Method and apparatus for displaying data within a three-dimensional information landscape
First Claim
1. A method for indicating a selected object in a display space, comprising the steps of:
- (a) displaying objects in the display space;
(b) displaying a representation of a spotlight on the selected object in the display space; and
(c) automatically navigating to the selected object indicated by the spotlight.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for displaying a three-dimensional navigable display space containing an aggregation of graphical objects and an overview of the aggregation of display objects. An altered perspective is provided by compressing the horizontal dimension of the displayed objects so that a user can see a representative overview of the entire aggregation of display objects that have been selected for display together on a display screen. The compressed component is expanded so that the objects appear wider as a navigator approaches the displayed objects. A spotlight shines down on objects responsive to a data query. The spotlight serves as a navigation aid to the navigator so that highlighted items are visible from a distance and can be easily located. The user'"'"'s view of the display space is altered so that the navigator perceives that he is traveling in a straight line when approaching a display object in a display space in which the horizontal dimension of displayed objects is compressed in accordance with the apparent distance between a displayed object and the navigator.
252 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method for indicating a selected object in a display space, comprising the steps of:
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(a) displaying objects in the display space; (b) displaying a representation of a spotlight on the selected object in the display space; and (c) automatically navigating to the selected object indicated by the spotlight. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method for indicating selected objects in a display space, comprising the steps of:
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(a) displaying objects in the display space; (b) displaying representations of spotlights on selected objects in the display space; and (c) automatically navigating in sequence to each selected object indicated by the spotlights. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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5. An apparatus for indicating a selected object in a display space, comprising:
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(a) means for displaying objects in the display space; (b) means for displaying a representation of a spotlight on the selected object in the display space; and (c) means for automatically navigating to the selected object indicated by the spotlight. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. An apparatus for indicating selected objects in a display space, comprising:
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(a) means for displaying objects in the display space; (b) means for displaying representations of spotlights on selected objects in the display space; and (c) means for automatically navigating in sequence to each selected object indicated by the spotlights. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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Specification