U.S. patent application number 13/019770 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-09 for peek around user interface.
This patent application is currently assigned to Microsoft Corporation. Invention is credited to Lili Cheng, Baining Guo, Sean U. Kelly, David P. Vronay.
Application Number | 20110138320 13/019770 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28453321 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110138320 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vronay; David P. ; et
al. |
June 9, 2011 |
Peek Around User Interface
Abstract
An operating system shell has an underlying desktop object that
is rendered according to different views. The operating system
shell renders on a display screen a desktop graphical user
interface with windows, tools, icons, etc. that are within a
segment of the desktop object that can be observed (i.e., rendered)
from one of the views. In illustrated implementations, the desktop
object is of an extent that is greater than can be rendered from a
single view. Allowing a user to select or access different views of
the desktop object effectively provides an extended desktop that
overcomes the fixed and limited display capabilities of
conventional operating system shells.
Inventors: |
Vronay; David P.; (Beijing,
CN) ; Cheng; Lili; (Bellevue, WA) ; Guo;
Baining; (Beijing, CN) ; Kelly; Sean U.;
(Redmond, WA) |
Assignee: |
Microsoft Corporation
Redmond
WA
|
Family ID: |
28453321 |
Appl. No.: |
13/019770 |
Filed: |
February 2, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10112394 |
Mar 29, 2002 |
7904826 |
|
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13019770 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
715/781 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/04815
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/781 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/048 20060101
G06F003/048 |
Claims
1. One or more computer-readable media storing instructions that,
when executed on one or more processors, configure the one or more
processors to present a graphical user interface, comprising:
providing a variable viewing angle interface presented, on a
display screen with a surface, in accordance with at least first
and second viewing angles, the first viewing angle being
perpendicular to a desktop object that is presented parallel to the
surface of the display screen and the second viewing angle being
non-perpendicular to the desktop object, the variable viewing angle
interface employing parallax comprising causing at least one
rectangularly presented window object to be presented trapezoidally
in the second viewing angle.
2. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 1, the second
viewing angle being pivoted about a vertical axis relative to the
first viewing angle to provide a different lateral view with
respect to the desktop object.
3. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 1, further
comprising providing a user-controlled viewing angle selector for
selecting between the first and second viewing angles.
4. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 3, the
user-controlled viewing angle selector providing a selection
between the first and second viewing angles according to a position
of an operating system-controlled cursor within a predefined
distance from a margin of the display screen.
5. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 3, the
user-controlled viewing angle selector providing a selection
between the first and second viewing angles according to a position
of an operating system cursor within a predefined distance from a
side margin of the display screen.
6. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 1, further
comprising transitioning from the first and second viewing angles
effectuated by eye pupil motion detection of a user's eyes.
7. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 1, the first
and second viewing angles being defined by a physical orientation
of a line of sight directed from a user's eyes in relation to the
display screen.
8. A system comprising: memory; one or more processors
communicatively coupled to the memory; a variable viewing angle
interface module, stored in the memory and executable on the one or
more processors, to present at least first and second viewing
angles, a first viewing angle being perpendicular to a desktop
object that is presented parallel to a surface of a display screen
and the second viewing angle being non-perpendicular to the desktop
object, the variable viewing angle interface module employing
parallax to display one of the viewing angles.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein employing parallax comprises
causing at least one rectangularly presented window object to be
presented trapezoidally.
10. The system of claim 8, wherein employing parallax comprises
shifting a rectangularly presented object into trapezoidally
presented object.
11. The system of claim 8, the at least one angular dimension
includes a viewing angle that is pivoted about a viewing axis that
is substantially parallel to the desktop object and has a
substantially vertical orientation with respect to the display
screen.
12. The system of claim 8, further comprising a user-controlled
viewing angle selector module, stored in the memory and executable
on the one or more processors, to select between the first viewing
angle and second viewing angle.
13. The system of claim 12, the user-controlled viewing angle
selector module being configured to provide selection between the
first and second viewing angles according to a position of an
operating system-controlled cursor being within a predefined
distance from a margin of the display screen.
14. The system of claim 8, transition from the first and second
viewing angles effectuated by eye pupil motion detection of a
user's eyes.
15. The system of claim 8, the first and second viewing angles
being defined by a physical orientation of a line of sight directed
from a user's eyes in relation to the display screen.
16. A method comprising: providing a first viewing angle
perpendicular to a desktop object that is presented parallel to a
surface of a display screen; and employing parallax to provide a
second viewing angle being non-perpendicular to the desktop
object.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising displaying the first
viewing angle and/or the second viewing angle based at least in
part on a position of an operating system-controlled cursor.
18. The method of claim 16, further comprising displaying the first
viewing angle and/or the second viewing angle based at least in
part on eye pupil motion detection.
19. The method of claim 16, the first and second viewing angles
corresponding to respective first and second viewpoints relative to
the desktop object.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein providing the second viewing
angle includes defining the second viewing angle as being pivoted
from the first viewing angle about a vertical axis to provide a
different lateral view with respect to the display screen.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/112,394, filed on Mar. 29, 2002, which is
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to graphical user interfaces
for computer operating systems and, in particular, to a graphical
user interface that may be rendered according to different views to
provide an enlarged operating system desktop.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is now common for operating systems to have a shell that
provides a graphical user interface (GUI). The shell is a piece of
software (either a separate program or component part of the
operating system) that provides direct communication between the
user and the operating system. The graphical user interface
typically provides a graphical icon-oriented and/or menu driven
environment for the user to interact with the operating system.
[0004] The graphical user interface of many operating system shells
is based on a desktop metaphor that creates a graphical environment
simulating work at a desk. These graphical user interfaces
typically employ a windowing environment with the desktop.
[0005] The windowing environment presents the user with specially
delineated areas of the screen called windows, each of which is
dedicated to a particular application program, file or document.
Each window can act independently, as if it were a virtual display
device under control of its particular application program. Windows
can typically be resized, moved around the display, and stacked so
as to overlay another. In some windowing environments, windows can
be minimized to an icon or increased to a full-screen display.
[0006] Windows may be rendered beside each other or may have a top
to bottom order in which they are displayed, with top windows at a
particular location on the screen overlaying any other window at
that same location according to a z-order (an order of the windows
along a conceptual z-axis normal to the desktop or display screen).
The top-most window has the "focus" and accepts the user's input.
The user can switch other windows to the top (and thereby change
the z-order) by clicking on the window with a mouse or other
pointer device, or by inputting certain key combinations. This
allows the user to work with multiple application programs, files
and documents in a manner similar to physically working with
multiple paper documents and items that can be arbitrarily stacked
or arranged on an actual desk.
[0007] Typically, the physical dimensions of computer display
screen are much more limited than the desires of users to have
different windows, tools, icons, etc. rendered simultaneously and
the ability of operating system shells to do so. The result is that
the limited extent of display screen "real estate" can limit the
ability of operating system shells to render multiple windows,
tools, icons, etc. simultaneously.
[0008] A variety of prior implementations have attempted to
compensate for the fixed and limited extent of display screens. In
one prior implementation referred to as morphing, objects (e.g.,
windows) are quickly transformed into smaller representations or
symbols to reduce the amount of display screen area they require.
For example, a window may be minimized to a symbol that is rendered
on a task bar along on edge of the display screen. The working size
f the object may then be re-generated by selecting or activating
the symbol.
[0009] In another prior implementation referred to as scrolling,
some objects (e.g., windows) are accessed from an unrendered,
off-screen region by scrolling the objects into the fixed display
screen area. For example, the user could be provided a graphical
user interface affordance (such as a scroll bar) with which the
off-screen objects are to moved into view.
[0010] In yet another prior implementation referred to as
pop-ups/drop-downs, a user interface affordance (e.g., a menu name)
is acted on by user to produce an overlay of other elements such as
a window full of menu items that are separately selectable.
Typically, this overlay is easily dismissed from the display
screen. Finally, in still another prior implementation referred to
as drawers, a user interface affordance at the edge of a display
screen or window can be pulled out to reveal an overlay of objects
or menu items, in the manner of a cabinet drawer. Typically the
user can control the amount of the drawer that is pulled out to
reveal more or fewer of the objects.
[0011] Such prior implementations attempting to compensate for the
fixed and limited extent of display screens may be characterized as
allowing a user either to move objects onto the fixed display
screen area (e.g., as in scrolling or pop-ups/drop-downs or
drawers) or moving objects from the display screen or reducing
their size (e.g., morphing). As aspect of the present invention is
that the fixed and limited extent of display screens may be
effectively extended or enlarged by providing different views of an
underlying desktop object.
[0012] The present invention provides an operating system shell
with an underlying desktop object that is rendered according to
different views. The operating system shell renders on a display
screen a desktop graphical user interface with windows, tools,
icons, etc. that are within a segment of the desktop object that
can be observed (i.e., rendered) from one of the views. In
illustrated implementations, the desktop object is of an extent
that is greater than can be rendered from a single view. Allowing a
user to select or access different views of the desktop object
effectively provides an extended desktop that overcomes the fixed
and limited display capabilities of conventional operating system
shells.
