The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 17, 2000
Filed:
Jan. 07, 1998
David W Rogers, Albuquerque, NM (US);
David M Vick, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Other;
Abstract
A method and apparatus for interfacing graphically with a user of a computer system having selecting means, and display means, which identifies a relationship structure between physical objects and activities external to the computer system which are related to the information to be manipulated in the computer system. At least one data structure is created which corresponds to the identified relationship structure. A plurality of on-screen objects which correspond to information identified in the physical objects and activities external to the computer system is displayed on the display means. A user selection is detected among the displayed on-screen objects, where each on-screen object has initial size and position states. Intermediate and final size and positions states for each on-screen object are prepared according to the data structures. The on-screen objects in their intermediate size and position states are animated on the display means, until finally the on-screen objects in their final size and position states are displayed according to the data structure. Also disclosed is a system for interfacing graphically with a user.