Method and system for selecting text with a mouse input device in a computer system

• US 5,832,528 A
• Filed: 07/05/1996
• Issued: 11/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Kwatinetz, Andrew, Peters, G. Christopher, Leblond, Antoine, Hirsch, Stephen M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Burwell, Joseph R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HONG, STEPHEN S
• Application Number:
  US08/675,965
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 395/761, 395/792, 395/793, 395/802, 395/803, 395/326, 395/339, 707/500, 707/530, 707/531, 707/539, 707/540, 345/326, 345/339
• US Class Current: 715/272
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/117 Tagging; Marking up details of markup languages G06F40/143; Designating a block; Setting of attributes style sheets, e.g. eXtensible Stylesheet Language Transformation [XSLT], G06F40/154
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/166 Editing, e.g. inserting or deleting
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/169 Annotation, e.g. comment data or footnotes

Abstract

An improved method and system for selecting text is provided. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method and system is provided for selecting text utilizing two text selection modes. In the first text selection mode, text is selected with a minimum granularity of a letter. In the second text selection mode, the text is selected with a minimum granularity of a word. The preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes both text selection modes and determines whether and when to switch between each text selection mode. The preferred embodiment of the present invention determines whether to switch between text selection modes based on user input, mouse movement, and the mouse remaining stationary for more than a predetermined amount of time.

Claims

1. In a computer system having a computer program for displaying symbols on a video display and for selecting the displayed symbols according to a minimum granularity such that the selection of the displayed symbols occurs in units of the minimum granularity and a selection component for selecting the displayed symbols, the symbols organized into a plurality of groups, each group having at least one symbol, the computer program having a first minimum granularity of a symbol for selecting symbols, the computer program having a second minimum granularity of a group for selecting symbols, a method for selecting symbols comprising the steps of:

initiating a selection of symbols in response to a user activating the selection component, wherein the selection component remains activated;

while the symbols are being selected,

determining the minimum granularity for selecting the symbols by the computer program;

when the computer program determines to utilize the first minimum granularity,

selecting the symbols utilizing the first minimum granularity; and

when the computer program determines to utilize the second minimum granularity,

selecting the symbols utilizing the second minimum granularity.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the selection component is a mouse input device having a button for activating the mouse input device, and wherein the initiating the selection is performed in response to the user depressing the button of the mouse input device.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein the symbols include spaces.

2. In a computer system having a computer program for displaying text on a video display and for selecting the displayed text according to a minimum granularity such that the selection of the displayed text occurs in units of the minimum granularity and a mouse input device for selecting the displayed text, the text comprising a plurality of words, each word having at least one letter, the computer program having a first minimum granularity of a letter for selecting text, the computer program having a second minimum granularity of a word for selecting text, a method for selecting text comprising the steps of:

initiating selection of text in response to a user activating the mouse input device, wherein the mouse input device remains activated;

while the text is being selected determining the minimum granularity for selecting the text by the computer program;

when the computer program determines to utilize the first minimum granularity,

selecting the text utilizing the first minimum granularity; and

when the computer program determines to utilize the second minimum granularity,

selecting the text utilizing the second minimum granularity.

14. The method of claim 2 wherein the mouse input device has a button for activating the mouse input device, and wherein the initiating the selection is performed in response to the user depressing the button of the mouse input device.

22. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of selecting the text utilizing the second minimum granularity includes for each word being selected, a following space as part of the word selected.

23. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of selecting the text utilizing the second minimum granularity includes selecting a word wherein a space adjacent to the word is not selected as part of the word.

