On-object user interface

• US 6,583,798 B1
• Filed: 07/21/2000
• Issued: 06/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Frankel, Glenn, Hoek, Tjeerd
• Primary Examiner(s): Cabeca, John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BECKER, SHAWN M
• Application Number:
  US09/620,876
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• Field of Search: 707/540, 707/532, 707/533, 345/822, 345/823, 345/821, 345/808, 345/812
• US Class Current: 715/822
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/166 Editing, e.g. inserting or deleting

Abstract

An on-object user interface (OOUI) for presenting information and controls to a user in response to an automatic action performed by an application program. The OOUI is associated with object that was subject to the automatic action. The OOUI comprises a first graphical indicator, a second graphical indicator and a context menu. The first graphical indicator is displayed in proximity to the object, in order to indicate that the automatic action was performed. The automatic action may comprise an auto-correct or an auto-format action. The automatic action may also comprise the setting of a property relating to formatting or positioning of the object in response to a user-initiated action. When user interaction with the first graphical indicator is detected, the first graphical indicator is changed to the second graphical indicator, which indicates that a context menu is available. Then, in response to user interaction with the second graphical indicator, the context menu is displayed on the display device in proximity to the object. The context menu may include one or more interactive controls for allowing the user to undo or modify the automatic action. The context menu may also include an interactive control for allowing the user to customize future applications of the auto correct action.

Claims

1. A method for presenting information and controls to a user in response to an automatic action performed by an application program, comprising:

determining the location on the display device of the object that was subject to the automatic action by the application program;

associating with the object an on-object user interface comprising a first graphical indicator, a second graphical indicator and a context menu;

displaying the first graphical indicator on the display device in proximity to the location of the object, the first graphical indicator indicating that the automatic action was performed;

in response to detecting user interaction with the first graphical indicator, changing the first graphical indicator to the second graphical indicator, the second graphical indicator indicating that the context menu is available; and

in response to user interaction with the second graphical indicator, displaying the context menu on the display device in proximity to the object.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the automatic action comprises an auto-correct or an auto-format action.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first graphical indicator comprises a small rectangle that is displayed underneath the object.

4. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for performing the method of claim 2.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising prior to displaying the first graphical indicator, detecting user interaction with the object.

6. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for performing the method of claim 5.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the automatic action comprises setting of a property of the object in response to a user-initiated action.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the property relate to formatting or positioning of the object.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the user initiated action comprises a paste operation or an insert operation.

10. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for performing the method of claim 9.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the context menu comprises one or more interactive controls for allowing the user to undo or modify the automatic action.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the context menu comprises an interactive control for allowing the user to customize future applications of the automatic action.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the first graphical indicator is animated so as to capture the attention of the user.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the second graphical indicator comprises a selectable button.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the context menu comprises a drop-down menu that is activated in response to selection of the selectable button.

16. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for performing the method of claim 1.

17. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a data structure representing an on-object user interface for presenting information and controls to a user in response to an automatic action performed by an application program, the data structure comprising:

a first graphical indicator to be displayed on a display device in proximity to the object that was subject to the automatic action, the first graphical indicator for indicating that the automatic action was performed;

a second graphical indicator to be displayed on the display device in place of the first graphical indicator in response to detecting user interaction with the first graphical indicator, the second graphical indicator indicating that a context menu is available; and

the context menu to be displayed on the display device in proximity to the object in response to user interaction with the second graphical indicator, the context menu comprising one or more interactive controls for allowing the user to undo or modify the automatic action.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the automatic action comprises an auto-correct or an auto-format action.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the first graphical indicator comprises a small rectangle that is displayed underneath the object.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the first graphical indicator is to be displayed on the display device upon detection of user interaction with the object.

21. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the automatic action comprises setting of a property in response to a user-initiated action.

22. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the property relates to formatting or positioning.

23. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, wherein the user initiated action comprises a paste operation or an insert operation.

24. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the context menu further comprises an interactive control for allowing the user to customize future applications of the auto correct action.

25. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the first graphical indicator is animated so as to capture the attention of the user.

26. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the second graphical indicator comprises a selectable button.

27. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the context menu comprises a drop-down menu that is activated in response to selection of the selectable button.