Methods and apparatuses for seamless compound document processing

• US 5,664,208 A
• Filed: 05/16/1995
• Issued: 09/02/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Turner, John Benton II, Pavley, John Franklin, Hanson, Gary Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Mark K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HONG, STEPHEN S
• Application Number:
  US08/441,946
• Time in Patent Office: 840 Days
• Field of Search: 395/144, 395/145, 395/146, 395/147, 395/155, 395/156, 395/157, 395/160, 395/700, 395/800, 395/774, 395/776, 395/777, 395/778, 395/335, 395/340, 395/346, 395/936, 395/937 , 395/792, 364/419.1, 364/419.17
• US Class Current: 715/209
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/131 Fragmentation of text files, e.g. creating reusable text-blocks; Linking to fragments, e.g. using XInclude; Namespaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32144 embedded in the image data, i.e. enclosed or integrated in the image, e.g. watermark, super-imposed logo or stamp
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32261 in binary data H04N1/32256 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32304 Embedding different sets of additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3242 of processing required or performed, e.g. for reproduction or before recording H04N2201/3256 and subgroups take precedence

Abstract

A compound document in a computer, which includes a first object editor embedded in the compound document for rendering first data in a first data content area of the compound document. The compound document further includes a second object editor embedded in the compound document for rendering second data in a second data content area of the compound document, the first data content area and the second data content area being mutually exclusive. Further, there are embedded a plurality of editing controllers in the compound document for selectively editing attributes of a selection of one of the first and second data. The compound document further includes a data switching system for communicating attribute data between the editing controllers and the first and second object editors, the attribute data representing the attributes of the selection, wherein the data switching system determines which one of the plurality of editing controllers receives the attribute data based on interest registered by each of the plurality of editing controllers with the data switching system.

Claims

1. A compound document in a computer, comprising:

a first object editor embedded in said compound document for rendering first data in a first data content area of said compound document;

a second object editor embedded in said compound document for rendering second data in a second data content area of said compound document, said first data content area and said second data content area being mutually exclusive;

a plurality of editing controllers embedded in said compound document for selectively editing attributes of a selection of one of said first and second data, said editing controllers being displayed in a UI container that does not substantially change in appearance when said first or said second object editor is a focus of user operation; and

a data switching system for communicating attribute data between said editing controllers and said first and second object editors, said attribute data representing said attributes of said selection, wherein said data switching system determines which one of said plurality of editing controllers receives said attribute data based on interest registered by each of said plurality of editing controllers with said data switching system.

2. The compound document of claim 1 wherein said first object editor is a provider.

3. The compound document of claim 2 wherein said second object editor is a patron.

4. The compound document of claim 1 wherein said first object editor is incapable of rendering said second data and said second object editor is incapable of rendering said first data.

5. The compound document of claim 1 wherein an editing context associated with said compound document does not change irrespective whether said first object editor or said second object editor is a focus of user operation.

6. A method for creating a compound document in a computer, comprising:

embedding a first object editor in said compound document for rendering first data in a first data content area of said compound document;

embedding a second object editor in said compound document for rendering second data in a second data content area of said compound document, said first data content area and said second data content area being mutually exclusive;

embedding a plurality of editing controllers in said compound document for selectively editing attributes of a selection of one of said first and second data, said editing controllers being displayed in a UI container that substantially maintains its appearance when one of said first and said second object editor is focus of operation; and

providing a data switching system for communicating attribute data between said editing controllers and said first and second object editors, said attribute data representing said attributes of said selection, wherein said data switching system determines which one of said plurality of editing controllers receives said attribute data based on interest registered by each of said plurality of editing controllers with said data switching system.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said first object editor is a provider.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said second object editor is a patron.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein said first object editor is incapable of rendering said second data and said second object editor is incapable of rendering said first data.

10. The compound document of claim 6 wherein an editing context associated with said compound document does not change irrespective whether said first object editor or said second object editor is a focus of user operation.

11. A method for creating a compound document in a computer, comprising:

providing a provider extension for use in a cooperative coupling arrangement with a first object editor, said first object editor being associated with an existing unenhanced compound document architecture and being capable of rendering first data in a first data content area of said compound document;

providing a patron extension for use in a cooperative coupling arrangement with a second object editor, said second object editor being associated with said existing unenhanced compound document architecture and being capable of rendering second data in a second data content area of said compound document, said first data content area and said second data content area being mutually exclusive;

providing an editing controller extension with an editing controller, said editing controller representing an object for selectively editing attributes of a selection of one of said first and second data, said editing controller being displayed in a UI container that substantially maintains its appearance when one of said first and said second object editor is a focus of operation; and

providing a data switching system for communicating attribute data between said editing controller and said first and second object editors through said editing controller extension, said provider extension, and said patron extension respectively, said attribute data representing said attributes of said selection, wherein said data switching system determines which one of said provider and patron receives said attribute data based on interest registered by said provider and patron with said data switching system.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said first object editor is incapable of rendering said second data and said second object editor is incapable of rendering said first data.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein an editing context associated with said compound document does not change irrespective whether said first object editor or said second object editor is a focus of user operation.

14. A method of processing data in a compound document, said compound document having an embedded object editor for rendering said data, comprising:

providing a plurality of editing controllers embedded in said compound document, said editing controllers being displayed in a UI container that substantially maintains its appearance when said embedded object editor is a focus of operation;

detecting whether a selection is made in said data;

filling out an auditor data structure with first attributes of said selection; and

communicating said first attributes to interested ones of said editing controllers through said auditor data structure.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said step of communicating said first attributes comprises the step of communicating said first attributes through said auditor data structure to a facilitator.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said step of communicating said first attributes further comprising the step of communicating said first attributes from said facilitator to said interested ones of said editing controllers.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein said interested ones of said editing controllers are ascertained by said facilitator using a list of interest.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of communicating second attributes from one of said editing controller to said embedded object editor if said embedded object editor has expressed an interest in receiving said second attribute in a list of interest.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said second attributes represents an edited version of said first attributes.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said step of communicating second attributes comprises the steps of:

communicating said second attributes from said one of said editing controllers to said facilitator, and

communicating said second attributes from said facilitator to said embedded object editor.

21. A computer readable medium containing program instructions for

detecting whether a selection is made in data of a first content area of a compound document having a plurality of content areas;

communicating attributes of said selection to a data switching system; and

communicating said attributes to interested ones of editing controllers from said data switching system, said editing controllers being embedded in said compound document for editing attributes of a selection in one of said plurality of content areas, said interested ones of said editing controllers being ascertained based on interest associated with said interested ones of said editing controllers, said editing controllers being controlled through a UI container that substantially maintains its appearance when any one of said plurality of content areas are selected.