US 6,271,864 B1 · Representing a path as an object with transformation capability

Abstract

One or more embodiments provide the ability to use multiple path formats in an object oriented system. A path maintains the ability to translate itself into a recognizable format for use by applications. The recognizable format may be a standard Bezier Path format or an iterator that provides the ability to iterate along the path, one curve segment at a time. Multiple applications may use the self-translation ability. In one embodiment, when an application desires to perform a transform, it determines if the transform may be performed on the path (i.e., whether the path is recognizable). If the path is recognizable, the transform is performed directly on the path. If the path is not recognizable, the path translates itself into a recognizable format and the transform performs the action on the recognizable path (the transform must maintain the ability to perform the transform on the standard format). Determining whether the path is recognizable may consist of a two stage negotiation process. During the first stage the path determines if it recognizes the transform. If the path does not recognize the transform, the desired operation is passed onto the transform in the second stage where it is determined if the transform recognizes the path. If the path or the transform is recognizable in either stage the action is performed. However, in the second stage, if the path is not recognizable, the transform requests the path to translate itself and performs the operation on the recognizable path returned.

Claims44

Dependent claims

In a computer system, a method for using and performing operations on multiple path formats, said method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a path in a path format;
performing a transform;
determining if said path recognizes said transform;
if said path recognizes said transform, said path performing said transform;
if said path does not recognize said transform, determining if said transform recognizes said path;
if said transform recognizes said path, said transform performing said transform;
if said transform cannot be performed on said path in said path format:
retrieving a representation of said path that said transform can be performed on;
and
performing said transform with said path representation.

7 more elements

An article of manufacture comprising:

a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to use or perform operations on multiple path formats, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising:
computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to obtain a path in a path format;
computer readable program code configured to cause said computer to perform a transform;
computer readable program code configured to cause said computer to determine if said path recognizes said transform;
computer readable program code configured to cause said computer to have said path perform said transform if said path recognizes said transform;
computer readable program code configured to cause said computer to determine if said transform recognizes said path when said path does not recognize said transform;
computer readable program code configured to cause said computer to have said transform perform said transform on said path when said transform recognizes said path;
if said transform cannot be performed on said path in said path format, computer readable program code configured to cause said computer to:
retrieve a representation of said path that said transform can be performed on;
and
perform said transform with said path representation.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Representing a path as an object with transformation capability

Life of this patent

Representing a path as an object with transformation capability

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims44