A user-interface device for managing complex object relationships

摘要

A user-interface device for working with views of complex pictures employs iconic navigation aids called "beacon nodes." The invention is particularly suited to large complex schematic drawings that are useful to view at various zoom factors to selectively view details and also to see a larger portion for context. The difficulty of returning to one set of features after focusing on another set of features is addressed. The user defines groups of elements (called 'clans') for which a close-up view is desired to be defined. The interface allows such views or groups of elements to be named and associated with a beacon node. (The user may zoom out from a saved view or close-up of a group of objects and zoom in on another view. To return to the saved view or close-up, the user can zoom out.) The beacon node may always be visible by insuring it is not scaled below a certain size. The beacon nodes may be colored to help the user distinguish them. By selecting a beacon node, for example, by clicking on it using a mouse, the display frames the corresponding clan.