(12) United States Patent
`Engholm et al.
`
`USOO6229456B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,229,456 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`May 8, 2001
`
`(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`FACILITATING USER INTERACTION WITH
`A MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENT USINGA
`DISPLAY-BASED CONTROL KNOB
`
`(75) Inventors: Kathryn A. Engholm, Beaverton;
`Larry Joe Huff, Scappoose, both of
`OR (US)
`(73) Assignee: Tektronix, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
`(*) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/131,900
`(22) Filed:
`Aug. 10, 1998
`(51) Int. Cl." ................................................. H03K 11/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............................. 341/35; 34.1/34; 34.5/173;
`345/974
`(58) Field of Search ................................ 341/34, 192,35;
`345/173, 118, 434, 974
`
`(56)
`
`4,649,499
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3/1987 Sutton et al. .
`
`5,485,600 * 1/1996 Joseph et al. .......................... 703/13
`5,559,301
`9/1996 Bryan, Jr. et al..
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`ToolBox 4.3 OTDR Test Application Software Instruction
`Manual, Mar. 1997, pp. 25–26.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner Michael Horabik
`Assistant Examiner Timothy Edwards, Jr.
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Francis I. Gray; Allan T.
`Sponseller
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A method and apparatus for facilitating user interaction with
`a measurement instrument displays a control knob glyph
`corresponding to a user-adjustable parameter of the mea
`Surement instrument, the control knob glyph having an
`indicator and a partially circular drag area through which the
`indicator can be rotated. Inputs indicating amounts of rota
`tional movement for the indicator can be received, and the
`location of the indicator within the drag area and the value
`of the parameter changed in response to Such inputs.
`
`17 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`508 Value: 100--509
`
`5O2
`
`5OO
`
`5 O4 OOO
`- O
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1006, Page 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 8, 2001
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 6,229,456 B1
`
`1 O8
`
`:15
`
`v H-107
`
`FIG.1b
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`127
`
`123
`121
`
`1 O2
`
`1 O1
`
`115
`
`FIG.1a
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`FIG.1C
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`v H-125
`FIG.1d
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`J4 O
`
`21 O
`
`24O
`
`2OO
`
`SUBSYSTEM
`
`22O
`
`INPUT
`DEVICE (S)
`
`2.30
`
`MEASUREMENT
`SUBSYSTEM
`
`DISPLAY
`DEVICE
`
`J2O
`
`-300
`JJO
`
`o' APP (n)
`
`OPERATING
`SYSTEM
`
`APP (1)
`
`DLLS AND
`COM-BASED
`CONTROLS
`CONTROL
`KNOE
`MANAGER
`
`
`
`FIG.3
`
`J1 O
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1006, Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 8, 2001
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 6,229,456 B1
`
`100 N.
`
`413
`Frequency:nn.n-
`200 390 412
`400
`414
`- 5 OO
`
`O -
`
`NE/
`
`FIG.4b.
`
`422
`
`426
`
`4 J8
`
`4 J2
`
`4 SO 3G> 428
`
`4 4 O - + 438
`
`
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1006, Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 8, 2001
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 6,229,456 B1
`
`
`
`508 Value: 1 OO
`
`FIG.5
`
`
`
`
`
`GENERATE CONTROL
`KNOB DRAG AREA AND
`INCREMENT/DECREMENT
`BUTTONS
`
`6 O5
`
`DISPLAY INDICATOR
`WITH IN DRAG AREA TO
`IDENTIFY CURRENT VALUE
`
`61 O
`
`VALUE CHANGE
`INPUT RECEIVED
`
`PROVIDE INDICATION OF
`NEW VALUE TO INITIATOR
`OF THE CONTROL KNOB
`
`
`
`615
`
`STORE NEW VALUE
`AS CURRENT VALUE
`
`FIG.6
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1006, Page 4
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 8, 2001
`
`Sheet 4 0f 4
`
`US 6,229,456 B1
`
`095
`
`mam\com
`
`Non
`
`won
`
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`momwmooma>mO§m§
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`own
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`mon
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`mo<mmMHzHmoonm
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`O\Hmam
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`MJHH<JO>iZOZ
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`mw<mohm
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`MHZMZOQEOOO\H
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`NU.”—
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`moH>mQ
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1006, Page 5
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1006, Page 5
`
`
`
`
`

`

`1
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`FACLITATING USER INTERACTION WITH
`A MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENT USINGA
`DISPLAY-BASED CONTROL KNOB
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention pertains to measurement instru
`ments. More particularly, this invention relates to a mea
`Surement instrument display-based control knob.
