Method and apparatus for producing a composite second image in the spatial context of a first image

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method of operating a machine; the machine including:

a signal source for producing signals indicating image display requests;

output circuitry connected to a display having a display area for presenting images; the display area having a first image displayed in a present image position therein;

a processor connected for receiving the signals from the signal source, and connected for providing images to the output circuitry; and

memory for storing data; the data stored in the memory including:

instruction data indicating instructions the processor executes; and

a first image model data structure; the first image being produced from the first image model data structure;

the processor further being connected for accessing the data stored in the memory;

the display area further having displayed therein a first viewing operation region (1VOR) in a first viewing position coextensive with the present image position of a first image segment of the first image; the 1VOR having a second image (1VOR-SI) displayed therein; the 1VOR-SI having size and shape dimensions substantially the same as size and shape dimensions of the 1VOR; the 1VOR having a first viewing operation (VO1) associated therewith for mapping the first image model data structure to image definition data defining the 1VOR-SI;

the method comprising:

operating the processor to receive request signal data from the signal source indicating a display request to present a second viewing operation region (2VOR) in a second viewing position in the display area coextensive with the first viewing position of at least a portion of the 1VOR; the 2VOR having a second viewing operation (VO2) associated therewith for mapping an input model data structure to image definition data defining a second image for display in the 2VOR (2VOR-SI); and

operating the processor to respond to the request signal data indicating the second display request by

determining size and shape dimensions of the portion of the 2VOR in the second viewing position coextensive with the first viewing position of the 1VOR, designated as a composite viewing operation region (C1+2VOR), in the display area using the first and second viewing positions of the 1VOR and the 2VOR, respectively;

producing image definition data defining a composite image for display in the C1+2VOR (C1+2VOR-SI) according to a composite viewing operation and using the size and shape dimensions of the C1+2VOR; the composite viewing operation mapping the first image model data structure to the image definition data defining the composite image according to combined mappings of the VO1 on the first image model data structure and the VO2 on the input model data structure; the C1+2VOR-SI having the size and shape dimensions of the C1+2VOR; and

providing the image definition data defining the C1+2VOR-SI to the output circuitry connected to the display so that the display presents the C1+2VOR-SI in the C1+2VOR substantially at the same time as the first image is being displayed in the display area;

whereby presentation of the composite image (C1+2VOR-SI) in the C1+2VOR gives the perception to the machine user of showing the results of applying the composite viewing operation to information presented in the first image segment.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of operating the processor to respond to the second request signal data further includes

determining size and shape dimensions of a remaining portion of the 1VOR in the first viewing position outside the second viewing position of the 2VOR, designated as a non-composite first viewing operation region (1VOR-NC), in the display area using the first and second viewing positions of the 1VOR and the 2VOR, respectively;

producing image definition data defining a second image for display in the 1VOR-NC (1VOR-NC-SI) according to the mapping defined by the VO1 using the first image model data structure and the size and shape dimensions of the 1VOR-NC;

determining size and shape dimensions of a remaining portion of the 2VOR in the second viewing position outside the C1+2VOR, designated as a non-composite second viewing operation region (2VOR-NC), in the display area using the first and second viewing positions of the 1VOR and the 2VOR, respectively;

producing image definition data defining a second image (2VOR-NC-SI) for display in the 2VOR-NC according to the mapping defined by the VO2 using the first image model data structure as the input model data structure and the size and shape dimensions of the 2VOR-NC; and

providing the image definition data defining the 1VOR-NC-SI and the 2VOR-NC-SI to the output circuitry connected to the display so that the display presents the 1VOR-NC-SI in the 1VOR-NC and presents the 2VOR-NC-SI in the 2VOR-NC substantially at the same time as the C1+2VOR-SI is being displayed in the C1+2VOR and the first image is being displayed in the display area;

whereby presentation of the 1VOR-NC-SI, the 2VOR-NC-SI, and the C1+2VOR-SI substantially simultaneously gives the perception to the machine user of providing multiple views of the first image related to information in respective first image segments coextensive with viewing positions of the 1VOR-NC, C1+2VOR and 2VOR-NC in the display area.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of producing the image definition data defining the C1+2VOR-SI according to the composite viewing operation includes

producing a second model data structure according to the mapping defined by the VO1 using the first image model data structure; and

producing the image definition data defining the C1+2VOR-SI according to the mapping defined by the VO2 using the second model data structure as the input model data structure.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein

the first image, the 1VOR, and the 2VOR are arranged in the display area so as to have the appearance of being in different image planes; the first image having the appearance of being displayed in a first image plane; the 1VOR having the appearance of being displayed in a second image plane, in front of the first image plane; the 2VOR having the appearance of being displayed in a third image plane, in front of the second image plane; the 1VOR and the 2VOR arranged so as to have an overlapping order in the display area with respect to an image plane closest to the first image plane; and

the act of producing the image definition data defining a composite image for display in the C1+2VOR according to a composite viewing operation includes combining the VO1 and the VO2 according to the overlapping order of the 1VOR and the 2VOR in the display area, beginning with the VO1 associated with the 1VOR in the image plane ordered closest to the first image plane.

5. A method of operating a machine; the machine including:

a signal source for producing signals indicating image display requests;

output circuitry connected to a display having a display area for presenting images; the display area having a first image displayed in a present image position therein;

a processor connected for receiving the signals from the signal source, and connected for providing images to the output circuitry; and

memory for storing data; the data stored in the memory including:

instruction data indicating instructions the processor executes; and

a first image model data structure; the first image being produced from the first image model data structure;

the processor further being connected for accessing the data stored in the memory;

the method comprising:

operating the processor to receive first request signal data from the signal source; the request signal data indicating a display request to present a first viewing operation region (1VOR) in a first viewing position in the display area coextensive with the present image position of a first image segment of the first image; the 1VOR having a first viewing operation (VO1) associated therewith for mapping a VO1 input model data structure to image definition data defining a second image for display in the 1VOR (1VOR-SI);

operating the processor to respond to the first request signal data indicating the display request by

producing a second model data structure according to the VO1 using the first image model data structure as the VO1 input model data structure;

producing the image definition data defining a second image for display in the 1VOR (1VOR-SI) using the second model data structure; the 1VOR-SI having size and shape dimensions substantially identical to size and shape dimensions of the 1VOR; and

providing the image definition data defining the 1VOR-SI to the output circuitry connected to the display device so that the display device presents the IVOR-SI in the 1VOR in response to the image definition data substantially at the same time as the first image is being displayed in the display area;

operating the processor to receive second request signal data from the signal source indicating a display request to present a second viewing operation region (2VOR) in a second viewing position in the display area coextensive with the first viewing position of at least a portion of the 1VOR; the 2VOR having a second viewing operation (VO2) associated therewith for mapping a VO2 input model data structure to image definition data defining a second image for display in the 2VOR (2VOR-SI); and

operating the processor to respond to the second request signal data indicating the display request by

determining size and shape dimensions of the portion of the 2VOR in the second viewing position coextensive with the first viewing position of the 1VOR, designated as a composite viewing operation region (C1+2VOR), in the display area using the first and second viewing positions of the 1VOR and the 2VOR, respectively;

producing image definition data defining a composite image for display in the C1+2VOR (C1+2VOR-SI) according to the VO2 using the second model data structure as the VO2 input model data structure and using the size and shape dimensions of the C1+2VOR; the C1+2VOR-SI having size and shape dimensions substantially identical to size and shape dimensions of the C1+2VOR; and

providing the image definition data defining the C1+2VOR-SI to the output circuitry connected to the display so that the display presents the C1+2VOR-SI in the C1+2VOR substantially at the same time as the first image is being displayed in the display area;

whereby presentation of the composite image in the C1+2VOR gives the perception to the machine user of providing information in the composite image related to information included in both the first image segment and in the 1VOR-SI.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the act of operating the processor to respond to the second request signal data further includes

determining size and shape dimensions in the display area of a remaining portion of the 1VOR in the first viewing position outside the second viewing position of the 2VOR, designated as a non-composite first viewing operation region (1VOR-NC), using the first and second viewing positions of the 1VOR and the 2VOR, respectively;

producing image definition data defining a second image for display in the 1VOR-NC (1VOR-NC-SI) according to the VO1 using the first image model data structure as the VO1 input model data structure and using the size and shape dimensions of the 1VOR-NC;

determining size and shape dimensions in the display area of a remaining portion of the 2VOR in the second viewing position outside the C1+2VOR, designated as a non-composite second viewing operation region (2VOR-NC), using the first and second viewing positions of the 1VOR and the 2VOR, respectively;

producing image definition data defining a second image for display in the 2VOR-NC (2VOR-NC-SI) according to the VO2 using the first model data structure as the VO2 input model data structure and using the size and shape dimensions of the 2VOR-NC; and

providing the image definition data defining the 1VOR-NC-SI and the 2VOR-NC-SI to the output circuitry connected to the display so that the display presents the 1VOR-NC-SI in the 1VOR-NC and presents the 2VOR-NC-SI in the 2VOR-NC substantially at the same time as the C1+2VOR-SI is being displayed in the C1+2VOR and the first image is being displayed in the display area;

whereby presentation of the 1VOR-NC-SI, the 2VOR-NC-SI, and the C1+2VOR-SI substantially simultaneously gives the perception to the machine user of providing information in multiple views of the first image related to information included in respective first image segments coextensive with viewing positions of the 1VOR-NC, C1+2VOR and 2VOR-NC in the display area.

7. The method according to claim 6 wherein, when the second viewing position of the 2VOR in the display area is substantially completely coextensive with the first viewing position of the 1VOR, the C1+2VOR includes substantially all of the 1VOR, and presentation of C1+2VOR-SI in the C1+2VOR gives the appearance to the machine user of replacing the 1VOR-SI with the C1+2VOR-SI.

8. The method according to claim 7 wherein

the 2VOR in the second viewing position in the display area is coextensive with a second first-image segment (FIS-2) of the first image; and

when the VO2 does not use the first image model data structure as a VO2 input model data structure, the act of producing image definition data defining the 2VOR-NC-SI for display in the 2VOR-NC includes reproducing image definition data defining the FIS-2 clipped to the size and shape dimensions of the 2VOR-NC;

whereby the presentation of the FIS-2 clipped to the size and shape dimensions of the 2VOR-NC gives the perception to the machine operator that the 2VOR-NC is transparent.

9. The method according to claim 5 wherein the act of producing the image definition data defining the composite image according to the VO2 includes

producing a third model data structure according to the VO2 using the second model data structure as the VO2 input model data structure; and

producing the image definition data defining the composite image using the third model data structure and using the size and shape dimensions of the C1+2VOR.

10. The method of claim 5 wherein the first image segment includes a first display feature representing a first feature data item in the first image model data structure; the VO1 mapping the first feature data item to an output feature data item included in the second model data structure; the output feature data item represented by an output display feature included in the 1VOR-SI; the output display feature also included in the C1+2VOR; and

wherein the act of producing the image definition data defining the C1+2VOR-SI further includes

obtaining a new attribute value for the output feature data item; the new attribute value indicating a modified output display feature; and

producing the image definition data defining the C1+2VOR-SI using the new attribute value; the C1+2VOR-SI including the modified output display feature thereof indicated by the new attribute value;

whereby presenting the C1+2VOR-SI in the C1+2VOR gives the appearance to the machine user of replacing the output display feature included in the 1VOR-SI with the modified output display feature included in the C1+2VOR-SI.

