Patent · US Expired

Methods and arrangements for selective placement of movable objects within a graphical user interface

US7506270B1 · kind B1 · utility

2Cited by
7References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 14, 2000
Grant dateMar 17, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 8, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F3/04186
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Methods and arrangements are provided that allow for a gradual visual correction between a user's input and a selected object within a graphical user interface (GUI) environment. For example, if an offset exists between a user's input and an object's preferred contact area, then, as the user manipulates the object (e.g., moves the object within the GUI environment) the magnitude of the offset is selectively and incrementally altered in a manner that is nearly imperceptible to the user. This corrective process is continued, until the user's input and the object's preferred contact area falls within a defined tolerance. Consequently, the correction process tends to be more pleasing and in some instances more realistic than an immediate correction or maintenance of a continued offset.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.