[0013] In one implementation, a variable viewing angle interface is
rendered in accordance with first and second viewing angles, the
first viewing angle being perpendicular to the desktop object and
the second viewing angle being non-perpendicular to the desktop
object. A user-controlled viewing selection corresponding to one of
perpendicular and angled views is obtained and encompasses one of
respective first and second regions of the desktop object. The
operating system graphical user interface is rendered as a
three-dimensional image transformation of the desktop object in
accordance with the selected view.
[0014] The present invention allows use of a desktop object that is
larger than or extended relative a conventional display screen.
Changes between the different views, such as making the change from
the perpendicular view to the angled view, is akin to taking a
"peek" around an obstruction, in this case the edge of a display
screen. Accordingly, this use of different image transformation
representations to provide different views of a desktop object may
sometimes be referred to as a "peek-around" user interface that
quickly reveals portions of desktop object that would normally not
be seen.
[0015] Additional objects and advantages of the present invention
will be apparent from the detailed description of the preferred
embodiment thereof, which proceeds with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer system that may be
used to implement the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a desktop-based graphical
user interface with a perpendicular view of an underlying desktop
according to the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an image transformation
representation corresponding to the perpendicular view of the
desktop of FIG. 2.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating graphical user interface
with an angled-view of an underlying desktop according to the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of an image transformation
representation corresponding to the angled view of the desktop of
FIG. 4.
[0021] FIG. 6 is an image transformation representation
illustrating a perpendicular view of a desktop with a non-planar,
stepped desktop object.
[0022] FIG. 7 is an image transformation representation
illustrating a perpendicular view of a desktop with a non-planar
desktop object having inclined segments.
[0023] FIGS. 8A and 8B are image transformation representations
illustrating perpendiculars a planar desktop object at different
first and second image distances.
[0024] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a desktop shell rendering method
for selectively generating different views of a desktop-based
graphical user interface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates an operating environment for an
embodiment of the present invention as a computer system 20 with a
computer 22 that comprises at least one high speed processing unit
(CPU) 24 in conjunction with a memory system 26, an input device
28, and an output device 30. These elements are interconnected by
at least one bus structure 32.
[0026] The illustrated CPU 24 is of familiar design and includes an
ALU 34 for performing computations, a collection of registers 36
for temporary storage of data and instructions, and a control unit
38 for controlling operation of the system 20. The CPU 24 may be a
processor having any of a variety of architectures including Alpha
from Digital, MIPS from MIPS Technology, NEC, IDT, Siemens, and
others, x86 from Intel and others, including Cyrix, AMD, and
Nexgen, and the PowerPC from IBM and Motorola.
[0027] The memory system 26 generally includes high-speed main
memory 40 in the form of a medium such as random access memory
(RAM) and read only memory (ROM) semiconductor devices, and
secondary storage 42 in the form of long term storage mediums such
as floppy disks, hard disks, tape, CD-ROM, flash memory, etc. and
other devices that store data using electrical, magnetic, optical
or other recording media. The main memory 40 also can include video
display memory for displaying images through a display device.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that the memory 26 can
comprise a variety of alternative components having a variety of
storage capacities.
[0028] The input and output devices 28 and 30 also are familiar.
The input device 28 can comprise a keyboard, a mouse, a physical
transducer (e.g., a microphone), etc. The output device 30 can
comprise a display, a printer, a transducer (e.g., a speaker), etc.
Some devices, such as a network interface or a modem can be used as
input and/or output devices.
[0029] As is familiar to those skilled in the art, the computer
system 20 further includes an operating system 44 and typically at
least one application program 46. Operating system 44 is the set of
software that controls the computer system operation and the
allocation of resources. Application program 46 is the set of
software that performs a task desired by the user, using computer
resources made available through operating system 44. Both are
resident in the illustrated memory system 26.
[0030] In accordance with the practices of persons skilled in the
art of computer programming, the present invention is described
below with reference to acts and symbolic representations of
operations that are performed by computer system 20, unless
indicated otherwise. Such acts and operations are sometimes
referred to as being computer-executed and may be associated with
the operating system or the application program as appropriate. It
will be appreciated that the acts and symbolically represented
operations include the manipulation by the CPU 24 of electrical
signals representing data bits which causes a resulting
transformation or reduction of the electrical signal
representation, and the maintenance of data bits at memory
locations in memory system 26 to thereby reconfigure or otherwise
alter the computer system's operation, as well as other processing
of signals. The memory locations where data bits are maintained are
physical locations that have particular electrical, magnetic, or
optical properties corresponding to the data bits.
