Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-24
2001-12-04
Nguyen, Cao H. (Department: 2173)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C345S950000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06326986
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to computer-based ystems and, more particularly, to graphically manipulating display elements in a computer-based system.
2. Related Art
A common technique for presenting information to users of computer-based systems is through use of a graphical user interface (GUI). A graphical user interface is typically part of an environment provided by an operating system executed by a processor in the computer system. Generally, the GUI is controlled by the operating system in response to commands provided by a user and application programs or other processes executing on or accessible to the computer-based system.
Common to virtually all conventional GUIs is the use of a mouse or other pointing device in a windowed environment. Windows are rectangular areas presented on a display that contain textual and/or graphical information related to the operation of the application program, operating system or other processes. Generally, additional display elements are provided by the GUI to facilitate interactions with the windows. These include, for example, menus, title bars, buttons, select boxes and icons. For a more detailed explanation of the operation of GUIs in general and Windows® in particular, see “Microsoft Windows version 3.1 User's Guide,” and “Microsoft Windows 95 User's Guide,” available from Microsoft, Inc.
With regard to graphically manipulating display elements such as icons, it is sometimes desirable to restrict such movement to certain directions. Oftentimes, such systems are not intuitive, causing the user to make multiple attempts to place a selected display element in a desired location. What is needed, therefore, is an intuitive and simple technique for manipulating display elements in a computer-based system.
SUMMARY
The present invention is a display element manipulation system and methodology for use in a computer-based system. In one aspect of the invention the display element manipulation system provides a user with the ability to graphically manipulate a selected positionable display element rendered on a display device opratively coupled to the computer-based system.
In one aspect of the invention, a display element manipulation system for use in a computer-based system having a display device is disclosed. The system is constructed and arranged to enable a user to graphically reposition a selected positionable display element rendered on the display device from an original display location to a new display location, the selected display element being one of a plurality of display element types. The display element manipulation system is constructed and arranged to determine at least one permissible adjustment direction in which the selected display element may be graphically repositioned, the at least one permissible adjustment direction based upon the display element type and a current operational mode of the computer-based system. In addition, the new display location is determined based upon a distance between the original display location and a current cursor display location and the at least one permissible adjustment direction.
In another aspect of the invention, a display element manipulation system for use in a computer-based system having a display device is disclosed. The system includes a display element selector constructed and arranged to determine, for a user-selected positionable display element, at least one permissible adjustment direction based upon characteristics of the selected display element. The system also includes a display element position determinator constructed and arranged to determine an adjustment command representing, for the selected display element, a motion vector between an original display location and a new display location of the selected display element on the display device, the motion vector defined by an adjustment direction and an adjustment distance.
In a further aspect of the invention, a digital oscilloscope is disclosed. The oscilloscope includes a display device; and a display element manipulation system constructed and arranged to enable a user to graphically manipulate a selected positionable display element rendered on the display device. The manipulation system includes a display element selector configured to determine one or more permissible adjustment directions in which a selected positionable display element may be repositioned; and a display element position determinator configured to determine an adjustment command representing, for the selected display element, a motion vector defined by an adjustment direction and an adjustment position, the motion vector based upon a type of display element selected.
In a still further aspect of the invention, a computer-based system is disclosed. The system includes a display device and a display element manipulation system. The manipulation system is constructed and arranged to enable a user to graphically manipulate a selected positionable display element rendered on the display device. The manipulation system includes a display element selector configured to determine one or more permissible adjustment directions in which a selected positionable display element may be repositioned; and a display element position determinator configured to determine an adjustment command representing, for the selected display element, a motion vector defined by an adjustment direction and an adjustment position, the motion vector based upon a type of display element selected.
In another aspect of the invention, a method for graphically manipulating display elements on a waveform display in a signal measuring system operatively coupled to a display device is disclosed. The system includes the steps of: (a) identifying a graphically-selected display element; (b) determining one or more permissible adjustment directions in which the selected display element may be moved, the at least one permissible adjustment direction based upon a type of display element and a current mode of operation of the signal measurement system; (c) determining a current cursor display location on the display device; (d) generating a motion vector based on a relative distance and a direction between the current cursor display location and an original display location of the selected display element, the motion vector having a direction limited to a vector sum of one or more of the at least one permissible adjustment direction; and (e) determining a new display location of the display element defined by the original display location and the motion vector.
In a further aspect of the invention, a method for graphically manipulating display elements rendered on a display device operatively coupled to a computer-based system is disclosed. The method includes (a) identifying a graphically-selected display element; (b) determining one or more permissible adjustment directions in which the selected display element may be moved, the at least one permissible adjustment direction based upon a type of display element and a current mode of operation of the computer-based system; (c) determining a current cursor display location on the display device; (d) a motion vector based on a relative distance and a direction between the current cursor display location and an original display location of the selected display element, the motion vector having a direction limited to a vector sum of one or more of the at least one permissible adjustment direction; and (e) determining a new display location of the display element defined by the original display location and the motion vector.
In a further aspect of the invention, a display element manipulation system for use in a computer-based system having a graphical user interface is disclosed. The display element manipulation system provides a user with the ability to graphically reposition an entire selected positionable display element presented on the graphical user interface such that the display element, after being repositioned, is substantially identical, except for it
Agilent Technologie,s Inc.
Nguyen Cao H.
LandOfFree
System and method for graphically manipulating display... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with System and method for graphically manipulating display..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and System and method for graphically manipulating display... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2570841