Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-07
2002-09-10
Bayerl, Raymond J. (Department: 2773)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C345S215000, C345S215000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06448986
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to graphical user interfaces for electronic displays, and more particularly, to a system and method for hiding and displaying graphical objects on a computer display, television monitor, or similar display screen for an electronic device.
BACKGROUND
Graphical user interfaces for information handling systems such as computers, as well as advanced televisions, and other devices with screen displays allow users to accomplish desired tasks more easily. In the case of computers, for example, textbased interfaces and operating systems typically require the user to remember the filename and path of an application program or command in order to execute it. In contrast, in graphical interfaces and operating systems, the user generally need only activate a graphical object, such as an “icon,” menu item, or text label. The graphical object represents the application or command, and selecting the graphical object executes the application or command.
Similarly, in other devices with screen displays, graphical user interfaces may reduce or eliminate entirely the need for a keyboard or keypad. Again, in such devices, the user generally activates the desired program or enters the desired command by appropriately positioning a cursor or other pointing device over the graphical object.
Graphical objects may be arranged in physical sets, arrays, or functional groupings on the device display. Such groupings are referred to as “toolbars,” “task bars,” “control bars,” “on-screen menus,” and the like. Whether the display screen is part of a television, computer, photocopier, manufacturing apparatus, or consumer electronic device, the graphical objects associated with commands or procedures generally appear on the display screen along with another “active” area associated with the device. Graphical user interfaces of the current art generally display graphical objects as overlays on the work area of the display screen, that is, the graphical objects mask underlying portions of the work area, reducing the amount of information from the work area which can be viewed on the screen without scrolling. Otherwise stated, the display of toolbars is accomplished by the current art by reducing the amount of data visible in the work area of the display screen.
In advanced televisions, for example, a command menu or other information may be displayed at one side, overlaid on, and impinging upon, the main program being watched. In many computer software applications, arrays of graphical objects are overlaid on a main work area, often being arranged around the perimeter of the display screen.
A user's need to select graphical objects often depends on the data or image being displayed in the remaining work area of the display screen. As such, it is often necessary or desirable for the data or image associated with a desired command to be visible in the display screen's work area when the graphical object corresponding to the desired command is selected. Unfortunately, when one or more tool bars have been overlaid on the data screen, there is an increased likelihood that the desired data or the desired portion of the image has been covered up by the overlying toolbar(s).
This problem is rendered more acute as microchip performance increases. Increased microchip performance increases the likelihood of software programmers increasing the number of available commands or other menu items of applications or devices, and there is thus a corresponding need to make such commands available to the user in the form of graphical objects. The desire to keep such commands or items readily available for operating efficiency often results in the simultaneous display of multiple, adjacent toolbars, further diminishing the available area for display of data, and increasing the likelihood that the data which the user needs to see will be masked by display of the toolbars. The sacrifice of visible data to toolbars is further compounded if multiple work areas from multiple applications are displayed simultaneously on the same screen.
Furthermore, the display of multiple toolbars creates visual clutter on the display screen, which may distract a user of the display and which thus makes the use of the underlying computer-related invention less efficient.
Notebook, hand-held, and other smaller computers are becoming increasingly prevalent. Office equipment, manufacturing tools, and other devices are also more often equipped with operating displays. The smaller size of the display screens of such devices generally reduces the screen space available for displaying graphical objects, data, or both simultaneously. This, again, results in the increased potential of obscuring needed data on the display screen.
When this occurs, the user must either remove or move the overlaid toolbar(s) or scroll the data or image so that the appropriate portion is visible in the display region of the display screen. Removal of the obscuring toolbar(s) is generally a multi-step procedure under the current art and is thus relatively cumbersome. Even if removal of the obscuring toolbar is accomplished, such removal is counterproductive as, once the desired text or image has been uncovered by removal of the toolbar, the toolbar needs to be redisplayed in order to access the desired graphical object to be associated with such text or image. Relocation of the obscuring toolbar is likewise generally undesirable because the new location of the toolbar may also mask or impinge upon the data or image which needs to be viewed.
As a result of the foregoing, many users confronted with the need to locate data or image to be associated with a graphical object merely scroll around until the desired data is found. Such scrolling wastes time. Even in those cases where scrolling takes only a few seconds, the cumulative effect in terms of time and inconvenience can be much greater.
By needing to expend time to execute what should be relatively straightforward commands, the user of the graphical interface may become frustrated and the efficiency of operating the application may decline. The need to scroll the screen of data or image is only increased as the area occupied by toolbars increases relative to the area of the display region. As a result, the user must take additional steps to position the information needed at a location in the display region where it will not be masked by the display or selection of the toolbar. Such “advanced planning” merely for the purpose of activating a toolbar is an undesirable waste of time.
As a further alternative, the user can try to remember the data from the display region which is needed to appropriately activate the graphical object, but which will be masked by the display of such graphical object. This, again, at a minimum, is an inconvenience. In fact, since a main purpose in displaying graphical objects is to avoid the need to remember command steps, the need to instead remember the associated data is counterproductive and self-defeating.
Yet another approach has been to use ever-larger device displays, especially in conjunction with computer systems. However, every additional inch of display screen on a conventional CRT device increases the cost not only in terms of dollars but in terms of space, as the size of the device display increases by at least the cube of the additional inch. In addition, more screen space is often associated with more toolbars and other clutter thereon, rather than more space for data. Furthermore, not all devices are amenable to larger display screens, including notebook computers, portable electronic devices, or other space-constrained or power-constrained applications; and not all environments have the physical space for such larger displays.
Whatever the size of the device display, the size of graphical objects and data must be large enough to be perceived and understood. Within these constraints, then, there is a need to optimize the display of graphical objects on the one hand, and the display of data and image on the other hand, in order to improv
Bayerl Raymond J.
Gilly Richard
Hailu Tadesse
Spotware Technologies LLC
Walker Mark S.
LandOfFree
Method and system for displaying graphical objects on a... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and system for displaying graphical objects on a..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and system for displaying graphical objects on a... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2894341