KR100714718B1 - Three dimensional motion graphic user interface, method and apparutus for providing the user interface - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a three-dimensional motion graphical user interface, wherein an apparatus for providing a user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention provides an input module for receiving an input from a user and an output module for outputting a graphical user interface for displaying an information object. Wherein the graphical user interface includes a first space in which a first polyhedron component exists and a second space in which a second polyhedron component exists, wherein the first polyhedron component identifies information identifying the second polyhedron component. Wherein, when the selected information object corresponding to the received input is located inside the first polyhedron component, the selected information object moves to the inside of the second polyhedron component using the identification information.

3D motion graphical user interface, event helper

Description

Three dimensional motion graphic user interface, method and apparutus for providing the user interface

1 is an exemplary view showing a UI using a Graphic User Interface component supported by a conventional PC operating system.

2 is an exemplary view showing an overall configuration of a motion graphic user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is an exemplary diagram illustrating an embodiment of a polyhedron component that is a component of a motion graphic user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4A is an exemplary diagram illustrating that information is mapped onto a surface of a polyhedron component according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

4B is an exemplary diagram illustrating a case where information mapped to a surface of a polyhedron component is 3D stereoscopic information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an apparatus for providing a three-dimensional motion graphical user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a user interface module illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of generating motion of a polyhedron component by an action of a user according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary view illustrating a position of a polyhedron component moving in motion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9 is an exemplary view illustrating a state in which a size of a polyhedron component is changed during motion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a state in which a polyhedron component rotates in motion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary view illustrating a spring lock during motion of a polyhedron component according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

12A is an exemplary diagram illustrating a motion of a polyhedron component according to a movement of a camera view according to an embodiment of the present invention.

12B is an exemplary diagram illustrating a change in MGUI space according to division of an active space and an inactive space according to an embodiment of the present invention.

13 is a flowchart illustrating a process of displaying information by a user interface composed of a plurality of polyhedral components according to an embodiment of the present invention.

14 to 19 is an exemplary view showing the arrangement of a group consisting of a plurality of polyhedral components in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

20 is an exemplary diagram illustrating that a video object is spatially moved by a space jump event helper according to an embodiment of the present invention.

21 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of a space jump event helper according to an embodiment of the present invention.

22A to 22D are exemplary views illustrating a path designation method between space jump event helpers according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

23 is an exemplary diagram illustrating spatial movement of an information object using a space jump event helper according to an embodiment of the present invention.

24 is an exemplary diagram illustrating spatial movement of an information object using a spatial jump event helper according to another embodiment of the present invention.

25A and 25B are exemplary views illustrating movement of a work space using a space jump event helper according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

26 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a motion of an event helper according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

500: user interface device

510: input module

520: user interface module

530: control module

540: output module

550: storage module

The present invention relates to a three-dimensional motion graphic user interface (hereinafter referred to as 'MGUI') and a method and apparatus for providing the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a dynamic graphic user interface that dynamically changes according to an action by a user. By providing information in a three-dimensional user interface, and relates to a method and apparatus for providing a user interface to enhance the visual effect and the efficiency of information use.

A user interface (hereinafter referred to as a UI) of a conventional digital device uses components of a graphical user interface of a PC operating system. Therefore, even though two-dimensional UI is mainstream and three-dimensional UI, it is mostly static and does not escape the characteristics of the existing two-dimensional UI.

1 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a UI using a Graphic User Interface (GUI) component supported by a conventional PC operating system.

Conventional UIs are flat and static as two-dimensional UIs. Therefore, the type of information displayed by the UI is also document-oriented, which is insufficient to satisfy the user's emotion, and there is a limit in providing information visually effectively. Although there are three-dimensional components in the components provided by the conventional GUI, it has not yet escaped from the concept of two-dimensional. As a result, the three-dimensional merits are not utilized much in the use method. The GUI of the PC operating system is not suitable for all digital devices, and in particular, a device providing multimedia contents has a limitation in the existing UI in order to satisfy user's emotions and provide entertainment functions. However, various inventions have been proposed (for example, US Patent No. 6,344,863, 'Three-dimensional gui windows with variable-speed perspective movement'), but the above-mentioned problems are still not solved. It is not. Accordingly, there is a need for a dynamic and realistic UI for digital devices that provide various contents.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for providing information that is intuitive and satisfies user's emotion by providing a UI using a three-dimensional component.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

In order to achieve the above object, a graphical user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first polyhedron component present in a first space and a second polyhedron component present in a second space, wherein the first polyhedron component comprises: An identification object identifying a two polyhedron component, wherein when the information object selected by the user is located inside of the first polyhedron component, the information object uses the identification information to enter into the second polyhedron component Space moves.

