Method and apparatus for providing visual feedback during manipulation of text on a computer screen

• US 6,690,356 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2002
• Issued: 02/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Jenson, Scott, Johnston, Robert G. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Liang, Regina
• Application Number:
  US10/135,262
• Publication Number:
  US 20020130837A1
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/622, 345/628, 345/660, 345/663, 345/672, 345/678, 345/856, 345/859, 345/860, 715/539
• US Class Current: 345/157
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0486 Drag-and-drop
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/174 Form filling; Merging

Abstract

A method and apparatus providing visual feedback to a computer user while dragging selected text is described. As its first step, the processing logic creates a text object from the selected text once the computer user has initiated a drag. Simultaneously, the selected text is visually de-emphasized. Secondly, the processing logic snaps the text object to the cursor so that the text object follows the cursor without obscuring text at the insertion point. Finally, when the computer user selects the final insertion point, the selected text is visually zoomed from the source location to the final insertion point.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method of providing visual feedback to a computer user during manipulation of selected text on a display device of a computer system, the computer system including a control device for interactively positioning a visible symbol on the display device, the computer also having a signal generation device for signaling an active state and an inactive state, the method comprising:

a) creating and displaying a text object of the selected text in response to an active state of the signal generation device while the visible symbol is over the selected text at a source location on the display device;

b) moving the text object on the display device along a line between the source location and the visible symbol until the text object reaches the visible symbol;

c) in response to an inactive state of the signal generation device while the visible symbol is over a destination location;

1) on the display device zooming from a first bounding rectangle for the selected text at the source location to a second bounding rectangle for the selected text at the destination location; and

2) displaying on the display device the selected text at the destination location.

2. The method claim 1 further comprising:

a) while the visible symbol is located over the selected text displaying the visible symbol on the display device as an arrow; and

b) while the visible symbol is not located over the selected block text displaying the visible symbol on the display device as an I-beam.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the text object depicts only a portion of the selected text.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the text object has a maximum size.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the selected text is removed from the source location after the selected text is displayed at the destination location.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the selected text remains displayed at the source location after the selected block of text has been displayed at the destination location.

7. A computer implemented method of providing visual feedback to a computer user while manipulating selected text displayed on a display device of a computer system, the computer system including a control device for interactively positioning a visible symbol on the display device, the control device having a button having a first position and a second position, the method comprising:

a) in response to the button being in the second position while the visible symbol is over a selected text at a source location;

1) creating a text object from the selected text;

2) displaying on the display device the text object over the selected text at the source location;

b) initializing an interpolation factor;

c) incrementing the interpolation factor if it has not reached a maximum value;

d) computing a distance between the text object and a first point associated with the pointer;

e) moving the text object along an imaginary line between the source location and the first point to a point on the display device determined by the distance adjusted by the interpolation factor;

f) with the button in the second position repeating processes b) through e);

g) if the button is in the first position over a destination location;

1) computing a first bounding rectangle for the selected text at the source location;

2) computing a second bounding rectangle for the selected text at the destination location; and

3) zooming from the first bounding rectangle at the source location to the second bounding rectangle at the destination location.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

a) selecting the selected text at the source location from available text, displayed on the display device; and

b) highlighting on the display device the selected text.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

a) offscreen inserting the selected text at the destination location after computing the first bounding rectangle.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

a) performing an intelligent paste when the selected text is inserted at the destination location.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

a) displaying on the display device the selected text at the destination location after zooming from the first bounding rectangle at the source location to the second bounding rectangle at the destination location.

12. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

a) while the visible symbol is located over the selected text displaying the visible symbol on the display device as an arrow; and

b) while the visible symbol is not located over the selected text displaying the visible symbol on the display device as an I-beam.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the text object depicts only a portion of the selected text.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the text object has a maximum size.

15. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

a) removing the selected text from the source location after the selected text is displayed at the destination location.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

a) performing an intelligent cut at the source location when the selected text is removed from the source location.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein the selected block of text remains displayed at the source location after the selected block of text has been displayed at the destination location.

