User interface for displaying selectable software functionality controls that are relevant to a selected object
First Claim
1. A method for providing software functionality in a logically organized user interface, the method comprising:
- providing a plurality of tabs, each tab representing a subset of software functionality controls;
receiving a first indication of selection of a first tab of the plurality of tabs;
displaying, in response to the first indication of selection, a first set of logically grouped selectable controls associated with the selected first tab, each selectable control being associated with a textual representation and a graphical representation;
receiving a second indication of selection of a picture object;
replacing, in response to the second indication of selection, the first set of logically grouped selectable controls with a second set of logically grouped selectable controls corresponding to picture editing functionality; and
adjusting a display size of each logically grouped set of selectable controls to accommodate a size of the user interface, wherein adjusting the display size of each logically grouped set of selectable controls comprises collapsing the at least one logical grouping when the user interface lacks sufficient space for displaying each selectable control within the at least one logical grouping.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved user interface is provided for displaying selectable software functionality controls that are relevant to a selected object and that remain visibly available for use while the selected object is being edited. Upon selection of a particular object for editing, functionality available for editing the object is presented in a ribbon-shaped user interface above the software application workspace to allow the user ready and efficient access to functionality needed for editing the selected object. The display of relevant functionality controls is persisted until the user dismisses the display, selects another top-level functionality control or selects another object for editing.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for providing software functionality in a logically organized user interface, the method comprising:
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providing a plurality of tabs, each tab representing a subset of software functionality controls; receiving a first indication of selection of a first tab of the plurality of tabs; displaying, in response to the first indication of selection, a first set of logically grouped selectable controls associated with the selected first tab, each selectable control being associated with a textual representation and a graphical representation; receiving a second indication of selection of a picture object; replacing, in response to the second indication of selection, the first set of logically grouped selectable controls with a second set of logically grouped selectable controls corresponding to picture editing functionality; and adjusting a display size of each logically grouped set of selectable controls to accommodate a size of the user interface, wherein adjusting the display size of each logically grouped set of selectable controls comprises collapsing the at least one logical grouping when the user interface lacks sufficient space for displaying each selectable control within the at least one logical grouping. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer readable storage device which stores a set of instructions which when executed performs a method for providing functionality relevant to a selected object in a logically laid out user interface, the method executed by the set of instructions comprising:
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receiving a first indication of selection of a first tab of the plurality of tabs; providing, in response to the first indication of selection, a first set of selectable controls corresponding to a first functionality of a software application, wherein each selectable control is associated with a graphical representation and a textual representation; grouping the first set of selectable controls into a first set of logically grouped selectable controls; receiving a second indication of a selection of a picture object; replacing, in response to the second indication of the selection of the picture object, the first set of selectable controls with a second set of selectable controls corresponding to picture editing functionality; grouping the second set of selectable controls into a second set of logically grouped selectable controls; and adjusting a layout of the second set of logically grouped selectable controls to accommodate a size of the user interface, wherein adjusting the layout of the second set of logically grouped selectable controls comprises collapsing at least one logical grouping within the second set of logically grouped selectable controls when the user interface lacks sufficient space for displaying each selectable control within the at least one logical grouping. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system comprising:
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a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory for storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, performs a method for providing software functionality in a logically organized user interface, the method comprising; providing a plurality of tabs, each tab representing a subset of software functionality controls; receiving a first indication of selection of a first tab of the plurality of tabs; displaying, in response to the first indication of selection, a first set of logically grouped selectable controls associated with the selected first tab, each selectable control being associated with a textual representation and a graphical representation; receiving a second indication of selection of a picture object; replacing, in response to the second indication of selection, the first set of logically grouped selectable controls with a second set of logically grouped selectable controls corresponding to picture editing functionality; and adjusting a display size of each logically grouped set of selectable controls to accommodate a size of the user interface, wherein adjusting the display size of each logically grouped set of selectable controls comprises collapsing the at least one logical grouping when the user interface lacks sufficient space for displaying each selectable control within the at least one logical grouping. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification