Dynamic graphic user interface

• US 7,818,687 B2
• Filed: 01/19/2005
• Issued: 10/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: RealNetworks, Inc.
• Inventors: Brouaux, Alexandre Marc Jacques
• Primary Examiner(s): Chow; Dennis-Doon
• Assistant Examiner(s): Parker; Brandon
• Application Number:
  US11/039,070
• Publication Number:
  US 20050270307A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,099 Days
• Field of Search: 715/835, 715/837, 715/768, 345/630, 345/639
• US Class Current: 715/837
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance

Abstract

A Graphical User Interface or “GUI” for use with a computer operating systems that operates dynamically according to the user'"'"'s preferences. Each element of the GUI is surrounded by a dynamic edge which allows the user to combine two or more elements together to create a visually coherent unit in real time. Users can merge or fuse together two or more edges together thus creating a combined group that has aspects and qualities from the constituent elements. Particular colors and color combinations can be created by the user along with user selected shapes and sizes of individual elements selected from a library of element shapes and sizes. The grouped elements can then be separated back to the individual elements for use in different applications or other groupings as later desired by the user.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

for each of a plurality of dynamic elements in a graphical user interface of an application program in a computer system;

associating the current dynamic element with at least one command;

obtaining a core picture and a previously-defined core mask associated with the current movable dynamic element; and

computing a dynamic edge of a dynamic edge region according to said previously-defined core mask, said dynamic edge region comprising an array of height values, wherein said height values tend towards zero away from said previously-defined core mask;

determining in a computer system that at least a first dynamic element and a second dynamic element are in close proximity;

fusing in a said computer system at least said first dynamic element and said second dynamic element into a fused group as follows;

rendering a first core picture corresponding to said first dynamic element proximate to a second core picture corresponding to said second dynamic element;

adding a first array of height values corresponding to said first dynamic element and a second array of height values corresponding to said second dynamic element;

determining a combined continuous dynamic edge by determining which zero height array values of said added first array of height values corresponding to said first dynamic element and a second array of height values are adjacent to non-zero height array values;

rendering a single continuous dynamic edge region adjacent to and surrounding said first and second core pictures, said single continuous dynamic edge region being bounded by said combined continuous dynamic edge; and

rendering said combined continuous dynamic edge.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining that a third core picture corresponding to a third dynamic control element overlaps at least one of said first core picture and said second core picture.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

rendering said third core picture superimposed over said at least one of said first core picture and said second core picture; and

rendering a third dynamic edge corresponding to said third dynamic control element as a static edge surrounding said third core picture and superimposed over a portion of said combined continuous dynamic edge.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether the first core picture overlaps said second core picture

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said fusing step occurs only if said core pictures do not overlap.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

each of said dynamic elements comprises a color, and

said fusing at least two of said dynamic elements further comprises calculating a melded color in accordance with said combined height values.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said melded color ranges between the color of one of said two or more dynamic elements and the color of another of said two or more dynamic elements.