Patent Application
20090327872
The present disclosure relates generally to electronic document editing and, in particular, to systems, methods and computer products for object editing including specification of layout modes during drag and drop operations.
In editing a document in a word processor or in an HTML editor, multiple different layout modes are generally used within a document. Typically, there are two layout modes: flow layout; and “free layout”. Flow layout is implemented to locate contents in order from left to right and top to bottom. Free layout is implemented to locate contents in the absolute coordinate. Common word processors and HTML editors are equipped with the function to move objects, such as text, images, buttons, and other objects involved with editing. This function allows simple drag-and-drop operations. However, the function is limited to use within the same layout mode only. For example, it is impossible to move an image arranged with the free layout mode to a table cell with the flow layout mode by a drag-and-drop operation. Currently in order to move an object arranged with the free layout mode to a table cell with the flow layout mode by a drag-and-drop operation, it is generally necessary to first change the property of the layout mode for the object to be moved.
Exemplary embodiments include, in a computer system, a method for object editing including specification of layout modes during electronic editing of a document on the display, the method including retrieving a plurality of objects displaying the objects on a display of a computer, receiving an object selection signal indicative of a selection device pointing at a selected object from the plurality of objects, in response to the object selection signal, dragging a representation of the object to a destination location on the display, receiving a pause selection signal indicative of the selection device pausing during the dragging of the presentation of the object, in response to the pause selection signal, retrieving a mode change switch from the memory, displaying the mode-change switch on the display and dropping the object at the destination location.
Additional exemplary embodiments include a method for object editing including specification of layout modes during electronic editing of a document, the method including identifying an object to drag from a start location to a destination location in the document, selecting the object, dragging the object toward the destination location, pausing the dragging of the object, determining a display mode from a mode-change tool displayed adjacent to a frame associated with the object, continuing the dragging of the object to the destination location and dropping the object at the destination location.
Further exemplary embodiments include a computer program product for object editing including specification of layout modes during electronic editing of a document, the computer program product including instructions for causing a computer to implement a method, the method including retrieving a plurality of objects, displaying the objects on a display of a computer, receiving an object selection signal indicative of a selection device pointing at a selected object from the plurality of objects, in response to the object selection signal, dragging a representation of the object to a destination location on the display, receiving a pause selection signal indicative of the selection device pausing during the dragging of the presentation of the object, in response to the pause selection signal, retrieving a mode change switch from the memory, displaying the mode-change switch on the display and dropping the object at the destination location.
Other systems, methods, and/or computer program products according to embodiments will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon review of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, and/or computer program products be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The detailed description explains the preferred embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.
In exemplary embodiments, the systems and methods described herein provide the ability to move objects in a document along with a specification of the layout mode in the document. As such, while editing a document a user can freely move objects with drag and drop operations that include the layout mode in the drag and drop operations.
In exemplary embodiments, the systems and methods described herein can be applied not only to operations of moving objects which are already added to and located in a document, but also to other operations including addition of a new object from a palette by drag-and-drop operation. Furthermore, the systems and methods described herein can be implemented as a way to change other types of modes when moving/adding objects, in addition to changing the layout mode from/to “flow layout”/“free layout”. For example, the systems and methods described herein can be implemented in moving an object 520 onto a container object 510 (See
In exemplary embodiments, in terms of hardware architecture, as shown in
The processor 905 is a hardware device for executing software, particularly that stored in memory 910. The processor 905 can be any custom made or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU), an auxiliary processor among several processors associated with the computer 901, a semiconductor based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chip set), a macroprocessor, or generally any device for executing software instructions.
The memory 910 can include any one or combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.)) and nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), electronically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), programmable read only memory (PROM), tape, compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), disk, diskette, cartridge, cassette or the like, etc.). Moreover, the memory 910 may incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types of storage media. Note that the memory 910 can have a distributed architecture, where various components are situated remote from one another, but can be accessed by the processor 905.
The software in memory 910 may include one or more separate programs, each of which includes an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementing logical functions. In the example of
The layout mode specification methods described herein may be in the form of a source program, executable program (object code), script, or any other entity comprising a set of instructions to be performed. When a source program, then the program needs to be translated via a compiler, assembler, interpreter, or the like, which may or may not be included within the memory 910, so as to operate properly in connection with the OS 911. Furthermore, the layout mode specification methods can be written as an object oriented programming language, which has classes of data and methods, or a procedure programming language, which has routines, subroutines, and/or functions.
In exemplary embodiments, a conventional keyboard 950 and mouse 955 can be coupled to the input/output controller 935. Other output devices such as the I/O devices 940, 945 may include input devices, for example but not limited to a printer, a scanner, microphone, and the like. Finally, the I/O devices 940, 945 may further include devices that communicate both inputs and outputs, for instance but not limited to, a NIC or modulator/demodulator (for accessing other files, devices, systems, or a network), a radio frequency (RF) or other transceiver, a telephonic interface, a bridge, a router, and the like. The system 900 can further include a display controller 925 coupled to a display 930. In exemplary embodiments, the system 900 can further include a network interface 960 for coupling to a network 965. The network 965 can be an IP-based network for communication between the computer 901 and any external server, client and the like via a broadband connection. The network 965 transmits and receives data between the computer 901 and external systems. In exemplary embodiments, network 965 can be a managed IP network administered by a service provider. The network 965 may be implemented in a wireless fashion, e.g., using wireless protocols and technologies, such as WiFi, WiMax, etc. The network 965 can also be a packet-switched network such as a local area network, wide area network, metropolitan area network, Internet network, or other similar type of network environment. The network 965 may be a fixed wireless network, a wireless local area network (LAN), a wireless wide area network (WAN) a personal area network (PAN), a virtual private network (VPN), intranet or other suitable network system and includes equipment for receiving and transmitting signals.
If the computer 901 is a PC, workstation, intelligent device or the like, the software in the memory 910 may further include a basic input output system (BIOS) (omitted for simplicity). The BIOS is a set of essential software routines that initialize and test hardware at startup, start the OS 911, and support the transfer of data among the hardware devices. The BIOS is stored in ROM so that the BIOS can be executed when the computer 901 is activated.
When the computer 901 is in operation, the processor 905 is configured to execute software stored within the memory 910, to communicate data to and from the memory 910, and to generally control operations of the computer 901 pursuant to the software. The layout mode specification methods described herein and the OS 22, in whole or in part, but typically the latter, are read by the processor 905, perhaps buffered within the processor 905, and then executed.
When the systems and methods described herein are implemented in software, as is shown in
In exemplary embodiments, where the layout mode specification methods are implemented in hardware, the layout mode specification methods described herein can implemented with any or a combination of the following technologies, which are each well known in the art: a discrete logic circuit(s) having logic gates for implementing logic functions upon data signals, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) having appropriate combinational logic gates, a programmable gate array(s) (PGA), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc.
In exemplary embodiments, one or more processes in the memory 910 can monitor activity from the keyboard 950 and the mouse 955 or a combination thereof. The processes can further monitor long-running jobs that have been initiated on the computer 901. The processes can further monitor which and how many other machines can control the computer 901 either locally or remotely. In exemplary embodiments, the processes can also inquire or accept a grace period input by a user of the computer 901. The grace period can be a time period after which all traffic to and from the computer ceases if no further activity has been sensed by the processes. In this way, if a user has left the computer 901 for an extended period of time or has left the computer (e.g., after a work day) the computer 901 no longer allows traffic to and from the computer 901. In an alternative implementation, the computer 901 can totally power down after the grace period has expired. In further exemplary embodiments, the processes can accept traffic only from a common network maintenance control system that provides limited services.
As described above, embodiments can be embodied in the form of computer-implemented processes and apparatuses for practicing those processes. In exemplary embodiments, the invention is embodied in computer program code executed by one or more network elements. Embodiments include computer program code containing instructions embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any other computer-readable storage medium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. Embodiments include computer program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. When implemented on a general-purpose microprocessor, the computer program code segments configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits.
While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
