EP0352741A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Three dimensional graphic interface
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1989-07-25
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-07-25
Abstract
Abstract A comprehensive imaging effect is employed with respect to all components (32,34,40-54), and elements of those components, appearing in a graphic interface (30) to present a cohesive three-dimensional visual metaphor to a computer user. The approach that is employed to achieve the imaging effect basically involves the use of at least three different colors, e.g. three different shades of a color, to represent highlighting and shading along opposite edges of each component. Menu boxes (40) and the like are also represented in this manner to provide a visual representation of an integrated, three-dimensional structure. Shadows are displayed in a manner which conforms to the topology of illustrated components upon which they are cast, to reinforce the three-dimensional appearance of the display.
Inventors
- 👤 Barry R. Mathis
- 👤 Shizunori S. Kobara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:09
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T1/00; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G09; G09G; G09G5/00; G09G5/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A computer-controlled graphic display for a video screen which provides an interface between one or more application programs being executed on a computer and the user of the computer, characterized by at least one window (30;64,66, 68,73) for each application being run on the computer, each window being defined by a framed border (13,35) and containing components which are accessed by the user to implement commands, said framed border being represented on said video sreen by a main color with opposite edges of said border being indicated by at least two other colors (15,17) which are respectively lighter and darker than said main color to simulate a three-dimensional effect for said framed border, and each of said components (18,20,26;32,34,40-54;56-62) being represented by an associated color (10) with opposite edges of said component being indicated by at least two other colors (12,14) that are respectively lighter and darker than said associated color, such that all windows and components appearing on the video screen present the impression of having a depth characteristic as well as height and width.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
A computer-controlled graphic display for a video screen which provides an interface between one or more application programs being executed on a computer and the user of the computer, characterized by at least one window (30;64,66, 68,73) for each application being run on the computer, each window being defined by a framed border (13,35) and containing components which are accessed by the user to implement commands, said framed border being represented on said video sreen by a main color with opposite edges of said border being indicated by at least two other colors (15,17) which are respectively lighter and darker than said main color to simulate a three-dimensional effect for said framed border, and each of said components (18,20,26;32,34,40-54;56-62) being represented by an associated color (10) with opposite edges of said component being indicated by at least two other colors (12,14) that are respectively lighter and darker than said associated color, such that all windows and components appearing on the video screen present the impression of having a depth characteristic as well as height and width.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
116 words
A computer-controlled graphic display for a video screen which provides an interface between one or more application programs being executed on a computer and the user of the computer, characterized by a plurality of components (18,20, 26;32,34,40-54;56-62) which indicate respective functions that can be performed by the program and are accessed by the user to implement commands, each of said components being represented by a main color (10) with opposite edges of said component being indicated by at least two other colors (12,14) that are respectively lighter and darker than said main color, such that all components appearing on the video screen present the impression of having a depth characteristic as well as height and width.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
116 words
A computer-controlled graphic display for a video screen which provides an interface between one or more application programs being executed on a computer and the user of the computer, characterized by a plurality of components (18,20, 26;32,34,40-54;56-62) which indicate respective functions that can be performed by the program and are accessed by the user to implement commands, each of said components being represented by a main color (10) with opposite edges of said component being indicated by at least two other colors (12,14) that are respectively lighter and darker than said main color, such that all components appearing on the video screen present the impression of having a depth characteristic as well as height and width.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
73 words
The graphic display of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least some of said components comprise icons containing images of respective objects having characteristic features, and that opposite edges of each feature in the image of an object are indicated by said colors which are, respectively lighter and darker than said main or said associated color to provide the impression that the icon comprises a panel having a threedimensional object thereon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
86 words
The graphic display of claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that at least one of said components comprises a box (34) whose opposite edges are respectively indicated by said lighter and darker colors to thereby represent a threedimensional panel, and that said box contains further components (48-54) accessible by the user, with opposite edges of said further components also being indicated by said lighter and darker colors to thereby provide the impression that said further components comprise integral raised or recessed elements on said panel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
The graphic display of one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said components include a box (40) containing a menu of commands which are individually selectable by the user, that opposite edges of said box are respectively indicated by said lighter and darker colors to thereby represent a three-dimensional panel, and that the individual command selected by a user is identified by a bar (42) having opposite edges which are respectively indicated by said lighter and darker colors to thereby provide the impression of a raised button on said panel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
103 words
The graphic display of claim 5, characterized in that the edges of the button (40) on said panel are highlighted and shaded in a manner corresponding to the highlighting and shading of the edges of the panel (42) when the command represented by said button is not selected by the user, to thereby create the impression of a raised button, and the edges of the button are shaded and highlighted in an opposite manner when the command represented by the button is selected by the user, to thereby create the impression that the button has been pushed and is recessed within the panel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The graphic display of claim 4, characterized in that a shadow is displayed on said screen adjacent each window or panel at a location corresponding to the edges of said framed border or panel which are represented by said darker color.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The graphic display of claim 6, characterized in that the borders of said shadow that are away from said window or said panel are contoured in accordance with the simulated threedimensional topology of elements that are displayed as being beneath said window or said panel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The graphic display of claim 7 or 8, characterized in that said shadow (74) is created by means of a transparent, darkened window on said display.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The graphic display of one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that said shadow (74) has a color that is about 40% darker than the color of the element upon which the element is cast.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The graphic display of one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said lighter color is about 35-45% lighter than said main color, and said darker color is about 35-45% darker than said main color.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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