18. A digital processing system for providing visual feedback to a user while manipulating selected text displayed on a display device coupled with the digital processing system, the digital processing system including a control device for interactively positioning a visible symbol on the display device, the control device having a button having a first position and a second position, the digital processing system comprising:

a) a first means for creating a text object from the selected text, the first means responding to the button being in the second position while the visible symbol is over the selected text at the source location;

b) a second means for initializing an interpolation factor and incrementing the interpolation factor if the interpolation factor has not reached a maximum value, the second means responding to the button being in the second position;

c) a third means for computing a distance between the text object and a first point associated with the visible symbol, the third means responsive to the button being in the second position;

d) a fourth means for moving the text object along an imaginary line between the source location and the first point to a point on the display device determined by the distance adjusted by the interpolation factor, the fourth means responding to the button being in the second position; and

e) a zooming means for zooming from a first bounding rectangle for the selected block of text at the source location to a second bounding rectangle for the selected block of text at the destination location.

19. An apparatus providing visual feedback while manipulating highlighted text, the apparatus comprising:

a) a digital processing system including;

1) a digital processor;

2) a display device for displaying images, text and the highlighted text, the display device being coupled to the digital processor;

3) a control device for interactively positioning a visible symbol on the display device, the control device having a button having a first position and a second position, the control device being coupled to the digital processor;

b) a first means coupled to the digital processor, the first means creating a text object from the highlighted text, the first means responding to the button being in the second position while the visible symbol is over the highlighted text at a source location;

c) a second means coupled to the digital processor, the second means initializing an interpolation factor and incrementing the interpolation factor if it has not reached a maximum value, the second means responding to the button being in the second position;

d) a third means coupled to the digital processor, the third means computing a distance between the text object and a first point associated with the pointer, the third means responsive to the button being in the second position;

e) a fourth means coupled to the digital processor, the fourth means moving the text object along an imaginary line between the source location and the first point to a point on the display device determined by the distance adjusted by the interpolation factor, the fourth means responding to the button being in the second position; and

f) a zooming means coupled to the digital processor, the zooming means zooming from a first bounding rectangle for the selected block of text at the source location to a second bounding rectangle for the selected block of text at the destination location.

20. A machine readable medium having stored thereon executable program code which, when executed, causes a machine to perform a method for providing visual feedback to a user during manipulation of selected text on a display device coupled with the machine, the machine including a control device for interactively positioning a visible symbol on the display device, the machine also having a signal generation device for signaling an active state and an inactive state, the method comprising:

a) creating and displaying a text object of the selected text in response to an active state of the signal generation device while the visible symbol is over the selected text at a source location on the display device;

b) moving the text object on the display device along a line between the source location and the visible symbol until the text object reaches the visible symbol;

c) in response to an inactive state of the signal generation device while the visible symbol is over a destination location;

1) on the display device zooming from a first bounding rectangle for the selected text at the source location to a second bounding rectangle for the selected of text at the destination location; and

2) displaying on the display device the selected text at the destination location.

21. The machine readable medium of claim 20 the method further comprising:

a) while the visible symbol is located over the selected text displaying the visible symbol on the display device as an arrow; and

b) while the visible symbol is not located over the selected block text displaying the visible symbol on the display device as an I-beam.

22. The machine readable medium of claim 20 wherein the text object depicts only a portion of the selected text.

23. The machine readable medium of claim 22 the text object has a maximum size.

24. The machine readable medium of claim 20 wherein the selected text is removed from the source location after the selected text is displayed at the destination location.

25. The machine readable medium of claim 20 wherein the selected text remains displayed at the source location after the selected block of text has been displayed at the destination location.

26. A machine readable medium having stored thereon executable program code which, when executed, causes a machine to perform a method for providing visual feedback to a computer user while manipulating selected text displayed on a display device of a computer system, the computer system including a control device for interactively positioning a visible symbol on the display device, the control device having a button having a first position and a second position, the method comprising:

a) in response to the button being in the second position while the visible symbol is over a selected text at a source location;

1) creating a text object from the selected text;

2) displaying on the display device the text object over the selected text at the source location;

b) initializing an interpolation factor;

c) incrementing the interpolation factor if it has not reached a maximum value;

d) computing a distance between the text object and a first point associated with the pointer;

e) moving the text object along an imaginary line between the source location and the first point to a point on the display device determined by the distance adjusted by the interpolation factor;

f) with the button in the second position repeating processes b) through e);

g) if the button is in the first position over a destination location;

1) computing a first bounding rectangle for the selected text at the source location;

2) computing a second bounding rectangle for the selected text at the destination location; and

3) zooming from the first bounding rectangle at the source location to the second bounding rectangle at the destination location.

