Multi-dimensional Data Structure for Graphic Element Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing graphics programs face challenges in identifying and highlighting graphic elements, especially in scenarios where geometric definitions are not available, such as in client-server applications or on devices with limited processing power, leading to inefficiencies in selection and information retrieval.
Innovation Solution
A multi-dimensional data structure, like a two-dimensional location buffer, is created to store globally unique identifiers (GUIDs) for graphic elements, allowing for their identification and highlighting without relying on geometric definitions, and this structure is maintained persistently across sessions to reduce processing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If geometric definitions and range trees are used to identify graphic elements, then selection accuracy is improved, but processing power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a pick window data structure in advance that stores pre-calculated pick tolerances and graphic element identification information. This preliminary action allows the system to perform fast lookups during user interaction without performing complex geometric calculations in real-time, thus maintaining selection accuracy while reducing processing power consumption during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the graphic element data in the form of a pick window structure that contains only the essential information needed for selection (pick tolerance, identification). This copy eliminates the need to access and process full geometric definitions during selection operations, reducing computational load while preserving selection functionality
2Measurement precision
If geometric definitions are stored and processed, then graphic element identification accuracy is improved, but device memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for graphic element identification from the full geometric definitions. The pick window data structure contains only pick tolerance values and graphic element identification information, excluding detailed geometric data. This extraction reduces memory requirements while maintaining identification accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-calculates and stores pick tolerance values in the pick window data structure before user interaction. This preliminary computation allows the system to use simple lookup operations during selection rather than performing complex geometric calculations, reducing both memory requirements and processing demands during actual use
3Measurement precision
If pick windows with geometric calculations are used, then graphic element selection precision is improved, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified data structure (pick window) that copies only the essential selection information. This structure replaces complex geometric calculation operations with simple data lookup and comparison operations, maintaining selection precision while reducing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of geometric calculations with a data-based lookup mechanism. Instead of performing mathematical computations to determine if a point intersects a graphic element, the system uses pre-stored pick window data to directly identify elements, simplifying the operational process
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, improved techniques are provided for identifying and/or highlighting a graphic element. A multi-dimensional data structure corresponding to a visual representation of information may be created, wherein, for each active point in the visual representation of information, the multi-dimensional data structure has a corresponding location that stores a globally unique identifier (GUID) that indicates one or more graphic elements present at that point in the visual representation. A selection from a user of a selected point in the visual representation of information may be received. A location of the selected point may be used as an index into the multi-dimensional data structure to determine a particular location in the multi-dimensional data structure that coincides with the selected point. A particular GUID may be retrieved from the particular location and used to identify one or more graphic elements.