Method and system for scaling a graphical user interface (GUI) widget based on selection pointer proximity
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsJames E. Fox, Robert C. Leah, Scott J. Mcallister
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
On a display screen, the visual size of a graphical user interface (GUI) widget is scaled based on the distance between the GUI widget and a displayed selection pointer, such as an arrow pointer controlled by a mouse. As the selection pointer is moved toward or away from the widget, the widget changes size. This permits the widget to display additional information, such as icon text, as a user moves a selection pointer closer to the widget.
Claims11
A method of displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) widget, comprising:
- determining the distance D between a displayed GUI widget and a displayed selection pointer;
- and
- scaling the visual size of the displayed GUI widget based on the distance D.
A computer-usable medium storing a computer program product for displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) widget, comprising:
- means for determining the distance D between a displayed GUI widget and a displayed selection pointer;
- and
- means for scaling the visual size of the displayed GUI widget based on the distance D.
A computer system, comprising:
- a display;
- a graphical user interface (GUI) presented by the display;
- a widget displayed in the GUI, the widget having a mass value m associated therewith;
- a selection pointer displayed in the GUI, the selection pointer having a mass value M associated therewith;
- means for determining a distance D between the displayed widget and selection pointer;
- and
- means for scaling the visual size of the displayed widget based on the mass values m and M and the distance D.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.