Merging and fragmenting graphical objects

• US 10,019,422 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2013
• Issued: 07/10/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Doan, Christopher, Becker, Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): Ries, Laurie A
• Application Number:
  US14/053,617
• Publication Number:
  US 20140047326A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,729 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/166 Editing, e.g. inserting or deleting
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/197 Version control for software G06F8/71
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/60 Editing figures and text; Combining figures or text

Abstract

Object merging in an electronic document may be provided. First, a selection of at least two objects within the electronic document may be received. Then, in response to the received selection of the at least two objects, a menu listing a plurality of merge operations configured to be performed on the selected at least two objects may be provided. A merge operation may then be selected, previewed, and applied to the selected at least two objects.

Claims

1. A method for merging objects in an electronic document, the method comprising:

concurrently displaying text and at least two objects in the electronic document, wherein the electronic document is one of a word processing document, a spreadsheet document, a database document, a presentation slide document, or an electronic mail document;

receiving a selection of the at least two objects;

displaying a plurality of options for editing the electronic document at a location outside of the electronic document, wherein the plurality of options includes an option for a merge operation of multiple objects;

identifying a hover by a pointing device over the option for the merge operation for the at least two objects;

based on the identification of the hover, previewing the selected merge operation of the at least two objects, wherein the preview is displayed within the electronic document;

receiving a selection of the merge operation; and

applying the selected merge operation for the selected two objects.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the selection of the at least two objects comprises receiving a designation of a primary object from the at least two selected objects.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein applying the selected merge operation comprises creating at least one new object from the at least two objects.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein applying the selected merge operation comprises applying at least one property of the primary object to the at least one new object.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein applying the at least one property of the primary object to the at least one new object comprises transferring a text within the primary object to the at least one new object.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein applying the at least one property of the primary object to the at least one new object comprises transferring a picture within the primary object to the at least one new object.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein applying the selected merge operation comprises creating a plurality of fragment objects from the at least two objects.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein creating the plurality of fragment objects from the at least two objects comprises applying a portion of an image within the primary object to each of the plurality of fragment objects.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising manipulating at least one fragment of the plurality of fragment objects while preserving properties of the at least one fragment, wherein at least one of the properties of the at least one fragment is inherited from the primary object.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein manipulating the at least one fragment of the plurality of fragment objects comprises at least one of the following:

moving the at least one fragment and rotating the at least one fragment.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein creating the plurality of fragment objects from the at least two objects comprises applying a portion of a video within the primary object to each of the plurality of fragment objects.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the selection of the at least two objects comprises receiving a selection of at least one of the following:

a geometric shape, a text-bearing object, a text, a picture, a picture-filled object, and a video.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the selection of the merge operation comprises receiving a selection of one of the following:

a union operation, a combine operation, a fragment operation, an intersect operation, and a subtract operation.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the selection of the merge operation comprises receiving a selection from a menu listing a plurality of merge operations, the menu being provided in response to receiving the selection of the at least two objects.

15. A computer-readable storage device comprising a set of instructions which when executed performs a method for merging objects in an electronic document, the method executed by the set of instructions comprising:

displaying at least two objects in the electronic document, wherein the electronic document is one of a word processing document, a spreadsheet document, a database document, a presentation slide document, or an electronic mail document;

receiving a selection of the at least two objects within the electronic document;

providing, in response to the received selection of the at least two objects, a menu listing a plurality of different types of merge operations configured to be performed on the selected at least two objects;

identifying a hover by a pointing device over an option for a first type of merge operation of the plurality of merge operations;

based on the identification of the hover, previewing the first type of merge operation of the at least two objects in the electric document, wherein the preview is displayed within the electronic document;

receiving a selection of the first type of merge operation; and

applying the selected first type of merge operation.

16. The computer-readable storage device of claim 15, wherein the method executed by the set of instructions further comprises receiving a designation of a primary object of the selected at least two objects.

17. The computer-readable storage device of claim 16, wherein applying the selected merge operation comprises creating at least one new object from the selected at least two objects, the at least one new object inheriting properties from the primary object.

18. The computer-readable storage device of claim 15, wherein receiving the selection of the first type of merge operation comprises receiving a mouse-click on the first type of merge operation in the menu comprising the plurality of merge operations.

19. The computer-readable storage device of claim 15, wherein the method executed by the set of instructions further comprises:

identifying a subsequent hover by the pointing device over an option for a second type of merge operation of the plurality of merge operations; and

based on the identification of the subsequent hover, previewing the second type of merge operation of the at least two objects in the electric document, wherein the preview is displayed within the electronic document.

20. A system for merging shapes within an electronic document, the system comprising:

a memory storage; and

a processing unit coupled to the memory storage, the processing unit being configured to;

receive a selection of at least two shapes concurrently displayed within the electronic document, wherein the electronic document is one of a word processing document, a spreadsheet document, a database document, a presentation slide document, or an electronic mail document,

receive a designation of a primary shape, the primary shape comprising at least one of the following;

a text and an image,

provide a menu listing a plurality of merge operations configured to be performed on the selected at least two shapes, the plurality of merge operations comprising at least one of the following;

a union operation, a combine operation, a fragment operation, an intersect operation, and a subtract operation, wherein providing the menu does not obscure the selected at least two shapes;

identify a hover by a pointing device over an option for a merge operation of the plurality of merge operations,

upon identifying the hover by the pointing device, preview the selected merge operation of the at least two objects, wherein the preview is displayed within the electronic document;

receive a selection of the merge operation,

create, in response the selection, at least one new shape from the at least two shapes, and

transfer at least one of the following;

the text and the image within the primary shape to the at least one new shape.