System and method for interaction of graphical objects on a computer controlled system

Abstract

A user interface method and system for performing sensemaking tasks using visual information objects. The present invention provides techniques for the system to perform operations for creating, rearranging visual information objects, reallocating display space and scaling user input automatically so that users need not interrupt their creative activities. Such operations are intuitive and non-intrusive. Certain of the behavior results of the operations are specified in contracts associated with each visual information object.

Description

[0001]This is a Division of application Ser. No. 10 / 371,017 filed Feb. 21, 2003, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 357,850 filed Feb. 21, 2002. The disclosure of the prior application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0002]Reference is made to the following commonly-assigned copending U.S. patent applications: (1) Ser. No. 10 / 371,263, entitled “System and Method for Moving Graphical Objects on a Computer Controlled System,” by Lance E. Good et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 7,068,288, (2) Ser. No. 10 / 369,613, entitled “Method and System for Incrementally Changing Text Representation,” by Benjamin B. Bederson et al., (3) Ser. No. 10 / 369,614, entitled “Method and System for Incrementally Changing Text Representation,” by Benjamin B. Bederson et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 7,549,114, (4) Ser. No. 10 / 369,612, entitled “Methods and Systems for Navigating a Workspace,” by Lance E. Good et al., now U.S. Pat. ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a computer system that allows users to interact with graphical objects on a computer without interrupting their creative activities. The system uses intuitive and non-intrusive techniques to rearrange, reallocate, and scale user input automatically. The system ensures that graphical objects do not occlude or overlap with each other, and that users can interact with them seamlessly. This technology can be applied to any application that involves interaction between graphical visual information objects.

Problems solved by technology

As the amount of information placed in these workspaces grows, the competition for display space increases.

If users need to interrupt their ideation to rearrange the information in the workspace, make space for new information, or perform other “housekeeping” functions to enable use of the workspace, they risk disruption of their train of thought or “losing the flow” resulting in the possible loss of ideas.

However, PowerPoint does not return your position to the original viewpoint when the text entry is completed.

Furthermore, moving the broom backward automatically undoes the alignment operation.

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