User interface system and method for selectively displaying a portion of a display screen

• US 20070268317A1
• Filed: 05/18/2006
• Published: 11/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Vulcan Portals Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Vulcan Portals Incorporated
• Inventors: Banay, Dan
• Application Number:
  US11/437,853
• Publication Number:
  US 20070268317A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/660
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04805 Virtual magnifying lens, i.e. window or frame movable on top of displayed information to enlarge it for better reading or selection
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04806 Zoom, i.e. interaction techniques or interactors for controlling the zooming operation
• 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: G09G 2340/0407 Resolution change, inclusive of the use of different resolutions for different screen areas
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 Display of multiple viewports

Abstract

A computer system or computing device includes a display for displaying the visual output of any number of software applications. A computer-implemented method of selectively displaying a magnified rendering of a portion of the display screen is executed on the computer system or computing device. The method allows the user to select a portion of the display screen for magnification and then displays a magnified rendering of that portion of the display screen. The magnified rendering retains the functional and interactive aspects of the underlying, non-magnified source content. The method also provides a configurable means of controlling the amount of magnification in the magnified rendering. The method permits using the magnified rendering to pan around within the underlying, non-magnified source content.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for selectively magnifying a portion of a display screen in response to a magnification signal, the method comprising:

determining a display context;

determining a position on the display screen for a magnified image of the display context wherein the position is related to a selected location on the display screen;

determining a size and a magnification factor for the magnified image; and

displaying the magnified image with the determined position, the determined size and the determined magnification factor wherein the magnified image has the functional properties of the display context.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

while displaying the magnified image, detecting a first signal;

in response to detecting the first signal, increasing the magnification factor for the magnified image and re-displaying the magnified image with the determined size, the determined position and the increased magnification factor.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

while displaying the magnified image, detecting a second signal;

in response to detecting the second signal, decreasing the magnification factor for the magnified image and re-displaying the magnified image with the determined size, the determined position and the decreased magnification factor.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

while displaying the magnified image, detecting a third signal;

in response to detecting the third signal, terminating display of the magnified image.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising:

while displaying the magnified image, detecting a change in state of the display to provide a new display state;

in response to detecting a change in the state of the display, re-determining the size, position and magnification factor for the magnified image in accordance with the new display state and re-displaying the magnified image.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of determining a display context comprises:

using a pointing device to place a cursor over a portion of the display screen showing the determined display context.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of determining a position on the display screen for a magnified image of the display context comprises:

determining a location of the display context on the display screen; and

using the position of the display context as the selected location on the display screen.

8. A system configured to selectively magnify a portion of a display screen in response to a magnification signal, the system comprising:

a processing component;

a display screen coupled to the processing component;

a data storage component coupled to the processing component and storing a magnification program executed by the processing component and configured to;

determine a display context;

determine a position on the display screen for a magnified image of the display context wherein the position is related to a pointer location on the display screen;

determine a size and a magnification factor for the magnified image;

display the magnified image with the determined position, the determined size and the determined magnification factor wherein the magnified image has the functional properties of the display context.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the magnification program executed by the processing component is further configured to:

while displaying the magnified image, detect a first signal;

in response to detecting the first signal, increase the magnification factor for the magnified image and re-display the magnified image with the determined size, the determined position and the increased magnification factor.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the magnification program executed by the processing component is further configured to:

while displaying the magnified image, detect a second signal;

in response to detecting the second signal, decrease the magnification factor for the magnified image and re-display the magnified image with the determined size, the determined position and the decreased magnification factor.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the magnification program executed by the processing component is further configured to:

while displaying the magnified image, detect a third signal;

in response to detecting the third signal, terminate display of the magnified image.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the magnification program executed by the processing component is further configured to:

while displaying the magnified image, detect a change in state of the display to provide a new display state;

in response to detecting a change in the state of the display, re-determine the size, position and magnification factor of the magnified image in accordance with the new display state and re-displaying the magnified image.

13. The system of claim 8, further comprising a pointing device, and wherein the magnification program executed by the processing component is configured to determine the display context by using the pointing device to place a cursor over a portion of the display screen showing the determined display context.

14. The system of claim 8 wherein the magnification program executed by the processing component is configured to determine a position on the display screen for a magnified image of the display by:

determining a location of the display context on the display screen; and

using the position of the display context as the selected location on the display screen.

15. A computer-readable medium whose contents cause a computer system to selectively magnify a portion of a display screen in response to a magnification signal by performing the steps of:

determining a display context;

determining a position on the display screen for a magnified image;

determining a size and a magnification factor for the magnified image;

displaying the magnified image with the determined position, the determined size and the determined magnification factor wherein the magnified image has the functional properties of the display context.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15 wherein the contents of the computer-readable medium further causes a computer system to:

while displaying the magnified image, detect a first signal; and

in response to detecting the first signal, increase the magnification factor for the magnified image and re-display the magnified image with the determined size, the determined position and the increased magnification factor.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 16 wherein the contents of the computer-readable medium further causes a computer system to:

while displaying the magnified image, detect a second signal; and

in response to detecting the second signal, decrease the magnification factor for the magnified image and re-display the magnified image with the determined size, the determined position and the decreased magnification factor.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17 wherein the contents of the computer-readable medium further causes a computer system to:

while displaying the magnified image, detect a third signal; and

in response to detecting the third signal, terminate display of the magnified image.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 18 wherein the contents of the computer-readable medium further causes a computer system to:

while displaying the magnified image, detect a change in state of the display to provide a new display state; and

in response to detecting a change in the state of the display, re-determine the size, position and magnification factor for the magnified image in accordance with the new display state and re-display the magnified image.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 15 wherein the contents of the computer-readable medium further causes a computer system to use a pointing device to place a cursor over a portion of the display screen showing the determined display context.

21. The computer-readable medium of claim 15 wherein the contents of the computer-readable medium further causes a computer system to determine a position on the display screen for a magnified image of the display context by:

determining a location of the display context on the display screen; and

using the position of the display context as the selected location on the display screen.