Intuitive tools for manipulating objects in a display

• US 7,302,650 B1
• Filed: 10/31/2003
• Issued: 11/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Nelson, Mark Thomas, Allyn, Barry Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid; Kristine
• Assistant Examiner(s): BELOUSOV, ANDREY
• Application Number:
  US10/699,401
• Time in Patent Office: 1,488 Days
• Field of Search: 715/860, 715/862, 715/696, 715/859
• US Class Current: 715/859
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04806 Zoom, i.e. interaction techniques or interactors for controlling the zooming operation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04812 Interaction techniques based on cursor appearance or behaviour, e.g. being affected by the presence of displayed objects
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour

Abstract

A method and system for providing a user with user-friendly handles for manipulating graphics and other displayed objects using a pointer. An initial toolset of handles can evolve into a toolset with enhanced functionality. Selecting an object can invoke a first toolset. Pausing the pointer over an object for a preset length of time can invoke a second toolset with additional functionality. Continuing to maintain the pointer'"'"'s stationary position over the object can invoke a third toolset. A rotation tool handle can rotate an object about an axis of rotation in response to pointer-based input. Moving a pointer over a rotation tool handles can invoke an axis-of-rotation tool for repositioning the axis of rotation using the pointer.

Claims

1. A computer method for providing tools for manipulating an object on a display device using a pointer comprising:

displaying an object on a display device;

determining if the object has been selected;

displaying a first toolset if the object has been selected, the first toolset providing a first set of handles for manipulating the object;

determining if the pointer is stationary over the object;

if the pointer is stationary over the object for a threshold length of time, displaying a second toolset, the second toolset providing a second set of handles for manipulating the object differently from the manipulation of the first set of handles while maintaining accessibility of the first toolset, wherein maintaining accessibility of the first toolset comprises repositioning the first toolset to provide space on the display device for the second toolset;

when a first handle of the first toolset is selected, performing a manipulation on the object in accord with the first handle; and

when a second handle of the second toolset is selected, performing a manipulation on the object in accord with the second handle;

wherein the threshold length of time is a first threshold length of time and wherein the method further comprises the step of if the pointer is stationary over the object for a second threshold length of time, displaying a third toolset, the third toolset providing a third set of handles for manipulating the object differently from the manipulation of the first set of handles and from the manipulation of the second set of handles.

2. The computer method of claim 1, further comprising the step of if the third toolset is displayed, maintaining accessibility of the first toolset and the second toolset.

3. The computer method of claim 1, wherein the first set of handles are operative to resize the object.

4. The computer method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

displaying a rotation tool operative to rotate the object about an axis of rotation; and

if the pointer is over the rotation tool, displaying an axis-of-rotation tool, operative to adjust the axis of rotation.

5. A computer-readable medium having computer executable instructions for performing steps comprising:

displaying a graphic on a display;

displaying a pointer on the display;

identifying a position of the graphic on the display;

identifying a position of the pointer on the display;

displaying a first toolset, the first toolset providing a first set of handles operative to perform a first type of operation on the graphic;

if the pointer is positioned over the graphic for a threshold length of time, displaying a second toolset, the second toolset providing a second set of handles operative to perform a second type of operation on the graphic while maintaining accessibility of the first toolset, wherein maintaining accessibility of the first toolset comprises repositioning the first toolset to provide space on the display device for the second toolset;

when a user interacts the pointer with a first handle of the first toolset, performing the first type of operation on the graphic; and

when the user interacts the pointer with a second handle of the second toolset, performing the second type of operation on the graphic;

wherein the threshold length of time is a first threshold length of time and wherein the method further comprises the step of if the pointer is stationary over the object for a second threshold length of time, displaying a third toolset, the third toolset providing a third set of handles for manipulating the object differently from the manipulation of the first set of handles and from the manipulation of the second set of handles.

6. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein the step of displaying a first toolset further comprises:

determining if the graphic changes from an unselected state to a selected state and if the graphic is in the selected state, displaying a first toolset.

7. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein the first type of operation comprises manipulating the graphic and wherein the second type of operation comprises adjusting a manipulation parameter of the graphic.

8. The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the first type of operation comprises rotating the graphic about an axis of rotation and wherein the second type of operation comprises adjusting the axis of rotation.

9. A system for providing tools for manipulating an object using a pointer comprising:

a component that displays the object and a first toolset, the first toolset providing a first set of handles for manipulating the object;

a component that, when the pointer is stationary over the object for a threshold length of time, displays a second toolset, the second toolset providing a second set of handles for manipulating the object differently from the manipulation of the first set of handles, wherein the accessibility of the first toolset is maintained while the second toolset is displayed and wherein maintaining accessibility of the first toolset comprises repositioning the first toolset to provide space for the second toolset;

a component that, when a user interacts the pointer with a first handle of the first toolset, performs a manipulation on the object in accord with the first handle; and

a component that, when the user interacts the pointer with a second handle of the second toolset, performs a manipulation on the object in accord with the second handle;

wherein the threshold length of time is a first threshold length of time and wherein the system further comprises a component that, when the pointer is stationary over the object for a second threshold length of time, displays a third toolset, the third toolset providing a third set of handles for manipulating the object differently from the manipulation of the first set of handles and from the manipulation of the second set of handles, wherein the accessibility of the first toolset and the second toolset is maintained while the third toolset is displayed.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a component that displays a rotation tool operative to rotate the object about an axis of rotation and that, when the pointer is over the rotation tool, displays an axis-of-rotation tool, operative to adjust the axis of rotation.