U.S. patent application number 12/795615 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-30 for method and apparatus for determining font attributes.
Invention is credited to Imran Chaudhri.
Application Number | 20100251108 12/795615 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37037427 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100251108 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chaudhri; Imran |
September 30, 2010 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING FONT ATTRIBUTES
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for text formatting. In one exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, a method to determine a font
attribute includes: determining a first number and a second number;
receiving input resulting from a sliding (or other repositioning
method) of a thumb of a slider to a position; and determining a
value for the font attribute from the position relative to the
slider and the first and second numbers. In one example according
to this aspect, the font attribute is one of: a) font size; b)
boldness; c) italic angle; d) baseline offset; e) line spacing; and
f) character spacing. At least one of the first number and the
second number is adjusted in one example, when the thumb is pushed
against one end of the slider. In another example according to this
aspect, at least one of the first number and the second number is
updated when a first input is received (e.g., selecting a value
from a list, typing in a value; or pushing a thumb against one end
of a slider), which determines the at least one of the first and
second number.
Inventors: |
Chaudhri; Imran; (San
Francisco, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
APPLE INC./BSTZ;BLAKELY SOKOLOFF TAYLOR & ZAFMAN LLP
1279 OAKMEAD PARKWAY, SUITE 300
SUNNYVALE
CA
94085-4040
US
|
Family ID: |
37037427 |
Appl. No.: |
12/795615 |
Filed: |
June 7, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11524623 |
Sep 20, 2006 |
7735020 |
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12795615 |
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10100878 |
Mar 18, 2002 |
7117450 |
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11524623 |
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60364974 |
Mar 15, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
715/269 ;
715/800; 715/833 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/04847
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/269 ;
715/833; 715/800 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/048 20060101
G06F003/048; G06F 17/00 20060101 G06F017/00 |
Claims
1. A machine implemented method to determine a parameter, the
method comprising: displaying a user interface in a first mode in
which a representation of a command is displayed, the
representation of the command, when activated, causing the display
of a list from which a parameter is selected, the list having at
least a first parameter and a second parameter; receiving an input
to switch from either the first mode to a second mode or to switch
from the second mode to the first mode; displaying a user interface
in a second mode in which a slider replaces the list displayed in
the first mode, wherein the slider is displayed with a unitary
thumb having a position along the slider between a position for a
maximum parameter and a position for a minimum parameter, the thumb
being movable relative to the slider in response to a user input to
select a parameter, the position of the thumb determining a
selection of a parameter from the list which includes the first
parameter and the second parameter.
2. The method as in claim 1 wherein the input to switch comprises
resizing a window.
3. The method as in claim 1 wherein the list further comprises one
of a font attribute.
4. The method as in claim 3 wherein the font attribute is one of:
font size, boldness, italic angle, baseline offset, line spacing
and character spacing.
5. The method as in claim 1 wherein the representation of the
command is one of: a combination box, a pop-up menu, and a
selection list.
6. A machine readable medium containing executable computer program
instructions which when executed by a data processing system cause
the system to perform a method comprising: displaying a user
interface in a first mode in which a representation of a command is
displayed, the representation of the command, when activated,
causing the display of a list from which a parameter is selected,
the list having at least a first parameter and a second parameter;
receiving an input to switch from either the first mode to a second
mode or to switch from the second mode to the first mode;
displaying a user interface in a second mode in which a slider
replaces the list displayed in the first mode, wherein the slider
is displayed with a unitary thumb having a position along the
slider between a position for a maximum parameter and a position
for a minimum parameter, the thumb being movable relative to the
slider in response to a user input to select a parameter, the
position of the thumb determining a selection of a parameter from
the list which includes the first parameter and the second
parameter.
7. The medium as in claim 6 wherein the input to switch comprises
resizing a window.
8. The medium as in claim 6 wherein the list further comprises one
of a font attribute.
9. The medium as in claim 8 wherein the font attribute is one of:
font size, boldness, italic angle, baseline offset, line spacing
and character spacing.
