Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-13
2001-09-25
Bayerl, Raymond J. (Department: 2773)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C345S215000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06295062
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an icon display apparatus and a method used therein that reduce data corresponding to items classified into a plurality of groups to icons and display the same, or reduce processing means for referring, copying, transferring or retrieving data to icons and display the same. And more specifically, it relates to an icon display apparatus providing a graphical user interface in which icons representing data and processing means are laid out and displayed in a correlated manner, and each icon is selected therefrom to enable desired processing.
2. Description of the Background Art
In apparatus such as a personal computer, various kinds of graphical user interface (GUI) have been conventionally provided. The graphical user interface enables a user by selecting a command to start a program, view a list of files, copy a file among apparatus and the like, by the user's operation of designating an icon or a menu item which is an image representation on a screen. Designation of an icon and a menu item is made by manipulating a pointing device, typified by a keyboard and a mouse. The Window's series marketed by Microsoft Corporation are representative examples of the graphical user interface.
In the graphical user interface, areas containing particular data and program, which are called windows, are displayed on a screen of an image display. In each window, a plurality of sub-windows are displayed. Moreover, in each sub-window or window, displayed are grouped icons representing a plurality of data, files or holders. These icons and sub-windows are two-dimensionally displayed and each icon and sub-window laid out independently of the attribute and function of an entity represented thereby.
Another graphical user interface that displays icons grouped according to data attributes includes “Data Managing Scheme and Icon Display Apparatus” disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 8-63324. In the gazette, disclosed is an example of using a stereoscopic image in three-dimensions as an icon. In the graphical user interface represented with the stereoscopic three-dimensional image, however, it is difficult for a user to control and select icons while viewing all icons at one time. That is to say, all apparatus available by the user are not displayed together on one screen, but divided to be displayed on several screens. Therefore, the user is required to look around on all screens for selecting an apparatus. Consequently, the graphical user interface fails to provide the user with a sense of realism, that is, the user can not grasp all available apparatus at a glance to make an arbitrary selection therefrom.
The present invention aims to solve the above-described problem. An object of the present invention is to provide a more user-friendly graphical user interface, that is, a graphical user interface with more realistic and friendly display images and selecting functions capable of reference, copy, transfer, deletion and retrieve of data such as selection of apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention, an icon display apparatus for reducing data corresponding to items classified into a plurality of groups and a unit for processing thereof to icons and displaying the icons, comprises:
a visualizing unit for visualizing the data as icons each representing an object in a multi-dimensional space; and
a display unit for displaying the icons arranged in respective groups corresponding to attributes of the data in the multi-dimensional space.
As apparent from the above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, displaying icons to which the data are reduced corresponding to attributes thereof in a multi-dimensional space enables a graphical user interface to be easily known by intuition. icon display apparatus of the first aspect, the display unit displays icons belonging to the same group in either of a circular form whereat the icons are connected to each other and a spherical form of a predetermined radius wherein the icons are arranged.
As apparent from the above, in the second aspect of the present invention, arranging icons in a circle or within a sphere can provide a graphical user interface where relationships between icons can be recognized at a glance.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the icon display apparatus of the first aspect, the groups include a group having an attribute representing a transmission, and a group having an attribute representing a receiving. According to a fourth aspect, in the first aspect, an icon display apparatus, further comprises
a selection unit for selecting at least one icon out of the displayed icons; and
a data process unit for performing a data processing based on the selected icon.
According to a fifth aspect, in the icon display apparatus of the second aspect, the selection unit rotates the icons arranged in either of the circular and spherical forms so that any one of the icons moves to a position suitable for selection.
As apparent from the above, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, rotating icons at a circle or within a sphere to a position suitable for the selection thereof can suppress the movement of pointing device. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the icon display apparatus of the fourth aspect, the data process unit can perform at least one of data reference, data copy, data transfer, data deletion, and data retrieve.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the icon display apparatus of the first aspect, the display unit changes size of icon corresponding to a priority of data displayed thereby.
As apparent from the above, in the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to instantaneously recognize a priority of data based on the size of icon therefor.
According to an eight aspect of the present invention, in the icon display apparatus of the seventh aspect, the priority is determined corresponding to the number of selection times of the icon.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, an icon displaying method for reducing data corresponding to items classified into a plurality of groups and a unit for processing thereof to icons and displaying the icons, the method comprises the steps of:
storing data;
visualizing the data as icons each representing an object in a multi-dimensional space; and
displaying the icons arranged in respective groups corresponding to attribute of the data in the multi-dimensional space.
As apparent from the above, according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, displaying icons to which the data are reduced corresponding to attributes thereof in a multi-dimensional space enables a graphical user interface to be easily known by intuition.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a storage medium contains thereon a computer program for controlling an icon display apparatus for reducing data corresponding to items classified into a plurality of groups and a unit for processing thereof to icons and displaying the icons, the computer program causing the computer to realize an operational environment comprising the steps of:
storing data;
visualizing the data as icons each representing an object in a multi-dimensional space; and
displaying the icons arranged in respective groups corresponding to attributes of the data in the multi-dimensional space.
As apparent from the above, according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, it is easy to optimize the operation of the icon display apparatus only by exchanging a recording medium with another containing an improved program.
These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5021976 (1991-06-01), Wexelblat et al.
patent: 5794178 (1998-08-01), Caid et al.
patent: 5838317 (1998-11-01), Bolnick et
Abe Tetsuji
Tada Chikako
Tochishita Masaru
Yamada Kunio
Bayerl Raymond J.
Hailu Tadesse
Matsushita Electric - Industrial Co., Ltd.
Wenderoth , Lind & Ponack, L.L.P.
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