`2. Background
`Various measurement instruments are known in the art,
`Such as oscilloscopes, Spectrum analyzers, and reflectome
`ters. Measurement instruments include instruments that gen
`erate test Signals, instruments that merely measure or Sample
`Signals, and combinations thereof. Measurement instru
`ments are used in a wide variety of applications, Such as
`measuring engine vibrations, measuring electronic device
`Voltages, measuring brain waves, etc. Historically, measure
`ment instruments are analog devices, however, increasingly
`measurement Systems are constituted with digital compo
`nents. Furthermore, increasingly graphical user interfaces
`(Gus) are being employed to assist users in control and
`operation of the instruments.
`Measurement instruments typically provide a variety of
`user-controllable parameters in order for a user to “tune' the
`instrument properly to whatever signal(s) the user is trying
`to measure and to display the Signal(s) in a manner useful to
`the user. Examples of Such parameters include the center
`frequency of a Spectrum analyzer, the Vertical position of an
`oscilloscope trace, etc. Different mechanisms currently exist
`to allow users to adjust these parameters.
`One Such mechanism, illustrated in FIG. 1a, is referred to
`as a “slider'. A slider is typically a vertical or horizontal line
`101 along which a slide box 102 can be moved by a user.
`Values are changed by moving the slide box 102 along the
`line 101 (e.g., “clicking” and “dragging” the box 102 with
`a pointer). However, one problem with sliders is the inability
`to make fine adjustments. Rather, the user is limited by how
`finely he or she can move slide box 102 in a “click and drag'
`manner, as well as how “Sensitivity” parameters for the
`Slider are set up.
`Another such mechanism, illustrated in FIG. 1b, are up
`and down arrows 106 and 107 that allow a user to increment
`a value 108 by selecting up arrow 106 or decrement the
`value 108 by selection down arrow 107. Selection of one of
`the arrows 106 or 107 is typically done by clicking the
`appropriate arrow with a pointer. However, problems with
`such arrows include the inability to allow different rates of
`adjustment (rather, a user is limited to clicking one of the
`arrows 106 or 107) and the inability to provide graphical
`feedback of the change in value (rather, only the numeric
`value is displayed).
`Another Such mechanism, illustrated in FIG. 1c, is
`referred to as a “type-in' value. A type-in value box 115
`displays a current value for a parameter (the value 132 in the
`illustrated example). A user can alter the current value by
`Simply entering a new value, Such as by typing it on an
`alphanumeric keyboard. However, problems with type-in
`values include the inability to provide graphical feedback of
`the change in value (rather, only the numeric value is
`displayed), and the inability to provide any GUI-oriented
`inputs (rather, only typing in a particular value can be done).
`Another Such mechanism, illustrated in FIG. 1d, is
`referred to as a “scroll bar”. A scroll bar is typically a vertical
`
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`or horizontal “bar' 121 through which a user can drag a box
`123 to alter parameter values. Additionally, values can be
`incremented by pressing an up arrow 127 or decremented by
`pressing a down arrow 125.
`However, one problem with scroll bars, as well as each of
`the other mechanisms in FIGS 1a–1c, is that they lack the
`intuitive clockwise VS. counterclockwise mapping to
`increasing value VS. decreasing value found in manual
`control knobs to which people are accustomed. Furthermore,
`each of the mechanisms illustrated in FIGS 1a-1d lacks the
`intuitive “stops” or “boundaries” in the clockwise and
`counterclockwise directions found in manual control knobs.
