Accessing 2D graphic content using axonometric layer views

• US 20070126732A1
• Filed: 12/05/2005
• Published: 06/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Baudisch, Patrick, Czerwinski, Mary, Robbins, Daniel, Robertson, George, Ramos, Gonzalo, Tan, Desney, Agrawala, Maneesh, Hinckley, Kenneth
• Granted Patent: US 7,663,620 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/419
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/60 Editing figures and text; Combining figures or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/503 Blending, e.g. for anti-aliasing

Abstract

Providing axonometric views of layers containing objects while preserving the visual attributes of the objects is disclosed. A group of objects, e.g., overlapping objects, is determined. Layer dimensions are calculated such that each object in the group is encompassed by a layer. Objects are placed in the layers and the layers are displayed in axonometric views. Visual cues to indicate selected layers are provided. Controls to adjust the depth of the layers and to enable moving objects in the selected layer are also provided.

Claims

1. A method of providing a layered view of a group of objects while preserving visual attributes of the objects, the method comprising:

(a) determining the objects to be included in a group of objects;

(b) calculating of layers dimensions that encompass the objects in the group;

(c) placing the objects in layers; and

(d) displaying the layers in a spaced apart layered view.

2. The method of claim 1 including at least one of (i) providing a control to adjust the space between the layers;

and (ii) providing a control to adjust the depth of a selected layer.

3. The method of claim 1 including providing a visual cue to indicate a selected layer.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein visual attributes comprise at least one of shape, color, size, and position.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the objects to be included in a group of objects comprises determining the objects that overlap a selected object.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating the dimensions of layers that encompass the objects in the group comprises determining the union of the bounding rectangles of the objects in the group.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the layered view is a plurality of axonometric views.

8. The method of claim 1, also comprising providing controls on the layers to set the visibility of the layers.

9. The method of claim 1, also comprising enabling an object in a selected layer to be repositioned within the layer.

10. The method of claim 1, also comprising changing the dimensions of the layers as objects in the layers are repositioned.

11. A computer-readable medium, including computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause a computing device to provide axonometric views of layers containing objects while preserving the visual attributes of the objects by:

(a) determining the objects to be included in an object group;

(b) determining the dimensions of layers that encompass the objects;

(c) placing objects in the layers;

(d) providing a control for adjusting the space between the layers;

(e) providing a control for adjusting the depth of a selected layer; and

(f) displaying the objects and the layers including the objects in an axonometric manner.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the visual attributes are chosen from the group comprising shape, color, size, and position.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein determining the objects to be included in an object group comprises (i) determining a selected object based on user input;

and (ii) determining objects that overlap the selected object.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein determining the dimensions of the layers that encompass the objects comprises determining the union of the bounding rectangles of the objects.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 11 including providing a visual cue that indicates the selected layer.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the control for adjusting the space between the layers is a dragging action that occurs after a view has been selected.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the control for adjusting the depth of the selected layers is clicking and dragging the layers.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, also comprising providing controls that control the visibility of the layers.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, also comprising enabling an object in a selected layer to be repositioned within the layer.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, also comprising changing the dimensions of the layers as objects in the layers are repositioned.