27. The machine readable medium of claim 26 the method further comprising:

a) selecting the selected text at the source location from available text, displayed on the display device; and

b) highlighting on the display device the selected text.

28. The machine readable medium of claim 26 method further comprising:

a) offscreen inserting the selected text at the destination location after computing the first bounding rectangle.

29. The machine readable medium of claim 28 the method further comprising:

a) performing an intelligent paste when the selected text is inserted at the destination location.

30. The machine readable medium of claim 28 method further comprising:

a) displaying on the display device the selected text at the destination location after zooming from the first bounding rectangle at the source location to the second bounding rectangle at the destination location.

31. The machine readable medium of claim 30 wherein the selected block of text remains displayed at the source location after the selected block of text has been displayed at the destination location.

32. The machine readable medium of claim 26 the method further comprising:

a) while the visible symbol is located over the selected text displaying the visible symbol on the display device as an arrow; and

b) while the visible symbol is not located over the selected text displaying the visible symbol on the display device as an I-beam.

33. The machine readable medium of claim 32 the text object depicts only a portion of the selected text.

34. The machine readable medium of claim 33 wherein the text object has a maximum size.

35. The machine readable medium of claim 26 method further comprising:

a) removing the selected text from the source location after the selected text is displayed at the destination location.

36. The machine readable medium of claim 35 method further comprising:

a) performing an intelligent cut at the source location when the selected text is removed from the source location.

37. A machine readable medium having stored thereon executable program code which, when executed, causes a machine to perform a method for providing visual feedback to a user during manipulation of selected text on a display device coupled with the machine, the machine including a control device for interactively positioning a visible symbol and an insertion caret on the display device, the machine also having a signal generation device for signaling an active state and an inactive state, the method comprising:

a) in response to the active state of the signal generation device while the visible symbol is over the selected test at a source location on the display device;

1) creating and displaying a text object of the selected text, the text object including a visible portion of the selected text that is less than all of the selected text;

2) de-emphasizing the selected text at the source location;

b) moving the text object on the display device along a line between the source location and the visible symbol until the text object reaches the visible symbol;

c) displaying an insertion caret near the visible symbol to indicate a point of insertion of the selected text;

d) moving the visible symbol in response to the control device and moving the text object in response to movement of the visible symbol;

e) in response to the inactive state of the signal generation device while the visible symbol is over a destination location;

1) on the display device zooming from a first bounding rectangle for the selected text at the source location to a second bounding rectangle for the selected block of text at the destination location such that the movement of the first bounding rectangle to the size and location of the second bounding rectangle at the destination location is animated; and

2) displaying on screen the selected text at the destination location.

38. The machine readable medium of claim 37 the method further comprising:

a) while the visible symbol is located over the selected text displaying the visible symbol on the display device as an arrow; and

b) while the visible symbol is not located over the selected block text displaying the visible symbol on the display device as an I-beam.

39. The machine readable medium of claim 37 wherein the text object has a maximum size.

40. The machine readable medium of claim 37 wherein the selected text is removed from the source location after the selected text is displayed at the destination location.

41. The machine readable medium of claim 37 wherein the remains displayed at the source location after the selected block of text has been displayed at the destination location.

42. The machine readable medium as set forth in claim 37 wherein in response to an active state of the signal generation device while the visible symbol is over the selected text at a source location on said display device, said method further comprising de-emphasizing the selected text at the source location.

50. The machine readable medium of claim 42 wherein the text object has a maximum size.

51. The machine readable medium of claim 42 the method further comprising:

a) removing the selected text from the source location after the selected text is displayed at the destination location.

52. The machine readable medium of claim 51 the method further comprising:

a) performing an intelligent cut at the source location when the selected text is removed from the source location.

43. A machine readable medium having stored thereon executable program code which, when executed, causes a machine to perform a method for providing visual feedback to a user while manipulating selected text displayed on a display device coupled with the machine, the machine including a control device for interactively positioning a visible symbol and an insertion caret on the display device, the control device having a button having an up position and a down position, the method comprising:

a) in response to the button being in the down position while the visible symbol is over the selected text at a source location;

1) creating a text object from the selected text, the text object including a visible portion of the selected text that is less than all of the selected text;

2) displaying on the display device the text object over the selected text at the source location;

b) initializing an interpolation factor, said interpolation factor comprising a multiplicand utilized to generate incremental steps between a starting point and an ending point;

c) incrementing the interpolation factor if it has not reached a maximum value;

d) computing a distance between the text object and a first point on the display device associated with the location of the visible symbol;

e) moving the text object along an imaginary line between the source location and the first point to a point on the display device determined by the distance multiplied by the interpolation factor;

f) with the button in the down position repeating steps c) through e);

g) if the button is in the up position over a destination location;

1) computing a first bounding rectangle for the selected text at the source location;

2) computing a second bounding rectangle for the selected text at the destination location; and

3) zooming from the first bounding rectangle at the source location to the second bounding rectangle at the destination location such that the movement of the first bounding rectangle to the size and location of the second bounding rectangle at the destination location is animated.

44. The machine readable medium of claim 43 the method further comprising:

a) selecting the selected text at the source location from available text, displayed on the display device; and

b) highlighting on the display device the selected text.

45. The machine readable medium of claim 43 method further comprising:

a) offscreen inserting the selected text at the destination location after computing the first bounding rectangle.

46. The machine readable medium of claim 45 the method further comprising:

a) performing an intelligent paste when the selected text is inserted at the destination location.

47. The machine readable medium of claim 45 the method further comprising:

a) displaying on the display device the selected text at the destination location after zooming from the first bounding rectangle at the source location to the second bounding rectangle at the destination location.

48. The machine readable medium of claim 47 wherein the selected block of text remains displayed at the source location after the selected block of text has been displayed at the destination location.

49. The machine readable medium of claim 48 the method further comprising:

a) while the visible symbol is located over the selected text displaying the visible symbol on the display device as an arrow; and

b) while the visible symbol is not located over the selected text displaying the visible symbol on the display device as an I-beam.

53. The machine readable medium as set forth in claim 43 wherein in response to the button being in the down position while the visible symbol is over a selected text at a source location, said method further comprising visually de-emphasizing on the display device the selected text at the source location.

54. A machine readable medium having stored thereon executable program code which, when executed, causes a machine to perform a method for providing visual feedback to a user while manipulating selected text displayed on a display device coupled with the machine, the machine including a control device for interactively positioning a visible symbol on the display device, the control device having a button having a first position and a second position, the method comprising:

a) in response to the button being in the second position while the visible symbol is over the selected text at a source location;

1) creating a text object from the selected text;

2) displaying on a display device the text object over the selected text at the source location;

b) initializing an interpolation factor, said interpolation factor comprising a value utilized to generate incremental steps between a starting point and an ending point;

c) computing a distance between the text object and a first point on the display device associated with the location of the visible symbol;

d) moving the text object along an imaginary line between the source location and the first point to a point on the display device determined by the distance adjusted by the interpolation factor;

e) with the button in the second position, incrementing the interpolation factor if it has not reached a maximum value, and repeating steps c) through e);

f) if the button is in the first position over a destination location;

1) computing a first bounding rectangle for the selected text at the source location;

2) computing a second bounding rectangle for the selected text at the destination location; and

3) zooming from the first bounding rectangle at the source location to the second bounding rectangle at the destination location such that the movement of the first bounding rectangle to the size and location of the second bounding rectangle at the destination location is animated.

55. The machine readable medium of claim 54 method further comprising:

selecting the selected text at the source location from available text, displayed on the display device; and

highlighting on the display device the selected text.

56. The machine readable medium of claim 54 the method further comprising displaying on the display device the selected text at the destination location after zooming from the first bounding rectangle at the source location to the second bounding rectangle at the destination location.

57. A machine readable medium having stored thereon executable program code which, when executed, causes a machine to perform a method for providing visual feedback to a user while manipulating selected text displayed on a display device coupled with the machine, the machine including a control device for interactively positioning a visible symbol on the display device, the control device having a button having a first position and a second position, the method comprising:

a) creating a text object from the selected text when the button is in the second position while the visible symbol is over the selected text at a source location;

b) zooming from a first bounding rectangle for a selected block of text at the source location to a second bounding rectangle for the selected block of text at a destination location such that the movement of the first bounding rectangle to the size and location of the second bounding rectangle at the destination location is animated.