`Thus, an improved parameter adjustment mechanism is
`needed. As will be discussed in more detail below, the
`present invention achieves these and other desirable results.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`A method and apparatus for facilitating user interaction
`with a measurement instrument using a display-based con
`trol knob is described herein. A control knob glyph corre
`sponding to a user-adjustable parameter of the measurement
`instrument is displayed, the control knob glyph having an
`indicator and a partially circular drag area through which the
`indicator can be rotated in both a clockwise and a counter
`clockwise manner. Inputs indicating amounts of rotational
`movement for the indicator can be received, and the location
`of the indicator within the drag area and the value of the
`parameter is changed in response to Such inputs.
`According to one aspect of the present invention, the
`control knob glyph also includes increment and decrement
`buttons. Thus, a user is able to alter the location of the
`indicator within the partially circular drag area by, for
`example, dragging the indicator itself, clicking in the drag
`area, or clicking on one of the increment or decrement
`buttons. Additionally, the position of the indicator within the
`drag area corresponds to the value of the user-adjustable
`parameter of the measurement instrument, both representing
`its current State and causing user-directed changes to its
`State.
`According to one aspect of the present invention, a
`measurement apparatus includes a display device and a
`control Subsystem coupled to the display device. The control
`Subsystem provides a control knob glyph on the display
`device corresponding to a user-adjustable parameter of the
`measurement apparatus, the control knob glyph having an
`indicator and a partially circular drag area through which the
`indicator can be rotated in both a clockwise and a counter
`clockwise manner. The control Subsystem can also receive
`an input indicating an amount of rotational movement for
`the indicator and the location of the indicator within the drag
`area and a value of the parameter is changed in response to
`the input.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`The present invention is illustrated by way of example
`and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying
`drawings, in which like references indicate Similar elements
`and in which:
`FIGS 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d illustrate different prior art
`mechanisms for allowing users to adjust control parameters,
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a measurement
`instrument according to one embodiment of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 3 illustrates a Software environment incorporating
`one embodiment of the present invention;
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1006, Page 6
`
`

`

`3
`FIGS. 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, and 4e illustrate various embodi
`ments of the control knob glyph of the present invention;
`FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary Screen incorporating one
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the steps followed in
`facilitating user interaction with a measurement instrument
`according to one embodiment of the present invention; and
`FIG. 7 illustrates a hardware system or machine on which
`the one embodiment of the present invention can be imple
`mented.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`In the following detailed description numerous specific
`details are set forth in order to provide a thorough under
`standing of the present invention. However, it will be
`understood by those skilled in the art that the present
`invention may be practiced without these specific details. In
`other instances well known methods, procedures,
`components, and circuits have not been described in detail
`So as not to obscure the present invention.
`Parts of the description will be presented in terms of
`operations performed by a computer System, using terms
`Such as data, flags, bits, values, characters, Strings, numbers
`and the like, consistent with the manner commonly
`employed by those skilled in the art to convey the Substance
`of their work to others skilled in the art. AS is well under
`stood by those skilled in the art, these quantities take the
`form of electrical, magnetic, or optical signals capable of
`being Stored, transferred, combined, and otherwise manipu
`lated through mechanical and electrical components of the
`computer. System; and the term computer System includes
`general purpose as well as Special purpose data processing
`machines, Systems, and the like, that are Standalone, adjunct
`or embedded.
`Additionally, various operations will be described as
`multiple discrete Steps in turn in a manner that is most
`helpful in understanding the present invention, however, the
`order of description should not be construed as to imply that
`these operations are necessarily order dependent, in
`particular, the order of their presentations.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a measurement
`instrument according to one embodiment of the present
`invention. Measurement instrument 200 is intended to rep
`resent a wide variety of measurement instruments that
`display data to a user via a display device. Examples of Such
`measurement instruments include oscilloscopes, spectrum
`analyzers, reflectometers, etc.
`As illustrated in FIG. 2, measurement instrument 200
`includes a control Subsystem 210, a measurement Subsystem
`220, a display device 230, and input device(s) 240. Control
`Subsystem 210, operating in conjunction with measurement
`subsystem 220, display device 230, and input device(s) 240,
`provides a user interface that allows individuals to input
`changes to instrument 200 and observe the results of Such
`inputs.
`Measurement subsystem 220 provides the control cir
`cuitry for the measurement being performed by instrument
`200. In the illustrated embodiment, control subsystem 210
`manages the interface between users and the measurement
`Subsystem 220. Input data Signals are received by Subsystem
`220 and an output to display device 230, via control Sub
`System 210, is generated based on the input data Signals.
`Display device 230 provides feedback to the user of
`instrument 200. Included in this feedback is both a graphical
`indication of the signal(s) being measured as well as control
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`Settings for measuring those signals. Device 230 can be any
`of a wide variety of conventional display devices, including
`cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors, liquid crystal diode (LCD)
`ScreenS, etc.
`Input device(s) 240 allow a user to provide inputs to
`measurement instrument 200, Such as to adjust a control
`knob glyph provided in accordance with the present inven
`tion. Any of a wide variety of conventional input devices can
`be used as device(s) 240, including cursor control devices
`(e.g., mouse, arrow keys, trackpad, etc.), touchscreens, etc.
`According to one embodiment of the present invention,
`instrument 200 includes control Subsystem 210, measure
`ment Subsystem 220, display device 230, and input device(s)
`240 within a single enclosure. Alternatively, one or more of
`Subsystem 210, Subsystem 220, and device 230 can be
`implemented as a separate device in a separate enclosure.
`FIG. 3 illustrates a Software environment incorporating
`one embodiment of the present invention. A Software envi
`ronment 300 is illustrated including a basic input/output
`system (BIOS) 310, an operating system 320, and multiple
`(n) applications 330. BIOS 310 provides an interface
`between operating System 320 and the various input/output
`(I/O) devices coupled to the System, including display
`device 230 and measurement subsystem 220 of FIG. 2. The
`operating System 320 is a Software application which man
`ages the execution of applications 330 and provides an
`interface between BIOS 310 and software applications 330
`executing on the System.
`According to one embodiment of the present invention,
`one or more of applications 330 is a “measurement appli
`cation' that provides Software management of measurement
`Subsystem 220 as well as providing information to be
`presented on display device 230 of FIG. 2. This measure
`ment application(s) provides input mechanisms to allow a
`user to input values to change both the way in which the data
`being measured by measurement instrument 200 is dis
`played by display device 230, as well as what parameters are
`being used by measurement Subsystem 220. One Such input
`mechanism is the control knob glyph of the present
`invention, as discussed in more detail below. Examples of
`Such parameters include VoltS/division, center frequency,
`horizontal position, etc.
`In the illustrated embodiment, operating system 320 is a
`graphical user interface (GUI) operating System, Such as
`WindowsTM 95, WindowsTM 98, or WindowsTM CE, avail
`able from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash. It is to
`be appreciated, however, that the present invention may be
`utilized with other conventional operating Systems. AS is
`known to those skilled in the art, operating system 320
`employs shared Software components to provide additional
`functions to applications 330. These software components
`can be in the form of dynamic link libraries (DLLs),
`component object model (COM) based controls such as
`ActiveX controls (OCXs), etc.
`In the illustrated embodiment, an additional OCX includ
`ing a control knob manager 340 that generates and maintains
`the control knob glyph of the present invention is also
`included in environment 300. Providing the control knob
`manager as a COM based component allows one or more of
`applications 330 to make use of the manager 340. The use
`of DLLs and COM based components is well-known to
`those skilled in the art, and thus will not be discussed further
`except as it pertains to the present invention. Alternatively,
`the control knob manager of the present invention can be
`implemented in the individual applications 330.
`Updated values received by control knob manager 340 via
`user interaction with the control knob glyph are forwarded
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1006, Page 7
`
`

`

`S
`to the Source which initiated control knob manager 340 (e.g.,
`one of applications 330). The source is then able to do
`whatever it likes with the updated value, Such as modifying
`one of the display settings for display device 230 of FIG. 2,
`or modifying one of the measurement instrument parameters
`in measurement Subsystem 220.
