U.S. patent application number 12/564794 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-14 for simultaneously reformatting a document with multiple colors.
This patent application is currently assigned to MICROSOFT CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Wai On Lee, Douglas A. Ricard, Benjamin N. Truelove, Christopher D. Williams.
Application Number | 20100011288 12/564794 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34552763 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100011288 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Truelove; Benjamin N. ; et
al. |
January 14, 2010 |
SIMULTANEOUSLY REFORMATTING A DOCUMENT WITH MULTIPLE COLORS
Abstract
Reformatting a previously formatted document. A unique interface
allows preview and selection of a color set. A color set comprises
a plurality of colors defining a color scheme. Once a color set is
determined, the document is reformatted in such a way as to
simultaneously apply multiple colors to text within a document,
while otherwise maintaining the proportionality and integrity of
its previous formatting.
Inventors: |
Truelove; Benjamin N.;
(Seattle, WA) ; Ricard; Douglas A.; (Bellevue,
WA) ; Lee; Wai On; (Kirkland, WA) ; Williams;
Christopher D.; (Bellevue, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WORKMAN NYDEGGER/MICROSOFT
1000 EAGLE GATE TOWER, 60 EAST SOUTH TEMPLE
SALT LAKE CITY
UT
84111
US
|
Assignee: |
MICROSOFT CORPORATION
Redmond
WA
|
Family ID: |
34552763 |
Appl. No.: |
12/564794 |
Filed: |
September 22, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10913092 |
Aug 5, 2004 |
7594174 |
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12564794 |
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09726956 |
Nov 30, 2000 |
6892348 |
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10913092 |
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09726058 |
Nov 29, 2000 |
7231602 |
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09726956 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
715/269 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 40/109
20200101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/269 |
International
Class: |
G06F 17/24 20060101
G06F017/24 |
Claims
1. In a computing system, a method for presenting a user with a
plurality of formatting options for application to an electronic
document, the method comprising: displaying, in a window separate
from a main window that displays an electronic document, each of a
plurality of color sets; receiving user selection of a selected one
of the plurality of color sets, wherein the selected one of the
plurality of color sets includes a plurality of different colors
collectively defined as part of the same selected one of the
plurality of color sets; receiving user input requesting
application of the plurality of different colors of the selected
one of the plurality of color sets to the electronic document; and
in response to the user input requesting application of the
plurality of different colors, collectively applying the plurality
of different colors of the selected one of the plurality of color
sets to the electronic document, such that text within the
electronic document is formatted with a plurality of different
colors.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:
receiving user input indicating selected text.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein collectively applying the
plurality of different colors comprises collectively applying the
plurality of different colors of the selected one of the plurality
of color sets to the selected text of the electronic document, such
that the selected text is formatted with the plurality of different
colors.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein selection of one of the plurality
of color sets is performed independent of selection of a font face
or set of font faces.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein selection of one of the plurality
of color sets is performed independent of selection of a font
size.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein selection of the one of the
plurality of color sets is performed within an application window,
and independent of a document template.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of different colors
are predetermined as part of a same color set.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of different colors
are each shades of the same color.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: after receiving user
selection of a selected one of the plurality of color sets, and
before collectively applying the plurality of different colors,
displaying, in the window separate from the main window, each of
the plurality of different colors of the selected one of the
plurality of color sets.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein displaying each of the plurality
of different colors of the selected one of the plurality of color
sets comprises displaying the plurality of different colors in a
horizontal row.
11. One or more computer-readable media having stored thereon
computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause a
computing system to perform a method for formatting a document, the
method comprising: displaying, in a window separate from a main
window that displays an electronic document, each of a plurality of
color sets; receiving user selection of a selected one of the
plurality of color sets, wherein the selected one of the plurality
of color sets includes a plurality of different colors collectively
defined as part of the same selected one of the plurality of color
sets; receiving user input requesting application of the plurality
of different colors of the selected one of the plurality of color
sets to the electronic document; and in response to the user input
requesting application of the plurality of different colors,
collectively applying the plurality of different colors of the
selected one of the plurality of color sets to the electronic
document, such that text within the electronic document is
formatted with a plurality of different colors.
12. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 11, wherein
the method further comprises: receiving user input indicating
selected text.
13. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 12, wherein
collectively applying the plurality of different colors comprises
collectively applying the plurality of different colors of the
selected one of the plurality of color sets to the selected text of
the electronic document, such that the selected text is formatted
with the plurality of different colors.
14. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 11, wherein
selection of one of the plurality of color sets is performed
independent of selection of a font face or set of font faces.
15. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 11, wherein
selection of one of the plurality of color sets is performed
independent of selection of a font size.
16. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 11, wherein
selection of the one of the plurality of color sets is performed
within an application window, and independent of a document
template.
17. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 11, wherein
the plurality of different colors are each shades of the same
color.
18. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 11, further
comprising: after receiving user selection of a selected one of the
plurality of color sets, and before collectively applying the
plurality of different colors, displaying, in the window separate
from the main window, each of the plurality of different colors of
the selected one of the plurality of color sets.
19. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 19, wherein
displaying each of the plurality of different colors of the
selected one of the plurality of color sets comprises displaying
the plurality of different colors in a horizontal row.
20. In a computing system running a desktop publishing application,
a method for presenting a user with a plurality of formatting
options for application to an electronic document so as to
collectively apply multiple different colors, at a single time, to
text within the electronic document and independent of a document
template, the method comprising: receiving a first user input
indicating selected text within an electronic document; receiving a
second user input requesting a color selection window for selection
of one of a plurality of color sets to the selected text; in
response to the second user input, displaying a plurality of color
sets in the color selection window of a desktop publishing
application, wherein the color selection window is separate from a
main window that displays an electronic document within the desktop
publishing application, and wherein each of the color sets includes
a unique set of multiple, different colors; receiving a third user
input selecting one of the plurality of color sets, wherein the
selected one of the plurality of color sets includes a plurality of
different colors collectively defined as part of the same selected
one of the plurality of different color sets, and wherein the third
user input which selects one of the plurality of color sets having
a plurality of different colors, is received independent of a
document template; receiving a fourth user input requesting
application of the plurality of different colors of the selected
one of the plurality of color sets to the selected text of the
electronic document; and in response to the fourth user input,
collectively applying the plurality of different colors of the
selected one of the plurality of color sets to the selected text of
the electronic document, such that the selected text is
simultaneously formatted with a plurality of different colors, and
independent of a page template.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. Pat.
No. 7,594,174, issued on Sep. 22, 2009, and entitled "LIVE PREVIEW
AND SELECTION OF FONT AND COLOR SETS," which is a continuation of
U.S. Pat. No. 6,892,348, issued on May 10, 2005 and entitled
"REFORMATTING A DOCUMENT USING FUZZY MATCHING", which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 7,231,602, issued on Jun. 12,
2007, and entitled "LIVE PREVIEW FOR REFORMATTING DOCUMENT TEXT,"
the benefit of the filing dates of which is hereby claimed under 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 120. Each of the foregoing is hereby expressly
incorporated herein by this reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to reformatting a document
using a desktop word processing or publishing application program
module. More particularly, the present invention relates to
automatically reformatting each discrete portion of a document with
a format from a format set that is determined to most closely match
the existing format of the document.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Desktop word processing and publishing application programs
allow laymen users to create professional-looking documents and
other output. Many prior art application programs provide tools
that allow a user to custom format a document. For example, tools
may be provided for selecting font face, font size, font color,
text alignment, and other formatting options. Such tools are
typically independent of one another, which forces the user to
individually select and apply different formatting options until a
desirable look for the document is discovered.
[0004] In order to tie some of the formatting options together,
some application programs allow the user to define "styles." To
define a style, the user is able to interact with various menus and
controls in order to custom format a portion of text. The user may
then name the custom format and cause the custom format name to
appear in a "styles menu" or the like. Subsequent text may be
selected and automatically formatted with the custom format by
interacting with the styles menu. Style tools, however, tend to go
undiscovered by the typical layman user. When discovered, style
tools tend to be confusing to the typical user. In particular, many
users have a difficult time modifying the style tags that they have
created.
[0005] In addition to the difficulties encountered with formatting
tools, laymen users generally lack the training and experience
needed to create professional-looking documents from scratch. For
example, laymen users are typically not trained to know which fonts
look best in which sizes and in which color schemes. Also, many
times laymen users do not know, in advance of creating a document,
what formats they desire for the document. Laymen users are,
however, able to compare several differently formatted documents to
determine which style is most suitable to them.
[0006] Accordingly, some prior art application programs offer
"templates," which provide the layman user with a constrained range
of formatting choices, and thus well defined starting points for
creating professional-looking documents. A template is a predefined
format definition that is usually tied to a theme. For example, an
application program may provide a birthday template for creating
birthday cards or invitations, a garage sale template for creating
garage sale signage, and the like. For the more creative layman
user, templates tend to be too rigid and unyielding. While it may
be possible to modify the format definitions within a template, it
is often tedious and difficult to do so.
