in at least one of the cells, each icon corresponding to an element in the database and comprising no textual identifying indicia, the plurality of icons being sufficient in number to establish a context for the user of the plurality of elements; and
visually differentiating, in response to a user action via the at least one user input device, at least one icon of the plurality of icons while retaining the context of the plurality of elements and superimposing detailed data over the matrix in such manner as to avoid obscuring the underlying matrix data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system that includes a graphical user interface that may be used to access information contained in a database is provided. The graphical user interface includes a matrix of icons that correspond to elements in the database. By minimizing the size of the icons, a sufficient number of icons may be displayed in the matrix so as to establish an overall context of the elements in the database. Various techniques may be employed to highlight individual icons within the matrix while still preserving the overall context. In this manner, additional insight into the nature of the database may be gained. Further, the system can use translucence to allow detailed data to be superimposed on the matrix without impairing the viewing of the matrix'"'"'s contents.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. In a computer system comprising a display and at least one user input device, a method for displaying elements in a database, the method comprising:
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displaying, in a matrix area on the display, a matrix having a plurality of cells and a plurality of icons displayed in at least one of the cells, each icon corresponding to an element in the database and comprising no textual identifying indicia, the plurality of icons being sufficient in number to establish a context for the user of the plurality of elements; and
visually differentiating, in response to a user action via the at least one user input device, at least one icon of the plurality of icons while retaining the context of the plurality of elements and superimposing detailed data over the matrix in such manner as to avoid obscuring the underlying matrix data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18)
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10. An apparatus for displaying elements in a database, comprising:
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a display;
at least one user input device;
a processor coupled to the display and the at least one user input device;
a storage device, coupled to the processor, having stored thereon executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to;
display, in a matrix area on the display, a matrix having a plurality of cells and a plurality of icons displayed in at least one of the cells, each icon corresponding to an element in the database and comprising no identifying indicia, the plurality of icons being sufficient in number to establish a context of the plurality of elements;
detect a user action via the at least one user input device;
display, in response to the user action, at least one icon of the plurality of icons visually differently from remaining ones of the plurality of icons while retaining the context of the plurality of elements. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification