Patent ID: 6243093
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A man-machine interface method for permitting a user to act on objects, for use with a machine having a video display device and a user input device, the man-machine interface method comprising steps of:a) generating a three-dimensional environment, having a three-dimensional surface, to be rendered on the video display device;b) determining a virtual location environment of each of a plurality of objects in the three-dimensional environment; andc) generating visual representations of the objects, within the three-dimensional environment, at the determined locations, to be rendered on the video display device;d) accepting inputs from the user input device;e) determining a cursor location based on the accepted inputs; andf) generating the cursor at the determined cursor location, to be rendered on the video display device;g) if the cursor is located on a location of one of the objects, defining said one object as an active object;h) determining a degree to which each other one of the objects in the plurality of objects is related to the active object;i) for said each other one object, comparing the degree of match to a predetermined threshold to determine whether said each other object matches the active object; andj) generating a plurality of visual cues, to be rendered on the video display device, for associating the active object and objects matching the active object, wherein each of the visual cues comprises a separate indicator apart from a corresponding one of the other objects though situated proximate thereto and which depicts, through a displayed magnitude or a pre-defined graphical depiction, the degree to which the corresponding object matches the active object.