Accessing 2D graphic content using axonometric layer views

• US 7,663,620 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2005
• Issued: 02/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Tan, Desney S, Hinckley, Kenneth P, Agrawala, Maneesh, Ramos, Gonzalo A, Baudisch, Patrick Markus, Czerwinski, Mary P, Robertson, George G, Robbins, Daniel C
• Primary Examiner(s): Chauhan; Ulka
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hajnik; Daniel F
• Application Number:
  US11/294,118
• Publication Number:
  US 20070126732A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,534 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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 the visual attributes of the objects, the method comprising the following steps executed by a least a processor:

a. analyzing a 2D image depicting a plurality of overlapping objects in a single layer for determining which objects are to be included in a group of objects, the determination being based at least on which objects overlap a selected object in the 2D image;

b. calculating dimensions of layers that encompass the objects in the group by determining the union of the bounding rectangles of the objects in the group, wherein each layer has substantially a same width and height;

c. placing the objects in the layers;

d. displaying the layers in a spaced apart layered view such that an axonometric view of the 2D image is generated, the axonometric view provides access to overlapped area of the selected object at an original position of the selected object within the 2D image, wherein the spaced a part layered view is a plurality of axonometric views;

e. for each displayed layer providing;

i. a visual cue to indicate when a cursor is placed within the displayed layer and the position of the cursor within the displayed layer, wherein the visual cue indicating when a cursor is placed within the displayed layer comprises shaking the displayed layer;

ii. a visibility icon, which, when activated, renders the displayed layer transparent and the object in the layer hidden; and

iii. a border surrounding each displayed layer; and

f. for each object in each layer, providing controls for adjusting an X position and a Y position of the object within the layer;

g. providing a control to adjust a space between the layers; and

h. providing a control to adjust a depth of a selected layer, wherein a Z position of a selected layer is exchanged with a Z position of another layer when a user selects the selected layer.

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

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

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

5. 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 from a 2D image comprising a plurality of objects wherein at least an object overlaps a selected object, the objects to be included in an object group by (i) determining the selected object lined on user input; and

(ii) determining only objects that overlap the selected object;

b. determining dimensions of layers that encompass the objects by determining a union of the bounding rectangles of the objects, wherein each layer has substantially a same width and height;

c. placing objects in the layers;

d. providing a control for adjusting the space between the layers;

e. providing a control for adjusting a depth of a selected layer, wherein a Z position of a selected layer is exchanged with a Z position of another layer when a user selects the selected layer;

f. displaying the objects and the layers including the objects in an axonometric manner such that access is provided to the overlapped selected object while maintaining the overlapped selected object in position as depicted in the 2D image;

g. for each displayed layer, providing;

(i) a visual cue to indicate when a cursor is placed within the displayed layer and the position of the cursor within the displayed layer, wherein the visual cue indicating when a cursor is placed within the displayed layer comprises shaking the displayed layer, and

(ii) a visibility icon, which, when activated, renders the displayed layer transparent and the object in the layer hidden; and

(iii) a border surrounding each displayed layer; and

h. for each object in each layer, providing controls for adjusting an X position and a Y position of the object within the layer.

6. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein the visual attributes are chosen from the group comprising shape, color, size, and position.

7. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, including providing a visual cue that indicates the selected layer.

8. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein the control for adjusting the space between the layers is a dragging action that occurs after a view has been selected.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein the control for adjusting the depth of the selected layers is clicking and dragging the layers.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, also comprising providing controls that control the visibility of the layers.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, also comprising enabling an object in a selected layer to be repositioned within the layer.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, also comprising changing the dimensions of the layers as objects in the layers are repositioned.

13. A system for generating axonometric views, comprising at least a processor executing the following components:

an input component that receives a 2D image comprising a plurality of objects comprised within a single layer;

an analysis component that determines from the 2D image the objects to be included in an object group by determining at least one object in the 2D image that overlaps a selected object;

a display component that facilitates placing objects included in the object group in respective layers such that each displayed layer comprises a visual cue to indicate when a cursor is placed within the displayed layer and the position of the cursor within the displayed layer, wherein the visual cue to indicate when a cursor is placed within the displayed layer comprises shaking the displayed layer, a visibility icon, which, when activated, renders the displayed layer transparent and the object in the layer hidden and the layers including the objects are displayed in an axonometric manner such that access is provided to the overlapped selected object while maintaining the overlapped selected object in position as depicted in the 2D image; and

the display component further provides;

a plurality of position controls for adjusting an X position and a Y position of the objects within the layers such that the position controls provide in-place access to occluded area of the selected object included in a layer;

a control for adjusting the space between the layers, a control for adjusting the depth of a selected layer, wherein a Z position of a selected layer is exchanged with a Z position of another layer when a user selects the selected layer, wherein dimensions of layers that encompass the objects are determined by union of the bounding rectangles of the objects.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the controls for adjusting the X and Y positions of the object within the layer are of a shape similar to the object in the layer.