Using a three-dimensional model to render a cursor

• US 9,372,593 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2011
• Issued: 06/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: King, Nicholas V., Kerr, Duncan Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Xiao
• Assistant Examiner(s): Elbinger, Steven
• Application Number:
  US13/306,831
• Publication Number:
  US 20130135288A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,666 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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: G06F 3/04812 Interaction techniques based on cursor appearance or behaviour, e.g. being affected by the presence of displayed objects
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04815 Interaction with a metaphor-based environment or interaction object displayed as three-dimensional, e.g. changing the user viewpoint with respect to the environment or object
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 13/80 2D [Two Dimensional] animation, e.g. using sprites
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/00 Manipulating 3D models or images for computer graphics
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/20 Editing of 3D images, e.g. changing shapes or colours, aligning objects or positioning parts
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2219/2016 Rotation, translation, scaling

Abstract

In some implementations, a cursor can be rendered based on a three-dimensional model. In some implementations, the three-dimensional cursor can be manipulated to change the orientation of the three-dimensional cursor based on the context of the cursor. In some implementations, parameters associated with the three-dimensional model can be manipulated based on the context of the three-dimensional cursor to change the appearance of the cursor.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

concurrently displaying, on a display;

a first cursor that is represented by a three-dimensional model that includes a first face and a second face, wherein the first face occupies a larger area on the display than an area occupied by the second face on the display;

a first user interface object associated with a first cursor context; and

a second user interface object associated with a second cursor context;

while the first cursor, the first user interface object, and the second user interface object are concurrently displayed, receiving input moving the first cursor from the first user interface object to the second user interface object; and

in response to the input, transitioning the first cursor to a second cursor in accordance with the second cursor context associated with the second user interface object;

wherein the transitioning includes;

rotating the first cursor such that, after the rotation of the first cursor, the second face occupies a larger area on the display than an area occupied by the first face on the display; and

while maintaining display of the second face after the rotation of the first cursor, morphing the first cursor into the second cursor, the morphing including an extrusion, wherein the second cursor includes the second face of the first cursor.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the first cursor includes generating a shadow for the first cursor.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting when the first cursor and the second user interface object are substantially co-located;

determining a type associated with the second user interface object; and

manipulating the first cursor based on the type.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein manipulating the first cursor includes rotating the first cursor.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein manipulating the first cursor includes scaling the first cursor.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein manipulating the first cursor includes morphing the first cursor into another shape.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the first cursor includes rendering the three-dimensional model in real-time.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes:

concurrently displaying, on a display;

a first cursor that is represented by a three-dimensional model that includes a first face and a second face, wherein the first face occupies a larger area on the display than an area occupied by the second face on the display;

a first user interface object associated with a first cursor context; and

a second user interface object associated with a second cursor context;

while the first cursor, the first user interface object, and the second user interface object are concurrently displayed, receiving input moving the first cursor from the first user interface object to the second user interface object; and

in response to the input, transitioning the first cursor to a second cursor in accordance with the second cursor context associated with the second user interface object;

wherein the transitioning includes;

rotating the first cursor such that, after the rotation of the first cursor, the second face occupies a larger area on the display than an area occupied by the first face on the display; and

while maintaining display of the second face after the rotation of the first cursor, morphing the first cursor into the second cursor, the morphing including an extrustion, wherein the second cursor includes the second face of the first cursor.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the instructions that cause displaying the first cursor include instructions that cause generating a shadow for the first cursor.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the instructions cause:

detecting when the first cursor and the second user interface object are substantially co-located;

determining a type associated with the second user interface object; and

manipulating the first cursor based on the type.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the instructions that cause manipulating the first cursor include instructions that cause rotating the first cursor.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the instructions that cause manipulating the first cursor include instructions that cause scaling the first cursor.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the instructions that cause manipulating the first cursor include instructions that cause morphing the first cursor into another shape.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the instructions that cause displaying the first cursor include instructions that cause rendering the three-dimensional model in real-time.

15. A system comprising:

one or more processors; and

a computer-readable medium including one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, causes;

concurrently displaying, on a display;

a first cursor that is represented by a three-dimensional model that includes a first face and a second face, wherein the first face occupies a larger area on the display than an area occupied by the second face on the display;

a first user interface object associated with a first cursor context; and

a second user interface object associated with a second cursor context;

while the first cursor, the first user interface object, and the second user interface object are concurrently displayed, receiving input moving the first cursor from the first user interface object to the second user interface object; and

in response to the input, transitioning the first cursor to a second cursor in accordance with the second cursor context associated with the second user interface object;

wherein the transitioning includes;

rotating the first cursor such that, after the rotation of the first cursor, the second face occupies a larger area on the display than an area occupied by the first face on the display; and

while maintaining display of the second face after the rotation of the first cursor, morphing the first cursor into the second cursor, the morphing including an extrustion, wherein the second cursor includes the second face of the first cursor.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the instructions that cause displaying the first cursor include instructions that cause generating a shadow for the first cursor.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the instructions cause:

detecting when the first cursor and the second user interface object are substantially co-located;

determining a type associated with the second user interface object; and

manipulating the first cursor based on the type.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the instructions that cause manipulating the first cursor include instructions that cause rotating the first cursor.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the instructions that cause manipulating the first cursor include instructions that cause scaling the first cursor.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the instructions that cause manipulating the first cursor include instructions that cause morphing the first cursor into another shape.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein the instructions that cause displaying the first cursor include instructions that cause rendering the three-dimensional model in real-time.