Insertion point bungee space tool

• US 20050193321A1
• Filed: 05/03/2005
• Published: 09/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Iwema, Marieke, Jones, F. David, Lui, Charlton E., Jarrett, Rob, Cazzanti, Susanne Alysia Clark, Keely, Leroy B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,954,054 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/201
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

A computer system and method for providing user feedback when creating, modifying, or editing electronic documents. An insertion point icon is placed in a document at a position for insertion and/or deletion of text, graphics, data, etc. Upon receiving a user input indicating movement, the insertion point icon is divided into two icons, one stationary at the position, and one moving with user input. When movement is complete, space contained between the icons may be deleted or inserted. The system may be used to shift handwritten text to subsequent lines on an electronic document containing handwritten text, and may be used to bring two groups of text together, deleting space in between. A connection line may be displayed between the icons to provide feedback regarding the action to be taken.

Claims

1. A method for editing documents on a computer system, comprising the steps of:

placing an insertion point icon at a first position in an electronic document responsive to a stylus contacting a digitizer;

receiving a stylus up event;

detecting a stylus proximate to the insertion point icon subsequent to receiving the stylus up event;

responsive to said detecting, providing feedback indicating that the insertion point icon is selectable;

receiving a first stylus input selecting the insertion point icon;

receiving a second stylus input indicating movement from the first position to a second position;

responsive to the second stylus input, displaying an origin icon at the first position, and displaying a moving icon at the second position; and

moving one or more portions of said electronic document responsive to the second stylus input.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein providing feedback includes altering the appearance of the insertion point icon.

3. The method of claim 1, further including the step of morphing the insertion point icon into the origin icon and the moving icon responsive to receiving the first stylus input.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of morphing further includes providing a bungee line that connects the origin icon and the moving icon.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the stylus input is capable of indicating movement in any direction in an x-y plane from the insertion point icon.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the stylus input is capable of indicating movement in at least five separate directions.

7. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for carrying out the steps recited in claim 1.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein prior to the step of moving, the method further including the steps of:

prompting a user as to whether space should be inserted between the origin icon and moving icon or deleted between the origin icon and moving icon; and

receiving a user input indicating that either space should be inserted between the origin icon and moving icon or space should be deleted between the origin icon and moving icon.

9. The method of claim 8, where if space is to be deleted between the origin icon and the moving icon, the space includes content.

10. A method for editing documents on a computer system, comprising the steps of:

placing an insertion point icon at a first position on a first line in an electronic document;

receiving a stylus input indicating movement from the first position to a second position located within a middle of a second line different from the first line; and

moving one or more portions of said electronic document from the first position to the second position.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein prior to the step of moving, the method further including the steps of:

prompting a user as to whether space should be inserted or deleted from the first position to the second position; and

receiving a user input indicating that either space should be inserted or deleted from the first position to the second position.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising, responsive to the stylus input, displaying an origin icon at the first position and displaying a moving icon at the second position.

13. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon for performing a method of editing documents on a computer system comprising the steps of:

placing an insertion point icon at a first position on a first line in an electronic document;

receiving a stylus input indicating movement from the first position to a second position located within a middle of a second line different from the first line; and

moving one or more portions of said electronic document from the first position to the second position.