`FIGS. 4a-4e illustrate various embodiments of the control
`knob glyph of the present invention. In the illustrated
`embodiments, the control knob glyph of the present inven
`tion is displayed on display device 230 of measurement
`instrument 200 of FIG. 2. A user can interact with the control
`knob glyph, thereby changing values for one or more
`parameters of instrument 200. Interaction with the control
`knob glyph can be made in any of a wide variety of
`conventional manners, Such as by use of a cursor or pointer
`and cursor control device (e.g., a mouse or trackpad), or by
`use of a touchscreen.
`FIG. 4a illustrates a control knob glyph 402 having a drag
`area 404 through which an indicator 406 having a substan
`tially triangular shaped (or “pie'-shaped) wedge can be
`moved in a clockwise or counterclockwise manner. The
`current location of the center of indicator 406 along the
`circumference of control knob glyph 402 corresponding to
`drag area 404 identifies the current value of the parameter
`being represented by control knob glyph 402. Moving
`indicator 406 in a counterclockwise manner decreases the
`current value, while moving indicator 406 in a clockwise
`manner increases the current value.
`In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4a, control knob
`glyph 402 is Separated into two portions which are Semi
`circles. A first portion (the “upper Semicircle) includes drag
`area 404 and indicator 406, while a second portion (the
`“lower” semicircle) includes an increment button 408 and a
`decrement button 410.
`A user is able to change the location of indicator 406, and
`thus the current value of the parameter being represented by
`knob glyph 402, by interacting with knob glyph 402 in
`numerous manners. First, a user is able to Select and rotate
`indicator 406 through drag area 404. By way of example,
`indicator 406 can be Selected by pressing down on a mouse
`button while a cursor or pointer is over indicator 406, or by
`a user "touching the indicator with a finger on a touch
`screen. The position of indicator 406 can then be changed by
`dragging the indicator, while the indicator is Selected,
`through drag area 404. Indicator 406 can then be de-selected
`by releasing the mouse button, or by the user lifting his or
`her finger from the touchscreen. The amount of change due
`to this manner of rotating indicator 406 is dependent on how
`far through drag area 404 indicator 406 is moved by the user
`before de-Selecting the indicator.
`A second way to change the location of indicator 406 is
`to Select drag area 404. Selection and de-Selection of drag
`area 404 can be done in the Same manner as Selection and
`de-Selection of indicator 406 (e.g., cursor/pointer and mouse
`or touchscreen). Indicator 406 is rotated in the direction of
`which portion of drag area 404 relative to indicator 406 is
`Selected. For example, "clicking” in (or Selection in alternate
`manners) a portion of drag area 404 in a clockwise direction
`from indicator 406 causes indicator 406 to rotate in a
`clockwise manner, while clicking in (or Selection in alternate
`manners) a portion of drag area 404 in a counterclockwise
`direction from indicator 406 causes indicator 406 to rotate in
`a counterclockwise manner. The amount of change due to
`each Selection of a portion of drag area 404 can be pro
`grammed by a user or application, as discussed in more
`detail below.
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`A third way to change the location of indicator 406 is to
`Select either increment button 408 or decrement button 410.
`Selection and de-selection of buttons 408 and 410 can be
`done in the same manner as Selection and de-Selection of
`indicator 406 discussed above, except that no dragging
`occurs. Selection of increment button 408 causes indicator
`406 to rotate in a clockwise manner, while selection of
`decrement button 410 causes indicator 406 to rotate in a
`counterclockwise manner. The amount of change due to
`each Selection of a portion of drag area 404 can be pro
`grammed by a user or application, as discussed in more
`detail below.
`The amount of physical change in location of indicator
`406 within drag area 404 is dependent on the minimum and
`maximum values represented by control knob glyph 402 as
`well as the amount of change requested by the user. In one
`implementation, the change in current value with respect to
`the possible range (maximum-minimum) is the same as the
`change in location of indicator 406 with respect to drag area
`404. For example, if the drag area is 180 degrees and the
`indicator is moved 9 degrees (i.e., indicator 406 is rotated
`5% of the drag area 404), and if the range of values for the
`parameter is 100, then the value would be changed by 5 (i.e.,
`5% of the range).
