Lightweight reference user interface
First Claim
1. A method of providing information associated with a focused-on item in an electronic document, comprising:
- receiving a first user-initiated selection comprising a focus on an item contained in an electronic document;
evaluating a current mode of the electronic document selected from a first mode in which a plurality of editing functions of the electronic document are disabled, and a second mode in which the plurality of editing functions of the electronic document are enabled;
automatically initiating a search for information on the focused-on item when the current mode is evaluated as the first mode;
receiving a second user-initiated selection for initiating the search for information on the focused-on item when the current mode is evaluated as the second mode, wherein the second user selection is selected from a group comprising;
a simultaneous keyboard and mouse selection; and
a control selection accessed in one of a control toolbar and a drop-down menu;
passing data representing the focused-on item to an information source following initiating the search for information on the focused-on item;
receiving the information associated with the focused-on item from the information source;
automatically displaying the returned information associated with the focused-on item in a user interface in the electronic document in proximity to the focused-on item; and
when the information associated with the focused-on item will not fit in an available display space provided in the user interface;
truncating a portion of the information such that only a portion of the information that will fit in the available display space provided in the user interface is displayed; and
disposing a selectable control tab on a first side the user interface which, when selected, causes a display of the truncated portion of the information, the selectable control tab including;
a first selectable tab which, when selected, causes to be displayed a first portion of the truncated portion of the information; and
a second selectable tab which, when selected, causes to be displayed a second portion of the truncated portion of the information;
the first and second selectable tabs extending from the user interface, with the first selectable tab being positioned above the second selectable tab.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A lightweight information user interface is provided for displaying information about a focused-on (e.g., mouse-over) text item, data item or other object in an electronic document that minimizes interruption of workflow with the electronic document. Upon focus on a word or other object in an electronic document a quick look-up function may be invoked for retrieving information from a local or remote information source about the focused-on item. Retrieved information, for example, translations, dictionary definitions and research information, is displayed in close proximity to the focused-on item in a lightweight information user interface. Information may be displayed according to a variety of media types including text, audio, video, pictures, bitmap images, etc.
713 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of providing information associated with a focused-on item in an electronic document, comprising:
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receiving a first user-initiated selection comprising a focus on an item contained in an electronic document; evaluating a current mode of the electronic document selected from a first mode in which a plurality of editing functions of the electronic document are disabled, and a second mode in which the plurality of editing functions of the electronic document are enabled; automatically initiating a search for information on the focused-on item when the current mode is evaluated as the first mode; receiving a second user-initiated selection for initiating the search for information on the focused-on item when the current mode is evaluated as the second mode, wherein the second user selection is selected from a group comprising;
a simultaneous keyboard and mouse selection; and
a control selection accessed in one of a control toolbar and a drop-down menu;passing data representing the focused-on item to an information source following initiating the search for information on the focused-on item; receiving the information associated with the focused-on item from the information source; automatically displaying the returned information associated with the focused-on item in a user interface in the electronic document in proximity to the focused-on item; and
when the information associated with the focused-on item will not fit in an available display space provided in the user interface;truncating a portion of the information such that only a portion of the information that will fit in the available display space provided in the user interface is displayed; and disposing a selectable control tab on a first side the user interface which, when selected, causes a display of the truncated portion of the information, the selectable control tab including; a first selectable tab which, when selected, causes to be displayed a first portion of the truncated portion of the information; and a second selectable tab which, when selected, causes to be displayed a second portion of the truncated portion of the information; the first and second selectable tabs extending from the user interface, with the first selectable tab being positioned above the second selectable tab. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A computer readable storage medium containing computer executable instructions which when executed by a computer perform a method of providing information associated with a focused-on item in an electronic document, comprising:
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receiving a first user selection comprising a focus on an item contained in an electronic document; passing data representing the focused-on item to a recognizer module for determining whether the focused-on item corresponds to a given data type; evaluating a current mode of the electronic document selected from a first mode in which a plurality of editing functions of the electronic document are disabled, and a second mode in which the plurality of editing functions of the electronic document are enabled; automatically initiating a search for information on the focused-on item when the current mode is evaluated as the first mode; receiving a second user selection for initiating the search for information on the focused-on item when the current mode is evaluated as the second mode, wherein the second user selection is selected from a group comprising;
a simultaneous keyboard and mouse selection; and
a control selection accessed in one of a control toolbar and a drop-down menu;when the focused-on item corresponds to a given data type, passing the data representing the focused-on item to an information source containing information associated with the given data type following initiating the search for information on the focused-on item; at the information source, parsing a data source for information associated with the focused-on item; returning information associated with the focused-on item; displaying a user interface in the electronic document in proximity to the focused-on item; and displaying the returned information associated with the focused-on item in the user interface, wherein, when the information associated with the focused-on item will not fit in an available display space provided in the user interface; truncating a portion of the information such that only a portion of the information that will fit in the available display space provided in the user interface is displayed; and disposing a selectable control tab on a first side the user interface, which when selected, causes a display of the truncated portion of the information, the selectable control tab including; a first selectable tab which, when selected, causes to be displayed a first portion of the truncated portion of the information; and a second selectable tab which, when selected, causes to be displayed a second portion of the truncated portion of the information; the first and second selectable tabs extending from the user interface, with the first selectable tab being positioned above the second selectable tab.
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17. A computer readable storage medium containing computer executable instructions which when executed by a computer perform a method of providing information associated with a focused-on item in an electronic document, comprising:
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receiving a first user-initiated selection comprising a focus on an item contained in an electronic document; evaluating a current mode of the electronic document selected from a first mode in which a plurality of editing functions of the electronic document are disabled, and a second mode in which the plurality of editing functions of the electronic document are enabled; automatically initiating a search for information on the focused-on item when the current mode is evaluated as the first mode; receiving a second user selection for initiating the search for information on the focused-on item when the current mode is evaluated as the second mode, wherein the second user selection is selected from a group comprising;
a simultaneous keyboard and mouse selection; and
a control selection accessed in one of a control toolbar and a drop-down menu;querying one or more data sources for information associated with the focused-on item following initiating the search for information on the focused-on item; displaying a user interface in the electronic document in proximity to the focused-on item; when the information associated with the focused-on item is received from more than one source, displaying the information in the user interface in one or more sections where information from a first data source is displayed in a first section and where information from a second data source is displayed in a second section; and when an available display space in the user interface will not accommodate a display of all sections of information received for display in the user interface; displaying information from a number of sections that will fit in the user interface; collapsing any sections of information the display of which will not fit in the user interface; and providing a selectable control tab on a first side of the user interface which, when selected, causes a display of an associated collapsed section of information, the selectable control tab including; a first selectable tab which, when selected, causes to be displayed a first portion of the information; and a second selectable tab which, when selected, causes to be displayed a second portion of the information; the first and second selectable tabs extending from the user interface, with the first selectable tab being positioned above the second selectable tab.
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Specification