Domain objects for use in a freeform graphics system

• US 6,509,912 B1
• Filed: 01/12/1998
• Issued: 01/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: van Melle, William J., Chiu, Patrick, Moran, Thomas P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Kristine
• Assistant Examiner(s): Joseph, Thomas J
• Application Number:
  US09/005,978
• Time in Patent Office: 1,835 Days
• Field of Search: 345/334, 345/348, 345/433, 345/358, 345/711-715, 345/724, 345/731, 345/732, 345/856, 345/857, 345/762, 345/763, 345/825, 345/826, 345/744-777, 345/723-726, 345/788, 345/802, 345/747, 705/8, 705/9, 705/12, 705/1
• US Class Current: 715/762
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

Domain objects for use in a freeform graphics system. Domain objects are context specific representations of information that are used in a freeform graphics system. Domain objects are represented in a freeform graphics system by a graphic object (icon) representing an instance of the domain object. The icon representing a domain object may be manipulated like any other graphic object. Domain objects are defined by a domain object class which define attributes, a set of action rules and layouts. The attributes describe the information or data associated with the domain object. The set of action rules map user actions and system events to operations that may be performed on the domain object. The layouts define how domain object information is displayed as an icon.

Claims

1. A free form graphics system for handling domain objects in a free form manner, said domain objects providing a representation of information for performing an application specific task, said system comprising:

a display device for displaying domain object icons, said domain object icons representing instances of domain objects;

a user input device for enabling a user to manipulate said domain object icons in a free form manner;

domain object generation circuitry coupled to said display device and user input device, said domain object generation circuitry for creating one or more domain object icons from data in a database, layout selection information and domain object class definitions stored on a storage device, each of said one or more domain object icons being an instantiation of said domain object class that is defined by said domain object class definition, said domain object class definition specifying textual attributes representing information used to perform the application specific task, a set of action rules for performing operations responsive to an event, and one or more, each of said one or more layouts indicating a format for displaying at least one of the textual attributes as a domain object icon comprised of predetermined areas for displaying some or all of said attributes, and wherein the choice of said one or more layouts to be used is specified by said layout selection information; and

event detection circuitry for detecting an event has occurred and causing operations corresponding to said event to be perforned.

2. The freeform graphics system as recited in claim 1 wherein said event is detection of a user action that is associated with a domain object icon.

3. The freeform graphics system as recited in claim 2 wherein said user action is a gesture associated with said domain object icon, said gesture created using said input device.

4. The freeform graphics system as recited in claim 2 wherein said user action is associated with an operation that effects all domain objects in a database.

5. The freeform graphics system as recited in claim 2 wherein said user action is associated with a sort operation based on an attribute value of domain objects.

6. The freeform graphics system as recited in claim 2 wherein said user action is associated with an operation that causes a different layout to be used for generation of said domain object icon.

7. The freeform graphics system as recited in claim 2 wherein said user action is associated with an operation that causes an attribute value in said domain object to increment or decrement.

8. The freeform graphics system as recited in claim 2 wherein said user action is associated with an operation that causes an overlay to appear over the domain object icon associated with said gesture.

9. The freeform graphics system as recited in claim 8 wherein said overlay includes more information about said associated domain object.

10. The freeform graphics system as recited in claim 8 wherein said overlay includes a menu for performing different functions on said domain objects.

11. The freefrom graphic system as recited in claim 2 wherein said event is a system event that causes corrosponding operations from said domain object class object definition to be performed.

12. The freeform graphic system as recited in claim 11 wherein said system event is clock event.

13. A method for operating a freeform graphics system to perform an application specific task comprising the steps of:

a) creating one or more domain objects used to perform the application specific task from data in a database and a domain object class definition stored on a storage device, each of said one or more domain objects being an instantiation of a domain object class that is defined by said domain object class definition, said domain object class definition specifying textual attributes representing information used to perform the application specific task, a set of action rules for performing operations responsive to an event, and one or more layouts, each of said one or more layouts indicating a format for displaying at least one of the textual attributes as a domain object icon that is comprised of predetermined areas for displaying some or all of said attributes;

b) generating display information and displaying said one or more domain objects as domain object icons on a display coupled to said freeform graphics system, said display information generated based on one of said one or more layouts specified in said domain object class definition;

c) detecting that an event has occurred;

d) identifying an action rule associated with said event based on the set of action rules specified in said domain object class definition for said one of said displayed domain objects; and

e) performing an operation associated with said identified action rule.

14. The method as recited in claim 13 wherein said step of detecting that an event occurred is further comprised of the step detecting that a user action has been performed.

15. The method as recited in claim 13 wherein said step of detecting that an event occurred is further comprised of the step detecting that a system event has occurred.

16. A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly emobodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for operating a freeform graphics system to perform an application specific task, said method comprising the steps of:

a) creating one or more domain objects used to perform the application specific task from data in a database and a domain object class definition stored on a storage device, each of said one or more domain object class instantiation of a domain object class that is defined by said domain object class definition, said domain object class definition specifying textual attributes, a set of action rules for performing operations responsive to an event, and one or more layout, each of said one or more layouts indicating a format for displaying at least one of the textual attributes as a domain object icon comprised of predetermine areas fir displaying some or all of said attributes;

b) generating display information and displaying said one or more domain objects as domain object icons on a display coupled to said freeform graphics system, said display information generated based on one of said one or more layouts specified in said domain object class definition;

c) detecting that an event has occurred;

d) identifying an action rule associated with said event based on the set of action rules specified in said domain object class definition for said one of said displayed domain objects; and

e) performing an operation associated with said identified action rule.