11. The method according to claim 10 wherein the output display feature has first and second display feature positions in the display area; and wherein

the act of operating the processor to produce the image definition data defining the C1+2VOR-SI further includes, when one of the first and second display feature positions of the output display feature is coextensive with image display positions in the display area inside the C1+2VOR and the other of the first and second display feature positions is coextensive with image display positions in the display area outside the C1+2VOR, producing the image definition data defining the C1+2VOR-SI so that the C1+2VOR-SI includes the modified output display feature only for the display feature positions of the output display feature coextensive with image display positions inside the C1+2VOR;

whereby the output display feature appears unmodified in the 1VOR outside the C1+2VOR.

12. The method of claim 5 wherein the signal source includes input circuitry connected to a user input device for receiving signals indicating actions of a machine user; and the act of operating the processor to receive the first and second request signal data includes receiving the first and second request signal data from the user input device.

13. The method according to claim 12 wherein the first and second request signal data from the user input device include first and second movement signals indicating first and second movement actions by the machine user; the first movement action moving the 1VOR from a first position in the display area to the first viewing position coextensive with the present image position of the first image segment; the second movement action moving the 2VOR from a second position in the display area to the second viewing position coextensive with the first viewing position of at least a portion of the 1VOR.

14. The method according to claim 5 wherein

the data stored in the memory further includes instruction data defining an application operation; the application operation being capable of producing the C1+2VOR-SI according to the VO2 using the second model data structure; and

the act of producing the image definition data defining the C1+2VOR-SI according to the VO2 includes operating the processor to perform the application operation using the second model data structure to produce the C1+2VOR-SI.

15. A method of operating a machine; the machine including:

a signal source connected to input circuitry for producing signals indicating image display requests;

output circuitry connected to a display having a display area for presenting images; the display area having a first image displayed in a present image position therein; the first image including a first display object having a present object position in the first image;

a processor connected for receiving the signals from the input circuitry and the signal source, and connected for providing image definition data defining images to the output circuitry; and

memory for storing data; the data stored in the memory including:

instruction data indicating instructions the processor executes; and

a first image model data structure used for producing the first image; the first image model data structure being an object-based model data structure including a first object data item represented by the first display object in the first image, and an object coordinate data item indicating display object coordinate information about the present object position of the first display object in the first image; the object coordinate data item indicating the first object data item; and

the processor further being connected for accessing the data stored in the memory;

the method comprising:

operating the processor to receive first request signal data from the signal source; the request signal data indicating a display request to present a first viewing operation region (1VOR) in a first viewing position in the display area coextensive with the present image position of a first image segment of the first image including the first display object;

operating the processor to respond to the first request signal data indicating the display request by

obtaining the first object data item from the first image model data structure using the present object position of the first display object in the first image segment and the object coordinate data item;

producing an object-based second model data structure using the first object data item; the second model data structure including an output object coordinate data item indicating output display object coordinate information about the output object position of an output display object in a second image for display in the 1VOR (1VOR-SI); the output object coordinate data item indicating the output object data item;

producing image definition data defining the 1VOR-SI including the output display object using the second model data structure; the 1VOR-SI having size and shape dimensions substantially identical to size and shape dimensions of the 1VOR; and

providing the image definition data defining the 1VOR-SI to the output circuitry connected to the display device so that the display device presents the 1VOR-SI, including the output display object, in the 1VOR in the first viewing position in the display area in response to the image definition data substantially at the same time as the first image is being displayed in the display area;

operating the processor to receive second request signal data from the signal source indicating a display request to present a second viewing operation region (2VOR) in a second viewing position in the display area coextensive with at least a portion of the 1VOR in the first viewing position; and

operating the processor to respond to the second request signal data indicating the display request by