[0031] Operating system 44 has a shell 48 that provides a graphical
user interface (GUI). The shell 48 is a piece of software (either a
separate program or component part of the operating system) that
provides direct communication between the user and operating system
44. The graphical user interface typically provides a graphical
icon-oriented and/or menu driven environment for the user to
interact with the operating system. The graphical user interface of
many operating system shells is based on or referred to as a
desktop metaphor in which a graphical environment simulates working
at a desk. These graphical user interfaces typically employ a
windowing environment within the desktop metaphor.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a desktop-based graphical
user interface 50 with a perpendicular view of an underlying
desktop 52 over which are rendered windows 54 and 56 and a portion
of a window 58. (An unrendered portion of window 58 is indicated by
dashed lines.) It will be appreciated that any number of windows
could be rendered on desktop 52. Windows 54-58 are rendered by
shell 48 and allow a user to interact with operating system 44 or
an application 46 running on operating system 44.
[0033] Desktop-based graphical user interface 50 provides a plan
view of desktop 52 and windows 54-58. In the plan view, the desktop
52 and windows 54-58 are represented as being in one or more planes
that are perpendicular to a predefined line of vision from a
user.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an image transformation
representation 70 corresponding to the perpendicular view of
desktop 52 in graphical user interface 50. Image transformation
representation 70 includes a viewpoint 72 (indicated schematically
as an image plane 72a a camera 72) with a viewing range 74 and a
perpendicular orientation to an extended desktop object 76. The
perpendicular orientation of viewpoint 72 encompasses a central
segment 78 of extended desktop object 76 and omits lateral segments
80 and 82 of extended desktop object 76.
[0035] Image transformation representation 70 illustrates that the
appearance of desktop 52 rendered on a computer display screen is
based upon a three-dimensional image transformation in accordance
with the present invention. Accordingly, desktop 52 corresponds to
a view of desktop object 76 at viewpoint 72 having a perpendicular
orientation. Such an image transformation may be generated by a
conventional transformation matrix representing a three-dimensional
rotation about a Y-axis and being of the form:
M = [ cos A 0 - sin A 0 0 1 0 0 sin A 0 cos A 0 0 0 0 1 ] ,
##EQU00001##
where A is the angle of rotation. The matrix M is multiplied by a
matrix corresponding to an object being rendered (e.g., a window
and any features to be rendered within it) to generate the
resulting view, as is known in the art of three-dimensional
rendering. While it is sometimes used in applications that provide
three-dimensional spatial representations, this type of
three-dimensional projection transformation calculation is not the
typical basis used by a shell 48 to generate a desktop graphical
user interface.
[0036] The perpendicular view of desktop 52 may have an appearance
similar to that of a conventional desktop graphical user interface.
It will be appreciated, however, that perpendicular view of desktop
52 is generated in a manner different from that of a conventional
desktop graphical user interface. The three-dimensional projection
transformation calculation above is used to generate both the
perpendicular and angled views of desktop-based graphical user
interface 50. In contrast, a conventional desktop style graphical
user interface is typically generated as a simple two-dimensional
representation that is incapable of accommodating the different
viewing angles provided by the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating graphical user interface 50
with an angled-view of underlying desktop 52 over which are
rendered windows 54, 56, 58, and 60. The angled-views of windows
54-60 are rendered by the shell 48 of operating system 44 and
provided an extended view of desktop 52 that allows the user to
interact with operating system 44 or an application running 46 on
operating system 44.
[0038] In the angled view of FIG. 4, the desktop 52 and windows
54-60 are represented as being in one or more planes that are not
perpendicular to a predefined line of vision from a user. In the
illustrated implementation, the angled-view is angled laterally
relative to the perpendicular view. In the angled view, the desktop
52 and windows 54-60 are represented as having a non-perpendicular
orientation to a central predefined line of vision from viewpoint
72 to the display screen. As a result, windows 45-60 are rendered
with a parallax that causes the otherwise rectangular windows 54-60
to have trapezoidal shapes. It will be appreciated that the
parallax of windows 54-60 in FIG. 4 would also affect any graphics,
images, text, etc. rendered within windows 54-60.
