Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Graphic manipulation
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-11
2001-11-20
Shalwala, Bipin (Department: 2673)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Graphic manipulation
C345S670000, C345S671000, C345S215000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06320599
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention is related to computer graphics and, in particular, a user interface using computer graphics for performing operations on a screen display.
A user interface provides, among other things, an interface between a computer user and an application program executing via an operating system of the computer. In the absence of a user interface, the computer user has to learn application program commands and/or operating system commands which often require some technical expertise and knowledge. Instead of entering line commands to run an application program, to add a peripheral device, to activate a “Web” browser to connect to the Internet's World Wide Web, etc., the user interface allows even a computer novice to carry out these and other operations on the computer with ease and simplicity.
It is well known that via the user interface the user can, for example, view, manipulate, etc. images and graphical objects on a display screen via an input device such a mouse, light pen, keyboard, joystick, etc. coupled to the computer. Various operations associated with the images and objects are available to the user. For example, by selecting (“clicking” on) a particular object (“icon”) on the screen, the user may start running an application program, change a screen or a set-up configuration of the computer, manage files in various directories and sub-directories, etc. One of the operations that the user interface of an application program with graphical images may provide is a so-called “zoom” or “zooming” operation which is explained hereinbelow.
FIG. 1
shows a graphical universe
100
that is much larger than the display screen
102
of a computer monitor, television set, etc. The entire universe
100
may be available to the user for arranging, for example, various images/objects
104
,
106
,
108
,
110
(as represented by icons) corresponding to application programs, images, files, etc. At a particular point in time, as shown in
FIG. 1
a
, the user views only several objects
106
,
108
at once. When the user wants to view the entire universe
100
on the display screen
102
, all the objects
104
,
106
,
108
,
110
in the universe
100
should “fit” on the display screen
102
. To achieve this, he “zooms out” from his current display (picture) on the display screen
102
. That is, the objects
104
,
106
,
108
,
110
are reduced in size while maintaining their relative positions in the graphical universe
100
, as shown in
FIG. 1
b
. As further shown in
FIG. 1
b
, the entire universe
100
appears on the display screen
102
. Conversely, if the user is only interested in a detailed view of a particular object, he “zooms in” to the object-in-interest. That is, the object-in-interest (picture) is enlarged.
Several disadvantages, however, are associated with a conventional zoom operation. In particular, the user does not know whether either of the limits of zoom-in or zoom-out operation has been reached or where those limits are on the display screen. For example, when the user keeps zooming-in to the object or zooming-out from the object, he has no visual indication as to where the limits are or whether those limits have been reached whereby further zoom operations may be fruitless. In addition, the current size of objects on the display screen with respect to the upper (zoom-in) and lower (zoom-out) limits as provided by the computer system are not shown on the display screen, leaving the user to wonder about the extent of further zoom-in/out.
A need therefore exists for a user interface containing features which overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages and realize the criteria as discussed above.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a zooming scale indicator in computer graphics.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a visual indication of limits for zoom-in and zoom-out operations on the display screen.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a visual indication of a current display with respect to limits for zoom-in and zoom-out operations on the display screen.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other objects, features and advantages are accomplished by apparatus for displaying a graphical space. The inventive apparatus includes a screen for providing a current display thereon and a programmable controller for selectively enlarging or reducing the current display on the screen. The programmable controller provides at least three marks on the screen. The first and second marks indicate corresponding limits for enlarging or reducing, respectively, the current display, and the third mark indicates a position of the enlarged or reduced current display with respect to the limits.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the programmable controller is operative to move the third mark toward the first mark on the screen if the current display is enlarged. Conversely, the programmable controller is operative to move the third mark toward the second mark on the screen if the current display is reduced.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5341466 (1994-08-01), Perlin et al.
patent: 5596346 (1997-01-01), Leone et al.
patent: 5818455 (1998-10-01), Stone et al.
patent: 5874965 (1999-02-01), Takai et al.
patent: 5880709 (1999-03-01), Itai et al.
patent: 5973691 (1999-10-01), Servan-Schreiber
Doan Nghi
Grauman Tom
Sciammarella Eduardo
Frommer William S.
Frommer & Lawrence & Haug LLP
Said Mansour M.
Shalwala Bipin
Simon Darren M.
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