10. The medium as in claim 6 wherein the representation of the
command is one of: a combination box, a pop-up menu, and a
selection list.
11. A method for switching a device from a first mode to a second
mode, the method comprising: displaying multiple lists of
parameters that are independent of each other; receiving input to
switch from the first mode to the second mode or to switch from the
second mode to the first mode for one of the multiple lists of
parameters; replacing, in response to the receiving of the input,
the first mode comprising a representation of a command which when
activated causes the display of a list which allows selection of a
value in the one of the multiple lists of parameters, with a second
mode comprising a slider displaying a unitary thumb at a position
along the slider that replaces the list displayed in the first
mode, the slider having a position for a maximum value and a
position for a minimum value, and the thumb being positionable
along the slider in response to a user input in order to select a
parameter in the one of the multiple lists of parameters; wherein
the position of the thumb selects a value for the one of the
multiple lists of parameters.
12. The method as in claim 11 further comprising: selecting one of
the multiple lists of parameters, when a list of parameters is
selected, an intermediate mode is displayed; the intermediate mode
further comprising, a slider with a thumb positioned along the
slider with a maximum value of the list of parameters on one end of
the slider and a minimum value of the list of parameters on another
end, and a mode selector to the first mode or the second mode, and
selecting one of the first mode or the second mode.
13. The method as in claim 11 further comprising resizing a
window.
14. The method as in claim 11 wherein the list of parameters
further comprises a font attribute.
15. The method as in claim 14 wherein the font attribute comprises
one of: font size, boldness, italic angle, baseline offset, line
spacing and character spacing.
16. The method as in claim 11 wherein the representation of the
command comprises one of: a combination box, a pop-up menu, and a
selection list.
17. A machine readable medium containing executable computer
program instructions which when executed by a digital processing
system cause the system to perform a method to determine a
parameter, the method comprising: displaying multiple lists of
parameters that are independent of each other; receiving input to
switch from a first mode to a second mode or to switch from the
second mode to the first mode for one of the multiple lists of
parameters; replacing, in response to the receiving of the input,
the first mode comprising a representation of a command which when
activated causes the display of a list which allows selection of a
value in the one of the multiple lists of parameters, with a second
mode comprising a slider displaying a unitary thumb at a position
along the slider that replaces the list displayed in the first
mode, the slider having a position for a maximum value and a
position for a minimum value, and the thumb being positionable
along the slider in response to a user input in order to select a
parameter in one of the multiple lists of parameters; wherein the
position of the thumb selects a value for the one of the multiple
lists of parameters.
18. The machine readable medium as in claim 17 further comprising:
selecting one of the multiple lists of parameters, when a list of
parameters is selected, an intermediate mode is displayed; the
intermediate mode further comprising, a slider with a thumb
positioned along the slider with a maximum value of the list of
parameters on one end of the slider and a minimum value of the list
of parameters on another end, and a mode selector to the first mode
or the second mode, and selecting one of the first mode or the
second mode.
19. The machine readable medium as in claim 17 further comprising
resizing a window.
20. The machine readable medium as in claim 17 wherein the list of
parameters further comprises one of a font attribute.
21. The machine readable medium as in claim 20 wherein the font
attribute is comprises one of: font size, boldness, italic angle,
baseline offset, line spacing and character spacing.
22. The machine readable medium as in claim 17 wherein the
representation of the command comprises one of: a combination box,
a pop-up menu, and a selection list.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/524,623, filed on Sep. 20, 2006, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/100,878, filed
on Mar. 18, 2002, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,117,450, and also
claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/364,974, filed on Mar. 15, 2002, entitled
"Method and Apparatus for Determining Font Attributes" by the
inventor Imran Chaudhri.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to Graphical User Interfaces (GUI),
and more particularly to a GUI for determining font attributes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many software applications (e.g., a word processor, a
drawing application, or others) can be used to manipulate text
information. Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) help users to select
various parameters in formatting text. Typically, a font panel or a
text format tool bar is provided by a software application so that
a user can interactively select or specify font attributes (e.g.,
font size, line spacing) in formatting text.
[0004] FIGS. 2-3 show a prior art method to adjust font attributes.
In FIG. 2, font panel 200 is a movable window with title bar 201
and main panel 203. The main panel contains a number of standard
GUI components, such as pop-up menu 205, combination box 209,
option list 211 with checkboxes 221-223, and push buttons 231-233.
Pop-up menu 205, when activated (e.g., by selecting with cursor,
pointing the cursor at the menu and pressing a button such as a
mouse's button, or by using a shortcut key, or by other means),
shows a list of available fonts in a pop-up window, from which a
user can select one by a conventional point and click method.
Combination box (or combo box) 209 allows a user to type in a value
to specify the size for the selected font, or activating a pop-up
menu to select one value from a list of predetermined options.
Checkboxes 221-223 are provide for the user to select a font style
(e.g., bold, italic, underline, or combinations of bold, italic and
underline). Once the user is satisfied with the selection, push
button 231 can be pressed to apply the new values to the
corresponding font attributes; or push button 232 can be pressed to
apply the new values and dismiss the font panel; or push button 233
can be pressed to discard the selection and dismiss the font
panel.
[0005] Once arrow 207 of combo box 209 is pressed by cursor 301
(e.g., clicking a button of a mouse while the cursor is on the
arrow), pop-up window 303 appears, as shown in FIG. 3. A user can
then point the cursor to a desired font size on the list and click
on it to select the size. The predetermined list in pop-up window
303 provides a limited choice. When a desired font size is not
available from the list, a user must type in the size in combo box
209.
[0006] While these methods provide convenient interfaces for
selecting parameters to format text, more user friendly and
effective methods are desirable, since formatting text is a
frequently performed task for many, many users.
SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION
[0007] Methods and apparatuses for text formatting are described
here.
[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, a method to
determine a font attribute includes: determining a first number and
a second number; receiving input resulting from a sliding of a
thumb of a slider to a position; and determining a value for the
font attribute from the position relative to the slider and the
first and second numbers. In one example according to this aspect,
the font attribute is one of: a) font size; b) boldness; c) italic
angle; d) baseline offset; e) line spacing; and f) character
spacing. At least one of the first number and the second number is
adjusted in one exemplary embodiment, when the thumb is pushed
against one end of the slider. In another example according to this
aspect, at least one of the first number and the second number is
updated when a first input is received (e.g., selecting a value
from a list, typing in a value; or pushing a thumb against one end
of a slider), which determines the at least one of the first and
second number. When an input for switching from a first mode to a
second mode is received, the slider is replaced with a
representation of a command (e.g., a combination box, a pop-up
menu, a selection list, or others), which when activated allows
selection of a value from a list (or entry of text in a text
field).
[0009] The present invention includes apparatuses which perform
these methods, including data processing systems which perform
these methods and computer readable media which when executed on
data processing systems cause the systems to perform these
methods.
[0010] Other features of the present invention will be apparent
from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description
which follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The present invention is illustrated by way of example and
not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which
like references indicate similar elements.
[0012] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram example of a data processing
system which may be used with the present invention.
[0013] FIGS. 2-3 show a prior art method to adjust font
attributes.
[0014] FIGS. 4-7 show examples of methods to adjust font attributes
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIGS. 8-9 show alternative methods to adjust font attributes
according to alternative embodiments of the present invention.
[0016] FIGS. 10-11 show methods to set maximum and minimum values
for a slider in one embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 12 shows an example of scaling a slider according to
one embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIGS. 13-14 show methods to format text according to
embodiments of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 15 shows a flow chart of a method to adjust font
attributes according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 16 shows a detailed flow chart of a method to adjust
font attributes according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The following description and drawings are illustrative of
the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the
invention. Numerous specific details are described to provide a
thorough understanding of the present invention. However, in
certain instances, well known or conventional details are not
described in order to avoid obscuring the description of the
present invention.
[0022] FIG. 1 shows one example of a typical computer system which
may be used with the present invention. Note that while FIG. 1
illustrates various components of a computer system, it is not
intended to represent any particular architecture or manner of
interconnecting the components as such details are not germane to
the present invention. It will also be appreciated that network
computers and other data processing systems which have fewer
components or perhaps more components may also be used with the
present invention. The computer system of FIG. 1 may, for example,
be an Apple Macintosh computer.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the computer system 101, which is a form
of a data processing system, includes a bus 102 which is coupled to
a microprocessor 103 and a ROM 107 and volatile RAM 105 and a
non-volatile memory 106. The microprocessor 103, which may be a G3
or G4 microprocessor from Motorola, Inc. or IBM is coupled to cache
memory 104 as shown in the example of FIG. 1. The bus 102
interconnects these various components together and also
interconnects these components 103, 107, 105, and 106 to a display
controller and display device 108 and to peripheral devices such as
input/output (I/O) devices which may be mice, keyboards, modems,
network interfaces, printers, scanners, video cameras and other
devices which are well known in the art. Typically, the
input/output devices 110 are coupled to the system through
input/output controllers 109. The volatile RAM 105 is typically
implemented as dynamic RAM (DRAM) which requires power continually
in order to refresh or maintain the data in the memory. The
non-volatile memory 106 is typically a magnetic hard drive or a
magnetic optical drive or an optical drive or a DVD RAM or other
type of memory systems which maintain data even after power is
removed from the system. Typically, the non-volatile memory will
also be a random access memory although this is not required. While
FIG. 1 shows that the non-volatile memory is a local device coupled
directly to the rest of the components in the data processing
system, it will be appreciated that the present invention may
utilize a non-volatile memory which is remote from the system, such
as a network storage device which is coupled to the data processing
system through a network interface such as a modem or Ethernet
interface. The bus 102 may include one or more buses connected to
each other through various bridges, controllers and/or adapters as
is well known in the art. In one embodiment the I/O controller 109
includes a USB (Universal Serial Bus) adapter for controlling USB
peripherals.
[0024] It will be apparent from this description that aspects of
the present invention may be embodied, at least in part, in
software. That is, the techniques may be carried out in a computer
system or other data processing system in response to its
processor, such as a microprocessor, executing sequences of
instructions contained in a memory, such as ROM 107, volatile RAM
105, non-volatile memory 106, cache 104 or a remote storage device.
In various embodiments, hardwired circuitry may be used in
combination with software instructions to implement the present
invention. Thus, the techniques are not limited to any specific
combination of hardware circuitry and software nor to any
particular source for the instructions executed by the data
processing system. In addition, throughout this description,
various functions and operations are described as being performed
by or caused by software code to simplify description. However,
those skilled in the art will recognize what is meant by such
expressions is that the functions result from execution of the code
by a processor, such as the microprocessor 103.
[0025] At least one embodiment of the present invention seeks to
utilize sliders to set various font attributes for formatting
text.
[0026] FIGS. 4-7 show examples of methods to adjust font attributes
according to one embodiment of the present invention. Window 400 in
FIG. 4 contains title bar 401 and main panel 411. Title bar 401
contains in one exemplary embodiment icon buttons 402, 403 and 404
for closing the window, minimizing the window, and maximizing the
window. Main panel 411 contains labels 441-444, showing the font
attributes that can be changed using the selection lists below
them. Selection lists 451-454 shows available options for the
corresponding font attributes. Some of the option lists (e.g., list
452, 453, or 454) contain more items than that can be
simultaneously made visible in the corresponding display areas.