`FIG. 4b illustrates a control knob glyph according to
`another embodiment of the present invention. AS illustrated,
`a control knob glyph 412 has a drag area 414 through which
`a substantially circular dimple indicator 416 can be moved
`in a clockwise or counterclockwise manner. The current
`location of the center of indicator 416 within drag area 414
`identifies the current value of the parameter being repre
`sented by control knob glyph 412. Moving indicator 416 in
`a counterclockwise manner decreases the current value
`being Set by control knob glyph 412, while moving indicator
`416 in a clockwise manner increases the current value.
`Analogous to control knob glyph 402 of FIG. 4a, control
`knob glyph 412 is separated into two portions, a first
`including drag area 414 and indicator 416, and a Second
`including an increment button 418 and decrement button
`420. Indicator 416 can be rotated through drag area 414 in
`any of numerous manners analogous to indicator 406 dis
`cussed above with reference to FIG. 4a.
`According to one embodiment of the present invention,
`additional markings are provided by control knob manager
`340 along the circumference of the control knob glyph
`corresponding to the portion including the drag area and the
`indicator. An example of Such markings is illustrated in FIG.
`4b with the hash marks and corresponding values of 0, 100,
`200, 300, 400, and 500. Alternatively, the hash marks and
`corresponding values could be shown within control knob
`glyph 412 rather than external to knob glyph 412. According
`to another alternate embodiment, rather than providing hash
`marks and corresponding values, an additional value field
`which provides a numeric readout of the current value may
`be provided by control knob manager 340 external or
`internal to control knob glyph 412.
`Additionally, according to one embodiment of the present
`invention, an additional textual or graphical label(s) can be
`added near the control knob glyph. Such a label could
`identify the particular parameter being controlled by the
`control knob glyph (e.g., label 403 of FIG. 4a), and alter
`natively may also provide a numeric indication of the
`current value of the parameter being controlled by the
`control knob glyph (e.g., label and value 413 of FIG. 4b).
`Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the incre
`ment and decrement buttons of a control knob glyph in
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1006, Page 8
`
`

`

`7
`accordance with the present invention include different
`images to identify the effect of their Selection. One example
`of such indications is the “-” and “+” signs of decrement and
`increment buttons 410 and 408 of FIG. 4a, respectively.
`Another example is waveforms of different frequency depic
`tions for the increment and decrement buttons 418 and 420
`of FIG. 4b. The waveform displayed on button 420 has a
`lower frequency than the waveform displayed on button
`418, so selection of button 420 would reduce the current
`value (e.g., of the frequency currently being measured)
`while selection of button 418 would increase the value.
`In the illustrated embodiment, control knob manager 340
`of FIG. 3 alters the appearance of an indicator, button, or
`drag area when Selected in order to provide Visual feedback
`to the user of the Selection. In one implementation, the
`change in appearance continues until the indicator, button, or
`drag area is de-Selected. By way of example, the appearance
`of an indicator (e.g., indicator 406 of FIG. 4a or 416 of FIG.
`4b) or a button (e.g., button 408 or 410 of FIG. 4a or button
`418 or 420 of FIG. 4b) can be altered by lightening (e.g.,
`whiting out), darkening (e.g., blacking out) the indicator or
`button, by outlining the indicator or button differently to
`make it look as if it were physically pressed in, etc.
`Additionally, Selection of a drag area (e.g., drag area 404
`of FIG. 4a or drag area 414 of FIG. 4b) can be indicated to
`a user by changing the appearance of the drag area (e.g.,
`lightening, darkening, outlining differently, etc.). In one
`implementation, where an indicator Such as wedge indicator
`406 of FIG. 4a can separate the drag area into two distinct
`sections (one to the clockwise direction of indicator 406 and
`another to the counterclockwise direction of indicator 406),
`the appearance of the entire drag area in that Section is
`changed in response to any selection within that Section of
`the drag area. However, where an indicator Such as dimple
`indicator 416 of FIG. 4b does not separate the drag area into
`two distinct sections, an additional indication (e.g., another
`substantially circular dimple of a color different than either
`dimple indicator 416 or drag area 414) is displayed in the
`drag area at the position where the user Selected.
