Slider control movable in a two-dimensional region for simultaneously adjusting values of multiple variables
First Claim
1. A computer memory medium tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital processing apparatus of a computer system to perform operations for displaying and controlling an interactive graphical user interface, the operations comprising:
- displaying a graph having two axes corresponding to first and second variables in the interactive graphical user interface, wherein a two-dimensional region between the two axes specifies values the first and second variables may assume, wherein a combination of values that the two variables assume determines a value of a third variable, wherein the combination of values that the first and second variables assume further determines a value of a fourth variable, wherein predetermined combinations of values exist for the first and second variables, wherein the predetermined combinations of values for the first and second variables correspond to discrete points within the two-dimensional region between the two axes;
displaying a slider control in the two-dimensional region;
prior to receiving a command moving the slider control, displaying the predetermined combinations of values for the first and second variables in the two-dimensional region between the two axes;
receiving a command moving the slider control within the two-dimensional region to a new position, wherein the movement of the slider control to a new position determines a new combination of values for the first and second variables, wherein the two-dimensional region between the two axes comprises a first two-dimensional region and wherein the predetermined combinations of values for the first and second variables define a second two-dimensional region within the first two-dimensional region;
as commands are received moving the slider control within the first two-dimensional region, restricting the movement of the slider control to within the second two-dimensional region associated with the predetermined combinations of values for the first and second variables;
as commands are received moving the slider control within the first two-dimensional region, serially snapping a selection box to discrete points within the two-dimensional region associated with the predetermined combinations of values for the first and second variables, wherein the snapping is determined based on a trajectory defined by movement of the slider control, and wherein the selection box indicates that a particular combination from the predetermined combinations of values for the first and second variables has been selected;
calculating new values for the third and fourth variables based on the new combination of values for the first and second variables;
displaying graphical components representing the new values for the third and fourth variables in the interactive graphical user interface;
receiving a command to change to a new mode of control, wherein when in the new mode of control a user may select a value for the third variable, and operations restrict movement of the slider control to movement within a third two-dimensional region within the first two-dimensional region, wherein the third two-dimensional region corresponds to combinations of values of the first and second variables capable of achieving the value selected for the third variable;
receiving a selected value for the third variable;
determining combinations of values of the first and second variables capable of achieving the value for the third value; and
graphically depicting the combinations of values capable of achieving the selected value for the third variable in the two-dimensional region between the two axes.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention concerns methods and apparatus for generating and controlling a slider control for simultaneously changing values of two variables. In the methods and apparatus of the invention a graph having two axes is displayed, wherein the axes correspond to first and second variables. The values of the first and second variables may be simultaneously adjusted using a slider control displayed in a two-dimensional region between the axes. As a user adjusts the slider control and changes values associated with the two variables, the methods of the present invention calculate the effects of the adjustment on a value of a third variable. A graphical component is then used to depict the updated value of the third variable. Additionally, curves corresponding to constant values, or ranges of values, of the third variable are displayed in the two-dimensional region to assist a user in selecting values for the first and second variables.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A computer memory medium tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital processing apparatus of a computer system to perform operations for displaying and controlling an interactive graphical user interface, the operations comprising:
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displaying a graph having two axes corresponding to first and second variables in the interactive graphical user interface, wherein a two-dimensional region between the two axes specifies values the first and second variables may assume, wherein a combination of values that the two variables assume determines a value of a third variable, wherein the combination of values that the first and second variables assume further determines a value of a fourth variable, wherein predetermined combinations of values exist for the first and second variables, wherein the predetermined combinations of values for the first and second variables correspond to discrete points within the two-dimensional region between the two axes; displaying a slider control in the two-dimensional region; prior to receiving a command moving the slider control, displaying the predetermined combinations of values for the first and second variables in the two-dimensional region between the two axes; receiving a command moving the slider control within the two-dimensional region to a new position, wherein the movement of the slider control to a new position determines a new combination of values for the first and second variables, wherein the two-dimensional region between the two axes comprises a first two-dimensional region and wherein the predetermined combinations of values for the first and second variables define a second two-dimensional region within the first two-dimensional region; as commands are received moving the slider control within the first two-dimensional region, restricting the movement of the slider control to within the second two-dimensional region associated with the predetermined combinations of values for the first and second variables; as commands are received moving the slider control within the first two-dimensional region, serially snapping a selection box to discrete points within the two-dimensional region associated with the predetermined combinations of values for the first and second variables, wherein the snapping is determined based on a trajectory defined by movement of the slider control, and wherein the selection box indicates that a particular combination from the predetermined combinations of values for the first and second variables has been selected; calculating new values for the third and fourth variables based on the new combination of values for the first and second variables; displaying graphical components representing the new values for the third and fourth variables in the interactive graphical user interface; receiving a command to change to a new mode of control, wherein when in the new mode of control a user may select a value for the third variable, and operations restrict movement of the slider control to movement within a third two-dimensional region within the first two-dimensional region, wherein the third two-dimensional region corresponds to combinations of values of the first and second variables capable of achieving the value selected for the third variable; receiving a selected value for the third variable; determining combinations of values of the first and second variables capable of achieving the value for the third value; and graphically depicting the combinations of values capable of achieving the selected value for the third variable in the two-dimensional region between the two axes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for displaying and controlling an interactive graphical user interface, the method comprising:
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displaying a graph having two axes corresponding to first and second variables in the interactive graphical user interface, wherein a two-dimensional region between the two axes specifies values the first and second variables may assume, wherein a combination of values that the first and second variables assume determines a value of a third variable, wherein the graph comprises a graphical control, and wherein the graphical control and interactive graphical user interface are used to select operating parameters for a computer-related process; displaying a discrete number of pre-determined combinations of values for the first and second variables in the two-dimensional region; displaying a slider control in the two-dimensional region; receiving a command moving the slider control toward a position of a particular one of the pre-determined combinations of values for the first and second variables in the two-dimensional region; determining that a trajectory of the slider control is toward the particular one of the pre-determined combinations of values for the first and second variables displayed in the two-dimensional region; snapping a graphical indicator to the position of the particular one of the pre-determined combinations of values for the first and second variables in the two-dimensional region indicating that the particular one of the pre-determined combinations of values for the first and second variables has been selected; determining a new value for the third variable based on the new combination of values for the first and second variables associated with the particular one of the pre-determined combinations of values for the first and second variable; displaying a graphical component representing the new value of the third variable in the interactive graphical user interface; and displaying in the two-dimensional region a plurality of curves, wherein each of the curves corresponds to a different value of the third variable. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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Specification