Method of utilizing a 2-dimensional display screen as a 3-dimensional multi-way rocker for pivoting an image displayed thereon and for revealing a hidden panel in relation to the image displayed thereon

• US 7,554,564 B1
• Filed: 07/30/2008
• Issued: 06/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Donoho, Andrew Ward
• Primary Examiner(s): Brier; Jeffery A
• Application Number:
  US12/182,695
• Time in Patent Office: 335 Days
• Field of Search: 345/650, 345/901
• US Class Current: 345/650
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1614 Image rotation following screen orientation, e.g. switching from landscape to portrait mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/901 Electronic book with display

Abstract

Utilizing a 2-dimensional display screen as a 3-dimensional multi-way rocker for pivoting an image displayed on the display screen in a 3-dimensional manner. The display screen may include a plurality of predefined and adjustable edge portions, such that each edge portion is designated as a respective rocker edge portion. Further, each respective rocker edge portion can be designated as at least one of a pivot portion and a panel portion. If a rocker edge portion that is a panel portion is utilized, then a hidden panel, including, for example information and/or options related to the image displayed on the display screen, will appear. In addition, if a rocker edge portion that is a pivot portion is utilized, then the image displayed on the display screen will be pivoted around an invisible axis causing a portion of the image (which was once not visible) to appear.

Claims

1. A method of utilizing a 2-dimensional display screen as a 3-dimensional multi-way rocker for pivoting an image displayed on the display screen in a 3-dimensional manner, the display screen having a plurality of predefined and adjustable edge portions, each edge portion being designated as a respective rocker edge portion, and each respective rocker edge portion being designated as one of a pivot portion and a panel portion, the method of utilizing the 2-dimensional display screen as the 3-dimensional multi-way rocker comprising:

exploiting a first rocker edge portion of the display screen;

revealing a hidden panel that includes only hidden options related to the image displayed on the display screen in response to said exploiting of the first rocker edge portion, said revealing only occurring when the first rocker edge portion is designated as a panel portion; and

pivoting the image displayed on the display screen in response to said exploiting of the first rocker edge portion, such that the displayed image is pivoted in a 3-dimensional manner based on a location of the first rocker edge portion with respect to the display screen, said pivoting occurring only when the first rocker edge portion is designated as a pivot portion,

wherein, when said pivoting of the image displayed on the display screen occurs, the displayed image is pivoted such that (i) a new portion of the displayed image or a new portion associated with the displayed image appears, (ii) the new portion of the displayed image or associated with the displayed image appears in a manner that provides an appearance that the new portion pivots from a third dimension and into a 2-dimensional plane formed by the display screen, and (iii) a previously visible portion of the image pivots in relation to the appearance of the new portion of the displayed image or associated with the displayed image, and

wherein, when the image displayed on the display screen is pivoted, an axis, around which the image displayed on the display screen rotates, extends in a direction relative to the location of the first rocker edge portion such that the new portion of the displayed image or associated with the displayed image is closer to the first rocker edge portion than the previously visible portion of the image.