INTUITIVE TOOLS FOR MANIPULATING OBJECTS IN A DISPLAY

• US 20080059914A1
• Filed: 11/08/2007
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Nelson, Mark, Allyn, Barry
• Granted Patent: US 8,539,381 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/859
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04806 Zoom, i.e. interaction techniques or interactors for controlling the zooming operation
• 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 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour

Abstract

A method and system for providing a user with user-friendly handles for manipulating graphics and other displayed objects using a pointer. An initial toolset of handles can evolve into a toolset with enhanced functionality. Selecting an object can invoke a first toolset. Pausing the pointer over an object for a preset length of time can invoke a second toolset with additional functionality. Continuing to maintain the pointers stationary position over the object can invoke a third toolset. A rotation tool handle can rotate an object about an axis of rotation in response to pointer-based input. Moving a pointer over a rotation tool handles can invoke an axis-of-rotation tool for repositioning the axis of rotation using the pointer.

Claims

1. A method in a computing device for providing tools for manipulating an object on a display device using a pointer, the method comprising:

displaying an object on the display device;

displaying a first set of handles positioned in proximity of the object, the first set including a plurality of handles for manipulating the object;

determining whether the pointer is over the object for a threshold length of time;

when it is determined that the pointer is over the object for the threshold length of time,

displaying the first set of handles repositioned farther away from the object to provide space for a second set of handles, the second set including a plurality of handles; and

displaying the second set of handles positioned in proximity of the object for manipulating the object, wherein the manipulating provided by the first set is different from the manipulating provided by the second set and wherein accessibility of the first set and the second set is maintained while the first set and the second set are displayed;

when a first handle of the first set is selected, performing a manipulation on the object in accord with the first handle; and

when a second handle of the second set is selected, performing a manipulation on the object in accord with the second handle.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein a handle of the second set refines functionality of a handle of the first set.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein a handle of the second set supplement functionality of a handle of the first set.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first set of handles is initially displayed in proximity to the object when it is determined that the pointer is over the object a first threshold length of time.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the second set of handles is displayed when it is determined that the pointer continues to be over the object for a second threshold length of time.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the first set of handles is initially displayed in proximity to the object when the object is selected.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining includes determining whether the pointer is stationary over the object.

8. A computer-readable storage medium embedded with instruction for controlling a computing device to provide tools for manipulating an object on a display device using a pointer, by a method comprising:

displaying a first toolset positioned in proximity to an object displayed on the display device;

determining whether the pointer is stationary over the object for a threshold length of time;

when it is determined that the pointer is over the object for the threshold length of time,

displaying the first toolset so that it is farther away from the object to provide space for a second toolset; and

displaying the second toolset positioned in proximity of the object for manipulating the object, wherein the manipulating provided by the first toolset is different from the manipulating provided by the second toolset and wherein accessibility of the first toolset and the second set is maintained while the first toolset and the second toolset are displayed;

when a first tool of the first toolset is selected, performing a manipulation on the object in accord with the first tool; and

when a second tool of the second toolset is selected, performing a manipulation on the object in accord with the second tool.

9. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8 wherein the first toolset includes a plurality of tools and the second toolset includes a plurality of tools.

10. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8 wherein the first tool of the first toolset refines functionality of the second tool of the second toolset.

11. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8 wherein the first tool of the first toolset supplements functionality of the second tool of the second toolset.

12. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8 wherein the first toolset is initially displayed in proximity to the object when it is determined that the pointer is over the object a first threshold length of time.

13. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 12 wherein the second toolset is displayed when it is determined that the pointer continues to be over the object for a second threshold length of time.

14. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8 wherein the determining includes determining whether the pointer is stationary over the object.

15. A computing device for providing tools for manipulating an object on a display device using a pointer, comprising:

a component that displays an object on the display device;

a component that, when the pointer is over the object for a first threshold length of time, displays a first set of handles positioned in proximity of the object, the first set including a plurality of handles for manipulating the object;

a component that when the pointer continues to be over the object for a second threshold length of time, displays a second set of handles positioned in proximity of the object, the second set including a plurality of handles for manipulating the object, wherein the manipulating provided by the first set is different from the manipulating provided by the second set and wherein accessibility of the first set and the second set is maintained while the first set and the second set are displayed;

a component that, when a first handle of the first set is selected, performs a manipulation on the object in accord with the first handle; and

a component that, when a second handle of the second set is selected, performs a manipulation on the object in accord with the second handle.

16. The computing device of claim 15 wherein the component that displays the second set of handles repositions the first set of handles on the display device to provide space for the second set of handles.

17. The computing device of claim 16 wherein the repositioning includes displaying the first set of handles farther away from the object than the initial display of the first set of handles.

18. The computing device of claim 15 wherein the second handle of the second set refines functionality of the first handle of the first set.

19. The computing device of claim 15 wherein the second handle of the second set supplements functionality of the first handle of the first set.

20. The computing device of claim 15 wherein the threshold length of time are based on the pointer being stationary over the object.