Region layout in a view on a graphical display screen

A data processing system for displaying a plurality of graphic objects within a view on a display, comprising:

• a) processing means for processing data;
• b) memory for storing data to be processed;
• c) means for defining a view having a plurality of regions within which the graphic objects are to be displayed;
• d) means for associating each graphic object with a particular region of the view to indicate the region within which the graphic object is to be displayed, said association to be stored in memory;
• e) means for defining for each of said regions a pattern for the positioning of graphic objects within said region, said pattern being defined without regard to the number of graphic objects that may be associated with said region, wherein each of said defined patterns is selected from a plurality of patterns;
• f) means for dynamically positioning the graphic objects associated with each of said regions within the region in accordance with the pattern defined for said region;
• and
• g) a display for displaying, in response to said processing means, the view including the graphic objects dynamically positioned within the associated regions.

A method of displaying a plurality of graphic objects within a view on a display, comprising the steps of:

• a) defining a view having a plurality of regions within which the graphic objects are to be displayed;
• b) associating each graphic object with a region of the view to indicate the region within which the graphic object is to be displayed;
• c) defining for each of said regions a pattern for the positioning of graphic objects within said region, said pattern being defined without regard to the number of graphic objects that may be associated with said region, wherein each of said defined patterns is selected from a plurality of patterns;
• d) dynamically positioning the graphic objects associated with each of said regions within the region in accordance with the pattern defined for said region;
• and
• e) displaying on the display the view including the graphic objects dynamically positioned within the associated regions.

An apparatus for displaying a plurality of graphic objects within a view on a display, comprising:

• a) means for defining a view having a plurality of regions within which the graphic objects are to be displayed;
• b) means for associating each graphic object with a particular region of the view to indicate the region within which the graphic object is to be displayed;
• c) means for defining for each of said regions a pattern selected from a plurality of patterns for the positioning of graphic objects within said region, said pattern being defined without regard to the number of graphic objects that may be associated with said region;
• d) means for positioning the graphic objects associated with each of said regions within the region in accordance with the pattern defined for said region;
• and
• e) a display for displaying the view including the graphic objects within the associated regions.

A method of displaying a plurality of graphic objects within a view on a display, comprising the steps of:

• a) defining a view having a plurality of regions within which the graphic objects are to be displayed;
• b) associating each graphic object with a region of the view to indicate the region within which the graphic object is to be displayed;
• c) defining for each of said regions a pattern selected from a plurality of patterns for the positioning of graphic objects within said region, said pattern being defined without regard to the number of graphic objects that may be associated with said region;
• d) positioning the graphic objects associated with each of said regions within the region in accordance with the pattern defined for said region;
• and
• e) displaying on the display the view including the graphic objects dynamically positioned within the associated regions.