Method and apparatus for providing a three dimensional graphical user interface

• US 6,621,509 B1
• Filed: 01/08/1999
• Issued: 09/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ATI Technologies ULC (Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ATI International SRL (Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.)
• Inventors: Satnick, Sharon D., Eiref, Daniel, Gould, David Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): Cabeca, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vu, Kieu D.
• Application Number:
  US09/226,982
• Time in Patent Office: 1,712 Days
• Field of Search: 345/419, 345/355, 345/348, 345/339, 345/435, 345/421, 345/848, 345/850, 345/852, 345/835, 345/836, 345/838, 345/839, 345/764
• US Class Current: 715/836
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04815 Interaction with a metaphor-based environment or interaction object displayed as three-dimensional, e.g. changing the user viewpoint with respect to the environment or object

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing a three-dimensional graphical user interface includes processing that begins by detecting selection of an information thumbnail of a plurality of information thumbnails. Note that the plurality of information thumbnails are presented on a display area that is at least a portion of a display. The processing then continues by retrieving detailed information based on the selected thumbnail. The process then continues by providing a three-dimensional object in a foreground viewing perspective to the plurality of information thumbnails. On at least some of the surfaces of the three-dimensional object, the retrieved detailed information is provided.

Claims

1. A method for providing a three-dimensional graphical user interface, the method comprises the steps of:

a) providing an image within a display area;

b) detecting selection of the three-dimensional graphical user interface;

c) providing a three dimensional object within the display area, wherein the image is mapped on at least one surface of the three-dimensional object and information is provided on at least one other surface of the three dimensional object; and

d) mapping live video on, at least one surface of the three-dimensional object by identifying a video capture as a texture map and registering a size of the video capture to a power of 2 requirement of a video graphics engine.

2. A method for providing a three-dimensional, graphical user interface, the method comprises the steps of:

providing signals to a display device to cause the display of a three-dimensional object in a display area of the display device, said three-dimensional object appearing to have at least first and second surfaces;

mapping live video onto a first surface of the three-dimensional object by identifying a video capture as a texture map and registering a size of the video capture to a power of 2 requirement of a video graphics engine;

providing a first live video signal to said display device;

displaying on said first surface of said three-dimensional object, live video from said first live video signal;

displaying on said second surface, textual information that is related to said live video on said first surface.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said step of providing a three-dimensional object is further comprised of:

providing a three-dimensional object appearing to have first, second and third surfaces; and

displaying on said third surface, textual information that is related to said live video on said first surface.

4. A method for providing a three-dimensional graphical user interface, the method comprises the steps of:

providing a signal to a display device that creates a plurality of user-selectable information thumbnails on said display device, each of said user-selectable information thumbnails corresponding to a live video signal that can be displayed on said display device, each of said user-selectable information thumbnails further providing textual information about said corresponding video signal;

detecting a selection of a first information thumbnail;

in response to said selection, displaying on said display device, a three-dimensional object having at least first and second surfaces;

mapping video onto said first surface of the three-dimensional object by identifying a video capture as a texture map and registering a size of the video capture to a power of 2 requirement of a video graphics engine;

displaying on said first surface of said three-dimensional object, a first live video that corresponds to the selected first information thumbnail;

displaying on said second surface, additional textual information about said first live video on said first surface.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said step of displaying a three-dimensional object is further comprised of:

displaying a three-dimensional object appearing to have first, second and third surfaces; and

displaying on said third surface, additional textual information that is related to said first live video on said first surface.

6. A video graphics engine comprising:

a processor;

memory, operably coupled to said processor and storing program instructions, which when the program instructions are executed, they cause the processor to;

provide a three-dimensional object in a display area of a display device that is coupled to said video graphics engine, said three-dimensional object appearing to have at least first and second surfaces;

map video onto a first surface of the three-dimensional object by identifying a video capture as a texture map and registering a size of the video capture to a power of 2 requirement of a video graphics engine;

provide a first video signal to said display device;

display on said first surface of said three-dimensional object, video produced from said first video signal;

display on said second surface, textual information that is related to said video on said first surface.

7. The video graphics engine of claim 6 wherein said memory stores additional program instructions, which when executed cause the processor to:

provide a three-dimensional object appearing to have first, second and third surfaces; and

display on said third surface, textual information that is related to said video on said first surface.

8. A video graphics engine comprising:

a processor;

memory, operably coupled to said processor and storing program instructions, which when the program instructions are executed, they cause the processor to;

provide a signal to a display device that creates a plurality of user-selectable information thumbnails on said display device, each of said user-selectable information thumbnails corresponding to a video signal that can be displayed on said display device, each of said user-selectable information thumbnails providing textual information about said corresponding video signal;

detect a selection of a first information thumbnail;

in response to said selection, displaying on said display device, a three-dimensional object having at least first and second surfaces;

map video onto a first surface of the three-dimensional object by identifying a video capture as a texture map and registering a size of the video capture to a power of 2 requirement of a video graphics engine;

displaying on said first surface of said three-dimensional object, a first video that corresponds to the selected first information thumbnail;

displaying on said second surface, textual information about said first video on said first surface.

9. The video graphics engine of claim 8 wherein said memory stores additional program instructions, which when executed cause the processor to:

display a three-dimensional object appearing to have first, second and third surfaces; and

display on said third surface, additional textual information that is related to said first video on said first surface.