Method and apparatus for operating on the model data structure of an image to produce human perceptible output using a viewing operation region having explicit multiple regions

A method of operating a machine which includes,

• input circuitry connected to a user input device;
• the input circuitry receiving signals indicating requests of a machine user;
• output circuitry connected to a display having a display area for presenting images;
• the display area having a first image displayed in a present image position therein;
• a processor connected for receiving the signals from the input circuitry, and connected for providing image definition data defining images to the output circuitry;
• and
• memory for storing data;
• the data stored in the memory including,
• instruction data indicating instructions the processor executes;
• and
• a first image model data structure;
• the first image being produced from the first image model data structure;
• the processor further being connected for accessing the data stored in the memory,
• the method of operating the machine comprising:
• operating the processor to receive request signal data from the input circuitry indicating a display request by the machine user to display a viewing operation region including an explicit input region and a spatially distanced explicit output region, the input region being in a present viewing position in the display area coextensive with the present image position of a first image segment of the first image;
• the viewing operation region having a viewing operation associated therewith for mapping the first image model data structure to image definition data defining a second image for display in the explicit output region;
• and
• operating the processor to respond to the request signal data indicating the display request by
• producing image definition data defining the second image according to the viewing operation using the first image model data structure;
• and
• providing the image definition data defining the second image to the output circuitry connected to the display so that the display presents the second image in the explicit output region in response to the image definition data;
• the second image being displayed substantially at the same time as the first image is displayed in the explicit input region;
• whereby presenting the second image in the explicit output region in response to the display request by the machine user gives the perception to the machine user of producing a view of the first image segment within the explicit input region, spatially distinct from the explicit input region, according to the viewing operation associated with the viewing operation region.

A machine comprising:

• input circuitry connected to a user input device;
• the input circuitry receiving signals indicating requests of a machine user;
• output circuitry connected to a display having a display area for presenting images;
• the display area having a first image displayed in a present image position therein;
• a processor connected for receiving the signals from the input circuitry, and connected for providing image definition data defining images to the output circuitry for presentation by the display;
• and
• memory for storing data;
• the data stored in the memory including:
• instruction data indicating instructions the processor can execute;
• and
• a first image model data structure;
• the first image being produced from the first image model data structure;
• the processor being further connected for accessing the data stored in the memory;
• the processor, in executing the instructions, receiving request signal data from the input circuitry indicating a display request by the machine user to display a viewing operation region including an explicit input region and an explicit output region spatially distanced from the explicit input region, the explicit input region displayed in the present viewing position in the display area coextensive with the present image position of a first image segment of the first image;
• the processor further, in executing the instructions, responding to the request signal data indicating the display request by producing image definition data defining a second image in the explicit output region using the first image model data structure;
• and
• the processor further, in executing the instructions, providing the image definition data defining the second image to the output circuitry connected to the display so that the display presents the second image in the explicit output region in response to the image definition data;
• the second image being displayed substantially at the same time as the first image is displayed in the display area;
• whereby the processor, in executing the instructions, causes the presentation of the second image in the explicit output region and gives the perception to a machine user of providing information related to the first display feature in the first image segment of the explicit input region.