Method and apparatus for annotating widgets
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for annotating an existing widget control within a window comprising:
- enabling an annotation mode that allows at least one annotation that is displayable transparently layered on a user interface of the existing widget control within a window to be made relative to that widget control within a window; and
associating the at least one annotation with that widget control within a window.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Widgets are annotated with freeform digital ink. Rather than annotating the data displayed by widgets, annotations are made “on” the widgets themselves and stored in relation to the application and/or window they are associated with. These annotations allow users to interact with widgets without having to keep a separate hardcopy set of notes or instructions explaining how to use the widgets.
114 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for annotating an existing widget control within a window comprising:
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enabling an annotation mode that allows at least one annotation that is displayable transparently layered on a user interface of the existing widget control within a window to be made relative to that widget control within a window; and
associating the at least one annotation with that widget control within a window. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
determining a location of a cursor relative to the at least one widget control within a window; and
enabling an annotation mode based on the determined location.
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4. The method of claim 3, wherein the annotation mode is activated if the cursor is located in a non-active portion of the at least one widget control within a window.
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5. The method of claim 3, wherein the annotation mode is deactivated if the cursor is located in an active portion of the at least one widget control within a window.
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6. The method of claim 1, wherein associating the at least one annotation with the widget control within a window comprises associating a unique widget identifier, which comprises an application identifier, with the at least one annotation.
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7. The method of claim 1, wherein associating the at least one annotation with the widget control within a window comprises associating a unique widget identifier, which comprises a widget identifier, with the at least one annotation.
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8. The method of claim 1, wherein associating the at least one annotation with the widget control within a window comprises associating a unique widget identifier, which comprises a user identifier, with the at least one annotation.
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9. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one annotation remains with the corresponding widget control within a window after an application is closed.
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10. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one annotation does not remain with the corresponding widget control within a window after an application is closed.
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11. A method for displaying an existing widget control within a window, comprising:
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identifying at least one annotation transparently layered on a user interface associated with the widget control within a window that is to be displayed with the widget control within a window; and
displaying the widget control within a window and the at least one associated annotation. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
reading at least one unique widget identifier; and
reading at least one corresponding annotation.
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14. The method of claim 13, wherein reading the at least one unique widget identifier comprises reading at least one application identifier.
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15. The method of claim 13, wherein reading the at least one unique widget identifier comprises reading at least one resource identifier.
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16. The method of claim 13, wherein reading the at least one unique widget identifier comprises reading at least one user identifier.
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17. An existing widget control within a window annotation system, comprising:
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an input device that receives at least one annotation transparently layered on a user interface for at least one widget control within a window; and
a widget annotation database that stores the at least one annotation associated with the at least one widget control within a window. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A system that renders annotations associated with an existing widget control within a window, comprising:
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a widget annotation database that stores at least one annotation transparently layered on a user interface associated with at least one widget control within a window; and
a widget display device that displays the widget control within a window to be displayed and the at least one associated annotation. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification