Patent Application
20050086259
The present invention generally relates to methods for viewing documents and, more particular, to methods for rendering a portion of the document currently displayed on the user's client device wherein the manipulation of the user's viewpoint thereof is accomplished using the resources of the server and not the client-side device with the server repeatedly receiving viewpoint updates from the client and transmitting an updated image thereof back to the client.
A relatively large amount of information takes the form of spreadsheet data, for example, tables, listings, etc. When displayed on a small handheld device such as a cellular telephone display, spreadsheets tend to be difficult to use because spatial structure and readability cannot be achieved simultaneously especially on small display devices. For the spatial structure to be visible, a large part of the spreadsheet should be made visible/readable to the end-user. Given the relatively small screen resolutions of mobile devices, text is simply not readable. For instance, in small handheld device image viewing scenario, due to the small size of the display screen of the handheld device, either a small section of the document displayed thereon is seen in readable form or the overall structure of the document is shown absent legibility. As such, a user needs a way to move around the various rows and columns of spreadsheets, tables, etc., where both spatial layout and text are important for display purposes.
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What is needed in this art is an image processing method that simulates split and scroll bars based on an image file format communicated between server and client.
What is disclosed is a method for presenting spreadsheets and other documents on client-side devices with limited resources and tiny display screen area. The present invention involves the user, on a client-side device, scrolling through a condensed image view of a document with the user's viewpoint of the image repeatedly computed server-side. A split-bar is stitched into a composite view of the user's current viewpoint. The user clicks a scroll-bar or scroll-points to indicate an intended change in direction of their current viewpoint. The client-side device provides the server with information as to where and how the next viewpoint is to be updated. Responsive to the received client information the server updates the viewpoint currently displayed with the transmission of images therefor and provides the same back to the client. In such a manner, the computing power and resources of the server are utilized for the image manipulation, cropping, etc. rather than that of the client's handheld device.
a illustrates a first view of a spreadsheet displayed on a device with a small display wherein the field labels are shown.
b illustrates a second view of the same spreadsheet of
a shows a vertical image line indicating the simulated split line along which subsequent image data will be folded.
b, after clicking on the right side of the image, a new view is created at the server wherein the left of the image is maintained and a shifted right side image is appended such that the desired field “14-Sep” is in view.
What is disclosed is a method for presenting spreadsheets and other documents on client-side devices with limited resources and tiny display screen area. The present invention involves the user, on a client-side device, scrolling through a condensed image view of a document with the user's viewpoint of the image repeatedly computed server-side. A split-bar is stitched into a composite view of the user's current viewpoint. The user clicks a scroll-bar or scroll-points to indicate an intended change in direction of their current viewpoint. The client-side device provides the server with information as to where and how the next viewpoint is to be updated. Responsive to the received client information the server updates the viewpoint currently displayed with the transmission of images therefor and provides the same back to the client. In such a manner, the computing power and resources of the server are utilized for the image manipulation, cropping, etc. rather than that of the client's handheld device. The advantage of which can easily be understood when regarding the document sizes associated with common documents.
The present invention utilizes a web-type browser interface to facilitate the display of a document image. An indicator for vertical or horizontal split-screen viewing with additional capabilities such as zoom, level, color, etc. are also preferably provided. A split is indicated by embedding a line into the image provided to the client by the server. This is preferably done by the creation of three separate images, one of a left part, one of the center line, and one of a right part. Alternatively, a line might also be generated by drawing into the corresponding part of the image by other suitable image editing and/or image manipulation means. The server stitches the collected pieces into a single image.
Advantageously, using server-side processing along with server-side image manipulation dramatically reduces the amount of data presently needed to be displayed on the client's device. This frees client memory and reduces communication bandwidth. Scrolling in split-screen view requires that the client-side device have sufficient memory, storage, and other resource to run the necessary software performing the requested functions.
While particular embodiments have been described, alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and substantial equivalents that are or may be presently unforeseen may arise to applicants or others skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims as filed and as they may be amended are intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications variations, improvements, and substantial equivalents.