In order to achieve the above object, an apparatus for providing a graphical user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention is a control module for generating a polyhedron component including identification information for a polyhedron component existing in another space, and generated by the control module A storage module for storing the polyhedron component, an input module for receiving location information of the information object selected by the user, and location information of the information object and position information of the polyhedron component generated by the control module. A user interface module for changing location information of the information object so that the information object is located inside a polyhedron component identified by the identification information, when an object is located inside the generated polyhedron component, and the user interface Results processed by the module And an output module for displaying.

In order to achieve the above object, a method for providing a graphical user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention is to move to a polyhedron component containing the identification information for the polyhedron component that the information object selected by the user exists in another space (a) (B) positioning said information object inside a polyhedron component containing said identification information, and (c) spatially moving said information object into a polyhedron component identified by said identification information. Include.

In order to achieve the above object, a graphical user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a polyhedron component in which event activation information is set, and an information object from which the event is generated, wherein the event is to be located in the polyhedron component. When the corresponding event is generated according to the event activation information.

In order to achieve the above object, a method for providing a graphical user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of varying the positional relationship between the polyhedron component is set the event activation information and the information object is generated, the information object is the polyhedron Positioning in a component and generating a corresponding event by the information object according to the event activation information.

Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and the drawings.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will be apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various different forms, and only the embodiments make the disclosure of the present invention complete, and the general knowledge in the art to which the present invention belongs. It is provided to fully inform the person having the scope of the invention, which is defined only by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to a block diagram or a flowchart for explaining a MGUI according to embodiments of the present invention. At this point, it will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and combinations of flowchart illustrations may be performed by computer program instructions. Since these computer program instructions may be mounted on a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing equipment, those instructions executed through the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing equipment may be described in flow chart block (s). It will create means to perform the functions. These computer program instructions may be stored in a computer usable or computer readable memory that can be directed to a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to implement functionality in a particular manner, and thus the computer usable or computer readable memory. It is also possible for the instructions stored in to produce an article of manufacture containing instruction means for performing the functions described in the flowchart block (s). Computer program instructions It is also possible to mount on a computer or other programmable data processing equipment, so that a series of operating steps are performed on the computer or other programmable data processing equipment to create a computer-implemented process to perform the computer or other programmable data processing equipment. It is also possible for the instructions to provide steps for performing the functions described in the flowchart block (s).

In addition, each block may represent a portion of a module, segment, or code that includes one or more executable instructions for executing a specified logical function (s). It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of order. For example, the two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending on the corresponding function.

2 is an exemplary view showing the overall configuration of the MGUI according to an embodiment of the present invention.

MGUI is a UI concept that can build a more dynamic GUI environment based on 3D environment and Motion Graphics. The MGUI environment consists of the following elements.

MGUI space

2. MGUI component

3. How to present MGUI components

4. MGUI camera view

5. MGUI Information Pages and Information Spaces

The MGUI space 200 is a space area for building an MGUI environment. When the space is designated, the MGUI space 200 may be divided into an active space 210 and an inactive space 220 according to characteristics of the space type. . The space that can be used when designing the UI is the active space 210. In order to arrange the user interface components 240 provided by the MGUI in the active space 210, an area of the information space 230 must be set in the active space. That is, the information space 230 is an area where the MGUI components 240 can be actually disposed in the active space.

The MGUI components 240 refer to configuration objects of the MGUI that provide information through interaction with a user in the MGUI environment. The MGUI component includes one or more information planes, which will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 3.

The method of arranging MGUI components is a method of determining how at least one or more components are grouped and manipulated in the information space, and which motions are arranged on the screen during the manipulation process. Detailed description thereof will be described later with reference to FIGS. 13 to 19.

Camera view refers to a viewpoint within the MGUI environment. Movement of the viewpoint means that navigation occurs in the space, and thus motion occurs throughout the space. The camera view of MGUI is the main cause of motion in the MGUI environment along with the unique motion properties of each component of MGUI. A detailed description thereof will be described later with reference to FIG. 12.

3 is an exemplary diagram illustrating an embodiment of a polyhedron component that is a component of a motion graphic user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Polyhedral component 300 consists of a number of faces 310, edges 320, and vertices 330. A polyhedron is a three-dimensional figure consisting of at least four or more faces, including tetrahedrons, pentagons, and hexahedrons. A sphere can also be approximated as a polyhedron consisting of a myriad of faces. Hereinafter, for exemplification of the present invention, a hexahedron of polyhedrons will be described.

Attributes of the polyhedron component 300 include an identifier and a size of the polyhedron, and attributes of the face 310 include a number, color, transparency, and an information surface. In addition, the attributes of the edge 320 include the color of the edge. At this time, these attributes are not limited to the aforementioned elements, and various attributes may exist according to the application field.

The information plane refers to a plane on which information can be expressed among a plurality of planes forming the polyhedron component, which will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

The information surface of MGUI corresponds to the window of the conventional GUI. In MGUI, the information plane is dependent on the MGUI component, and the dependency on the MGUI component can be made in the following two ways. The first is to exist as one side constituting the polyhedron, and the second is to be in a visualized form separate from the polyhedron (eg, the information plane 420 of FIG. 4A). After all, the fact that the information plane is dependent on the MGUI component means that the information plane operates in conjunction with the MGUI component and displays information regardless of whether the information plane constitutes the MGUI component or is separated from the plane forming the polyhedron. It means.

FIG. 4A shows that all six faces of a hexahedron, which is one of the polyhedral components of the MGUI, have information plane attributes and show various kinds of information. The square 420 that appears on the right side of the hexahedral component 410 shows the information surface visualized on the screen as if it were a component. In this case, the information plane exists on the screen as a two-dimensional plane without depth, similar to the window of the conventional GUI, and when the information displayed by the hexahedron component changes or the hexahedral component 410 operates, the information is linked to the information plane. Changes and works.

The information surface may display text, an image, a video, and a 2D widget corresponding to 2D visual information. Also, like the three-dimensional icon, three-dimensional information can be displayed on the information surface, which is illustrated in FIG. 4B. In this case, the three-dimensional information 430 may be regarded as attached on the information surface.

When the information plane exists as one surface constituting the polyhedron component, the form in which the information is displayed on the information plane may vary according to the attributes assigned to the polyhedron component. For example, the size or amount of information displayed on the information plane may vary according to the size of the polyhedron component or the size attribute of the plane.

5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an apparatus for providing a three-dimensional motion graphical user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In this case, the device may be configured as a digital device. Digital devices are devices with digital circuits that process digital data. Computers, printers, scanners, pagers, digital cameras, fax machines, digital copiers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones, digital home appliances, digital phones, and digital projects. , Home servers, digital video recorders, digital TV broadcast receivers, digital satellite broadcast receivers, and set-top boxes.

The apparatus 500 for providing a user interface according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an input module 510, a user interface module 520, a control module 530, an output module 540, and a storage module 550.

In this case, the 'module' refers to a hardware component such as software or a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the module plays a role. However, modules are not meant to be limited to software or hardware. The module may be configured to be in an addressable storage medium and may be configured to execute one or more processors. Thus, as an example, a module may include components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, and processes, functions, properties, procedures, subroutines. , Segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. The functionality provided by the components and modules may be combined into a smaller number of components and modules or further separated into additional components and modules.

The control module 530 creates an MGUI space or polyhedron component and connects and manages other modules 510, 520, 540, 550.

The storage module 550 stores the MGUI space or polyhedron component generated by the control module 530.

The input module 510 receives data related to the user's action on the polyhedron component. In this case, the user's action refers to an action of a user accessing a polyhedron component, selecting a specific polyhedron component, selecting a specific information surface or a specific menu on the information surface, or operating a polyhedral component. It includes everything.

The output module 540 displays the data processed by the user interface module 520 through the display device.

The description of the user interface module 520 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6.

The user interface module 520 serves to provide a user interface using the MGUI space or the polyhedron component generated by the control module 530. The user interface module 520 includes a component attribute assignment module 521, a motion processing module 522, and a component group management module 523.

The component attribute assigning module 521 assigns the above-mentioned attributes in FIG. 3 to the polyhedron component generated by the control module 530 and maps the information displayed on the information surface of the polyhedron component according to the attribute.

The motion processing module 522 processes the motion of the polyhedron component in the MGUI space according to the data about the user's action input from the input module 510, and uses the component attribute providing module 521 to process the polyhedron according to the motion. Remaps the information displayed on the information side of the component.

The component group management module 523 receives data about a specific polyhedron in the polyhedron component group selected by the user from the input module 510 and processes the data to highlight the selected polyhedron. Modify the information that maps to the information plane. It also changes the display of other unselected polyhedral components in the group. In this way, the user interface module 520 is divided into sub-modules 521, 522, and 523 according to its function, and the data about the user interface processed by them is passed to the output module 540 via the control module 530. Is displayed.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of generating motion of a polyhedron component by an action of a user according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The polyhedron component of MGUI is a dynamic three-dimensional UI component in which motion occurs according to the user's action. The process of motion is as follows. The user accesses the polyhedron component (S710) and performs a certain action on the polyhedron component (S720). According to the action (S720) of the user, the information displayed on the information surfaces of the polyhedron component changes (S730), and the motion of the polyhedron component occurs (S740).

Meanwhile, in another embodiment, the motion of the polyhedron component may occur without changing the information displayed on the information surfaces, for example, a component called a 'space jump enveter helper'. The 'space jump envet helper' will be described later.

A step S710 in which a user accesses a polyhedron component is performed by accessing a specific polyhedron component that displays information of interest to the user in the MGUI environment. The user's access to the polyhedron component may be made through various input means such as a mouse, a keyboard, a keypad, a touch pad, and the like.

In step S720, the user performs a certain action on the polyhedron component, such as selecting a specific menu on the information surface of the polyhedron component, moving or rotating the polyhedron component, changing the size, etc. to find necessary information. Can take place in the form. Selection of a specific menu, movement of a polyhedron component, rotation, etc. may be performed through various input means such as a mouse, a keyboard, a keypad, and a touch pad. For example, the selection of a particular menu can be clicked on the selection button on the keypad, and the movement or rotation of the polyhedron component can be made using the arrow buttons on the keypad. In another embodiment, specifying a polyhedron component to generate a motion pops up a menu for a motion that a user can select on the display, thereby acting on the polyhedron component by selecting a menu. The data regarding the user's access or the action of the user is provided to the user interface module 520 through the control module 530 by the input module 510 of the digital device 500.

When a user has a certain action on the polyhedron component, the information displayed on the information planes of the polyhedron component may change according to the action. This is done by the component attribution module 521 in the user interface module 520 modifying the information that maps to the information plane. For example, if the user selects a specific menu of a specific information surface in operation S720, the component attribute assignment module 521 maps the submenu or sub information of the selected menu to the information surfaces of the polyhedron component and displays the result. The output module 540 is to be displayed.

In addition, the motion of the polyhedron component occurs according to the user's action, which causes different motion depending on the type of the user's action. The motion processing according to the user's action is performed by the motion processing module 522 in the user interface module 520. The motion processing module 522 processes the data required for the display or the position of the polyhedron component according to the motion and displays the result through the output module 540.

The motions that a polyhedral component can take include movement, change in size, rotation, and spring lock. In this case, the plane on which the motion is based may be the front of the polyhedron component or the plane oriented with the user. On the other hand, in another embodiment, the user can select the surface on which the motion is a reference using various input means. In another embodiment, a pointer may be placed on a plane on which a motion is based, and a user may move the pointer to select a plane on which a motion is based. Each motion will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 12.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary view illustrating a position of a polyhedron component moving in motion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The movement of the polyhedron component is performed by selecting a specific polyhedron component and then designating the position after the movement by various input means. For example, when the input means is a mouse, the user may click and select a component to be moved with a mouse and drag the component to a position to be moved.

9 is an exemplary view illustrating a state in which a size of a polyhedron component is changed during motion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The user selects a polyhedron component to be enlarged or reduced in size and then changes the size. For example, when the input means is a mouse, the polyhedron component may be enlarged or reduced in size by selecting and dragging a vertex of the polyhedron.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a state in which a polyhedron component rotates in motion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 shows the rotation of the cube to the right about the X axis, the rotation can be made at any angle about any axis as well as the X, Y, or Z axis.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary view illustrating a spring lock during motion of a polyhedron component according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The spring lock means that the user rotates by a desired angle in a predetermined direction by the user's action, and then returns to the original state when the user's action that causes the rotation is released. In another embodiment, it may be maintained in the rotated state and then returned to the original state when the user performs a specific operation.

The motion of the polyhedron component is generated by the user's direct action as described above, but the camera view, which is a change in the MGUI space (change of active space partitioning, space reduction, space expansion, etc.) or a viewpoint in the MGUI space It can also occur as you move.

12A is an exemplary diagram illustrating a motion of a polyhedron component according to a movement of a camera view according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 12A, as the camera view rotates counterclockwise, all polyhedral components in the MGUI space rotate clockwise. In addition, when the camera view is zoomed out, all the polyhedron components in the MGUI space are reduced. When the camera view is zoomed in, all the polyhedron components in the MGUI space are enlarged.

12B is an exemplary diagram illustrating a change in MGUI space according to division of an active space and an inactive space according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The polyhedron component may be located only in the active space even in the MGUI space as described above with reference to FIG. 2. Therefore, the position of the polyhedron component varies depending on how the active and inactive spaces are divided, so that the appearance to the user may change. 12B illustrates an unlimited active space in the Y-axis direction above the reference plane 1230 with limitations in the X- and Z-axis directions. That is, in the X-axis and Z-axis directions, the active space is limited to the area designated by the reference plane 1230 and an infinite active space is designated above the reference plane. Thus, the polyhedral component can only be located in the active space 1210, which is the interior space of the column, indicated by the arrow, and the space outside the column and the bottom of the reference plane 1230, indicated by the arrow, is the inactive space 1220. Can not. In another embodiment, the MGUI space may be divided into several active spaces. In this case, the arrangement shape of a group of several polyhedral components may also vary according to the manner in which the active spaces are divided.

MGUI may also consist of multiple polyhedron components. Multiple polyhedron components can be managed as a group to provide uniformity in arrangement or movement on the UI, and provide an efficient UI for searching for information to the user.

13 is a flowchart illustrating a process of displaying information by a user interface composed of a plurality of polyhedral components according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When the user selects a specific polyhedron component in the polyhedron component group (S1310), the selected polyhedron component is highlighted and displayed (S1320). In addition, the information mapped to the information surface of the selected polyhedron component may be displayed as detailed information (S1330). On the other hand, the display of other polyhedral components in the same group is changed (S1340).

Selecting a specific polyhedron component in the polyhedron component group (S1310) is performed by the user accessing and selecting a specific polyhedron component using various input means such as a mouse, a keyboard, a keypad, and a touchpad.

When the user selects a specific polyhedron component using various input means, the input module 510 transmits the relevant information to the component group management module 523 in the user interface module 520 through the control module 530.

When a specific polyhedron component is selected, the selected polyhedron is highlighted and displayed (S1320), which may indicate that the selected polyhedron is enlarged or moved forward toward the user in the Z-axis direction. In another embodiment, the color may be changed or the edge may be displayed in bold. In another embodiment, various indicia indicating the focus may appear. When a specific polyhedron component is selected, the information plane of the polyhedron may display more detailed information than the schematic information mapped in the component attribute providing module 521 (S1330). In addition, as opposed to the selected polyhedron component being highlighted, other polyhedron components in the same group are reduced, moved away from the user, or the color is blurred, thereby highlighting the selected polyhedron component and displaying the continuity of information (S1340). This step is performed in the component group management module 523 and the component attribute assignment module 521.

14 to 19 show an embodiment of arranging a group of a plurality of polyhedral components described above in FIG.

FIG. 14 shows a layout method in which the size of the polyhedron component is expressed and changed so that the user can intuitively grasp important and non-important information. That is, the information of the polyhedron close to the user in the Z-axis direction is important information, and the information of the far-side polyhedron may be insignificant information. Therefore, it is possible to zoom in by pulling forward on a polyhedron component that is far away in the Z-axis and to shrink by pulling backward on a polyhedron component that is close to the Z-axis. At this time, as the selected polyhedron 1410 is enlarged, other polyhedron components around the collision collide. In addition, selecting a particular polyhedron component can be enlarged. The selection of a component can be performed by moving the focus of the user or by moving the components vertically or horizontally while the focus of the user is fixed.

FIG. 15 shows a layout method in which only the selected polyhedral component 1510 is enlarged and other components are gradually reduced in size, indicating a natural connection between information. This method may be a plurality of polyhedral components connected in a curve as shown in Figure 15, in another embodiment may be connected in a circle or a straight line. The component can be selected by moving the focus of the user or by moving the components vertically or horizontally with the focus of the user fixed.

FIG. 16 illustrates a layout method in which a plurality of polyhedron components having the same size are arranged in a grid shape and when a specific component is selected, the component is enlarged and displayed on the full screen. This method simply displays a large amount of information on one screen. If you want to know more detailed information, you can select and expand the corresponding component.

FIG. 17 shows a layout method in which multiple polyhedron components on which information is displayed are displayed in a single row in the same size or in a state where several components are stacked. This method allows the user to search information consistently through one-way gaze processing. When the user moves up and down by the input means and selects a specific component, a space is created on the top of the selected component to display more detailed information. The selection of a component can be performed by moving the focus of the user or by moving the components vertically or horizontally while the focus of the user is fixed.

18 illustrates an arrangement method in which a tree structure of information can be grasped at a glance by arranging a plurality of components radially. When the user selects a component that displays information of interest, the component is expanded and related information is listed. At this time, the surrounding unselected components are reduced or moved away.

19 shows a layout method in which a large amount of information is shown superimposed backwards, information of a currently selected component is located at the front, and information which is not important is located at the back. The user can take out one of the overlapping information pages in the following ways.

First, in a method 1910 in which a user-specified information surface slides out and slides, a sliding direction, a time point and a position at which the sliding stops may be variously set at the design stage of the UI. Second, similar to the turning of pages in a general book, the information plane designated by the method 1920 is flipped as all the information planes before the user-specified information plane are flipped. Third, a method 1930 in which all information planes in front of a user-specified information plane are changed to be transparent.

The various components that make up the MGUI environment have been described so far. In particular, the MGUI component has a special MGUI component called an event helper.

The event helper triggers an event set in an arbitrary MGUI object. At this time, the event may be set in a newly created MGUI object. In addition, a specific event may be specified in the event helper and applied to the MGUI object. The event helper in which the specific event is assigned may be assigned to an 'activation event helper', 'space jump envent helper', ' "Attraction event helper". It demonstrates concretely below.

(1) activation event helper

When an object contacts or enters an activation event helper, the corresponding event is triggered based on the event that the object has or the event activation information set in the activation event helper. In the latter case, for example, a video is automatically played when an object having a video enters into an activation event helper having event activation information called 'video play'. As another embodiment, when a document object corresponding to an activation event helper having event activation information called 'document editing' is received, an application program for editing a document is automatically executed.

(2) space jump envent helper

If a connection is made between two space jump event helpers placed in two different active spaces and an object enters or partially enters one of the two space jump event helpers, the space jump event. Another space jump event helper connected to the helper will move the space.

That is, the space jump event helper plays a role of efficiently moving information between three-dimensional spaces. Therefore, if the movement between spaces is set by using the space jump event helper, the user can naturally follow the flow and connection of information by quickly and dynamically showing the moving path. At this time, the path to be moved may be set by identification information identifying an event helper to be connected. Preferably, the identification information may be a name of the event helper or a position coordinate of the event helper.

The basic form of the space jump event helper is preferably in the form of a translucent cube, but can also be modified in the form of various polyhedrons such as triangles, squares, hexagons, circular dials, and the like. In addition, the space jump event helper may be represented only by a line without a face, and information may be displayed on each face of the space jump event helper.

20 illustrates a process of temporarily moving a video object by using a space jump event helper according to an embodiment of the present invention. At this time, there are two methods of moving a video object in space, but a 'momentary movement' method of instantaneous movement without showing a movement path and a 'path movement' method showing a movement path. In addition, there are two methods of 'route movement' which show the trajectory of the moving path and the method of quickly showing the moving object without showing the trajectory. In FIG. 20, the spatial movement by the instantaneous movement method is shown.

As such, when the movement between spaces is set using the space jump event helper, the user can naturally follow the flow and connection of information by quickly and dynamically indicating the moving path.

21 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of a space jump event helper according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the user selects an information object to be moved in space (S2110). Then, the selected information object is entered into the space jump event helper in the same space as the space in which the selected information object exists (S2120). At this time, the space jump event helper has identification information for identifying a space jump event help existing in the designated space. Preferably, the identification information may be a name of an event helper, a name of a space in which the event helper exists, or a location coordinate of the event helper. Therefore, the information object selected by the user with reference to the identification information is moved to the space jump event helper in the designated space (S2130). Then, the user can use the information object in the moved space (S2140).

22A to 22D are exemplary views illustrating a path designation method between space jump event helpers according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22A illustrates a path designation method between a space jump event helper in two different spaces, in which a path for moving to the B space jump event helper is designated in the A space jump event helper, and A in the B space jump event helper. The path to the space jump event helper is specified.

22B illustrates a path designation method between space jump event helpers in two or more different spaces. A path for moving to a B space jump event helper is specified in the A space jump event helper, and a B space jump event helper is specified in FIG. A path for moving to the C-space jump event helper is specified, and a path for moving to the C-space jump event helper is specified. Therefore, the information object may be continuously moved to different spaces.

FIG. 22C shows that one spatial jump event helper includes information on a movement path list in which a plurality of movement paths are designated. Accordingly, the user can selectively move the information object to a desired space jump event helper or space among a plurality of moving paths.

FIG. 22D illustrates a case in which a moving path is input by a user, and includes a path input window in which the user can input a moving path in the space jump event helper. The user may move to a desired space by directly inputting a space jump event helper or a space name to be moved by the user in the path input window.

FIG. 23 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a space movement of an information object using a space jump event helper according to an embodiment of the present invention and shows that the information object is moved to two different spaces visible on the same screen.

The first space jump event helper 2320 and the second space jump event helper 2340 exist in different spaces, and the current information object 2300 is located in the same space as the first space jump event helper 2320. have. At this time, if the user wants to move the information object 2300 to the space in which the second space jump event helper 2340 is present, the information object 2300 moves along the movement path 2360 to the second space jump event helper ( 2340). At this time, while the second space jump event helper 2340 including the information object 2300 moves to the front of the screen, the space where the second space jump event helper 2340 exists and the information object 2300 are enlarged. In this enlarged space, the user can use the information object 2300.

FIG. 24 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a space movement of an information object using a space jump event helper according to another embodiment of the present invention and shows that the information object is moved to two other spaces not visible on the current screen.

When the user wants to move a specific information object 2420 from the current A space 2400 to the B space 2450, the user moves the information object 2420 in the A space 2400. The space jump event helper 2410 is activated by moving to. At this time, the information object 2420 moves to the space jump event helper 2460 in the B space 2450, and the A space 2400 disappears and the B space 2450 appears on the screen. On the other hand, when the user wants to move the information object 2420 back to the space A 2400, the space is moved by moving the information object 2420 to the space jump event helper 2460 in the space B 2450. Activate the jump event helper 2460. At this time, the information object 2420 moves to the space jump event helper 2410 in the A space 2400, and the B space 2450 disappears and the A space 2400 appears on the screen.

25A and 25B are exemplary views illustrating movement of a work space using a space jump event helper according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

For example, it is assumed that a user divides and uses an area of a three-dimensional space into an office work area, a graphic work area, and an entertainment work area.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 25A, there is a space jump event helper that can move to each work area, and the space jump event helper that moves to the office work area is 'O'. The space jump event helper moving to the graphical work area is represented by 'G', and the space jump event helper moving to the entertainment work area is represented by 'E'. Each space jump event helper includes movement path information for moving to each space. Preferably, the moving path information includes a name of a space jump event helper present in each work area or a name of a space to which each work area belongs.

If the user wants to use a program for working with documents on the desktop screen, select 'O' among the space jump event helpers shown in FIG. 25A. At this time, as shown in FIG. 25B, the desktop moves to the office work area so that the user can use a desired program.

As another embodiment of the space jump event helper, when the user is working with a very long document in the current user interface environment, the marker function may be used to quickly move and modify the document. As such, the space jump event helper may replace a marker function when working with a document in a 3D space environment.

(3) attraction event helper

The guided event helper guides other objects that satisfy the tank's conditions, just as a magnet pulls iron. The MGUI developer must set the induction conditions when creating the induction event helper. For example, in the case of a guide event helper given a guide condition of 'finding a video media', when a user drags the guide event helper in the MGUI environment, objects including a video are gathered toward the guide event helper.

On the other hand, the event helper may have a number of basic properties, for example, if the event helper is a cube, the color of the face, the color of the line, the transparency of the face, the size of the cube, the number of each face, the information plane attribute of each face, and the cube Name, special options, events (for activation events), information about other connected event helpers (for space jump event helpers), induction conditions (for inductive event helpers), and event triggering conditions.

The color of the face and line can be set to a value corresponding to the color supported by the system where the MGUI environment is built.

The transparency of the face can be set to a value from 0 to 100, for example, by setting 0 for the most transparent face and 100 for the most opaque face.

The size of the cube can be represented by a value of 0 or more, and the number of each face can be represented by a continuous value from 0 to 5.

The information plane attribute of each plane may be represented by 'TRUE' or 'FALSE', and information may be expressed on the plane represented by 'TRUE'. In addition, the information plane property may be given to all the faces constituting the cube.

The name of the cube can be set to textual code supported by the system where the MGUI environment is built.

Special options indicate whether the event helper is an active event helper, a space jump event helper, or a guided event helper.

An event may be set in at least one of supported events when the event helper is an activation event helper.

If the event helper is a space jump event helper, the information of another connected event helper may be set as identification information of a space jump event helper existing in another active space. Preferably, the identification information may be the name of the event helper. have.

The induction condition may be set to at least one of the supported induction conditions when the event helper is the induction event helper.

The event trigger condition indicates whether the object only needs to contact the event helper for the event to be triggered by the event helper, or whether the object must be fully included in the event helper.

On the other hand, the event helper also corresponds to the MGUI component and thus has motion. For example, when an object enters or partially enters the event helper, the object's appearance changes to a dotted net. By doing so, it can be known that the event helper and the object are interworked, and FIG. 26 illustrates the motion of the event helper. In addition, when the induction option is set, objects satisfying the induction condition are gradually gathered to the induction event helper. In this case, objects that contact the guide event helper may be attached to the guide event helper.

The user may move the event helper on the screen to contact or include other objects.

Meanwhile, since the event helper also corresponds to the MGUI component, the event helper may be generated and provided to the user through the block structure described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. Hereinafter, the space jump event helper will be described as an example.

In the apparatus 500 for providing an event helper, the control module 530 generates an event helper including identification information about an event helper existing in another space. In this case, the identification information may be the name of the event helper or the location coordinates of the event helper. Information about the generated event helper and location information of the generated event helper may be stored in the storage module 550.

When the user selects a specific information object through the input module 510, the control module 530 may display the location information of the information object selected from the input module 510 and the location information of the event helper stored in the storage module 550. Transfer to module 520.

The user interface module 520 compares the two location information, and if it is determined that the information object is located inside the event helper or partially inside the event helper, the user interface module 520 may store the information object in the other event helper identified by the identification information. Change the location information of the information object so that it is located. This operation may be performed by the motion processing module 522 in the user interface module 520. At this time, the user interface module 520 may cause the control module 530 to extract information about the other event helper identified by the identification information from the storage module 550 and provide it to the user interface module 520. have. In addition, the appearance of the information object may be changed to a dotted line to indicate that the information object and the event helper are linked.

The control module 530 receives the result processed by the user interface module 520 and transmits the result to the output module 540, and the output module 540 displays the result.

On the other hand, since the event helper also corresponds to the MGUI component, the process described in FIG. 7 may be applied to the process of generating the motion of the event helper by the user's action.

The present invention described above is capable of various substitutions, modifications, and changes without departing from the spirit of the present invention for those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is not limited to drawing.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, by providing a dynamic three-dimensional UI using a three-dimensional component has an effect that can be intuitive and satisfy the user's emotion in the transfer of information.

In addition, by setting the movement between spaces using the space jump event helper, it is possible to quickly and dynamically represent the moving path so that the user can naturally follow the flow and connection of information.

Claims (10)

An input module for receiving an input from a user; And An output module that outputs a graphical user interface that displays an information object. The graphical user interface includes a first space in which a first polyhedral component exists and a second space in which a second polyhedral component exists, The first polyhedron component includes identification information identifying the second polyhedron component, When the selected information object corresponding to the received input is located inside the first polyhedron component, the selected information object moves to the inside of the second polyhedron component using the identification information. Device. The method of claim 1, Wherein said polyhedron component is a hexahedron. The method of claim 1, And wherein the polyhedron component is a translucent polyhedron component. The method of claim 1, And the identification information is the name of a polyhedron component. The method of claim 1, And the identification information is a position coordinate of a polyhedron component. The method of claim 1, And when the information object selected by the user is located inside the first polyhedron component, the appearance of the information object is changed to a dotted line. The method of claim 1, And when the information object selected by the user is partially located inside the first polyhedron component, the information object moves to the inside of the second polyhedron component using the identification information. The method of claim 7, wherein And when the information object selected by the user is partially located inside the first polyhedron component, the appearance of the information object is changed to a dotted line. The method of claim 1, And the information object is moved into the second polyhedron component using the identification information and the second space is enlarged. It comprises a polyhedron component in which event activation information is set, and an information object from which the event occurs. And the event generates a corresponding event according to the event activation information when the information object is located within the polyhedron component.

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