Mouse radar for enhanced navigation of a topology
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsSteven P. Kim, Robert T. Uthe
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for enhancing navigation of a topology within a visual display. A system is disclosed including: a system for displaying an enhanced mouse pointer in a current view, wherein the enhanced mouse pointer includes an indicator that points to a resource outside the current view; and a processing system for calculating the indicator by analyzing resources in the topology.
Claims15
A system for enhancing navigation of a topology within a visual display, comprising:
- a device for displaying an enhanced mouse pointer in a current view, wherein the enhanced mouse pointer includes an indicator that directionally points to a resource in the topology outside the current view, wherein the enhanced mouse pointer includes a circular band surrounding the enhanced mouse pointer, wherein the indicator is located along the circular band, wherein the circular band includes an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter and wherein a position of the indicator relative to the inner and outer perimeters provides a relative distance to the resource, and wherein the enhanced mouse pointer is continuously movable within the current view by a user operating a mouse;
- and
- a processing system for calculating the indicator by analyzing resources in the topology.
A computer readable medium having a program product stored thereon for enhancing navigation of a topology in a visual display, the computer readable medium comprising program code for performing the following steps when executed on a computer system:
- displaying an enhanced mouse pointer in a current view, wherein the enhanced mouse pointer includes an indicator that directionally points to a resource in the topology outside the current view, wherein the enhanced mouse pointer includes a circular band surrounding the enhanced mouse pointer, wherein the circular band includes an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter and wherein a position of the indicator relative to the inner and outer perimeters provides a relative distance to the resource, and wherein the indicator is located along the circular band;
- and
- calculating the indicator by analyzing resources in the topology.
A method for enhancing navigation of a topology in a visual display, wherein the method comprises:
- positioning a mouse pointer in a current view of the topology, wherein the mouse pointer includes a circular band surrounding the mouse pointer, and wherein the circular band includes an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter and wherein a position of the indicator relative to the inner and outer perimeters provides a relative distance to the resource;
- calculating an indicator by analyzing resources in the topology;
- and
- displaying the indicator proximate the mouse pointer, wherein the indicator directionally points to a resource of interest in the topology outside the current view, and wherein the indicator is located along the circular band.
A method for deploying a topology navigation system, comprising
- providing a computer infrastructure being operable to
- position a mouse pointer in a current view of the topology, wherein the mouse pointer includes a circular band surrounding the mouse pointer, and wherein the circular band includes an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter and wherein a position of the indicator relative to the inner and outer perimeters provides a relative distance to the resource;
- calculate an indicator by analyzing resources in the topology;
- and
- display the indicator proximate the mouse pointer, wherein the indicator directionally points to a resource of interest in the topology outside the current view, and wherein the indicator is located along the circular band.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.