3. In a computer system having a computer program for displaying text on a video display and for selecting the displayed text according to a minimum granularity such that the selection of the displayed text occurs in units of the minimum granularity and a mouse input device for selecting the displayed text, the text comprising a plurality of words, each word having at least one letter, the computer program having a plurality of modes for selecting the text, a first of the modes being letter mode wherein the text selection has a minimum granularity of a letter, a second of the modes being word mode wherein the text selection has a minimum granularity of a word, a method for selecting text comprising the steps of:

initiating selection of text in response to a user activating the mouse inpiut device, wherein the mouse input device remains activated;

while the text is being selected,

determining a mode for selecting the text by the computer program;

when the computer program determines to utilize letter mode,

selecting the text utilizing letter mode; and

when the computer program determines to utilize word mode,

selecting the text utilizing word mode.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the steps of:

After selecting the text utilizing letter mode,

determining a mode for selecting the text by the computer program; and

when the computer program determines to utilize word mode, selecting the text utilizing word mode.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising the steps of:

After selecting the text utilizing word mode,

determining a mode for selecting the text by the computer program; and

when the computer program determines to utilize letter mode, selecting the text utilizing letter mode.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of determining a mode includes the steps of:

receiving input from the user;

determining whether the received input comprises a predetermined sequence of keystrokes;

when the received input comprises the predetermined sequence of keystrokes,

determining to utilize letter mode; and

when the received input does not comprise the predetermined sequence of keystrokes,

determining to utilize word mode.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the predetermined sequence of keystrokes comprises a keystroke of a control key and a keystroke of a shift key.

8. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of determining a mode includes the steps of:

receiving input from the user;

determining whether the received input comprises a predetermined sequence of keystrokes;

when the received input comprises the predetermined sequence of keystrokes,

determining to utilize word mode; and

when the received input does not comprise the predetermined sequence of keystrokes,

determining to utilize letter mode.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the predetermined sequence of keystrokes comprises a control key and a shift key.

10. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of determining a mode includes the steps of:

determining whether a word has been selected for at least a second time while the mouse input device remains activated;

when a word has been selected for at least a second time, determining to utilize letter mode; and

when a word has not been selected for at least a second time, determining to utilize word mode.

15. The method of claim 3 wherein the mouse input device has a button for activating the mouse input device, and wherein the initiating the selection is performed in response to the user depressing the button of the mouse input device.

24. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of selecting the text utilizing word mode includes for each word being selected, a following space as part of the word selected.

25. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of selecting the text utilizing word mode includes selecting a word wherein a space adjacent to the word is not selected as part of the word.

11. A device for displaying text and for selecting the displayed text comprising:

an input device having a selection activation component for inserting endpoints into displayed text a first of the endpoints indicating a beginning of a text selection that occurs when the selection activation component is activated to select the text and a second of the endpoints indicating an end of the text selection that occurs while the selection activation component remains activated, the displayed text comprising a word and a plurality of word boundaries;

a display component for displaying the displayed text and for receiving the endpoints, the display component further comprising;

a determination component for determining a mode for selecting displayed text indicated by the first endpoint and the second endpoint, wherein the mode is determined after the selection activation component has been activated and while the selection activation component remains activated, a first mode being letter mode wherein the selected displayed text includes a partial word, a second mode being word mode wherein the selected displayed text does not include a partial word;

a letter mode selection component for selecting the displayed text between the first endpoint and the second endpoint when the determined mode is letter mode; and

a word mode selection component for extending the first endpoint to a first word boundary, for extending the second endpoint to a second word boundary and for selecting the displayed text between the first endpoint and the second endpoint when the determined mode is word mode.

26. The device of claim 11 wherein the word mode selection component extends the first endpoint to the first word boundary beyond a first word such that a space adjacent to the first word is not included in the selection.

27. The device of claim 11 wherein the word mode selection component extends the second endpoint to the second word boundary beyond a second word such that a space adjacent to the second word is included in the selection.

12. A system for selecting text, the system having a computer program for displaying text on a video display and for selecting the displayed text and an input device having a selection activation component for requesting selection of the displayed text, the displayed text comprising a word, the selected text comprising a subset of the displayed text, the computer program having a plurality of modes for selecting the text, a first of the modes being letter mode wherein the selected text contains a partial word, a second of the modes being word mode wherein the selected text does not contain a partial word, the system comprising:

means for receiving a request for selection of text by the computer program wherein the selection activation component is activated to select the text and remains activated;

means, responsive to requesting selection of the text, for determining a mode for selecting the text by the computer program, wherein the mode determination occurs while the selection activation component remains activated;

means, responsive to determining the mode for selecting the text, for selecting the text utilizing letter mode wherein when the selected text contains a partial word the partial word is selected; and

means, responsive to determining a mode for selecting the text, for selecting the text utilizing word mode wherein when the selected text contains a partial word the word corresponding to the partial word is selected.

16. A computer-readable medium whose contents cause a computer system to select symbols, the computer system having a computer program for displaying symbols on a video display and for selecting the displayed symbols according to a minimum granularity such that the selection of the displayed symbols occurs in units of the minimum granularity and a selection component for selecting the displayed symbols, the symbols organized into a plurality of groups, each group having at least one symbol, the computer program having a first minimum granularity of a symbol for selecting symbols, the computer program having a second minimum granularity of a group for selecting symbols, by performing the steps of:

initiating a selection of symbols in response to a user activating the selection component;

while the symbols are being selected,

determining the minimum granularity for selecting the symbols by the computer program;

when the computer program determines to utilize the first minimum granularity,

selecting the symbols utilizing the first minimum granularity; and

when the computer program determines to utilize the second minimum granularity,

selecting the symbols utilizing the second minimum granularity.

17. A computer-readable medium whose contents cause a computer system to select text, the computer system having a computer program for displaying text on a video display and for selecting the displayed text according to a minimum granularity such that the selection of the displayed text occurs in units of the minimum granularity and a mouse input device for selecting the displayed text, the text comprising a plurality of words, each word having at least one letter, the computer program having a first minimum granularity of a letter for selecting text, the computer program having a second minimum granularity of a word for selecting text, by performing the steps of:

initiating selection of text in response to a user activating the mouse input device, wherein the mouse input device remains activated;

while the text is being selected,

determining the minimum granularity for selecting the text by the computer program;

when the computer program determines to utilize the first minimum granularity,

selecting the text utilizing the first minimum granularity; and

when the computer program determines to utilize the second minimum granularity,

selecting the text utilizing the second minimum granularity.

18. A computer-readable medium whose contents cause a computer system to select text, the computer system having a computer program for displaying text on a video display and for selecting the displayed text according to a minimum granularity such that the selection of the displayed text occurs in units of the minimum granularity and a mouse input device for selecting the displayed text, the text comprising a plurality of words, each word having at least one letter, the computer program having a plurality of modes for selecting the text, a first of the modes being letter mode wherein the text selection has a minimum granularity of a letter, a second of the modes being word mode wherein the text selection has a minimum granularity of a word, by performing the steps of:

initiating selection of text in response to a user activating the mouse input device, wherein the mouse input device remains activated;

while the text is being selected,

determining a mode for selecting the text by the computer program;

when the computer program determines to utilize letter mode,

selecting the text utilizing letter mode; and

when the computer program determines to utilize word mode,

selecting the text utilizing word mode.

19. A method for selecting text in a computer system that displays the text and that has a selection device for selecting the text in response to user manipulation of the selection device, the text comprising letters and words, the method comprising:

starting a text selection by selecting the text in response to user manipulation of the selection device, wherein the text selection starts in a first word, and wherein the text selection is performed on a letter-by-letter basis;

during the text selection, when the text selection extends beyond the first word, continuing the text selection on a word-by-word basis; and

completing the text selection in response to user manipulation of the selection device.

20. A computer-readable medium whose contents cause text to be selected in a computer system that displays the text and that has a selection device for selecting the text in response to user manipulation of the selection device, the text comprising letters and words, by performing the steps of:

starting a text selection by selecting the text in response to user manipulation of the selection device, wherein the text selection starts in a first word, and wherein the text selection is performed on a letter-by-letter basis;

during the text selection, when the text selection extends beyond the first word, continuing the text selection on a word-by-word basis; and

completing the text selection in response to user manipulation of the selection device.

28. A method for selecting text with a mouse input device in a computer system having a word processing program displaying information on a video display, the method performed by the word processing program comprising the steps of:

displaying on the video display a window containing a portion of a document of text, wherein the text comprises letters, spaces, punctuation marks and words comprising at least one letter preceded and followed by at least one space or at least one punctuation mark;

receiving an indication from the mouse input device that a user has depressed a button of the mouse input device without releasing the button thereby indicating a beginning of a text selection, the mouse input device having a pointer displayed on the video display whose movements are controlled by user manipulation of the mouse input device, the pointer positioned at a first location in a first word; and

while the button remains depressed,

receiving an indication of user manipulation of the mouse input device to move the pointer and in response thereto, moving the pointer to a second location within the first word while highlighting a first portion of the first word between the first location and the second location a single letter at a time to indicate selection of individual letters contained in the first portion of the first word;

determining when the pointer moves to a third location beyond the first word;

when it is determined that the pointer has moved to the third location beyond the first word,

selecting an entire portion of the first word;

detecting when the pointer moves to a fourth location within a second word but not beyond the second word; and

when it is detected that the pointer has moved to the fourth location within the second word but not beyond the second word,

selecting and highlighting an entire portion of the second word even though the pointer has not moved to a location beyond the second word to indicate selection of the second word, wherein as the pointer continues to move over the text beyond the second word, the text is selected in units of entire words and punctuation marks;

determining when the pointer moves to a fifth location within the first word; and

when it is determined that the pointer has moved to the fifth location within the first word,

selecting and highlighting a second portion of the first word between the first location and the fifth location a single letter at a time to indicate selection of individual letters of the second portion of the first word.

29. A method for selecting text with a mouse input device in a computer system having a word processing program with a window procedure for managing a window displayed on a video display by the word processing program and having an operating system with a message queue for storing messages transferred between the operating system and the window procedure, the method comprising the steps of:

the word processing program displaying a window on the video display containing a portion of a document of text, wherein the text comprises letters, spaces, punctuation marks and words comprising at least one letter preceded and followed by at least one space or at least one punctuation mark; and

under control of the window procedure,

receiving a message from the message queue of the operating system indicating that a user has manipulated the mouse input device to begin a text selection;

while the window procedure does not receive a message indicating that the text selection has completed,

receiving a message from the message queue containing coordinates specifying a first location of a mouse pointer that reflects movements of the mouse input device on the video display, the first location being in a first word;

receiving a second message from the message queue containing second coordinates indicating a second location of the mouse pointer;

determining if the second location is within the first word;

when it is determined that the second location is within the first word,

selecting letters between the first location and the second location;

determining if the second location is beyond the first word; and

when it is determined that the second location is beyond the first word,

selecting an entire portion of the first word;

determining whether the second location is within a second word; and

when it is determined that the second location is within the second word,

selecting an entire portion of the second word; and

receiving the message indicating that the selection has completed.

30. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method, the method for selecting text with a mouse input device in the computer system having a word processing program displaying information on a video display, the method performed by the word processing program comprising the steps of:

displaying on the video display a window containing a portion of a document of text, wherein the text comprises letters, spaces, punctuation marks and words comprising at least one letter preceded and followed by at least one space or at least one punctuation mark;

receiving an indication from the mouse input device that a user has depressed a button of the mouse input device without releasing the button thereby indicating a beginning of a text selection, the mouse input device having a pointer displayed on the video display whose movements are controlled by user manipulation of the mouse input device, the pointer positioned at a first location in a first word; and

while the button remains depressed,

receiving an indication of user manipulation of the mouse input device to move the pointer and in response thereto, moving the pointer to a second location within the first word while highlighting a first portion of the first word between the first location and the second location a single letter at a time to indicate selection of individual letters contained in the first portion of the first word;

determining when the pointer moves to a third location beyond the first word;

when it is determined that the pointer has moved to the third location beyond the first word,

selecting an entire portion of the first word;

detecting when the pointer moves to a fourth location within a second word but not beyond the second word; and

when it is determined that the pointer has moved to the fourth location within the second word but not beyond the second word,

selecting and highlighting an entire portion of the second word even though the pointer has not moved to a location beyond the second word to indicate selection of the second word, wherein as the pointer continues to move over the text beyond the second word, the text is selected in units of entire words and punctuation marks;

determining when the pointer moves to a fifth location within the first word; and

when it is determined that the pointer has moved to the fifth location within the first word,

selecting and highlighting a second portion of the first word between the first location and the fifth location a single letter at a time to indicate selection of individual letters of the second portion of the first word.

31. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method, the method for selecting text with a mouse input device in the computer system having a word processing program with a window procedure for managing a window displayed on a video display by the word processing program and having an operating system with a message queue for storing messages transferred between the operating system and the window procedure, the method comprising the steps of:

the word processing program displaying a window on the video display containing a portion of a document of text, wherein the text comprises letters, spaces, punctuation marks and words comprising at least one letter preceded and followed by at least one space or at least one punctuation mark; and

under control of the window procedure,

receiving a message from the message queue of the operating system indicating that a user has manipulated the mouse input device to begin a text selection;

while the window procedure does not receive a message indicating that the text selection has completed,

receiving a message from the message queue containing coordinates specifying a first location of a mouse pointer that reflects movements of the mouse input device on the video display, the first location being in a first word;

receiving a second message from the message queue containing second coordinates indicating a second location of the mouse pointer;

determining if the second location is within the first word;

when it is determined that the second location is within the first word,

selecting letters between the first location and the second location;

determining if the second location is beyond the first word; and

when it is determined that the second location is beyond the first word,

selecting an entire portion of the first word;

determining whether the second location is within a second word; and

when it is determined that the second location is within the second word,

selecting an entire portion of the second word; and

receiving the message indicating that selection has completed.

32. A method for selecting text with a mouse input device in a computer system having a word processing program displaying information on a video display, the method performed by the word processing program comprising the steps of:

displaying on the video display a window containing a portion of a document of text, wherein the text comprises letters, spaces, punctuation marks and words comprising at least one letter preceded and followed by at least one space or at least one punctuation mark;

receiving an indication from the mouse input device that a user has depressed a button of the mouse input device without releasing the button thereby indicating a beginning of a text selection, the mouse input device having a pointer displayed on the video display whose movements are controlled by user manipulation of the mouse input device, the pointer positioned at a first location in a first word; and

while the button remains depressed,

receiving an indication of user manipulation of the mouse input device to move the pointer and in response thereto, moving the pointer to a second location within the first word while highlighting a first portion of the first word between the first location and the second location a single letter at a time to indicate selection of individual letters contained in the first portion of the first word;

determining when the pointer moves to a third location beyond the first word; and

when it is determined that the pointer has moved to the third location beyond the first word,

selecting an entire portion of the first word;

detecting when the pointer moves to a fourth location within a second word but not beyond the second word; and

when it is detected that the pointer has moved to the fourth location within the second word but not beyond the second word,

selecting and highlighting an entire portion of the second word even though the pointer has not moved to a location beyond the second word to indicate selection of the second word, wherein as the pointer continues to move over the text beyond the second word, the text is selected in units of entire words and punctuation marks.

33. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method, the method for selecting text with a mouse input device in the computer system having a word processing program displaying information on a video display, the method performed by the word processing program comprising the steps of:

displaying on the video display a window containing a portion of a document of text, wherein the text comprises letters, spaces, punctuation marks and words comprising at least one letter preceded and followed by at least one space or at least one punctuation mark;

receiving an indication from the mouse input device that a user has depressed a button of the mouse input device without releasing the button thereby indicating a beginning of a text selection, the mouse input device having a pointer displayed on the video display whose movements are controlled by user manipulation of the mouse input device, the pointer positioned at a first location in a first word; and

while the button remains depressed,

receiving an indication of user manipulation of the mouse input device to move the pointer and in response thereto, moving the pointer to a second location within the first word while highlighting a first portion of the first word between the first location and the second location a single letter at a time to indicate selection of individual letters contained in the first portion of the first word;

determining when the pointer moves to a third location beyond the first word; and

when it is determined that the pointer has moved to the third location beyond the first word,

selecting an entire portion of the first word;

detecting when the pointer moves to a fourth location within a second word but not beyond the second word; and

when it is detected that the pointer has moved to the fourth location within the second word but not beyond the second word,

selecting and highlighting an entire portion of the second word even though the pointer has not moved to a location beyond the second word to indicate selection of the second word, wherein as the pointer continues to move over the text beyond the second word, the text is selected in units of entire words and punctuation marks.