determining size and shape dimensions of the portion of the 1VOR in the first viewing position coextensive with the second viewing position of the 2VOR, designated as a composite viewing operation region (C1+2VOR), in the display area using the first and second viewing positions of the 1VOR and the 2VOR, respectively;

producing image definition data defining a composite second image (C1+2VOR-SI) for display in the C1+2VOR using the second model data structure and the size and shape dimensions of the C1+2VOR; and

providing the image definition data defining the C1+2VOR-SI to the output circuitry connected to the display so that the display presents the C1+2VOR-SI in the C1+2VOR substantially at the same time as the first image is being displayed in the display area;

whereby presentation of the composite second image in the C1+2VOR gives the perception to the machine user of providing information in the composite second image related to both the first display object in the first image segment and to the output display object included in the 1VOR-SI.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the act of operating the processor to respond to the second request signal data further includes

determining size and shape dimensions of a remaining portion of the 1VOR in the first viewing position outside the second viewing position of the 2VOR in the display area, designated as a non-composite first viewing operation region (1VOR-NC), using the first and second viewing positions of the 1VOR and the 2VOR, respectively;

producing image definition data defining a second image (1VOR-NC-SI) for display in the 1VOR-NC using the first image model data structure and the size and shape dimensions of the 1VOR-NC;

determining size and shape dimensions of a remaining portion of the 2VOR in the second viewing position outside the C1+2VOR in the display area, designated as a non-composite second viewing operation region (2VOR-NC), using the first and second viewing positions of the 1VOR and the 2VOR, respectively;

producing image definition data defining a second image (2VOR-NC-SI) for display in the 2VOR-NC using the first image model data structure and the size and shape dimensions of the 2VOR-NC; and

providing the image definition data defining the 1VOR-NC-SI and the 2VOR-NC-SI to the output circuitry connected to the display so that the display presents the 1VOR-NC-SI in the 1VOR-NC and presents the 2VOR-NC-SI in the 2VOR-NC substantially at the same time as the C1+2VOR-SI is being displayed in the C1+2VOR and the first image is being displayed in the display area;

whereby presentation of the 1VOR-NC-SI, the 2VOR-NC-SI, and the C1+2VOR-SI substantially simultaneously gives the perception to the machine user of providing information in multiple views of the first image related to display objects included in respective first image segments coextensive with viewing positions of the 1VOR-NC, C1+2VOR and 2VOR-NC in the display area.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the first display object in the first image segment includes a first display feature representing a first feature data item in the first image model data structure; the first object data item in the first image model data structure indicating the first feature data item;

the act of producing the object-based second model data structure using the first object data item includes

obtaining a first new attribute value for the first feature data item; the first new attribute value indicating a modified first display feature; and

producing an output feature data item having the first new attribute value for including in the second model data structure; the output object data item indicating the output feature data item;

the act of producing the image definition data defining the 1VOR-SI includes using the first new attribute value for the output feature data item; the output display object included in the 1VOR-SI being the first display object having a modified first display feature thereof indicated by the first new attribute value; and

the act of producing the image definition data defining the C1+2VOR-SI includes

obtaining, from the second model data structure, the output object data item represented by the output display object included in the C1+2VOR using the output object position of the output display object and the object coordinate data item;

obtaining the output feature data item from the output object data item in the second model data structure;

obtaining a second new attribute value for the output feature data item; the second new attribute value indicating a modified output display feature; and

producing the image definition data defining the C1+2VOR-SI using the second model data structure and the second new attribute value for the output feature data item; the C1+2VOR-SI including the modified output display feature thereof indicated by the second new attribute value;

whereby presenting the C1+2VOR-SI in the C1+2VOR gives the appearance to the machine user of replacing the first display object in the first image segment with composite modifications to the first display object in the C1+2VOR-SI.