Thus, the scroll bar (e.g., scroll bar 461) is provided so that a
user can scroll to see different parts of the list in the displayed
area (e.g., 454). For example, a user may pull down thumb 465 to
reveal available font sizes other than those currently displayed in
area 454. The user may pull down thumb 465 by, for example, placing
a cursor over the thumb, selecting the thumb (by pressing down on a
mouse button while the cursor is over the thumb) and "dragging" the
thumb down (by moving the mouse while keeping the mouse button
pressed). The size of selected text may be changed dynamically and
interactively when the user repositions thumb 465. Thus the user
can see the result, on the selected text, of changing the position
of the thumb as the user causes the thumb to be moved. Note that
such scrollable list may be scrolled by means other than a scroll
bar. For example, a scrollable list may be scrolled by arrow icons,
or by arrow keys, or by placing a cursor near the boundary of the
display area.
[0027] Pop-down menu 413, when activated by cursor 415, brings up
menu list 421 for further options. When menu item "Edit Font Size .
. . " is selected, dialog window 500 as shown in FIG. 5
appears.
[0028] Window 500 contains radio buttons 503 and 505 for selecting
whether to display the font size options as a fixed list (505) or
an adjustable slider (503). When radio button 503 is pressed, the
font size option is displayed as slider 515. Text entries 511 and
513 show the maximum and minimum font sizes corresponding to the
sizes selected when the thumb 517 is at the top and the bottom of
slider 515 respectively. A user can type in customized limits for
the maximum and minimum font sizes in text entries 511 and 513.
Alternatively, combo boxes can be used in the places of text
entries 511 and 513 so that a user can simply select customized
limits from predetermined lists. In another embodiment of the
present invention, the maximum and minimum font size can be changed
by pressing thumb 517 against one end of the slider. More details
on this aspect are described below with FIGS. 10 and 11. When thumb
517 is moved to one position on slider 515, a selected font sized
is computed from the position. In one embodiment of the present
invention, a linear interpolation is used to determine the selected
font size from the position of the thumb relative to the ends of
the slider using the maximum and minimum font sizes, which
correspond to the font sizes when the thumb is at the ends of the
slider. In another embodiment of the present invention, the maximum
and minimum sizes determine a list of option values; and the
position of thumb 517 is used to select one from the list. When the
user uses the maximum and the minimum to define a smaller range of
font size, the selected font size changes smoothly as the thumb
moves; when the user uses the maximum and minimum to define a
larger range of font size, the slider can provide size options in a
wider range with a lower resolution.
[0029] When the user is satisfied with the setting, push button 501
can be pressed to activate the setting and dismiss window 500.
Since option 503 is selected to display font size as an adjustable
slider, window 400 in FIG. 4 becomes window 600 in FIG. 6. Font
size selection list 454 is converted into font size selection
slider 603. Text entry 601 displays the currently selected font
size, as determined from the position of thumb 605 and the maximum
and minimum sizes specified previously in text entries 511 and 513
(in FIG. 5). Note that, a combo box (which includes a list of
selectable items and a text entry field into which a user may enter
text) may be used in the place of text entry 601 to allow a user to
select from a pop-up menu; or, a label may be used in the place of
text entry 601 to prevent the user from typing in a value.
[0030] Corner 463 of window 600 in FIG. 6 (or corner 463 of window
400 in FIG. 4) can be dragged by a cursor to resize the window.
When window 600 (or window 400) is enlarged, larger display areas
are available to the selections lists (e.g., lists 451, 452, and
454) and slider 603. Thus, more options can be shown in the
displayed area simultaneously. Since the slider is longer, it is
easier to control the movement of thumb 605. When window 600 (or
window 400) is reduced to a smaller height, the selection list and
the slider can be resized to use smaller display areas. When the
height of the window is smaller than a predetermined value,
selection lists (e.g., lists 451-453) and the slider are not
effective in displaying options. Thus, they can be converted into
pop-up menus and a combo box, as shown in FIG. 7. Alternatively, a
button (e.g., icon button 405) can be used to switch from window
600 in a normal mode to window 700 in a mini mode in FIG. 7.
Similarly, an optional button 701 on window 700 in FIG. 7 can be
pressed to switching window 700 in the mini mode back to window 600
in the normal mode; or, cursor 703 can drag the corner of window
700 to enlarge the window to the normal mode.