`In the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 4a and 4b, the
`portions including the drag area and indicator are Substan
`tially half-circles, while the portions including the increment
`and decrement buttons are also Substantially half-circles. In
`alternate embodiments, the size of Such portions is altered.
`By way of example, the portion including the drag area and
`the indicator can be made to be greater than a half-circle or
`less than a half-circle.
`FIG. 4c illustrates a control knob glyph according to
`another embodiment of the present invention. AS illustrated,
`control knob glyph 422 includes a drag area 424 through
`which a substantially circular dimple indicator 426 can be
`moved in a clockwise or counterclockwise manner. The
`current location of indicator 426 within drag area 424
`identifies the current value of the parameter being repre
`sented by control knob glyph 422. Control knob glyph 422
`is similar to control knob glyph 412 of FIG. 4b, except that
`the portion including increment button 428 and decrement
`button 430 is smaller than the corresponding portion of
`control knob glyph 412.
`It is also to be appreciated that although the portion
`including the drag area and indicator of a control knob glyph
`is partially circular in order to maintain the intuitive clock
`wise VS. counterclockwise mapping to increasing value VS.
`decreasing value, the portion including the increment and
`decrement buttons can be other geometric Shapes. Such as
`rectangular, triangular, etc. FIG. 4d illustrates a control knob
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`US 6,229,456 B1
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`glyph incorporating Such different shapes according to one
`embodiment of the present invention. AS illustrated, control
`knob glyph 432 includes a drag area 434 through which a
`substantially circular dimple indicator 436 can be moved in
`a clockwise or counterclockwise manner. The current loca
`tion of indicator 436 within drag area 434 identifies the
`current value being set by control knob glyph 432. Control
`knob glyph 432 is similar to control knob glyph 412 of FIG.
`4b, except that the portion including increment button 438
`and decrement button 440 is substantially rectangular rather
`than partially circular.
`FIG. 4e illustrates a control knob glyph according to
`another embodiment of the present invention. AS illustrated,
`control knob glyph 442 includes a drag area 444 through
`which an indicator line 446 can be moved in a clockwise or
`counterclockwise manner. The current location of indicator
`446 within drag area 444 identifies the current value of the
`parameter being represented by control knob glyph 442.
`Increment button 448 and decrement button 450 can also be
`used to change the location of indicator 446. Additionally, as
`illustrated a handle 447 which can be rotated along the
`circumference drag area 444 may also be provided as part of
`glyph 442. Handle 447 can be selected and rotated along the
`edge of drag area 444 in a manner analogous to that of
`indicator 446. Handle 447 can be provided in addition to
`indicator 446, or alternatively indicator 446 need not be
`included.
`Thus, as can be seen in FIGS. 4a–4e, the drag area and
`indicator comprise a partially circular area. This partially
`circular area can be a semicircle (a 180 degree partially
`circular area), as illustrated in FIGS. 4a and 4b, or alterna
`tively can include a number of degrees greater or less than
`180, such as illustrated in FIG. 4c.
`According to one embodiment of the present invention,
`control knob manager 340 also provides an “autorepeat”
`feature for the control knob glyph. In this embodiment,
`continued selection of a button or drag area (e.g., continuous
`touching of a button or drag area with a finger, or continuous
`depression of a mouse button while a cursor is “over a
`button or drag area) causes control knob manager 340 to
`continually move the indicator (the direction of movement
`being dependent on which button or which portion of the
`drag area is selected). For example, while the increment
`button is continually Selected, control manager 340 may
`update the location of the indicator by the value assigned to
`the increment button every 500 milliseconds (ms).
`Additionally, according to one embodiment of the present
`invention, value changes accelerate over time as a button or
`drag area is continuously Selected (for example, as a button
`or drag area is continually touched via a touchscreen, or as
`a mouse button is continually depressed while a pointer is
`over the button or drag area). When a button or drag area is
`continuously Selected, the current value is increased by a
`particular change amount upon initial Selection. After a first
`period of time (e.g., 500 ms), the current value begins to
`“scroll” by the change amount. That is, the current value is
`updated after 500 ms and then is updated by the change
`amount after each Successive Second period of time (e.g.,
`100 ms). Additionally, eac