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;
providing logically grouped sets of selectable controls associated with each tab; 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 at least one of the following;
amending a display of at least one selectable control within at least one logically grouped set of selectable controls, andrearranging a layout of selectable controls within the at least one logically grouped set of selectable controls.
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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.
164 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; providing logically grouped sets of selectable controls associated with each tab; 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 at least one of the following; amending a display of at least one selectable control within at least one logically grouped set of selectable controls, and rearranging a layout of selectable controls within the at least one logically grouped set of selectable controls. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer-implemented method for dynamically adjusting a display of software functionality controls within a user interface, the method comprising:
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providing a plurality of selectable tabs, each selectable tab being associated with a software functionality; providing selectable controls associated with each selectable tab, wherein providing the selectable controls comprises grouping the selectable controls into a plurality of logical groupings; receiving an indication of user interface size reduction; and adjusting a display size of at least one logical grouping to accommodate the reduced size of the user interface, wherein adjusting the display size of the at least one logical grouping comprises collapsing the at least one logical grouping into a single selectable control. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer readable medium 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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providing a first set of selectable controls corresponding to a first functionality of a software application; grouping the first set of selectable controls into a first set of logically grouped selectable controls; receiving an indication of a selection of a picture object; replacing, in response to the selection of the picture object, the first set of selectable controls with a second set of selectable controls corresponding to a second functionality of the software application, the second functionality of the software application 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 adjusting a size of each logical grouping of the second set of logically grouped selectable controls until each logical grouping is displayable in the user interface. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification