Hover indicator for objects

• US 20070192719A1
• Filed: 02/10/2006
• Published: 08/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Chellis, Keith, DeSpain, Stuart, Macauley, James
• Application Number:
  US11/351,407
• Publication Number:
  US 20070192719A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/767
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence

Abstract

Technology is disclosed for identifying embedded objects in a user interface. The technology identifies the objects when a user interface device is positioned over the object. The technology is included in a computer system having a graphical user interface, a display and a user interface selection device. A method of illustrating a characteristic of an object in a document on the display comprises the steps of retrieving an event indicating the position of the user interface selection device over an object; and displaying an indicator illustrating boundaries of the object in a document.

Claims

1. In a computer system having a graphical user interface including a display and a user interface selection device, a method of illustrating a characteristic of an object in a document on the display, comprising the steps of:

(a) retrieving an event indicating the position of the user interface selection device over an object; and

(b) displaying an indicator illustrating boundaries of the object in a document.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the indicator displayed is dependent on the type of object over which the selection device is positioned.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the indicator is a colored boundary stroke.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the indicator is a transparent box having boundaries matching boundaries of the object.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the indicator is a colored boundary stroke in combination with a transparent box overlying the object.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the indicator is a halo stroke alone for a text box and wherein the indicator is a halo stroke with a transparent box overlying the object for non-text box objects.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein at least two objects are provided in the document on the display, and wherein a portion of a first of said objects at least partially obscures a second of said objects, said second object having an obscured portion, and wherein the indicator includes displaying said obscured portion.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said step of displaying said obscured portion includes rendering said obscured portion transparent.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein said step of displaying said obscured portion includes rendering said obscured portion with a transparent box overlying the object for non-text box objects.

10. A method in a computer system for displaying on a display device an indicator of an object, including a location and boundaries of the object, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) determining a position of a user controlled cursor over an object in a document; and

(b) displaying an indicator illustrating at least boundaries of the object in a document.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of displaying includes displaying a first style of indicator with a first type of object and a second style of indicator with a second type of object.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the first style of indicator is a boundary stroke having a first color and the second style of indicator is a boundary stroke having a different color.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the first style of indicator is a boundary stroke having a color and the second style of indicator is a boundary stroke including a transparent overlay.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the first style of indicator is a boundary stroke having a first color and the second style of indicator is a boundary stroke having a different color and a transparent overlay.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein at least two objects are provided in the document on the display, and wherein a portion of a first of said objects at least partially obscures a second of said objects, said second object having an obscured portion, and wherein the indicator includes displaying said obscured portion.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said step of displaying said obscured portion includes rendering said obscured portion transparent.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said step of displaying said obscured portion includes rendering said obscured portion with a transparent box overlying the object for non-text box objects.

18. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising:

(a) retrieving an event indicating the position of the user interface selection device over an object; and

(b) displaying an indicator illustrating boundaries of the object in a document.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the indicator displayed is dependent on the type of object over which the selection device is positioned, including displaying a first style of indicator of a boundary stroke having a first color and the second style of indicator of a boundary stroke having a different color.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the style of indictor includes a transparent overly in said first or second style of indicator