Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
1996-09-16
2001-04-24
Alam, Hosain T. (Department: 2172)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
active
06222543
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention introduces a method for organizing information to be presented on a computer display.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A suitable computer has a graphic user interface and a tool for choosing and moving the objects on the screen such as a mouse. An ordinary PC is such a computer.
Conventional computer applications are usually built with software such as Visual Basic, Access, Paradox, Visual C++ and Delphi. Data is presented in windows that can be opened and closed and which include a background and a number of visual elements presented against the background.
In designing such windows, one of the above conventional software is used wherein an empty window is opened and the necessary visual elements are chosen one at a time from a tool palette. The elements are then moved to suitable places on the screen and given a suitable size. Another alternative is to choose an existing window as the basis, remove unnecessary elements and add the desired new elements. The elements can be moved from place to place within the window. All of the foregoing is accomplished manually using a mouse, for instance. Each element is given a permanent place in the window such that the window is a complete, permanent unit, in which only the values of the data can be changed. Titles and identifiers are usually placed in the upper left portion of the window while other elements are situated on various sides of the window.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Many disadvantages are encountered in utilizing the prior art methods discussed above. One such disadvantage is that the windows must be designed separately and set up manually in front of a screen. Thus, in a large system with hundreds or thousands of screens, a tremendous amount of work is required. Another disadvantage is that the displays are seldom clearly arranged and are never uniform since they are created by a number of different people. The prior art methods also restrict the flexibility of the windows. In working situations, different users need different data combinations. In order to improve efficiency, users may also wish to change the places of some elements on the screen. It is, however, laborious to satisfy these needs using existing methods.
Various efforts have been made to solve these problems. Software has been developed wherein the contents of a window are chosen from the description of a database and a window is generated to fit the model. The window is then developed further manually. However, these efforts have merely alleviated the problems involved.
The present invention solves the aforementioned problems by automatically arranging visual information into aesthetically satisfying and functionally feasible display units. The data to be presented includes various items such as words, texts, figures, character strings, symbols and pictures, and various elements used for control functions, such as buttons and menus. The present invention deals with organizing these simple elements into groups and their smooth processing.
More specifically, the present invention provides a method for organizing and presenting visual information by constructing a window with modules made up of a set of interrelated visual elements such as data, buttons, selection tools etc. The design and minimum size of each module is unambiguously determined by the elements and parameters which are used to define the font size, line spacing, margins, etc. Each module is formed automatically when its elements, mode of presentation and common module parameters have been chosen. The modules are formed in a rectangular shape and can be combined with one or more other modules automatically to form groups of modules with aesthetically satisfying dimensions.
The method of the present invention has the advantage of saving the information system designer the trouble of designing the display. He merely defines the modules and their data contents with module definitions. The information system defines the modules which are required for each purpose as well as which modules are compulsory and which are optional. Thus, all displays are available and their design is defined on the basis of the module definition, the selected mode of presentation, and parameters. It is estimated that a third of all information system work is accounted for by displays and layout design in particular, making it easy to understand the importance of automatic aesthetically satisfying displays.
Another advantage presented by the present invention is that the method allows information system users to modify displays in any way they like by changing the places of the modules in module groups, splitting and combining module groups as far as module connections allow, and by closing unnecessary modules while the computer arranges all modules and module groups into aesthetically uniform arrangements. The user may also save these module groups for future use. Thus, the user can choose the modules that are the most suitable for his work and in the most suitable order.
The method according to the present invention also offers the advantage of making all information systems uniform both in design and use. This is of great importance to companies with a number of different information systems. Creating systems displays having uniform styles and functions makes it easy for people to learn using different systems. In addition, the need for training is reduced and it is easier to move from task to task. The present invention also offers a useful instrument for object-oriented data processing. When module definitions are treated as objects shown on the screen as modules, the data in the modules can be manipulated by interactive placement of modules. For example, modules can be combined to present similarly defined data together. Such use is easy to understand and it is easy for the user to access various data combinations. In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention the module group is automatically given a rectangular shape. In order to turn a group of modules of varying sizes into a rectangle, the individual modules expand to fill empty space within the module group wherever necessary.
In addition, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, the user can choose various modes of presentation for each individual module. A data content is presented in the form of a concise list or a more comprehensive table. The module can also be reduced to a mere title releasing space for other uses. The user is free to change the mode of presentation whenever he likes. He can, for instance, use a mouse to choose the desired mode in a pop-up menu. When the user changes the mode of presentation, a newly shaped module takes its place among the other modules, moving them so that the group automatically resumes an aesthetically pleasing design.
In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, the computer assists the user in creating the module design. After the modules for a group have been chosen, the computer may, for instance, compute the optimum spatial layout for the modules under certain conditions, such as placing the identifier module in the top left corner, and then suggest this arrangement to the user. The user can either approve the suggested arrangement or make necessary adjustments to it. This method makes the formation of module groups automatic such that, under normal conditions, no one need plan aesthetically pleasing display designs. The computer may also be asked to show the minimum module sizes in a group and empty regions, making manual adjustments to the group easier in terms of space.
In addition, in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the modules of a group and their elements are aligned horizontally and/or vertically so that they form an aesthetically pleasing layout. For instance, the text lines of adjacent modules, the top and bottom edges of pictures and/or data fields, or the left and right edges of the data fields in successive modules may be aligned. This is the case, in particular, where th
Knaapi Matti
Saaren-Seppälä Kari
Vuoristo Kalle
Alam Hosain T.
Kindred Alford W.
Steinberg & Raskin, P.C.
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