Patent ID: 6160553
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: G06F,G09G

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 surface, to be rendered on the video display device;b) determining a location of each of the objects on the surface;c) generating visual representations of the objects, on the surface, 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;f) generating the cursor at the determined cursor location, to be rendered on the video display device;g) if the cursor is located on one of the objects, defining that object as an active object;h) if the user input provides a move input and if an active object exists, theni) updating a location of the active object, andii) generating the visual representation of the active object at its updated location, to be rendered on the video display device; andi) if the updated location of the active object is within a predetermined distance of another object, theni) defining the other object as a pushed object, andii) updating a location of the other object to maintain a predetermined distance between it and the active object to prevent total occlusion of the visual representations of either object.