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Using regular graphic shapes to identify a pointer-selected graphic object

  • US 5,317,680 A
  • Filed: 06/22/1990
  • Issued: 05/31/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of identifying a selected one of a plurality of irregularly shaped graphic objects displayed on a video terminal, said method comprising the steps of:

  • storing drawing data which describe said graphic objects with respect to a drawing coordinate system;

    storing overlay data which describe regular graphic shapes compared to said irregularly shaped graphic objects, each of said regular graphic shapes being associated through said drawing coordinate system with a corresponding one of said graphic objects;

    for each of said regular graphic shapes, managing said regular graphic shapes so that a plurality of said regular graphic shapes are associated with one of said graphic objects;

    for each of said regular graphic shapes, locating and sizing said plurality of said regular graphic shapes so that if said plurality of said regular graphic shapes were overlaid on said one graphic object, said plurality of said regular graphic shapes would together roughly approximate the shape of said one of said graphic objects;

    converting said drawing data into a display of said plurality of graphic objects at said video terminal;

    obtaining selected coordinates of said drawing coordinate system; and

    determining the one of said regular graphic shapes in which said selected coordinates reside.

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