18. A method of operating a machine; the machine including:

a user input device for receiving signals indicating actions of a machine user;

a display having a display area for presenting images; the display area having a first image displayed in a present image position therein; the first image including a first display object having a first display feature;

a processor connected for receiving the signals from the input device, and connected for providing image definition data defining images to the display; and

memory for storing data; the data stored in the memory including:

instruction data indicating instructions the processor executes; and

a first image model data structure used for producing the first image; the first image model data structure including a first object data item represented by the first display object in the first image; the first object data item indicating a display feature attribute data item having a present attribute value indicating the first display feature when displayed in the display area;

the processor further being connected for accessing the data stored in the memory;

the method comprising:

operating the processor to provide to the display first viewing operation region image data defining a first viewing operation region image so that the display presents a first viewing operation region (1VOR) in a first position in the display area;

operating the processor to receive first user signal data from the user input device indicating a first movement action by the machine user moving the 1VOR from the first position in the display area to a first viewing position coextensive with the present image position of a first image segment of the first image; the first image segment including the first display object;

operating the processor to respond to the movement of the 1VOR by providing image definition data defining a second image (1VOR-SI) to the display so that the display presents the 1VOR-SI in the 1VOR in response to the image definition data; the 1VOR-SI having size and shape dimensions substantially identical to size and shape dimensions of the 1VOR and showing the first display object having a once-modified first display feature representing a first new attribute value for the display feature attribute data item;

operating the processor to provide to the display second viewing operation region image data defining a second viewing operation region image so that the display presents a second viewing operation region (2VOR) in a second position in the display area;

operating the processor to receive second user signal data from the user input device indicating a second movement action by the machine user moving the 2VOR from the second position in the display area to a second viewing position coextensive with at least a portion of the first viewing position of the 1VOR; the portion of the 1VOR in the first viewing position coextensive with the second viewing position of the 2VOR being designated as a composite viewing operation region (C1+2VOR), and including the first display object having the once-modified first display feature; and

operating the processor to respond to the movement of the 2VOR by providing image definition data defining a composite second image (C1+2VOR-SI) to the display so that the display presents the C1+2VOR-SI in the C1+2VOR in response to the image definition data; the C1+2VOR-SI having size and shape dimensions substantially identical to size and shape dimensions of the C1+2VOR and showing the first display object having a twice-modified first display feature representing a second new attribute value for the display feature attribute data item;

whereby presentation of the composite second image in the C1+2VOR gives the perception to the machine user of composing in one image first and second modifications related to the first display object in the first image segment.

19. The method according to claim 18 wherein

the 1VOR-SI is produced using an object-based second model data structure copied from the first model data structure; the second model data structure including an output display feature attribute data item copied from the display feature attribute data item and having the first new attribute value therefor; the once-modified first display feature representing the output display feature attribute data item having the first new attribute value; and

the C1+2VOR-SI is produced using the second model data structure; the twice-modified first display feature in the C1+2VOR-SI representing the output display feature attribute data item having the second new attribute value.

20. The method according to claim 18 wherein the act of operating the processor to respond to the movement of the 2VOR further includes

determining size and shape dimensions of a remaining portion of the 1VOR in the first viewing position outside the second viewing position of the 2VOR in the display area, designated as a non-composite first viewing operation region (1VOR-NC), using the first and second viewing positions of the 1VOR and the 2VOR, respectively;

producing image definition data defining a second image (1VOR-NC-SI) for display in the 1VOR-NC using the first image model data structure and the size and shape dimensions of the 1VOR-NC;

determining size and shape dimensions of a remaining portion of the 2VOR in the second viewing position outside the C1+2VOR in the display area, designated as a non-composite second viewing operation region (2VOR-NC), using the first and second viewing positions of the 1VOR and the 2VOR, respectively;

producing image definition data defining a second image (2VOR-NC-SI) for display in the 2VOR-NC using the first image model data structure and the size and shape dimensions of the 2VOR-NC; and

providing the image definition data defining the 1VOR-NC-SI and the 2VOR-NC-SI to the output circuitry connected to the display so that the display presents the 1VOR-NC-SI in the 1VOR-NC and presents the 2VOR-NC-SI in the 2VOR-NC substantially at the same time as the C1+2VOR-SI is being displayed in the C1+2VOR and the first image is being displayed in the display area;

whereby presentation of the 1VOR-NC-SI, the 2VOR-NC-SI, and the C1+2VOR-SI substantially simultaneously gives the perception to the machine user of providing information in multiple views of the first image related to display objects included in respective first image segments coextensive with viewing positions of the 1VOR-NC, C1+2VOR and 2VOR-NC in the display area.

