Patent ID: 6509912
Filing Date: 2003-01-21
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A free form graphics system for handling domain objects in a free form manner, said domain objects providing a representation of information for performing an application specific task, said system comprising:a display device for displaying domain object icons, said domain object icons representing instances of domain objects; a user input device for enabling a user to manipulate said domain object icons in a free form manner; domain object generation circuitry coupled to said display device and user input device, said domain object generation circuitry for creating one or more domain object icons from data in a database, layout selection information and domain object class definitions stored on a storage device, each of said one or more domain object icons being an instantiation of said domain object class that is defined by said domain object class definition, said domain object class definition specifying textual attributes representing information used to perform the application specific task, a set of action rules for performing operations responsive to an event, and one or more, each of said one or more layouts indicating a format for displaying at least one of the textual attributes as a domain object icon comprised of predetermined areas for displaying some or all of said attributes, and wherein the choice of said one or more layouts to be used is specified by said layout selection information; and event detection circuitry for detecting an event has occurred and causing operations corresponding to said event to be perforned.