Colormap system for mapping pixel position and color index to executable functions

• US 5,737,553 A
• Filed: 07/14/1995
• Issued: 04/07/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Novell Incorporated (Open Text Corporation)
• Inventors: Bartok, Peter Dennis
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Application Number:
  US08/502,490
• Time in Patent Office: 998 Days
• Field of Search: 395/339, 395/326, 395/348, 395/349, 395/351, 395/354, 395/131, 395/134, 395/509, 395/514, 395/517, 345/145, 345/153, 345/199, 345/186
• US Class Current: 715/764
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence

Abstract

An apparatus and method for mapping (associating, linking) hot spot objects of arbitrary shape and size to selected portions of an image presentable on a display connected to a computer. A hot spot object is mapped to a color, that may or may not be a color of the object when displayed. A user may designate a display color to be easily visible for presenting a template of hot spot objects. A distinct color for each hot spot object may be identifiable by a number comprised of the red, green, and blue bit numbers of the color. Maps may be stored in a memory device configured to link a template of hot spot objects to a display of pixels, each pixel of the display to a color, and each color to a definition of a functional object, such as an application or executable statement. On a computer, a user may create, select, or open a hot spot object (a graphical object associated with a portion of an overlying image) of arbitrary shape on a display. In indices (maps) a processor may read a pixel number, an associated unique color, and a functional object corresponding to the color.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing to a user interaction with a processor, the apparatus comprising:

a display device comprising a plurality of pixels for displaying to a user and a cursor positionable with respect to the plurality of pixels, the display device being operably connected to the processor to exchange data therewith;

an input device operably connected to the display device to be actuable by a user for positioning the cursor and for providing an actuation signal detectable by the processor; and

a memory device operably connected to the processor for storing a first index linking a first pixel of the plurality of pixels to a first color number corresponding to a first color displayable by the display device, and for storing a second index linking the first color number to a first instruction stored in the memory device and executable by the processor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the processor is programmed to read the first index and second index in the memory device upon positioning of the cursor at a position corresponding to the first pixel.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first pixel is associated with a graphical object presented to a user and associated uniquely with the first color number associated with the first pixel, and wherein the color number uniquely corresponds to the first instruction.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the processor is programmed to execute the first instruction in response to the actuation signal from the input device.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the input device includes a movable member for providing a position signal and wherein the processor is programmed to read a third index linking a position of the cursor to a first pixel number associated with the first pixel in response to the position signal received upon movement of the movable member by a user to a position corresponding to placement of the cursor at the first pixel.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the display device is configured to display a second graphical object comprising a second pixel of the plurality of pixels, the second pixel being positioned adjacent the first pixel and having a second pixel number linked in the first index to a second color distinct from the color of the first pixel, the second color being linked in the second index to a second instruction executable by the processor and distinct from the first instruction.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the display device is configured to display a third graphical object comprising a third pixel of the plurality of pixels, the third pixel being positioned adjacent the second pixel and the first pixel, the third pixel being linked in the first index to a third color distinct from the color of the first pixel and second color of the second pixel, the third color being linked in the second index to a third instruction executable by the processor and distinct from the first and second instructions.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the actuation signal is produced in response to a selection by a user communicated to the input device.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the display device is configured to display a first graphical object to include the first pixel, the graphical object corresponding uniquely to the first color number, and the first color number uniquely corresponding to the first instruction.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the display device is configured to display a second graphical object comprising a second pixel of the plurality of pixels, the second pixel being positioned adjacent the first pixel and having a second pixel number linked in the first index to a second color distinct from the color of the first pixel, the second color being linked in the second index to a second instruction executable by the processor and distinct from the first instruction.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the display device is configured to display a third graphical object comprising a third pixel of the plurality of pixels, the third pixel being positioned adjacent the second pixel and the first pixel, the third pixel being linked in the first index to a third color distinct from the first color of the first pixel and second color of the second pixel, the third color being linked in the second index to a third instruction executable by the processor and distinct from the first and second instructions.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the processor is programmed to execute the first instruction in response to the actuation signal from the input device.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the actuation signal is produced in response to a selection by a user communicated to the input device.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the input device includes a movable member for providing a position signal and wherein the processor is programmed to read a third index linking a position of the cursor to a first pixel number associated with the first pixel in response to the position signal received upon movement of the movable member by a user to a position corresponding to placement of the cursor at the first pixel.

15. A method for launching an executable instruction on a processor of a computer comprising a memory device operably connected to the processor, the method comprising:

creating an image on a display device operably connected to the processor and to an input device, the display device comprising a plurality of pixels for displaying the image and a cursor positionable with respect to the plurality of pixels by actuation of the input device by a user;

creating a graphical object on the display device corresponding to a portion of the image;

creating a hot spot object on the display device, the hot spot object corresponding to the graphical object, for initiating a hot signal to the processor; and

mapping the hot spot object to a color code displayable by the display device and uniquely associated with the hot spot object.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

creating a functional object comprising an instruction executable by the processor in response to an activation signal from the input device; and

mapping the functional object to the color code.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising storing a first index in the memory device, the first index linking the functional object to the color code;

and

storing in the memory device a second index linking the color code to the hot spot object.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

displaying the graphical object to a user;

positioning the cursor at a pixel within the hot spot object; and

opening the functional object by actuating the input device while the cursor is positioned within the hot spot object.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

executing the instruction corresponding to the functional object; and

outputting a result corresponding to the instruction.

20. A memory device readable by a computer, the memory device comprising:

a first portion storing a first index linking a plurality of pixel numbers associated with a display device to a plurality of corresponding positions on the display device;

a second portion storing a second index linking a pixel number of the plurality of pixel numbers, stored in the first portion, with a color number corresponding to a color displayable by the display device; and

a third portion storing a third index linking the color number to a functional object comprising an instruction executable by the computer.