IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,319,801
Granted Patent B2
US 8,319,801 · App. 12/437,950 · Granted Nov 27, 2012

Magnifying content on a graphical display

Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,319,801
App. No.
12/437,950
Granted
Nov 27, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed for magnifying content on a graphical display. A user may specify a selection area of the graphical display to be magnified. The user may also specify a display area of the graphical display within which to output a magnified copy of the selection area. Further, the user may anchor a selection area or a display area to an application window or to content in the application window. For instance, an anchored display area may move with an application window. The user may also specify a text size for the display area. The display area may magnify text from the selection area to the specified text size. A magnification area may also display metadata from an application window or from content in the application window. A composite view may combine multiple magnification areas.

Claims (70)

1. A computer-implemented method for magnifying content on a graphical display, the method comprising:

receiving user input specifying a selection area of the graphical display to be magnified;

specifying a display area of the graphical display within which to output a magnified copy of the specified selection area;

generating the magnified copy of the specified selection area by operation of one or more computer processors; and

outputting the magnified copy of the specified selection area within the specified display area, wherein the specified selection area remains at least partially visible on the graphical display separate from the specified display area;

wherein a predefined area selected from the selection area and display area is anchored to a display element of an application window, such that a position of predefined area relative to the display element remains fixed when the display element is moved within the graphical display.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the specified selection area includes text, and wherein the operation method further comprises:

receiving user input specifying a text size;

and wherein generating the magnified copy of the specified selection area comprises:

determining a magnification level for magnifying the included text to the specified text size; and

magnifying the specified selection area by the determined magnification level.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises:

receiving user input specifying an application for association with the specified selection area;

and wherein the magnified copy of the specified selection area includes metadata from the associated application.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the specified selection area is smaller than the graphical display, wherein the specified display area is larger than the specified selection area but smaller than the graphical display, and wherein the specified selection area and the specified display area do not completely overlap.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the predefined area is anchored based on user input.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the position is specified in terms of one of: (i) a number of pixels from a reference point and (ii) a percentage of pixels from a border relative to a length of the border in pixels.

7. A computer-implemented method for magnifying content on a graphical display, the method comprising

receiving user input specifying a plurality of selection areas of the graphical display to be magnified;

specifying a display area of the graphical display within which to output magnified copies of the plurality of selection areas, wherein the specified display area includes a plurality of subdivisions;

generating the magnified copies of the plurality of selection areas by operation of one or more computer processors; and

outputting the magnified copies of the plurality of selection areas within the plurality of subdivisions of the specified display area.

8. A computer readable storage device containing a program which, when executed, performs an operation for magnifying content on a graphical display, the operation comprising:

receiving user input specifying a selection area of the graphical display to be magnified;

specifying a display area of the graphical display within which to output a magnified copy of the specified selection area;

generating the magnified copy of the specified selection area by operation of one or more computer processors when executing the program; and

outputting the magnified copy of the specified selection area within the specified display area, wherein the specified selection area remains at least partially visible on the graphical display separate from the specified display area

wherein a predefined area selected from the selection area and display area is anchored to a display element of an application window, such that a position of predefined area relative to the display element remains fixed when the display element is moved within the graphical display.

9. The computer readable storage device of claim 8 , wherein the specified selection area includes text, and wherein the operation further comprises:

receiving user input specifying a text size;

and wherein generating the magnified copy of the specified selection area comprises:

determining a magnification level for magnifying the included text to the specified text size; and

magnifying the specified selection area by the determined magnification level.

10. The computer readable storage device of claim 8 , wherein the operation further comprises:

receiving user input specifying an application for association with the specified selection area;

and wherein the magnified copy of the specified selection area includes metadata from the associated application.

11. The computer readable storage device of claim 8 , wherein the specified selection area is smaller than the graphical display, wherein the specified display area is larger than the specified selection area but smaller than the graphical display, and wherein the specified selection area and the specified display area do not completely overlap.

12. The computer readable storage device of claim 8 , wherein the predefined area is anchored based on user input.

13. The computer readable storage device of claim 8 , wherein the position is specified in terms of one of: (i) a number of pixels from a reference point and (ii) a percentage of pixels from a border relative to a length of the border in pixels.

14. A system, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory containing a program which, when executed by the processor, is configured to perform an operation for magnifying content on a graphical display, the operation comprising:

receiving user input specifying a selection area of the graphical display to be magnified;

specifying a display area of the graphical display within which to output a magnified copy of the specified selection area;

generating the magnified copy of the specified selection area; and

outputting the magnified copy of the specified selection area within the specified display area, wherein the specified selection area remains at least partially visible on the graphical display separate from the specified display area

wherein a predefined area selected from the selection area and display area is anchored to a display element of an application window, such that a position of predefined area relative to the display element remains fixed when the display element is moved within the graphical display.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the specified selection area includes text, and wherein the operation further comprises:

receiving user input specifying a text size;

and wherein generating the magnified copy of the specified selection area comprises:

determining a magnification level for magnifying the included text to the specified text size; and

magnifying the specified selection area by the determined magnification level.

16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the operation further comprises:

receiving user input specifying an application for association with the specified selection area;

and wherein the magnified copy of the specified selection area includes metadata from the associated application.

17. The system of claim 14 , wherein the specified selection area is smaller than the graphical display, wherein the specified display area is larger than the specified selection area but smaller than the graphical display, and wherein the specified selection area and the specified display area do not completely overlap.

18. The system of claim 14 , wherein the predefined area is anchored based on user input.

19. The system of claim 14 , wherein the position is specified in terms of one of: (i) a number of pixels from a reference point and (ii) a percentage of pixels from a border relative to a length of the border in pixels.

20. A computer readable storage device containing a program which, when executed, performs an operation for magnifying content on a graphical display, the operation comprising:

receiving user input specifying a plurality of selection areas of the graphical display to be magnified;

specifying a display area of the graphical display within which to output magnified copies of the plurality of selection areas, wherein the specified display area includes a plurality of subdivisions;

generating the magnified copies of the plurality of selection areas by operation of one or more computer processors when executing the program; and

outputting the magnified copies of the plurality of selection areas within the plurality of subdivisions of the specified display area.

21. A system, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory containing a program which, when executed by the processor, is configured to perform an operation for magnifying content on a graphical display, the operation comprising:

receiving user input specifying a plurality of selection areas of the graphical display to be magnified;

specifying a display area of the graphical display within which to output magnified copies of the plurality of selection areas, wherein the specified display area includes a plurality of subdivisions;

generating the magnified copies of the plurality of selection areas; and

outputting the magnified copies of the plurality of selection areas within the plurality of subdivisions of the specified display area.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 8, 2009
From: CRAGUN, BRIAN J.; FORK, MICHAEL J.
To: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 022658/0553 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100283800A1 · Nov 11, 2010