21. The method according to claim 18 wherein the first display object has first and second display object positions in the display area; and wherein

the act of operating the processor to provide the image definition data defining the C1+2VOR-SI further includes, when one of the first and second display object positions of the first display object is coextensive with image display positions in the display area inside the C1+2VOR and the other of the first and second display object positions is coextensive with image display positions outside the C1+2VOR, producing the image definition data defining the C1+2VOR-SI so that the C1+2VOR-SI includes the first display object having the twice-modified first display feature only for the display object positions of the first display object coextensive with the image display positions inside the C1+2VOR.

22. A method of operating a machine; the machine including:

input circuitry connected to a user input device; the input circuitry receiving signals indicating requests of a machine user;

output circuitry connected to a display having a display area for presenting images; the display area having a first image displayed in a present image position therein; the first image including a first display object having a first display feature;

a processor connected for receiving the signals from the input circuitry, and connected for providing image definition data defining images to the output circuitry; and

memory for storing data; the data stored in the memory including:

a first image model data structure used for producing the first image; the first image model data structure including a first object data item represented by the first display object in the first image; the first object data item indicating a display feature attribute data item having a present attribute value indicating the first display feature when displayed in the display area; and

instruction data indicating instructions the processor executes; the instruction data including first image application instruction data defining an application operation capable of producing the first image from the first image model data structure;

the processor further being connected for accessing the data stored in the memory;

the method comprising:

operating the processor to receive first request signal data from the input circuitry indicating a display request by the machine user to display a first viewing operation region (1VOR) in a first viewing position in the display area coextensive with the present image position of a first image segment of the first image; the first image segment including the first display object;

operating the processor to respond to the first request signal data indicating the display request by performing the acts of

obtaining a first new attribute value for the display feature attribute data item; the first new attribute value indicating a modified first display feature;

copying the first image model data structure to a copied first image model data structure; the copied first image model data structure including a copied first object data item indicating a copied display feature attribute data item having the present attribute value indicating the first display feature;

obtaining the copied first object data item and the copied display feature attribute data item from the copied first image model data structure;

replacing the present attribute value of the copied display feature attribute data item with the first new attribute value in the copied first image model data structure;

obtaining second image size-and-position data from the first viewing position of the 1VOR in the display area; the second image size-and-position data indicating size and position information about a second image for display in the 1VOR (1VOR-SI);

executing the first image application instruction data defining the application operation to produce image definition data defining the 1VOR-SI using the second image size-and-position data and the copied first image model data structure including the first new attribute value for the copied display feature attribute data item; the 1VOR-SI including the first display object having a once-modified first display feature; the 1VOR-SI having size and shape dimensions substantially identical to size and shape dimensions of the 1VOR; and

providing the image definition data defining the 1VOR-SI to the output circuitry connected to the display so that the display presents the 1VOR-SI in the 1VOR; the 1VOR-SI being displayed substantially at the same time as the first image is being displayed in the display area;

operating the processor to receive second request signal data from the input circuitry indicating a display request by the machine user to present a second viewing operation region (2VOR) in a second viewing position in the display area coextensive with the first viewing position of at least a portion of the 1VOR including the first display object having the once-modified display feature; and

operating the processor to respond to the second request signal data indicating the display request by

