Systems and methods for configuring a user interface having a menu

• US 20060090142A1
• Filed: 10/22/2004
• Published: 04/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Glasgow, Dane A., Murarka, Neel I., Mays, Eddie L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,890,888 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/780
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus

Abstract

Systems and Methods for configuration of a menu for display via a user interface are described. In an implementation, a method includes monitoring text input by a user via a user interface. A menu is configured, based on the monitoring, to display actions to be performed using the text. In another implementation, a method includes examining a plurality of inputs received from a user. The inputs specify text and selection of an action from a menu to be performed on the text. An alternative technique is displayed that may be utilized to enter the text and perform the action.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

monitoring text input by a user via a user interface; and

configuring a menu to display actions, based on the monitoring, to be performed using the text.

2. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the configuring includes selecting which of a plurality of said actions is to be included in the menu.

3. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the configuring includes ordering the actions in the menu based on the text.

4. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the configuring includes altering a display of at least one said action in the menu to be different than a display of another said action in the menu.

5. A method as described in claim 4, wherein the display of the at least one said action is selected from a display characteristic which is selected from the group consisting of:

highlighting;

bolding;

underlining;

italicizing;

color;

translucence; and

motion.

6. A method as described in claim 1, wherein at least one said action is selected from the group consisting of:

search internet;

read news;

define words;

reference;

shop;

translate; and

calculate.

7. A method as described in claim 1, wherein at least one said action is to be performed at a server via a web site.

8. A method as described in claim 1, wherein:

the text is input by the user at a client;

at least one said action is to be performed by a server that is communicatively coupled to the client via a network; and

another said action is to be performed by the client.

9. A method as described in claim 1, further comprising automatically displaying the configured menu while receiving additional text input by the user.

10. A client configured to perform the method as described in claim 1.

11. One or more computer readable media comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed on a computer, direct the computer to perform the method as described in claim 1.

12. A method comprising:

receiving text input by a user via a user interface; and

automatically displaying a menu representing a plurality of actions that are performable using the text while receiving additional text from the user.

13. A method as described in claim 12, further comprising configuring the menu based on the text input.

14. A method as described in claim 13, wherein the configuring includes selecting which of a plurality of said actions is to be included in the menu.

15. A method as described in claim 13, wherein the configuring includes ordering the actions in the menu based on the text.

16. A method as described in claim 13, wherein the configuring includes altering a display of at least one said action in the menu to be different than a display of another said action in the menu.

17. A method as described in claim 12, wherein at least one said action is selected from the group consisting of:

search internet;

read news;

define words;

reference;

shop;

translate; and

calculate.

18. A method as described in claim 12, wherein at least one said action is to be performed at a server via a web site.

19. A method as described in claim 12, wherein:

the text is input by the user at a client;

at least one said action is to be performed by a server that is communicatively coupled to the client via a network; and

another said action is to be performed by the client.

20. One or more computer readable media comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed on a computer, direct the computer to perform the method as described in claim 12.

21. A method comprising:

examining a plurality of inputs received from a user that specify text and selection of an action from a menu to be performed on the text; and

displaying an alternative technique that may be utilized to enter the text and perform the action.

22. A method as described in claim 21, wherein the alternate technique specifies how to perform the action without using the menu.

23. A method as described in claim 21, wherein at least one said action is to be performed at a server via a web site.

24. A method as described in claim 21, wherein:

the inputs are received from the user at a client;

at least one said action is to be performed by a server that is communicatively coupled to the client via a network; and

another said action is to be performed by the client.

25. A method as described in claim 21, wherein the alternative technique is displayed automatically upon initiation of the action.

26. One or more computer readable media comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed on a computer, direct the computer to perform the method as described in claim 21.

27. A system comprising:

a network;

a client communicatively coupled to the network and having one or more modules that are executable to;

receive text input by a user

perform a first action based on the text;

configure a menu to include representations of the first action and a second action based on the text; and

display the configured menu while the user enters additional text; and

a server communicatively coupled to the network and having at least one module that is executable to perform the second action.

28. A system as described in claim 27, wherein the menu is configured by selecting the first and second actions from a plurality of actions.

29. A system as described in claim 27, wherein the menu is configured by ordering the first and second actions in the menu based on the text.

30. A system as described in claim 27, wherein the menu is configured by altering a display of the first action in the menu to be different than a display of the second action in the menu.

31. A system as described in claim 27, wherein at least one of the first or second actions is selected from the group consisting of:

search internet;

read news;

define words;

reference;

shop;

translate; and

calculate.

32. A system as described in claim 27, wherein the second action is to be performed via a web site that is output through execution of the one or more modules on the server.

33. A system as described in claim 27, wherein the client is configured as a device that is selected from a group consisting of:

a computer;

a game console;

a wireless telephone; and

a broadcast-enabled computer.

34. A system as described in claim 27, wherein at least one of the first or second actions is selected from the group consisting of:

search internet;

read news;

define words;

reference;

shop;

translate; and

calculate.

35. One or more computer readable media comprising computer executable instruction that, when executed on a computer, direct the computer to automatically scale a text input box based on an amount of display space taken to display text entered in the text input box.

36. One or more computer readable media as described in claim 35, wherein:

the text input box is provided in a user interface;

the user interface is provided to perform actions using the text input in the text input box;

the actions are display via the user interface in a menu.

37. One or more computer readable media as described in claim 36, wherein at least one said action is selected from the group consisting of:

search internet;

read news;

define words;

reference;

shop;

translate; and

calculate.

38. One or more computer readable media as described in claim 35, wherein the computer executable instructions are executable to:

monitor the text input by a user in the text input box; and

configure a menu to display actions, based on the monitoring, to be performed using the text.

39. One or more computer readable media as described in claim 35, wherein the computer executable instructions are executable to:

receive text input by a user via the text input box; and

automatically display a menu representing a plurality of actions that are performable using the text while receiving additional text from the user.

40. The computer that includes the one or more computer readable media as described in claim 35.