Lasso select

• US 20050198591A1
• Filed: 04/26/2005
• Published: 09/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Jarrett, Robert J., Iwema, Marieke, Dresevic, Bodin, Jones, F. David, Rimas, Emily K., Lui, Charlton E., Bhattacharyay, Subha, Schobbe, Gerhard A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,037,417 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/863
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/1423 the instrument generating sequences of position coordinates corresponding to handwriting preprocessing or recognising digital ink G06V30/32

Abstract

A lasso select tool that allows a user to draw a flexible line of selection ink in order to select one or more graphical objects for manipulation. As the user draws this selection line, the lasso select tool continuously redraws and displays a connection line connecting one end of the selection line with the opposite end of the selection line. This connection line thus graphically demonstrates to the user the area that is presently encompassed by the resulting lasso enclosure. Further, the lasso select tool will change the appearance of any object selected with the lasso enclosure. The lasso select tool also selects objects that are only substantially encompassed by the lasso enclosure. For example, the lasso select tool may select ink objects that are only 60% or more encompassed by the lasso enclosure.

Claims

1. A method of selecting a graphical object, comprising:

receiving user input defining a selection line; and

if the selection line is substantially straight, selecting each object intersected by the selection line, and

if the selection line is non-linear,

defining a connection line joining a starting point and an end point of the selection line to thereby form a lasso enclosure, and

selecting each object substantially encompassed by the lasso enclosure.

2. The method of selecting an object recited in claim 1, further comprising:

selecting only objects that are 80% or more encompassed by the lasso enclosure.

3. The method of selecting an object recited in claim 1, further comprising:

selecting only objects that are 60% or more encompassed by the lasso enclosure.

4. The method of selecting an object recited in claim 1, further comprising:

selecting only image objects that are 80% or more encompassed by the lasso enclosure;

selecting only electronic ink objects that are 60% or more encompassed by the lasso enclosure; and

selecting only text box objects that are 80% or more encompassed by the lasso enclosure.

5. The method of selecting an object recited in claim 1, further comprising:

changing the appearance of each selected object.

6. The method of selecting an object graphically recited in claim 1, wherein selecting each object substantially encompassed by the lasso enclosure includes:

defining a boundary for the lasso enclosure; and

for each object

defining a boundary box for the object, and

determining if the boundary box for the object intersects or is encompassed by the boundary of the lasso enclosure, and

if the object has a boundary box that intersects or is encompassed by the boundary of the lasso enclosure, determining what portion of the object is encompassed by the lasso enclosure.

7. The method of selecting an object recited in claim 6, wherein selecting each object substantially encompassed by the lasso enclosure further includes:

defining a boundary box for the lasso enclosure; and

using the boundary box defined for the lasso enclosure as the boundary of the lasso enclosure.

8. The method of selecting an object recited in claim 6, wherein selecting each object substantially encompassed by the lasso enclosure further includes:

determining a perimeter of the lasso enclosure; and

using the determined perimeter of the lasso enclosure as the boundary of the lasso enclosure.