[0007] Thus, there remains a need for an application program to
provide a simple and integrated tool for formatting a document
according to a constrained range of formatting choices. There is a
further need for simple and integrated tool for a formatting a
document according to a constrained range of formatting choices
that is not tied to a predetermined theme.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention satisfies the above described needs by
providing a single integrated formatting tool, referred to as a
format gallery. The format gallery provides a constrained range of
formatting choices by way of formats within a format set. A format
comprises a format font name, a format font size, a format font
color, and other formatting options. A format set is defined by a
color set and a font set. A color set comprises a plurality of
colors defining a color scheme. The colors of the color scheme are
pre-selected by a trained document designer. The font set comprises
a plurality of fonts defining a font theme, each font having a font
name and a font size. Again, the fonts of the font theme are
predefined by a trained document designer based on their aesthetic
appeal in relation to each other. The format gallery of the present
invention allows the user to preview and select both a color set
and a font set.
[0009] Once a format set is determined, the present invention
employs a "fuzzy matching" method for reformatting the document.
According to the fuzzy matching method, each discrete portion of
text in the document is analyzed to determine a text font name, a
text font, color and a text font size. Then, for each format in the
format set, it is determined if the format font name matches the
text font name. If the format font name does match the text font
name, a first number of points is added to a match quality value
associated with the format. Then it is determined if the format
font color matches the text font color. If the format font color
does match the text font color, a second number of points is added
to the match quality value associated with the format. It is next
determined if the format font size is greater than the text font
size. If so, the ratio of the text font size to the format font
size is multiplied by a third number to determine a first product
and the first product is added to the match quality value. If the
format font size is not greater than the text font size, the ratio
of the format font size to the text font size is multiplied by the
third number to determine a second product and the second product
is added to the match quality value. For the rest of the applicable
properties, the algorithm of the fuzzy matching method can be
applied. That is, if a property matches that of the format, then a
product is added to the quality match value for that format. When a
final match quality value is determined for each format in the
format set, the format having the greatest associated match quality
value is applied to the discrete portion of text.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1, comprising FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, illustrates an
exemplary interface of a word processing program module
incorporating an exemplary integrated formatting tool of the
present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary live preview interface of an
exemplary integrated formatting tool of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a computer system
that may serve as an exemplary operating environment for
implementation of the program modules of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary fuzzy
matching method for reformatting a document in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary live
preview method for reformatting document text in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0015] The inventive concept relates to a method and system for
automatically reformatting a previously created document. It is
assumed herein that all previously created documents are formatted
with at least a default format. Thus, an act of formatting a
previously created document may also be considered to be an act of
reformatting the document. Accordingly, the term "reformat" and
variations thereof may herein be used interchangeably with the term
"format" and variations thereof.
[0016] Rather than providing templates having rigid design styles,
the present invention provides a number of "format sets." A format
set is made up of a number of formats. Each format is characterized
by a font name (font face), font color, font size, etc. Formats are
predetermined by a skilled document designer, who is trained to
know which font faces work well in various color schemes and font
sizes. In addition, the designer is trained to know what colors
work well together in various types of documents.
[0017] According to the one aspect of the invention, a format set
is defined by a font set and a color set. A font set comprises a
number of fonts which tend to work well within a given theme. By
way of illustration, a font set labeled "hefty" may include heavier
fonts and other fonts that work well with the heavier fonts. The
"hefty" font set may comprise various sizes of the font Rockwell
Extra Bold and the font Lucida Sans. A color set comprises a number
of colors that, in the trained opinion of the designer, may be used
to create a document having a professional-looking color scheme.
For example, a color set labeled "grape" may comprise several
colors representing various shades and hues of the color purple.
Thus, given a font set and a color set, a format set comprises a
select combination of fonts, font sizes and colors.
[0018] One or more tools (user interfaces) may be provided for
allowing the user to select from among a number of available font
sets and color sets. In an exemplary embodiment, a single tool
allows the user to select both a color set and a font set. Once the
color set and font set are selected, the corresponding format set
may be determined. As mentioned, a format set comprises a number of
predefined formats (i.e., format.sub.N, format.sub.N+1,
format.sub.N+2. . . ). Each format is predefined by a trained
document designer based on aesthetic appeal. A sample of various
formats included in the selected format set may be displayed to the
user, so that the user can decide if the selected format set is
desirable. Once the user decides on a format set, an input command
may be entered to cause the selected format set to be applied to
the document.
