Assigning screen designation codes to images

Abstract

A method of assigning screen designation codes to images is disclosed. The method includes accessing data operable to display a first image and a second image. A first screen designation code is assigned to the first image, wherein the first screen designation code is associated with a first display screen of a multi-component display, and wherein the first screen designation code is operable to cause a display of the first image on the first display screen of the multi-component display. A second screen designation code is assigned to the second image, wherein the second screen designation code is associated with a second display screen of the multi-component display, wherein the first display screen and the second display screen overlap, and wherein the second screen designation code is operable to cause a display of the second image on the second display screen of the multi-component display.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 048,966, filed Feb. 6, 2002, naming Gabriel Engel and Pita Witehira as inventors, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and having attorney docket number PURE-P003, which claims the benefit of International Application Number PCT / NZ00 / 00161, filed Aug. 18, 2000, which claims the benefit of New Zealand Patent Number 337334, filed Aug. 19, 1999. Each of these applications is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and for all purposes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Many software programs these days display information on a screen using effective a multi-layered approach.[0003]For example, a drawing package may have a central area which the software user can draw upon.[0004]In a typical drawing package there are many drop down menus, tool bars, cursors or templates which effectively overlay the drawing on the screen. The reason for this is that there is o...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for creating a visual effect in the display of software wherein the software is for the presentation of data or images on a screen using software functions, the method characterized by the steps of: a) assigning a particular screen designation code to some software components; and b) assigning other screen designation code to other components of the software, wherein the screen designation code determines which physical screen the image or software components is displayed in a multi-level screen display.

[0023]This arrangement of layering multiple screens allows images to be presented at multiple levels giving the viewer true depth without use of glass or lens.

[0026]With the present invention, a screen designation code may be used to place all of the standard software functions, templates, tool bars and the like on the foreground screen. However, the image being worked upon may be placed on the background screen. This arrangement allows the user of the software to effectively look behind the foreground components to view the image being manipulated.

[0028]Thus, there is now no requirement for the user to move around on screen various toolbars and the like so as to get a full view of the image.

[0030]To allow the drawings components to be readily and / or manipulated, the components themselves may have different transparencies. Further, the traditional white palette may be fully transparent.

[0033]The interface maybe a patch for existing software, a display driver, a library file or a new front end for multiple existing software packages or a completely new operating system. Instead of software, graphic cards may be used to divide the images appropriately. This will increase the speed of operation considerably.

Problems solved by technology

The reason for this is that there is only limited screen area available.

Often, the user is placed in the undesirable position of having to move around the tool bars and menus if possible, or alternatively move the drawing (or whatever file the user is working on) so that the user can actually see parts of the drawing formerly obscured by the menus and so forth.

There is another related problem experienced by software users, particularly in relation to drawing packages, but not exclusively.

This can in some cases lead to the objects at the back of the picture being obscured by larger objects at the front of the picture.

Thus, the user cannot readily select the object at the back of the picture with it being obscured.

This is understandably frustrating and can impede the user's ability to work efficiently, often requiring the user to move the front object so as to gain access to the back object.

Images