Interactive graphical user interface
First Claim
1. A method of interfacing graphically with a user of a computer system having selecting means, and display means, the steps comprising:
- (A) identifying a relationship structure between physical objects and activities external to the computer system which are related to the information to be manipulated in the computer system;
(B) creating at least one data structure which corresponds to the identified relationship structure;
(C) displaying on said display means a plurality of on-screen objects which correspond to information and processes identified in the physical objects and activities external to the computer system;
(D) detecting a user selection among the displayed on-screen objects, where each on-screen object has initial size and position states;
(E) preparing intermediate and final size and positions states for each on-screen object according to said data structures;
(a) calculating the final size of the on-screen objects;
(b) calculating the final position of the on-screen objects;
(c) determining which of said special rendering routines is required;
(d) applying said special rendering routine to said size and position states of said on-screen objects where required;
(F) animating on the display means the on-screen objects in their intermediate size and position states; and
(G) displaying on a display means the on-screen objects in their final size and position states according to said data structure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for interfacing graphically with a user of a computer system having selecting means, and display means, which identifies a relationship structure between physical objects and activities external to the computer system which are related to the information to be manipulated in the computer system. At least one data structure is created which corresponds to the identified relationship structure. A plurality of on-screen objects which correspond to information identified in the physical objects and activities external to the computer system is displayed on the display means. A user selection is detected among the displayed on-screen objects, where each on-screen object has initial size and position states. Intermediate and final size and positions states for each on-screen object are prepared according to the data structures. The on-screen objects in their intermediate size and position states are animated on the display means, until finally the on-screen objects in their final size and position states are displayed according to the data structure.
Also disclosed is a system for interfacing graphically with a user.
251 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method of interfacing graphically with a user of a computer system having selecting means, and display means, the steps comprising:
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(A) identifying a relationship structure between physical objects and activities external to the computer system which are related to the information to be manipulated in the computer system; (B) creating at least one data structure which corresponds to the identified relationship structure; (C) displaying on said display means a plurality of on-screen objects which correspond to information and processes identified in the physical objects and activities external to the computer system; (D) detecting a user selection among the displayed on-screen objects, where each on-screen object has initial size and position states; (E) preparing intermediate and final size and positions states for each on-screen object according to said data structures; (a) calculating the final size of the on-screen objects; (b) calculating the final position of the on-screen objects; (c) determining which of said special rendering routines is required; (d) applying said special rendering routine to said size and position states of said on-screen objects where required; (F) animating on the display means the on-screen objects in their intermediate size and position states; and (G) displaying on a display means the on-screen objects in their final size and position states according to said data structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for visually displaying information objects on a computer display screen comprising:
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means for displaying; at least one data tree; a layout object; a sizing object; a plurality of on-screen objects; means for selecting an on-screen object of interest; size and positioning means which uses information from said data trees, said layout object, and said sizing object to provide said plurality of on-screen objects with final size and position state information; means for animating, which determines intermediate size and position state information of said on-screen objects as they are moved from their initial size and position to their final size and position where the means for animating includes means for calculating final size states of all on-screen objects, means for calculating final position of all on-screen objects and means for calculating incremental intermediate frame state information; and means for rendering, which displays said on-screen objects in initial, intermediate and final size and position states on said display means.
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Specification