Patent US6734871B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6734871B2
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Flexible schemes for applying properties to information in a medium
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
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Filing: 2001-08-21
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Granted: 2004-05-11
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Expires: 2021-08-21
Abstract
Abstract A scheme data structure is used for applying a set of coordinated attributes to any number of components within a composition such as a document, Internet web page, computer screen etc. A scheme data structure allows a user to easily apply variations of professionally designed font, color, graphic, paragraph and other schemes to a composition. The data structure includes a scheme instance category indicating a type of scheme and a number of attributes corresponding to the scheme instance category. The structure has a number of scheme slots, and each scheme slot can be associated with zero or more components of the composition. Each of the scheme slots is arranged to hold a distinct value for each of the attributes. Thus, for each of the scheme slots, the scheme instance data structure may be used to apply values of attributes to the components of the composition associated with each scheme slot. Each scheme instance data structure may also have a number of levels. Each level contains a complete set of values for the attributes of that scheme. User input is used to determine which level should be applied to each component. A user specifies an amount value indicating number of components affected and a diversity value indicating diversity of scheme attributes affecting the components. A threshold value for each component indicates a range of difficulty for changing default values for attributes of that component. A method also applies values in a determined scheme level to components of a composition in response to user input.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven E. Weil
- 👤 Michael B. Orr
- 👤 Joseph King
- 👤 Nathan W. Everett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:54
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F40/00; G06F40/10; G06F40/103; G06F40/106
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A scheme instance data structure embodied in a computer-readable medium for applying a coordinated plurality of attributes to a plurality of components within a composition, the scheme instance data structure associated with a scheme category indicative of a type of said scheme instance data structure, said scheme instance data structure comprising: a plurality of attributes corresponding to said scheme category; and a plurality of scheme slots, wherein each said scheme slot is associated with one or more components of the composition, wherein each said scheme slot is associated with each of said plurality of attributes such that each said scheme slot is arranged to hold a value corresponding to each of said plurality of attributes, such that for each of said scheme slots, said scheme instance data structure is capable of being utilized to apply values of said associated attributes to said one or more components of the composition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
A scheme instance data structure embodied in a computer-readable medium for applying a coordinated plurality of attributes to a plurality of components within a composition, the scheme instance data structure associated with a scheme category indicative of a type of said scheme instance data structure, said scheme instance data structure comprising: a plurality of attributes corresponding to said scheme category; and a plurality of scheme slots, wherein each said scheme slot is associated with one or more components of the composition, wherein each said scheme slot is associated with each of said plurality of attributes such that each said scheme slot is arranged to hold a value corresponding to each of said plurality of attributes, such that for each of said scheme slots, said scheme instance data structure is capable of being utilized to apply values of said associated attributes to said one or more components of the composition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A scheme instance data structure as recited in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of values for said plurality of attributes, such that each of said scheme slots holds a value corresponding to each of said plurality of attributes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A scheme instance data structure as recited in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of levels, each of said levels including: a plurality of level values, wherein each of said scheme slots is arranged to hold one of said level values corresponding to each of said plurality of attributes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A scheme instance data structures as recited in claim 1 wherein said scheme instance category comprises a member of the group consisting of: a font scheme, a color scheme, a graphics scheme and a paragraph scheme.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
183 words
A software product comprising a plurality of product components, each said product component including a plurality of associated scheme slots, and each said associated scheme slot is associated with a distinct scheme instance, said distinct scheme instance being part of a scheme instance data structure for applying a plurality of attributes to a plurality of components within a composition, the scheme instance data structure associated with a scheme category indicative of a type of said scheme instance data structure, said scheme instance data structure including: a plurality of attributes corresponding to said scheme category; and a plurality of scheme slots, wherein each said scheme slot is associated with one or more components of the composition, wherein each said scheme slot is associated with each of said plurality of attributes such that each said scheme slot is arranged to hold a value corresponding to each of said plurality of attributes, such that for each of said scheme slots, said scheme instance data structure is capable of being utilized to apply values of said associated attributes to said one or more components of the composition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