[0039] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of an image transformation
representation 100 corresponding to the angled view of desktop 52
in graphical user interface 50. Image transformation representation
100 includes a viewpoint 102 with a viewing range 104 and a
laterally non-perpendicular orientation to desktop object 76.
Viewing range 104 established by the non-perpendicular orientation
of viewpoint 72 encompasses a major side desktop segment 106. A
second minor side desktop segment 108 is not included in viewing
range 104.
[0040] Image transformation representations 70 and 100 allow
desktop object 76 to be larger than or extended relative a
conventional desktop object. The pivoting or rotation
distinguishing viewpoints 72 and 102 makes the change from the
perpendicular view to the angled view akin to taking a "peek"
around an obstruction, in this case the edge of a display screen.
Accordingly, this use of different image transformation
representations to provide different views of a desktop object may
sometimes be referred to as a "peek-around" user interface that
quickly reveals portions of desktop object that would normally not
be seen.
[0041] As with conventional desktop-style graphical user
interfaces, graphical user interface 50 of the present invention
allows a user to manipulate and move windows rendered on desktop
52. For example, users may move windows between central segment 78
corresponding to the perpendicular view of FIGS. 2 and 3 and
segments 80 and 82 that can be encompassed within angled views.
[0042] An optional aspect of graphical user interface 50 is that
users could move windows between central segment 78 and segments 80
and 82 with keystroke or cursor controller (e.g., mouse) actions.
For example, a window that is in one of segments 80 and 82 and
rendered in an angled view of desktop object 76 could be moved to
central segment 78 by a user selecting or activating the window.
Likewise, a window that is in central segment 78 and rendered in
the perpendicular view of desktop object 76 could be moved to one
of segments 80 and 82 by a predefined keyboard action by the user
or by the user dragging a predefined portion of the window beyond a
margin of the display screen.
[0043] Extended desktop object 76 in FIGS. 3 and 5 is represented
as a planar image surface that is generally parallel to the display
screen on which desktop 52 is rendered. Other aspects of the
present invention are that extended desktop objects of other
configurations may be used and that image transformation
representations other than viewpoint rotation may be used to access
and render marginal segments of an extended desktop object.
[0044] FIG. 6 is an image transformation representation 120
illustrating a perpendicular view of a desktop (not shown) in a
graphical user interface (not shown). Image transformation
representation 120 includes a viewpoint 126 with a viewing range
128 extending over a planar central segment 130 of a non-planar,
stepped desktop object 132. Non-planar desktop object 132 further
includes lateral segments 134 and 136 that are generally parallel
to central segment 130, but correspond to a depth or distance 138
from viewpoint 126 greater than depth or distance 140 to central
segment 130.
[0045] Depth or distance 138 of lateral segments 134 and 136 causes
windows (not shown) that are position within segments 134 and 136
to appear farther from viewpoint 126 and, as a result, are rendered
with a correspondingly smaller size that allows more objects (e.g.,
windows) to be rendered or discerned. It will be appreciated that
the generation or rendering of windows or other objects in lateral
segments 134 and 136, in comparison to the rendering in central
segment 130, is readily accommodated by a depth factor in the
conventional transformation matrix calculation for the display.
[0046] FIG. 7 is an image transformation representation 150
illustrating a perpendicular view of a desktop (not shown) in a
graphical user interface (not shown). Image transformation
representation 150 includes a viewpoint 156 with a viewing range
158 extending over a planar central segment 160 of a non-planar
desktop object 162. Non-planar desktop object 162 further includes
lateral segments 164 and 166 that are inclined (i.e., generally not
parallel) relative to central segment 160, and correspond to a
depth or distance 168 from viewpoint 156 typically greater than
depth or distance 170 to central segment 160.
[0047] Lateral segment 164 includes a pair of oppositely inclined
regions 172 and 174, with inner region 172 being positioned between
central segment 160 and outer region 174. Likewise, lateral segment
166 includes a pair of oppositely inclined regions 176 and 178,
with inner region 176 being positioned between central segment 160
and outer region 178. In the illustrated implementation, inner
inclined regions 172 and 176 are of generally the same size and
inclination as outer regions 174 and 178, respectively. It will be
appreciated, however, that inner regions 172 and 176 could be of
size or inclination that differ from those of regions 174 and 174.
For example, inner regions 172 and 176 could be shorter and steeper
than regions 174 and 174. It will be appreciated that the
generation or rendering of windows or other objects in lateral
segments 164 and 166, in comparison to the rendering in central
segment 130, is readily accommodated by a depth factor in the
conventional transformation matrix calculation for the display.
[0048] The inclinations of inner regions 172 and 176 will result in
any windows rendered in those regions to have a greater parallax
than windows rendered with reference to windows rendered in lateral
segments of non-inclined desktop object (e.g., FIGS. 4 and 5).
Conversely, the inclinations of outer regions 174 and 178 will
result in any windows rendered in those regions being rendered with
little or no parallax. It will be appreciated, therefore, that
relatively steep, narrow inner regions 172 and 176 could provide
visual transitions to wider, extended outer regions 174 and 178 to
give a user an extended, parallax-free desktop.
[0049] The non-planar desktop object 162 of graphical user
interface 154 is merely one example illustrating that graphical
user interfaces of the present invention could employ a variety of
non-planar desktop objects. Alternative desktop objects could
employ other combinations of flat segments, as illustrated, or
could employ segments with smooth or continuous configurations. It
will be appreciated that the generation or rendering of windows or
other objects on such desktop objects, in comparison to the
rendering in central segment 130, is readily accommodated by a
depth factor in the conventional transformation matrix calculation
for the display.
[0050] FIG. 8A is an image transformation representation 180
illustrating a first perpendicular view of a desktop (not shown) on
a desktop object 186 in a graphical user interface (not shown).
Image transformation representation 180 includes a viewpoint 190
that is a first distance 192 from desktop object 186 and includes a
viewing range 192 extending over a central segment 194. Lateral
segments 196 and 198 of desktop object 186 are not included within
viewing range 192.
[0051] FIG. 8B is an image transformation representation 200
illustrating a second perpendicular view of desktop (not shown) on
desktop object 186 in graphical user interface (not shown). Image
transformation representation 200 includes viewpoint 190 that is a
second distance 204 from desktop object 186 and includes a viewing
range 206 extending over all of desktop object 186. Second distance
204 between viewpoint 190 and desktop object 194 is greater than
first distance 192 so that viewing range 206 encompasses desktop
object 186 while viewing range 192 encompasses only central segment
194.
[0052] Image transformation representations 180 and 200 illustrate
that the use of three-dimensional image transformations for
rendering operating system displays may extend beyond lateral
rotations. It will be appreciated that the generation or rendering
of windows or other objects in image transformation representations
180 and 200 is readily accommodated by a depth factor in the
conventional transformation matrix calculation for the display.
[0053] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a desktop shell rendering method
220 for selectively generating perpendicular and angled views of
desktop-based graphical user interface 50. It will be appreciated
that method 220 is similarly applicable to generating alternative
desktop views described with reference to FIGS. 6-8, and other
alternative desktop views as well.
[0054] Process block 222 indicates that an extended desktop object
(e.g., extended desktop object 76) is defined to have at least one
dimension greater than a corresponding display screen. For example,
the extended desktop object may have only a lateral dimension that
is greater than a corresponding display screen dimension, as with
exemplary extended desktop object 76. Alternatively, the extended
desktop object may have only a vertical dimension that is greater
than a corresponding display screen dimension, or may have both a
lateral and a vertical dimension that are greater than the
corresponding display screen dimensions.
[0055] Process block 224 indicates that a viewpoint (e.g.,
viewpoint 72) is established for determining a view of the desktop
object.
[0056] Process block 226 indicates that a viewing angle is selected
between the viewpoint and the extended desktop object. As an
example, a default perpendicular viewing angle may be defined. An
angled, non-perpendicular viewing angle may be selected either upon
a specific user command or automatically upon a user positioning a
cursor at or within a predefined distance of a side margin of the
display screen. Alternatively, eye pupil motion detection may be
employed to detect a user looking to a side margin of a
display.
[0057] Process block 228 indicates that a desktop graphical user
interface is rendered in accordance with the selected viewing
angle.
[0058] Having described and illustrated the principles of our
invention with reference to an illustrated embodiment, it will be
recognized that the illustrated embodiment can be modified in
arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. It
should be understood that the programs, processes, or methods
described herein are not related or limited to any particular type
of computer apparatus, unless indicated otherwise. Various types of
general purpose or specialized computer apparatus may be used with
or perform operations in accordance with the teachings described
herein. Elements of the illustrated embodiment shown in software
may be implemented in hardware and vice versa.
[0059] In view of the many possible embodiments to which the
principles of our invention may be applied, it should be recognized
that the detailed embodiments are illustrative only and should not
be taken as limiting the scope of our invention. Rather, we claim
as our invention all such embodiments as may come within the scope
and spirit of the following claims and equivalents thereto.
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