US6230170B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spatial morphing of text to accommodate annotations
Assignee: Xerox Corp
•
Filing: 1998-06-17
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Granted: 2001-05-08
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Expires: 2018-06-17
Abstract
Abstract A primary body of data is displayable on a screen and a supporting body of data is relatable to an annotation tag present in the primary body of textual data. An annotation tag having a predetermined size in the primary body of data is selected, and negotiations ensue between the primary body of data and the supporting body to determine a space into which the supporting body of data can be fitted while substantially maintaining an unobstructed view of the primary body of data. To help accommodate the supporting body of data, at least a portion of the primary body of data is spatially morphed by repositioning, resizing, or distortion. An animation sequence is used to position the supporting body of data in the negotiated space.
Inventors
- 👤 Polle T. Zellweger
- 👤 Bay-Wei Chang
- 👤 Jock D. Mackinlay
- 👤 Kenneth P. Fishkin
- 👤 Takeo Igarashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 14:38
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F40/00; G06F40/10; G06F40/12; G06F40/131; G06F40/103; G06F40/14; G06F40/143; G06F40/166; G06F40/169
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for presenting a primary body of data displayable on a screen and a supporting body of data relatable to an annotation tag present in the primary body of textual data, the method comprising the steps of selecting an annotation tag having a predetermined size in the primary body of data, negotiating between the primary body of data and the supporting body of data to determine a space into which the supporting body of data can be fitted while substantially maintaining an unobstructed view of the primary body of data, with the negotiated space being sized larger than the predetermined size of the annotation tag, and with at least a portion of the primary body of data being spatially morphed, and positioning the supporting body of data in the negotiated space, wherein the supporting body of data is displayed so that it is more salient than the primary body of data.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for presenting a primary body of data displayable on a screen and a supporting body of data relatable to an annotation tag present in the primary body of textual data, the method comprising the steps of selecting an annotation tag having a predetermined size in the primary body of data, negotiating between the primary body of data and the supporting body of data to determine a space into which the supporting body of data can be fitted while substantially maintaining an unobstructed view of the primary body of data, with the negotiated space being sized larger than the predetermined size of the annotation tag, and with at least a portion of the primary body of data being spatially morphed, and positioning the supporting body of data in the negotiated space, wherein the supporting body of data is displayed so that it is more salient than the primary body of data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of animating an expansion of the annotation tag into the negotiated space.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of animating a contraction of the supporting body of data positioned in the negotiated space back into the annotation tag.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the supporting body of data is intercalated between lines of text.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein lines of text are moved apart to accommodate the supporting body of data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the primary body of data is decreased in size as the supporting body of data is increased in size in response to selecting the annotation tag.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the primary body of data and the supporting body of data is substantially text.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the primary body of data and the supporting body of data is substantially graphics.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the primary body of data and the supporting body of data contains both text and graphics.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the annotation tag is at least a fragment of the supporting body of data.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the annotation tag is text of the supporting body of data, initially sized to have a smaller typesize than typesize of the primary body of data.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the annotation tag is a hyperlink to the supporting body of data.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
172 words
A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for presenting a primary body of data displayable on a screen and a supporting body of data relatable to an annotation tag present in the primary body of textual data, the method comprising the steps of: selecting an annotation tag having a predetermined size in the primary body of data, negotiating between the primary body of data and the supporting body of data to determine a space into which the supporting body of data can be fitted while substantially maintaining an unobstructed view of the primary body of data, with the negotiated space being sized larger than the predetermined size of the annotation tag, and with at least a portion of the primary body of data being spatially morphed, and positioning the supporting body of data in the negotiated space, wherein the supporting body of data is displayed so that it is more salient than the primary body of data.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
172 words
A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for presenting a primary body of data displayable on a screen and a supporting body of data relatable to an annotation tag present in the primary body of textual data, the method comprising the steps of: selecting an annotation tag having a predetermined size in the primary body of data, negotiating between the primary body of data and the supporting body of data to determine a space into which the supporting body of data can be fitted while substantially maintaining an unobstructed view of the primary body of data, with the negotiated space being sized larger than the predetermined size of the annotation tag, and with at least a portion of the primary body of data being spatially morphed, and positioning the supporting body of data in the negotiated space, wherein the supporting body of data is displayed so that it is more salient than the primary body of data.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The article of manufacture as recited in claim 13 wherein in said method further comprising the step of animating an expansion of the annotation tag into the negotiated space.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The article of manufacture as recited in claim 13 wherein said method further comprising the step of animating a contraction of the supporting body of data positioned in the negotiated space back into the annotation tag.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
164 words
A computer based data display system method for presenting a primary body of data displayable on a screen and a supporting body of data relatable to an annotation tag present in the primary body of textual data comprising: selection circuitry for detecting of the selection of an annotation tag having a predetermined size in the primary body of data, negotiating circuitry for negotiating between the primary body of data and the supporting body of data to determine a space into which the supporting body of data can be fitted while substantially maintaining an unobstructed view of the primary body of data, with the negotiated space being sized larger than the predetermined size of the annotation tag, and with at least a portion of the primary body of data being spatially morphed, and circuitry for positioning the supporting body of data in the negotiated space, wherein the supporting body of data is displayed so that it is more salient than the primary body of data.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
164 words
A computer based data display system method for presenting a primary body of data displayable on a screen and a supporting body of data relatable to an annotation tag present in the primary body of textual data comprising: selection circuitry for detecting of the selection of an annotation tag having a predetermined size in the primary body of data, negotiating circuitry for negotiating between the primary body of data and the supporting body of data to determine a space into which the supporting body of data can be fitted while substantially maintaining an unobstructed view of the primary body of data, with the negotiated space being sized larger than the predetermined size of the annotation tag, and with at least a portion of the primary body of data being spatially morphed, and circuitry for positioning the supporting body of data in the negotiated space, wherein the supporting body of data is displayed so that it is more salient than the primary body of data.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-05-07 | 2004-11-06 | 2005-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-07 | 2008-11-06 | 2009-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-07 | 2012-11-06 | 2013-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |