Method and apparatus for indicating a usage context of a computational resource through visual effects
First Claim
1. A method for using visual effects within a three-dimensional (3D) display environment to indicate a usage context of a computational resource, wherein the computational resource is represented by a 3D object in the 3D display environment, the method comprising:
- determining the usage context of the computational resource;
determining visual effects corresponding to the usage context to be applied to the 3D object which represents the computational resource; and
applying the visual effects to the 3D object so that the usage context of the corresponding computational resource can be determined by viewing the 3D object within the 3D display environment, and wherein the visual effects for the 3D object change over time, thereby indicating aging of the associated computational resource.
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Accused Products
Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates using visual effects within a three-dimensional (3D) display environment to indicate a usage context of a computational resource, which is represented by a 3D object in the 3D display environment. During operation, the system determines the usage context of the computational resource. Next, the system determines visual effects corresponding to the usage context to apply to the 3D object which represents the computational resource. Finally, the system applies the visual effects to the 3D object. In this way, the usage context of the corresponding computational resource can be determined by viewing the 3D object within the 3D display environment.
110 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method for using visual effects within a three-dimensional (3D) display environment to indicate a usage context of a computational resource, wherein the computational resource is represented by a 3D object in the 3D display environment, the method comprising:
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determining the usage context of the computational resource; determining visual effects corresponding to the usage context to be applied to the 3D object which represents the computational resource; and applying the visual effects to the 3D object so that the usage context of the corresponding computational resource can be determined by viewing the 3D object within the 3D display environment, and wherein the visual effects for the 3D object change over time, thereby indicating aging of the associated computational resource. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for using visual effects within a three-dimensional (3D) display environment to indicate a usage context of a computational resource, wherein the computational resource is represented by a 3D object in the 3D display environment, the method comprising:
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determining the usage context of the computational resource; determining visual effects corresponding to the usage context to be applied to the 3D object which represents the computational resource; and applying the visual effects to the 3D object so that the usage context of the corresponding computational resource can be determined by viewing the 3D object within the 3D display environment, and wherein the visual effects for the 3D object change over time, thereby indicating aging of the associated computational resource. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An apparatus for using visual effects within a three-dimensional (3D) display environment to indicate a usage context of a computational resource, wherein the computational resource is represented by a 3D object in the 3D display environment, the method comprising:
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a usage mechanism configured to determine the usage context of the computational resource; a determination mechanism configured to determine visual effects corresponding to the usage context to be applied to the 3D object which represents the computational resource; and a visual effects mechanism configured to apply the visual effects to the 3D object so that the usage context of the corresponding computational resource can be determined by viewing the 3D object within the 3D display environment, and wherein the visual effects for the 3D object change over time, thereby indicating aging of the associated computational resource. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification