초록

A graphical user interface in which object thumbnails are rendered on a simulated three-dimensional surface which (i) exploits spatial memory and (ii) allows more objects to be rendered on a given screen. The objects may be moved, continuously, on the surface with a two-dimensional input device.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed:] [1.] A system which permits a user to interact with objects, the system comprising:a) an input facility for accepting user inputs;b) a storage facility containingi) location and state information for each of the objects, wherein the state information for each of the objects inclu

[ What is claimed:] [1.] A system which permits a user to interact with objects, the system comprising:a) an input facility for accepting user inputs;b) a storage facility containingi) location and state information for each of the objects, wherein the state information for each of the objects includes an indication of whether or not the object is active,ii) a visual representation of each of the objects,iii) a cursor location,iv) a three-dimensional environment includinga three-dimensional surface, andv) a first audio cue;c) a processing unit whichi) accepts user inputs from the input facility,ii) updates (a) the location and state information for each of the objects contained in the storage facility, and (b) the cursor location contained in the storage facility, based on the accepted user inputs, andiii) generates video outputs based onA) the location and state information for each of the objects,B) the visual representation of each of the objects,C) the cursor location, andD) the three-dimensional surface, contained in the storage facility;d) a video display unit for rendering the video outputs generated by the processing unit; ande) an audio output device,wherein the processing unit determines that an object is active if a cursor is on an object based on the cursor location and the location of the object,wherein, if an object is active and the input facility accepts a move input, theni) the processing unit updates the state and location of the object,ii) the processing unit generates a video output based on the updated location of the object,iii) the video display device renders the video output generated by the processing unit, andiv) the processing unit provides the first audio cue to the audio output device.