[0019] Application of the format set to the document is done in
such a way that the integrity and proportionality of the document
are maintained. For example, the document may include a title that
is displayed in a first font face having a first size. The document
may also include section headings that are displayed in a second
font face having a second size. The body text of the document may
be of a third font face and size. Accordingly, when the document is
reformatted, the invention will attempt to maintain aesthetic
differences between the font faces of the title, section headings,
and body text, respectively. In addition, the invention will
attempt to reformat the document so as to maintain a close
approximation of the original proportionality between the title,
section headings, and body text sizes, respectively.
[0020] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will
hereinafter be described with reference to the drawings, in which
like numerals represent like elements throughout the several
figures. FIG. 1, comprising FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, is a screen shot
of the interface of a word processing program module that
illustrates an exemplary integrated formatting tool of the present
invention. The integrated formatting tool of the present invention
is referred to herein as a "format gallery" 102. Referring first to
FIG. 1A, the format gallery 102 is a single user interface that
allows the user to select both a font set 104 and a color set 106.
A sliding scale user interface control, referred to herein as a
"font slider" 105, is provided in order to allow the user to browse
through each of the available font sets. Similarly, a sliding scale
user interface control, referred to herein as a "color slider" 107,
is provided in order to allow the user to browse through all of the
available color sets.
[0021] As mentioned, the selection of a font set 104 and a color
set 106 determines the format set. The format gallery 102 may also
include a preview window 108, which displays a color sample 110 and
text sample 112 for the selected format set. The color sample 110
includes the various colors included in the selected color set 106.
The text sample 112 includes several portions of text that are
formatted in various sizes, colors and fonts according to the
selected format set.
[0022] The format gallery 102 may be displayed as a floating window
that hovers above the document 114 that is to be formatted or
reformatted. The document 114 shown in FIG. 1A is a sample
newsletter that has previously been formatted. As may be seen, the
title 116 is displayed in a first font face and a first font size;
the section headings 118a, b are displayed in the first font size
and a second font size; and the body text 120 is displayed in a
second font face and a third font size. Although not discernable
from the figure, the title 116, section headings 118a, b, and body
text 120 may each be displayed in a different color.
[0023] After a font set 104 and a color set 106 are selected via
the format gallery 102 to define a format set, an input command may
be generated to initiate the process of applying the selected
format set to the document 114. The input command may be generated
by way of an "Apply all" button 122, or similar control interface.
According to one aspect of the invention, reformatting of the
document 114 is performed in such a way as to maintain its
integrity and proportionality. Reformatting is performed according
to a method referred to herein as "fuzzy matching."
[0024] Prior to turning to FIG. 1B, assume that the document 114 of
FIG. 1A has the following formats: the title 116 is displayed in a
forty-eight point New Zurica font face having an orange color; the
section headings 118a, b are each displayed in an eighteen point
Times New Roman font face with a red color; and the body text 120
is displayed in a twelve point Arial font face having an automatic
(black) color. Also note that the format gallery 102 indicates that
the selected font set 104 is "Curly-Q" and the selected color set
106 is "Ocean." Thus, the selected format set is referred to as
"Curly-Q Ocean." FIG. 1A thus portrays the state of the document
114 prior to activation of the "Apply all" button 122.
[0025] FIG. 1B shows the reformatted document 114' after the
Curly-Q Ocean format set was selected and the "Apply all" button
122 was activated. The reformatted title 116' is now displayed in a
forty-eight point Curlz MT font face having a midnight teal color;
the reformatted section headings 118a', b' are each displayed in a
twenty-two point Curlz MT font face with a green color; and the
reformatted body text 120' is displayed in a twelve point Tempus
Sands ITC font face having an automatic (black) color. Accordingly,
the selected Curly-Q Ocean format set was applied to the document
114 in such a manner that the integrity and proportionality of the
original formatting were largely maintained. In particular, the
relative size differences between the title 116, the section
headings 118a, b, and the body text 120 were closely maintained.
Also, although the original colors of the title 116, and the
section headings 118a, b were altered, color variations between the
title 116, the section headings 118a, b, and the body text 120 were
maintained within the predefined Ocean color scheme.
[0026] As mentioned, one aspect of the invention contemplates
application of a format set according to a fuzzy matching method.
According to the fuzzy matching method, a document 114 includes one
or more originally formatted portions of text. The originally
formatted portions of text are each analyzed to identify the
original formatting thereof. Then, the original formatting of each
portion of text is compared to each format included within the
selected format set. The format of the format set that most closely
matches the original formatting of each portion of text is applied
to the corresponding portion of text. In order to determine whether
an original formatting most closely matches a format within a
format set, a weighted ranking or other appropriate logic operation
may be employed. As an example of the fuzzy matching method, in
reformatting the document 114 of FIG. 1, a determination may be
made as to which of the formats included within the Curly-Q Ocean
format set most closely matched the original format (New Zurica,
forty-eight point, orange) of the title 116. Some of the
predetermined formats included in the Curly-Q Ocean format set are:
(Curlz MT, forty-eight point, midnight teal), (Curlz MT, twenty-six
point, medium green), (Curlz MT, twenty-two point, green), (Curlz
MT, fourteen point, midnight teal), (Curlz MT, seventeen point,
green), (Tempus Sans ITC, twelve point, automatic), (Curlz MT,
eleven point, midnight teal), (Tempus Sans ITC, ten point,
automatic), (Tempus Sans ITC, ten point, medium green), (Tempus
Sans ITC, ten point, turquoise) and (Tempus Sans ITC, nine point,
green). It may be seen that none of the above-listed formats from
the Curly-Q Ocean format set define a font color of orange or a
font face of New Zurica and only one format defines a font size of
forty-eight points. Thus, a weighting ranking based on matching
font color, font face and font size may lead to the conclusion that
the format (Curlz MT, forty-eight point, midnight teal) from the
Curly-Q Ocean format set most closely matches the original format
(New Zurica, forty-eight point, orange) of the title 116.
Accordingly, the reformatted title 116' shown in FIG. 1B is
displayed in a forty-eight point Curlz MT font having a color of
midnight teal. Further details regarding exemplary embodiments of
the fuzzy matching method will be described below.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a screen shot of the interface of a word
processing program module that illustrates an exemplary "live
preview" aspect of the format gallery 102 of the present invention.
The phrase "live preview" is used herein to describe a method of
demonstrating the appearance of a portion of text formatted with
several different formats. In one embodiment, live preview allows
the user to view and compare a selected portion of text, referred
to as the live preview text 201, in several formats at the same
time. Thus, the user is able to visualize the appearance of the
live preview text 201 in different formats, before actually
selecting a format for reformatting the text in the document
114.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, a "format item" tab 202 or other
appropriate interface control may be provided for the format
gallery 102. Activation of the format item tab 202 triggers a
second display of the format gallery 102. The second display of the
format gallery 102 is geared toward reformatting an individual item
(e.g., portion of text) in a document 114. The second display of
the format gallery 102 thus differs in function from the first
display, shown in and described with respect to FIG. 1, which is
geared toward reformatting the entire document 114. The second
display of the format gallery 102 includes a control, such as a
pull-down menu, for selection of a font set 104. The second display
of the format gallery 102 also includes a control, such as a
pull-down menu, for selection of a color set 106. Furthermore, the
second display of the format gallery 102 includes a live preview
window 204 for displaying live preview text 201 in various formats
from a format set defined by the selected color set 104 and the
selected font set 106.
[0029] A format sample may be determined from the format set. A
format sample comprises a number of formats from the format set.
The live preview text will be displayed in the live preview window
204 in each of the formats from the format sample. As shown, the
live preview text 201 comprising the words "Sed Diam" is displayed
in several sample formats. A format sample may be used for live
preview because the number of formats within an entire format set
may be too large. The formats within the format sample may thus be
representative formats from the format set that should provide the
user with several aesthetically pleasing design choices.
Accordingly, from a given format set, a different format sample may
be chosen for live preview of title text 116 than would be chosen
for live preview of body text 120. A format sample chosen for live
preview of title text 116 may include heavier fonts, larger font
sizes, and bolder font colors, for example.
[0030] In one embodiment, choice of the live preview text 201 may
depend on whether the user has selected any text within the
document 114 for live preview. Thus, the document 114 may be
scanned to determine whether the user has highlighted a portion of
text, so as to indicate a desire to live preview the highlighted
text. In another embodiment, the live preview text 201 may be
considered to be the text positioned immediately adjacent to the
cursor (even if no highlighting is detected). As demonstrated in
FIG. 2, the first line of the section heading 118a "Sed Diam" is
positioned immediately adjacent to the cursor 207 and is thus
displayed as the live preview text 201. In any case, if no text
within the document 114 can be identified for live preview, a
default text string, such as the word "text" may be used as the
live preview text 201, Depending on the size of the live preview
window 204, the live preview text 201 may be constrained to a
particular number of characters. In particular, if the cursor 207
is positioned at the start of the first sentence of the body text
120, it may be the case that only the first few words "Ipsum dolor
sit" are used for live preview.
[0031] The second display of the format gallery 102 may also
include a "custom format window" 206. By way of the custom format
window 206, the user may be provided the opportunity to create a
custom format to be added to the sample of formats and to the
format set. By way of illustration, the user may interact with any
of the formatting tools provided by the application program in
order to apply a certain format to a portion of text. The user may
then select the custom formatted portion of text, such as by
highlighting or positioning the cursor in proximity thereto. Once
selected, the custom formatted portion of text will be displayed as
the live preview text 201 in the live preview window 204
(reformatted according to a sample of formats.) However, if the
user activates an appropriate control, such as an "add" button 208,
the custom formatted portion of text may be displayed (with the
custom format) in the custom format window 206. The custom format
may also be added to the sample of formats and to the format set.
Thus, subsequent live preview text 201 will be displayed with the
appropriate sample of formats in the live preview window 204 and
with the custom format in the custom format window 206. Those
skilled in the art will appreciate that the custom format window
206 may be implemented as a portion of the live preview window 204
or as its own separate window.
[0032] After the live preview text 201 is displayed in the live
preview window 204 and/or the custom format window 206, the user
may select one of the sample or custom formats, for example, by
interacting with the desired portion of live preview text 201 with
a pointing device. Selection of one of the sample or custom formats
causes the corresponding text within the document 114 to be
reformatted accordingly.
[0033] The exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be
implemented by way of one or more program modules comprising
computer-executable instructions for performing the methods of the
present invention. Generally, program modules include routines,
programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular
tasks or implement particular abstract data types when executed by
a computer system. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a computer system
that may serve as an exemplary operating environment for
implementation of the program modules of the present invention. The
exemplary operating environment includes a general-purpose
computing device in the form of a conventional personal computer
320.
[0034] Generally, a personal computer 320 includes a processing
unit 321, a system memory 322, and a system bus 323 that couples
various system components including the system memory 322 to
processing unit 321. System bus 323 may be any of several types of
bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a
peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus
architectures. The system memory includes a read only memory (ROM)
324 and random access memory (RAM) 325. A basic input/output system
(BIOS) 326, containing the basic routines that helps to transfer
information between elements within personal computer 320, such as
during start-up, is stored in ROM 324.
[0035] Personal computer 320 further includes a hard disk drive 327
for reading from and writing to a hard disk, not shown, a magnetic
disk drive 328 for reading from or writing to a removable magnetic
disk 329, and an optical disk drive 330 for reading from or writing
to a removable optical disk 331 such as a CD-ROM or other optical
media. Hard disk drive 327, magnetic disk drive 328, and optical
disk drive 330 are connected to system bus 323 by a hard disk drive
interface 332, a magnetic disk drive interface 333, and an optical
disk drive interface 334, respectively. Although the exemplary
environment described herein employs hard disk 327, removable
magnetic disk 329, and removable optical disk 331, it should be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that other types of
computer readable media which can store data that is accessible by
a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital
video disks, Bernoulli cartridges, RAMs, ROMs, and the like, may
also be used in the exemplary operating environment. The drives and
their associated computer readable media provide nonvolatile
storage of computer-executable instructions, data structures,
program modules, and other data for personal computer 320. For
example, one or more data files 360 (not shown) may be stored in
the RAM 325 and/or hard drive 327 of the personal computer 320.
[0036] A number of program modules may be stored on hard disk 327,
magnetic disk 329, optical disk 331, ROM 324, or RAM 325, including
an operating system 335, one or more application program modules
336, a fuzzy matching module 338, a live preview program module
339, and other program modules. The fuzzy matching module 338 and
the live preview program module 339 of the present invention may be
incorporated into or may otherwise be in communication with the
application program module 336. Generally, a fuzzy matching module
338 includes computer-executable instructions for analyzing a
target document to identify discrete portions of text and
determining which formats of a selected format set are to be
applied to each identified discrete portion of text. A live preview
program module 339 generally comprises computer-executable
instructions for applying a number of different formats from a
format set to a sample of text and displaying the samples of
formatted text.
[0037] A user may enter commands and information into personal
computer 320 through input devices, such as a keyboard 340 and a
pointing device 342. Other input devices (not shown) may include a
microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the
like. These and other input devices are often connected to
processing unit 321 through a serial port interface 346 that is
coupled to the system bus 323, but may be connected by other
interfaces, such as a parallel port, game port, a universal serial
bus (USB), or the like. A display device 347 may also be connected
to system bus 323 via an interface, such as a video adapter 348. In
addition to the monitor, personal computers typically include other
peripheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers and
printers.
[0038] Personal computer 320 may operate in a networked environment
using logical connections to one or more remote computers 349.
Remote computer 349 may be another personal computer, a server, a
client, a router, a network PC, a peer device, or other common
network node. While a remote computer 349 typically includes many
or all of the elements described above relative to personal
computer 320, only a memory storage device 350 has been illustrated
in the figure. The logical connections depicted in the figure
include a local area network (LAN) 351 and a wide area network
(WAN) 352. Such networking environments are commonplace in offices,
enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, and the Internet.
[0039] When used in a LAN networking environment, personal computer
320 is connected to local area network 351 through a network
interface or adapter 353. When used in a WAN networking
environment, personal computer 320 typically includes a modem 354
or other means for establishing communications over WAN 352, such
as the Internet. Modem 354, which may be internal or external, is
connected to system bus 323 via serial port interface 346. In a
networked environment, program modules depicted relative to
personal computer 320, or portions thereof, may be stored in the
remote memory storage device 350. It will be appreciated that the
network connections shown are exemplary and other means of
establishing a communications link between the computers may be
used.
[0040] Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
present invention may be implemented in other computer system
configurations, including hand-held devices, multiprocessor
systems, microprocessor based or programmable consumer electronics,
network person computers, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and
the like. The invention may also be practiced in distributed
computing environments, where tasks are performed by remote
processing devices that are linked through a communications
network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules
may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.
[0041] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary fuzzy
matching method in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention. The exemplary method 400 begins at starting block 401,
where an application program module, such as a word processing or
desktop publishing program module, is executed by a computer
system. From starting block 401, the method proceeds to step 402,
where a format set is determined based on user selection of a color
set and a font set. Next, the method 400 moves to step 404, where
each format in the format set is determined. As previously
mentioned, a format set may include a number of predefined formats
(format.sub.n, format.sub.n+1, format.sub.n+2, . . . ). In an
exemplary embodiment, a format defines a font face, a font size and
a font color. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a
format may also define any other formatting option, such as font
style (bold, italics, etc), text alignment, list styles (bullets,
numbering, etc.), and the like.
[0042] At step 406, a document is scanned to identify and select
the next (first) a discrete portion of text. As used herein, the
term "discrete portion of text" is meant to describe a continuous
portion of text having a consistent format applied thereto. A
document may thus comprise one or more discrete portions of text.
Thus, the text of a document may be scanned in order to locate
transitions in formatting, which would signify a new discrete
portion of text. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that
there may be many alternate methods for scanning text to identify
discrete portions thereof.
[0043] Next at step 408, the first discrete portion of document
text is analyzed to determine its font name, font color, font size.
Again, for the sake of simplification, this example discusses only
font name, font color and font size, although other format
properties may be utilized as well. At step 410, the first format
in the format set is selected. For clarity, the format of the
format set may be referred to herein in terms of format_font name,
format_font color and format_font size, while the original format
of the document text may be referred to herein in terms of
text_font name, text_font color and text_font size.
[0044] At step 412, a determination is made as to whether the
format_font name matches the text_font name. If the format_font
name matches the text_font name, a determined number of "points" is
added to a "match quality value" at step 414. A match quality value
is a value that is recorded for each format of the format set and
used for subsequent comparison purposes. Thus, a match quality
value.sub.n is calculated for each format.sub.n of the format set.
Match quality values are thus relative values, meaning that their
starting values and number of points added to match quality values
are discretionary. For example, each initial match quality value
may be zero and five points may be added to the initial match
quality value if the format_font name matches the text_font
name.
[0045] If the format_font name does not match the text_font name at
step 412, or after the appropriate number of points are added to
the match quality value at step 414, the method proceeds to step
416, where a determination is made as to whether the format_font
color matches the text_font color. If the format_font color matches
the text_font color, another determined number of points is added
to the match quality value at step 418. The determined number of
points may be the same as or different from the number of points
added for a font name match. Obviously a different number of points
would be added for a font color match if it were desired to weight
such a match differently.
[0046] If the format_font color does not match the text_font color
at step 416, or after the appropriate number of points are added to
the match quality value at step 418, the method proceeds to step
420, where a determination is made as to whether the format_font
size is greater than the text_font size. If the format_font size is
greater than the text_font size, the method moves to step 422. At
step 422, the ratio of the text_font size to the format_font size
is multiplied by a determined number X (e.g., X=30) and that number
of points is added to the match quality value. Again, the
determined number is discretionary based on the weight desired to
be assigned to a font size match. If the format_font size is not
greater than the text_font size the method proceeds to step 424. At
step 424, the ratio of the format_font size to the text_font size
is multiplied by the determined number X and that number of points
is added to the match quality value. After the appropriate number
of points are added to the match quality value at step 422 or step
424, the method proceeds to step 426.
[0047] The above-described weighting process is repeated for every
format in the format set. Thus, at step 426, a determination is
made as to whether there is another format in the format set. If
so, n is incremented (n=n+1) at step 428 such that the next format
and corresponding match quality value are selected. From step 428,
the above-described method is repeated from step 412 until it is
determined at step 426 that there is no other format in the format
set. When it is determined that there is no other format in the
format set, the method advances to step 430, where the format
having the greatest match quality value is applied to the selected
discrete portion of text in the document. Then at step 432, a
determination is made as to whether there is another discrete
portion of text in the document. If so, n is reset (n=1) at step
434 and the above-described method is repeated from step 406 until
it is determined that there is not other discrete portion of
document text at step 432. When it is determined that there is no
other discrete portion of document text to be reformatted, the
method ends at step 436. Therefore, by way of the above-described
fuzzy matching method, each discrete portion of text in a document
may be reformatted with a different format from the selected format
set. As a result, the integrity and proportionality of the document
should be largely preserved.
[0048] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary live
preview method 500 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention. The method 500 begins at starting block 501,
where an application program module, such as a word processing or
desktop publishing program module, is executed by a computer
system. From starting block 501, the method 500 proceeds to step
502, where a format set is determined based on user selection of a
color set and a font set. Next at step 504, a sample of formats is
determined from the format set. A sample of formats comprises some
or all of the formats in the format set. Thus, the sample of
formats comprises format.sub.N, format.sub.N+1, format.sub.n+2, . .
. . A selected string of text will be displayed in each of the
formats included within the sample of formats. As such, the sample
of formats should include a enough representative formats to give
the user a wide range of format choices within a format set
[0049] At step 506, the live preview text is identified. In one
embodiment, the document may be scanned in order to determine what
text, if any, has been selected by the user for live preview. For
example, it may be determined that the user has highlighted a
portion of text indicating a desire to live preview the highlighted
text. In another the text positioned immediately adjacent to the
cursor may be considered to be the live preview text. In any case,
if no live preview text can be identified, a default text string,
such as the word "text" may be used as the live preview text.
Depending on the size of the live preview pane, the live preview
text may be constrained to a particular number of characters.
[0050] As mentioned, the live preview text will be displayed in
each of the formats included within the sample of formats. Thus, at
step 508, the first format from the sample of formats is selected.
As mentioned, a format may comprise many properties, such as font
name, font color and font size. At step 510 the live preview text
is reformatted with the selected sample and at step 512 the
reformatted text is displayed in a preview pane. Then at step 514,
a determination is made as to whether there is another format in
the sample of formats. If another format exists, the next format is
chosen (N=N+1) at step 516 and the method returns to step 508,
where the second format from the sample of formats is selected. At
step 510 the live preview text is reformatted with the selected
format. The method is thus repeated from step 508 until it is
determined at step 514 that no other formats exist within the
sample of formats. It should be appreciated that display of the
live preview text in each of the formats of the sample of formats
may be accomplished in various ways, such as in a list or table.
However, it is preferable to display all (or at least some) of the
differently formatted text at the same time, so that the user may
compare the different appearances.
[0051] In one embodiment, the user may be provided the opportunity
to create a custom format to be added to the sample of formats and
to the format set. For example, the user may apply a certain format
to a portion of text and then select that portion of text as the
live preview text. The user may then activate an "add" button or
other suitable interface in order to cause the existing format of
the live preview text to be added to the sample of formats and to
the format set. Accordingly, subsequent live preview text will be
displayed in the custom format as well as the other formats
included in the sample of formats. Optionally, within the live
preview pane, live preview text formatted with a custom format may
be separated from live preview text formatted with standard
formats. When it is determined that there are no other formats in
the sample of formats, the method 500 ends at step 518.
[0052] The above description of exemplary embodiment of the present
invention were provided by way of example only and not by way of
limitation. Many elements of exemplary embodiments have been
described using permissive language, such as "may" or should,"
meaning that such elements are optional and not mandatory. Unless
an element has been described using clear mandatory language, such
as "must" or "shall," it should be considered an optional element.
From a reading of the foregoing, alternate embodiments of the
present invention will become apparent to those having ordinary
skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. Such
alternate embodiments are considered to be encompassed within the
spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope
of the present invention is described by the appended claims and is
supported by the foregoing description.
[0053] We claim:
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