SNIPPING TOOL

• US 20070294630A1
• Filed: 06/15/2006
• Published: 12/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Duncan, Richard J., van Dongen, Neils, Liu, Sally, Jabrane, Khalil, Missimer, Constance A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,966,558 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/764
• 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: G06F 40/166 Editing, e.g. inserting or deleting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]

Abstract

Systems and methods for capturing content and performing operations associated with the content are described. A stylus or other pointing device may be used designate content to be captured. After content is designated, a new window is generated that includes the designated content and user interface elements for annotating, conveying or otherwise acting upon the designated content.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for capturing content displayed on a display device, the method comprising:

(a) displaying content on a display device;

(b) receiving the designation of at least a portion of the content in (a) to be captured; and

(c) in response to (b) displaying on the display device a window that includes the designated content and at least one conveyance menu option.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein (b) comprises receiving an input from a stylus.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the designated content is included in a free form region selected with the stylus.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the at least one conveyance menu option includes a menu option for creating an email message.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the at least one conveyance menu option includes a menu option for saving the designated content to a computer-readable medium.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further including receiving annotation content from a user and the window displayed in (c) includes the annotation content.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, wherein the annotation content comprises a handwritten note.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the window displayed in (c) is positioned so that the designated content is located in the same position on the display device as was displayed in (a) to provide context to the designated content.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, further including:

(i) in response to a command from a user, resizing the window without changing the location or size of the designated content.

10. A computer system for capturing content, the computer system comprising:

a display that displays content;

an input device that designates content to be captured;

a processor programmed with computer-executable instructions to perform the steps of;

(i) receiving an input from the input device designating the content to be captured;

(ii) generating a window that includes the designated content; and

(iii) transmitting the window to the display device.

11. The computer system of claim 10, wherein the window includes menu options for conveying the content.

12. The computer system of claim 11, wherein the window includes a menu option for saving the designated content.

13. The computer system of claim 11, wherein the window includes a menu option for emailing the designated content.

14. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the processor is programmed to parse an annotation made to the designated content and insert the parsed annotation into a subject line of an email message.

15. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the processor is programmed to insert a title of a webpage identified in the designated content into a subject line of an email message.

16. The computer system of claim 11, wherein the input devices comprises a stylus.

17. The computer system of claim 11, wherein the input device comprises a mouse.

18. At least one computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions for causing a computer device to perform the steps comprising:

(a) displaying content on a display device;

(b) receiving an input from a user that designates a portion of the content to be captured;

(c) altering the appearance of the content other than the designated content; and

(d) displaying on the display device a window that includes the designated content and at least one menu option.

19. The at least one computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein (c) comprises applying a white overlay to the content other than the designated content.

20. The at least one computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the window includes a menu option for emailing the designated content.