determining size and shape dimension data indicating size and shape dimensions and position information of the portion of the 2VOR in the second viewing position coextensive with the first viewing position of the 1VOR, designated as a composite viewing operation region (C1+2VOR), in the display area using the first and second viewing positions of the 1VOR and the 2VOR, respectively;

obtaining a second new attribute value for the copied display feature attribute data item; the second new attribute value indicating a twice-modified first display feature;

obtaining the copied first object data item and the copied display feature attribute data item from the copied first image model data structure using the size and shape dimension data;

replacing the first new attribute value of the copied display feature attribute data item with the second new attribute value in the copied first image model data structure;

executing the first image application instruction data defining the application operation to produce image definition data defining a second image for display in the C1+2VOR (C1+2VOR-SI) using the size and shape dimension data of the C1+2VOR and the copied first image model data structure including the second new attribute value for the copied display feature attribute data item; the C1+2VOR-SI, designated as a composite image, including the first display object having the twice-modified first display feature and having size and shape dimensions substantially identical to size and shape dimensions of the C1+2VOR; and

providing the image definition data defining the C1+2VOR-SI to the output circuitry connected to the display so that the display presents the C1+2VOR-SI in the C1+2VOR substantially at the same time as the first image is being displayed in the display area;

whereby, in response to the display request by the machine user, presentation of the composite second image (C1+2VOR-SI) in the C1+2VOR gives the perception to the machine user of replacing the first display object having the first display feature in the first image segment with the first display object having modifications composed from both first and second viewing operation regions in the C1+2VOR.

23. The method according to claim 22 wherein the act of operating the processor to respond to the request signal data indicating the display request further includes storing the copied first image model data structure in the memory of the machine.

24. A machine comprising:

input circuitry connected to a user input device; the input circuitry receiving signals indicating requests of a machine user;

output circuitry connected to a display having a display area for presenting images; the display area having a first image displayed in a present image position therein;

a processor connected for receiving the signals from the input circuitry, and connected for providing image definition data defining images to the output circuitry for presentation by the display; and

memory for storing data; the data stored in the memory including:

instruction data indicating instructions the processor can execute; and

a first image model data structure; the first image being produced from the first image model data structure;

the processor being further connected for accessing the data stored in the memory;

the processor, in executing the instructions, receiving first request signal data from the input circuitry indicating a first display request by the machine user to display a first viewing operation region (1VOR) in a first viewing position in the display area coextensive with the present image position of a first image segment of the first image; the 1VOR having a first viewing operation (VO1) associated therewith for mapping the first image model data structure to image definition data defining a second image for display in the 1VOR (1VOR-SI);

the processor further, in executing the instructions, responding to the first request signal data indicating the first display request by

producing the image definition data defining the 1VOR-SI according to the VO1 using the first image model data structure; the 1VOR-SI having size and shape dimensions substantially identical to size and shape dimensions of the 1VOR; and

providing the image definition data defining the 1VOR-SI to the output circuitry connected to the display device so that the display device presents the 1VOR-SI in the 1VOR in the first viewing position in the display area in response to the image definition data substantially at the same time as the first image is being displayed in the display area;

the processor further, in executing the instructions, receiving second request signal data from the input circuitry indicating a second display request by the machine user to present a second viewing operation region (2VOR) in a second viewing position in the display area coextensive with the first viewing position of at least a portion of the 1VOR; the 2VOR having a second viewing operation (VO2) associated therewith for mapping the first image model data structure to image definition data defining a second image for display in the 2VOR (2VOR-SI); and

the processor further, in executing the instructions, responding to the second request signal data indicating the second display request by

determining size and shape dimensions of the portion of the 2VOR in the second viewing position coextensive with the first viewing position of the 1VOR, designated as a composite viewing operation region (C1+2VOR), in the display area using the first and second viewing positions of the 1VOR and the 2VOR, respectively;

composing the VO1 and the VO2 into a composite viewing operation mapping the first image model data structure to image definition data definin