Merging and Fragmenting Graphical Objects

• US 20140047326A1
• Filed: 10/15/2013
• Published: 02/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Doan, Christopher, Becker, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 10,019,422 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/255
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/166 Editing, e.g. inserting or deleting
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/197 Version control for software G06F8/71
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/60 Editing figures and text; Combining figures or text

Abstract

Object merging in an electronic document may be provided. First, a selection of at least two objects within the electronic document may be received. Then, in response to the received selection of the at least two objects, a menu listing a plurality of merge operations configured to be performed on the selected at least two objects may be provided. A merge operation may then be selected, previewed, and applied to the selected at least two objects.

Claims

1. A method for merging objects in an electronic document, the method comprising:

receiving a selection of at least two objects;

receiving a selection of a merge operation for the at least two objects;

previewing the selected merge operation; and

applying the selected merge operation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the selection of the at least two objects comprises receiving a designation of a primary object from the at least two selected objects.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the selection of the at least two objects comprises receiving a selection of at least one of the following:

a geometric shape, a text-bearing object, a text, a picture, a picture-filled object, and a video.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the selection of the merge operation comprises receiving a selection of one of the following:

a union operation, a combine operation, a fragment operation, an intersect operation, and a subtract operation.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the selection of the merge operation comprises receiving a selection from a menu listing a plurality of merge operations, the menu being provided in response to receiving the selection of the at least two objects.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein applying the selected merge operation comprises creating at least one new object from the at least two objects.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein applying the selected merge operation comprises applying at least one property of the primary object to the at least one new object.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein applying the at least one property of the primary object to the at least one new object comprises transferring a text within the primary object to the at least one new object.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein applying the at least one property of the primary object to the at least one new object comprises transferring a picture within the primary object to the at least one new object.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein applying the selected merge operation comprises creating a plurality of fragment objects from the at least two objects.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein creating the plurality of fragment objects from the at least two objects comprises applying a portion of an image within the primary object to each of the plurality of fragment objects.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising manipulating at least one fragment of the plurality of fragment objects while preserving properties of the at least one fragment, wherein at least one of the properties of the at least one fragment is inherited from the primary object.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein manipulating the at least one fragment of the plurality of fragment objects comprises at least one of the following:

moving the at least one fragment and rotating the at least one fragment.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein creating the plurality of fragment objects from the at least two objects comprises applying a portion of a video within the primary object to each of the plurality of fragment objects.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

receiving a selection of at least one fragment of the plurality of fragment objects; and

playing a corresponding portion of the video within at least one fragment.

16. A computer-readable storage medium comprising a set of instructions which when executed performs a method for merging objects in an electronic document, the method executed by the set of instructions comprising:

receiving a selection of at least two objects within the electronic document;

providing, in response to the received selection of the at least two objects, a menu listing a plurality of merge operations configured to be performed on the selected at least two objects;

receiving a first selection of a merge operation of the plurality of merge operations;

previewing the selected merge operation;

receiving a second selection of the merge operation; and

applying the selected merge operation.

17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, further comprising receiving a designation of a primary object of the selected at least two objects.

18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein applying the selected merge operation comprises creating at least one new object from the selected at least two objects, the at least one new object inheriting properties from the primary object.

19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein receiving the first selection of the merge operation comprises receiving an indication of a mouse-over the merge operation in the menu comprising the plurality of merge operations, and wherein receiving the second selection of the merge operation comprises receiving a mouse-click on the merge operation in the menu comprising the plurality of merge operations.

20. A system for merging shapes within an electronic document, the system comprising:

a memory storage; and

a processing unit coupled to the memory storage, the processing unit being configured to;

receive a selection of at least two shapes within the electronic document,

receive a designation of a primary shape, the primary shape comprising at least one of the following;

a text and an image,

provide a menu listing a plurality of merge operations configured to be performed on the selected at least two shapes, the plurality of merge operations comprising at least one of the following;

a union operation, a combine operation, a fragment operation, an intersect operation, and a subtract operation,

receive a first selection of a merge operation of the plurality of merge operations,

preview the selected merge operation,

receive a second selection of the merge operation,

create, in response the second selection, at least one new shape from the at least two shapes, and

transfer at least one of the following;

the text and the image within the primary shape to the at least one new shape.