Various approaches for selection of graphical objects in a web browser-based application are described. In one approach, a selection overlay is stored in aweb document. The selection overlay encompasses a plurality of user-selectable graphical objects in the web document occupies a highest position in layers of graphical objects in the web document and includes a plurality of selection regions. Each selection region is respectively associated with one of the plurality of graphical objects and defines a regionof selectability for the associated graphical object. In response to the web browser-based application detecting entry of a user-directed pointer into one of the selection regionsin the selection overlay, the graphical object associated with the one selection region is selected for user manipulation and displayed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS(1) The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:(2) FIG. 1a shows a graphical object inside a bounding-box that defines a selection region forthe graphical object;(3) FIG. 1b shows two graphical objects, with the smaller graphical object residing within the perimeter of the larger graphical object's bounding-box, highlighting the importance of being able to discriminate correctly between the two objects during the graphical object selection process;(4) FIG. 1c shows two graphical objects, with the smaller graphical object fully occluded by the larger graphical object;(5) FIG. 2 is a view of a graphical user interface, including two graphical objects, which are selectable via rectangular selection region bounding-boxes;(6) FIG. 3 is a view of the same graphical user interface including graphical objects and their respective finer-grained selection regions as might be created by an embodiment of the present invention;(7) FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an operating concept of an embodiment of the present invention;(8) FIG. 5 is a view of a layering technique that may be used by an embodiment of the present invention, with a first graphical object on the first layer, a second graphical object on the second layer, and an
1. A method for use by a processor for selecting graphical objects in a web browser-based application, the method comprising: storing a selection overlay in a web document, the selection overlay including a transparent image encompassing a plurality of user selection regions each corresponding respectively to a different stacking layer in a web browser stacking layer, wherein each of the plurality of user selection regions is respectively associated with one of a plurality of graphical objects and defines a region of selectability for the associated graphical object, and wherein the selection overlay is a top-most layer in the web browser stacking layeron top of all the layers of the plurality of user selection regions and receives selection priority over all of the plurality of graphical objects, and wherein a first stacking layer of the web browser stacking layer providing a first graphical object of the plurality of graphical objects associated with a first user selection region of the plurality of user selection regions contained in the selection overlay is different from a second stackinglayer of the web browser stacking layer providing a second graphical object of the plurality of graphical objects associated with a second user selection region of the plurality of user selection regions contained in the selection overlay; displaying the selection overlay including the transparent image encompassing the plurality of user selection regions using the web browser-based application; detecting, using the web browser-based application, an entry of a user-directed pointer into one of the plurality of user selection regions in the selection overlay; determining a user selection of the graphical object associated with the one of the plurality of user selection regions; and displaying the graphical object associated with the one of the plurality of user selection regions in response to the detecting and the determining.
7. An article of manufacture, comprising: a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions that when executed by a processor perform the steps including: storing a selection overlay in a web document, the selection overlay including a transparent image encompassing a plurality of user selection regions each corresponding respectively to a different stacking layer in a web browser stacking layer, wherein each of the plurality of user selection regions is respectively associated with one of a plurality of graphical objects and defines a region of selectability for theassociated graphical object, and wherein the selection overlay is a top-most layer in theweb browser stacking layer on top of all the layers of the plurality of user selection regions and receives selection priority over all of the plurality of graphical objects, and wherein a first stacking layer of the web browser stacking layer providing a first graphical object of the plurality of graphical objects associated with a first user selection region of the plurality of user selection regions contained in the selection overlay is different from a second stacking layer of the web browser stacking layer providing a second graphical object of the plurality of graphical objects associated with a second user selection region of the plurality of user selection regions contained in the selection overlay; displaying the selection overlay including the transparent image encompassing the plurality of user selection regions using the web browser-based application; detecting, using the web browser-based application, an entry of a user-directed pointer into one of the pluralityof user selection regions in the selection overlay; determining a user selection of the graphical object associated with the one of the plurality of user selection regions; and displaying the graphical object associated with the one of the plurality of user selection regions in response to the detecting and the determining.
13. An electronic system, comprising: a memory; a processor coupled to the memory; a user-input device coupled to the processor; wherein the memory is configured with instructions that when executed by the processor select a graphical object in a web browser-based application by performing the steps including: storing a selection overlay in a web document, the selection overlay including a transparent image encompassing a plurality of user selection regions each corresponding respectively to a different stacking layer in a web browser stacking layer, wherein each of the plurality of user selection regions is respectively associated with one of a pluralityof graphical objects and defines a region of selectability for the associated graphical object, and wherein the selection overlay is a top-most layer in the web browser stacking layer on top of all the layers of the plurality of user selection regions and receives selection priority over all of the plurality of graphical objects, and wherein a first stacking layer of the web browser stacking layer providing a first graphical object of the plurality of graphical objects associated with a first user selection region of the plurality ofuser selection regions contained in the selection overlay is different from a second stacking layer of the web browser stacking layer providing a second graphical object of the plurality of graphical objects associated with a second user selection region of the plurality of user selection regions contained in the selection overlay; displaying the selection overlay including the transparent image encompassing the plurality of user selection regions using the web browser-based application; detecting, using the web browser-based application, an entry of a user-directed pointer into one of the plurality of user selection regions in the selection overlay; determining a user selection of the graphical object associated with the one of the plurality of user selection regions; and displaying the graphical object associated with the one of the plurality of user selection regions in response to the detecting and the determining.