Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Graph generating
Reexamination Certificate
1996-12-10
2001-10-16
Vo, Cliff N. (Department: 2671)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Graph generating
Reexamination Certificate
active
06304272
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of computer graphics systems, and more particularly, to a graphics system and method having objects conformed to a template.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As people and organizations are confronted with more and more information, the ability to visually illustrate and present information becomes critical. Existing graphics applications include a computer and display or other output device to generate diagrams, charts, or illustrations that include text, lines, shapes, and other visual features.
Many of these graphics applications include helpful aids to allow the user to quickly and efficiently create structured diagrams and charts. For example, some existing applications present the user with grids and rulers to aid in the alignment and placement of objects in a diagram. These alignment tools or guides may not be modifiable, and typically operate in traditional orthogonal coordinate systems. Also, charts created using these guides disperse most, if not all, of the graphics data among the individual objects that comprise the chart.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a graphics system and method are provided that substantially eliminate or reduce disadvantages or problems associated with previously developed graphics systems and methods. In particular, a template provides a flexible and modifiable guide to conform objects in a structured chart.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a graphics program executed by a computer having a display includes a number of objects and a template having a boundary and a plurality of regions defined in part by the boundary. An adjustment method generates an adjustment to conform each object to an associated region of the template.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a computer program operable to execute on a computer having a display includes a graphics application that generates a number of objects. The program also includes a template interface that generates a template having a boundary and a number of regions defined in part by the boundary. The interface generates an adjustment to conform each object generated by the application to an associated region of the template.
Technical advantages of the present invention include a flexible and modifiable guide in the form of a template that organizes, conforms, and displays a number of objects in a structured chart. Each object may be placed in and conformed to an associated region in the template. As each object is placed in its associated region, the template or template interface generates adjustments that move, scale, rotate, shear, formfit, or perform other modifications to conform the object to an associated region.
Another important technical advantage of the present invention includes the generation and maintenance of adjustments to the objects. In existing graphics systems, the individual objects maintain much of the graphics data or other information that determines the structure and organization of a chart. In one embodiment of the present invention, the template or template interface maintains an adjustment for each object associated with one of its regions. In this manner the template itself can be moved, scaled, rotated, sheared, formfitted, or otherwise modified and each object would also be modified in an appropriate manner to maintain the structured chart. This allows the user of the graphics system to modify the overall look of a structured chart by adjusting the template without individually adjusting each object within the template.
Still another technical advantage of the present invention includes a variety of methods that provide an interface between the graphics system and the user. In a particular embodiment, the graphics system allows a user to drag objects in close proximity to the template, and the template responds by selecting, highlighting, or previewing an associated region in which to place the dragged object. The system generates an adjustment that conforms the object to the selected region and displays a newly conformed object in its associated region. This allows a user to quickly and efficiently create a structured diagram.
Yet another technical advantage of the present invention includes an extensible architecture that integrates the template and template methods that form the template interface with a graphics application. The application provides traditional object-based graphical capabilities, while the template interface provides template-based graphical capabilities in accordance with the present invention. In a particular embodiment, the graphics application comprises an executable program and the template interface comprises a dynamic linked library (DLL) registered with the graphics application. Other technical advantages of the present invention are apparent to one skilled in the art in view of the attached figures, description, and claims.
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Vo Cliff N.
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