Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Graph generating
Reexamination Certificate
1997-07-21
2001-01-30
Powell, Mark R. (Department: 2779)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Graph generating
C345S440000, C345S182000, C345S182000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06181349
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to user interactive computer supported display technology and particularly to such user interactive systems and methods which are user friendly, i.e. provide even non-computer-literate users with an interface environment which is easy to use and intuitive. More particularly, the present invention relates to display interfaces providing realistic and aesthetically desirable on-screen controls through which the user may interact with the display for the control of electronic media presentations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART
The 1990's decade has been marked by a societal technological revolution driven by the convergence of the data processing industry with the consumer electronics industry. This advance has been even further accelerated by the extensive consumer and business involvement in the internet over the past two years. As a result of these changes, it seems as if virtually all aspects of human endeavor in the industrialized world requires human-computer interfaces. As a result of these profound changes, there is a need to make computer directed activities accessible to a substantial portion of the world's population which, up to a year or two ago, was computer-illiterate, or at best computer indifferent. In order for the vast computer supported marketplaces to continue and to be commercially productive, it will be necessary for a large segment of computer indifferent consumers to be involved in computer interfaces. One approach which has been advanced involves creating interfaces to computers which are as close to the real world as possible.
One major market for user friendly computer controlled display interfaces has been in the selection and delivery of a variety of electronic media presentations in the multimedia marketplace. In the media presentation product fields, it is very important to provide viewers or users with on-screen controls which resemble real world controls as closely as possible. In order to make such realistic on-screen controls, it has been conventional to use raster graphics which provides high resolution images used to form the display objects representing the controls. With raster graphics, the display objects may be made to look like three-dimensional real life objects with all of the attendant nuances of light and color. However, because raster images are formed on matrices which are inherently rectilinear, it is difficult to form images with smooth curved lines and planes using raster graphics. Thus, there is a shortcoming in using raster graphics to form display objects since in real world objects curved lines and surfaces are more prevalent than straight lines.
The present invention provides graphic objects which combine the high resolution advantages of raster graphics objects with the inherent ability of vector graphics to provide images with smooth curved lines and surfaces.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a data processor controlled display system having graphic objects formed by a combination of vector graphics and raster graphic means. Those portions of the objects requiring high resolution rendering in order to bring out aesthetic aspects may be formed by raster graphics while those object portions with curvilinear lines and surfaces may be formed by vector graphics.
In the provision of on-screen control objects, best results may be achieved by forming the outer or peripheral regions of the object which are often curvilinear by vector graphics while forming the inner regions which may require finer detail by raster graphics. Through appropriate color matching techniques, the regions may be integrated with each other so as to become individually indistinguishable. The invention is particularly effective in the formation of contoured on-screen control buttons.
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Bardon Didier Daniel Claude
Morgan Scott Anthony
Mullaly John Martin
Swearingen Craig Ardner
Emile Volel
Harrison Chante′
International Business Machines - Corporation
Kraft J. B.
Powell Mark R.
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