Method and system for selecting objects on a display device

• US 7,370,288 B1
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Issued: 05/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Simmons, Alex J., Yalovsky, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): BAUTISTA, XIOMARA L
• Application Number:
  US10/186,874
• Time in Patent Office: 2,139 Days
• Field of Search: 715/733, 715/738, 715/764, 715/765, 715/835, 715/853, 715/854, 715/863, 715/864, 715/501.1, 715/856, 715/860, 345/168, 345/169, 345/172, 345/179
• US Class Current: 715/854
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence

Abstract

Different levels or categories of text or images or both can be selected on a display device with simple commands. A selection region including one of selected text and selected images can be increased or decreased depending upon an executed command. A first command can increase a selection region while a second and different second command can decrease a selection region. Once a maximum amount is selected by using the first command and if the first command is selected again, the selection region can return to the minimum amount of text and images that can be selected. And vice-versa.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for selecting and unselecting page objects displayed in an electronic document on a display device, comprising the steps of:

classifying and storing the page objects in memory according to a hierarchy that includes a plurality of levels, the plurality of levels including a first level of page objects and a second level of page objects associated with one or more pages of the electronic document, wherein the first and second level of page objects in the hierarchy include at least one node, the at least one node comprising at least one node element comprising text;

receiving an execution of a first command to select the first level of page objects displayed in the electronic document in a current selection state, wherein the current selection state comprises a highlight region for selecting at least the at least one node element in the first level of page objects, wherein subsequent executions of the first command increases the size of the highlight region to a maximum, the maximum highlight region selecting at least the first level of page objects, the second level of page objects associated with the one or more pages of the electronic document, and additional objects displayed on the one or more pages of the electronic document which are not within the first and second levels of page objects, wherein the execution of the first command after the highlight region is at a maximum contracts the size of the highlight region from the maximum to a region selecting less than at least the first level of page objects, the second level of page objects associated with the one or more pages of the electronic document, and additional objects displayed on the one or more pages of the electronic document which are not within the first and second levels of page objects; and

receiving an execution of a second command to select at least the first level of page objects displayed in the electronic document in a current selection state, wherein subsequent executions of the second command decreases the size of the highlight region to a minimum, the minimum highlight region selecting only a node element in the first level of page objects, wherein the execution of the second command after the highlight region is at the minimum increases the highlight region to the maximum highlight region selecting at least the first level of page objects, the second level of page objects associated with the one or more pages of the electronic document, and additional objects displayed on the one or more pages of the electronic document which are not within the first and second levels of page objects.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein each execution of the first command and the second command comprises striking one of a key on a key board and a special key designed for the commands.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the page objects comprise one of text and images that are displayable on a display device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first level of page objects further comprises one of multiple pages;

one of a bit map image, a drawing object, and an outline object, wherein the at least one node is within an outline, each node comprising one of text, a picture, and an ink object; and

the second level of page objects comprises a level higher than the first level of page objects.

5. A computer system for selecting page objects, comprising:

a processing unit;

a memory storage device;

a display device coupled to the processing unit for displaying data; and

a program stored in the memory storage device for providing instructions to the processing unit;

the processing unit responsive to the instructions of the program, operable for

classifying and storing the page objects in memory according to a memory structure that comprises multiple groups, wherein the page objects are associated with one or more pages and wherein each group comprises a level in a hierarchical classification of displayable objects;

receiving an execution of a first command to select a first group from the page objects displayed in a current selection state, wherein the current selection state comprises a highlight region for selecting at least one node element in the first group of page objects, wherein subsequent executions of the first command increases the size of the highlight region to a maximum, the maximum highlight region selecting at least the first group of page objects, a second group of page objects, and additional objects displayed on one or more pages of an electronic document comprising the first and second groups which are not within the first and second group of page objects, wherein the execution of the first command after the highlight region is at a maximum contracts the size of the highlight region from the maximum to a region selecting less than the maximum highlight region; and

receiving an execution of a second command to select at least the first group of page objects in a current selection state, wherein subsequent executions of the second command decreases the size of the highlight region to a minimum, the minimum highlight region selecting only a node element in the first group of page objects, wherein the execution of the second command after the highlight region is at the minimum increases the highlight region to the maximum highlight region.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein each object comprises at least one of text and an image.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the computer system comprises a hand held device.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the computer system comprises a hand held device and a stylus.