183 words
A software product comprising a plurality of product components, each said product component including a plurality of associated scheme slots, and each said associated scheme slot is associated with a distinct scheme instance, said distinct scheme instance being part of a scheme instance data structure for applying a plurality of attributes to a plurality of components within a composition, the scheme instance data structure associated with a scheme category indicative of a type of said scheme instance data structure, said scheme instance data structure including: a plurality of attributes corresponding to said scheme category; and a plurality of scheme slots, wherein each said scheme slot is associated with one or more components of the composition, wherein each said scheme slot is associated with each of said plurality of attributes such that each said scheme slot is arranged to hold a value corresponding to each of said plurality of attributes, such that for each of said scheme slots, said scheme instance data structure is capable of being utilized to apply values of said associated attributes to said one or more components of the composition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
139 words
A software product comprising a plurality of product components, each said product component including: a first associated scheme slot selected from a plurality of scheme slots; and a plurality of additional scheme slots selected from the plurality of scheme slots, wherein each said scheme slot is associated with one or more components of a composition, wherein each said scheme slot is associated with each of a plurality of attributes corresponding to a scheme category indicative of a type of a scheme instance data structure such that each said scheme slot is arranged to hold a distinct value corresponding to each of said plurality of attributes, such that for each of said schemes slots, said scheme instance data structure is capable of being utilized to apply values of said associated attributes to said one or more components of the composition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
139 words
A software product comprising a plurality of product components, each said product component including: a first associated scheme slot selected from a plurality of scheme slots; and a plurality of additional scheme slots selected from the plurality of scheme slots, wherein each said scheme slot is associated with one or more components of a composition, wherein each said scheme slot is associated with each of a plurality of attributes corresponding to a scheme category indicative of a type of a scheme instance data structure such that each said scheme slot is arranged to hold a distinct value corresponding to each of said plurality of attributes, such that for each of said schemes slots, said scheme instance data structure is capable of being utilized to apply values of said associated attributes to said one or more components of the composition.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
171 words
A software product comprising a plurality of product components, each said product component having a plurality of associated scheme slots, each said associated scheme slot is associated with a scheme instance data structure for applying a coordinated plurality of attributes to a plurality of components within a composition, said scheme instance data structure including: a plurality of coordinated attributes corresponding to a scheme category; a plurality of scheme slots, and a plurality of levels, each said level is arranged to hold a plurality of level values, wherein each said scheme slot is associated with one or more components of the composition, wherein each said scheme slot is associated with each of said plurality of attributes, wherein each said scheme slot is arranged to hold one of said level values for each of said plurality of attributes, such that for each of said scheme slots, said scheme instance data structure is capable of being utilized to apply level values of said associated attributes to said one or more components of the composition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
171 words
A software product comprising a plurality of product components, each said product component having a plurality of associated scheme slots, each said associated scheme slot is associated with a scheme instance data structure for applying a coordinated plurality of attributes to a plurality of components within a composition, said scheme instance data structure including: a plurality of coordinated attributes corresponding to a scheme category; a plurality of scheme slots, and a plurality of levels, each said level is arranged to hold a plurality of level values, wherein each said scheme slot is associated with one or more components of the composition, wherein each said scheme slot is associated with each of said plurality of attributes, wherein each said scheme slot is arranged to hold one of said level values for each of said plurality of attributes, such that for each of said scheme slots, said scheme instance data structure is capable of being utilized to apply level values of said associated attributes to said one or more components of the composition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The software product of claim 7 , further including: a first associated scheme slot selected from the plurality of scheme slots; and a plurality of additional scheme slots selected from plurality of scheme slots.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
226 words
A method of applying a color scheme to elements on a computer display, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a composition having a set of elements arranged on a computer display having a first color scheme; said elements being arranged into groups and said first color scheme providing predefined color characteristics for each group of elements, each of said groups of elements having a predefined color relationship with other of said groups of elements under said first color scheme; choosing a second color scheme to be applied to said composition of elements that is different from said first color scheme, said second color scheme providing predefined color characteristics for each group of elements, each of said groups of elements under said second color scheme is a color scheme slot, each of said groups of elements having a predefined color relationship with other of said groups of elements under said second color scheme; associating each group of elements with the predefined color characteristics provided by said second color scheme, the predefined color characteristics is associated with each group including color attributes; applying said second color scheme to said elements such that each of said elements takes on the predefined color characteristics of the group with which each element is associated; and displaying said elements of said composition in said second color scheme on said computer display.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
226 words
A method of applying a color scheme to elements on a computer display, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a composition having a set of elements arranged on a computer display having a first color scheme; said elements being arranged into groups and said first color scheme providing predefined color characteristics for each group of elements, each of said groups of elements having a predefined color relationship with other of said groups of elements under said first color scheme; choosing a second color scheme to be applied to said composition of elements that is different from said first color scheme, said second color scheme providing predefined color characteristics for each group of elements, each of said groups of elements under said second color scheme is a color scheme slot, each of said groups of elements having a predefined color relationship with other of said groups of elements under said second color scheme; associating each group of elements with the predefined color characteristics provided by said second color scheme, the predefined color characteristics is associated with each group including color attributes; applying said second color scheme to said elements such that each of said elements takes on the predefined color characteristics of the group with which each element is associated; and displaying said elements of said composition in said second color scheme on said computer display.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
221 words
A method of applying a color scheme to elements on a computer display, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a composition having a set of elements arranged on a computer display having a first color scheme, said elements being arranged into groups and said first color scheme providing predefined color characteristics for each group of elements, each of said groups of elements having a predefined color relationship with other of said groups of elements under said first color scheme; choosing a second color scheme to be applied to said composition of elements that is different from said first color scheme, said second color scheme providing predefined color characteristics for each group of elements, each of said groups of elements having a predefined color relationship with other of said groups of elements under said second color scheme; associating each group of elements with the predefined color characteristics provided by said second color scheme; applying said second color scheme to said elements such that each of said elements takes on the predefined color characteristics of the group with which each element is associated; displaying said elements of said composition in said second color scheme on said computer display; and pre-assigning each of said elements to one of said groups of said second color scheme, whereby said elements are arranged into said groups.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
221 words
A method of applying a color scheme to elements on a computer display, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a composition having a set of elements arranged on a computer display having a first color scheme, said elements being arranged into groups and said first color scheme providing predefined color characteristics for each group of elements, each of said groups of elements having a predefined color relationship with other of said groups of elements under said first color scheme; choosing a second color scheme to be applied to said composition of elements that is different from said first color scheme, said second color scheme providing predefined color characteristics for each group of elements, each of said groups of elements having a predefined color relationship with other of said groups of elements under said second color scheme; associating each group of elements with the predefined color characteristics provided by said second color scheme; applying said second color scheme to said elements such that each of said elements takes on the predefined color characteristics of the group with which each element is associated; displaying said elements of said composition in said second color scheme on said computer display; and pre-assigning each of said elements to one of said groups of said second color scheme, whereby said elements are arranged into said groups.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
103 words
A method as recited in claim 10 further comprising the steps of: choosing a third color scheme to be applied to said composition of elements, said third color scheme being different from said second color scheme, such that said step of pre-assigning operates also to pre-assign said elements to groups of said third color scheme, said groups of said third color scheme each having predefined color characteristics; and applying said third color scheme to said elements such that each of said elements such that each of said elements takes on the predefined color characteristics of the group with which each element is associated.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US6278462B1
Cited
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-05-11 | 2007-11-10 | 2008-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-05-11 | 2011-11-10 | 2012-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-05-11 | 2015-11-10 | 2016-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |