System and method for annotating web-based document

• US 20040143796A1
• Filed: 01/09/2004
• Published: 07/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Hurst-Hiller, Oliver, Lerner, Matthew Rubin, Kocher, Jesse Gardner, Peck, David Keel
• Granted Patent: US 7,409,633 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/538
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/169 Annotation, e.g. comment data or footnotes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/171 by use of digital ink

Abstract

Computer users may integrate any annotation, including ink, highlighter, text-based notes and audio, directly into a Web-based document (WBD) displayed by a Web browser. This integration enables others to view the personalized annotated WBD, which retains its original active links and properties, over the Internet without the need for specialized software. Annotations are integrated into WBDs by freezing the WBD, overlaying an image file containing the annotations onto the WBD, and enabling browser events to pass through the image layer. Annotations may also be integrated into WBDs by using component object technology. By collecting and organizing annotated WBDs, users can be provided with an intuitive Web-based interface for accessing, viewing and searching the annotated WBDs. Users may annotate blank WBDs, effectively converting their Web browsers into online notebooks/scrapbooks. Users may also be provided with many interface techniques, such as dog-ears and its associated navigation tools, splitting pages, turning pages, selecting and copying various portions of a WBD (including shaking out a copy), and marking menus suited for right-handed or left-handed users.

Claims

1. A method of utilizing a predetermined gesture to perform desired actions upon a Web-based document, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving, via an input device, a predetermined gesture from a user, to be applied to a Web-based document displayed using a Web browser;

(b) determining at least one command for performing a desired action corresponding to the predetermined gesture; and

(c) executing the at least one command to perform the desired action upon the Web-based document.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein

when the gesture includes a jagged horizontal stroke, the corresponding command instructs the Web browser to divide the Web-based document horizontally,

when the gesture includes a jagged vertical stroke, the corresponding command instructs the Web browser to divide the Web-based document vertically,

when the gesture includes one of a right-moving stroke and a left-moving stroke, the corresponding command instructs the Web browser to flip to a different Web-based document associated with the Web browser,

when the gesture includes a substantially straight vertical stroke, the different Web-based document includes a marked Web-based document, and

when the gesture includes a substantially circular stroke, the corresponding command instructs the Web browser to flip through each of the plurality of different Web-based documents associated with the Web browser.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of different Web-based documents includes at least one of previously viewed Web-based documents and subsequently viewed Web-based documents.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the gesture includes a closed loop stroke, the corresponding command instructs the Web browser to select an area of the Web-based document associated with the closed loop stroke.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the gesture includes a bracket stroke, the corresponding command instructs the Web browser to select an area of the Web-based document bound by sides of the bracket stroke.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the gesture includes first and second corner shaped strokes, the corresponding command instructs the Web browser to select an area of the Web-based document bound by the corner shaped strokes.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the gesture includes shaking of a selected area of the Web-based document, the corresponding command instructs the Web browser to copy the selected area.

8. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps recited in claim 1.