[0031] Window 700 in FIG. 7 has pop-up menus 751-753 for accessing
selection lists 451-453. When activated, combo box 754 can bring up
a scrollable selection list in a popup window, or a slider in a
dialog window (e.g., window 500 or 800).
[0032] FIGS. 8-9 show alternative methods to adjust font attributes
according to alternative embodiments of the present invention. In
addition to slider 803, window 800 in FIG. 8 contains arrows 807
and 809. Arrows 807 and 809 are used to scroll thumb 805 in the
directions of the arrows. In one embodiment of the present
invention, small changes of predetermined amount can be applied to
the current selected value by clicking the arrows, providing a way
to fine tune the selected value. Label 801 follows the movement of
thumb 805 to display the current selected value.
[0033] Similarly, window 900 in FIG. 9 shows both the maximum and
minimum values in text entries 913 and 911. Slider 901 and scroll
arrows 907 and 905 are provided for selecting a value. The position
of thumb 903 of slider 901 and the maximum and minimum values, as
shown in text entries 911 and 913, determine the current value of
the font size.
[0034] FIGS. 10-11 show methods, which may be used in some
embodiments, to set maximum and minimum values for a slider. FIG.
10 shows examples of adjusting the minimum value using the thumb of
a slider. When thumb 1009 is pressed against the lower end of
slider 1005 by cursor 1007 (e.g., attempting to pull thumb below
the lower end of the slider, or pressing down and holding one
button of a mouse when the cursor is on the thumb and the thumb is
at the lower end of the slider), the minimum value of the slider
starts to decrease, as shown in entry 1013. When cursor 1017
continues to press thumb 1019 against the lower end of slider 1015,
the minimum value continues to decrease, at shown in entry 1023. In
one embodiment of the present invention, the minimum value pushed
to by the thumb can be brought back to a predetermined value by
some input, such as "double clicking", on the thumb, while the
thumb is at the lower end of the slider. For example, after cursor
1027 double clicks (e.g., rapidly pressing a mouse's button twice
in succession) thumb 1029 while thumb 1029 is at the lower end of
the slider, the minimum value in entry 1023 is brought back to the
default value in entry 1003. An alternative input, such as a
keystroke (e.g., "d" for default) may be used to restore the
default value. In one embodiment of the present invention, when the
thumb is pressed against the lower end of the slider to reduce the
minimum value, the maximum value is not changed, as shown by
entries 1001, 1011, and 1021. In anther embodiment of the present
invention, when the thumb is pressed against the lower end of the
slider, the slider adjusts the maximum value automatically to avoid
an excessively large size range. When the size range is limited,
the selected value changes smoothly when the position of the thumb
changes, which makes it easier to select a desirable value.
[0035] Similarly, FIG. 11 shows examples of adjusting the maximum
value of a slider using the thumb of the slider. When thumb 1109 is
moved between the upper and lower ends of slider 1105, the maximum
and the minimum values in entries 1101 and 1103 are not changed.
When thumb 1119 is moved to the upper end of slider 1115, the
maximum and the minimum values remain the same. When the thumb is
pressed against the upper end of the slider, the maximum value
increases, as shown in entry 1121. To avoid an accidental change in
the maximum value, it may be required that the thumb presses the
upper end "hard" enough to start a change (e.g., pressing longer
than a threshold time, or moving a mouse for a significant distance
while pressing the upper end). Similar to adjusting the minimum
value, the pushed-up value may be relaxed by an input (e.g., double
clicking) to the thumb; and, the minimum value may be automatically
adjusted to limit the range when the maximum value is pushed
up.
[0036] FIG. 12 shows an example of scaling a slider according to
one embodiment of the present invention. View 1201 displays labels
(or text entries) 1207 and 1209, slider 1203. The value displayed
in label 1207 (or 1209) corresponds to the minimum (or the maximum)
value for the slider when the thumb is at the top (or the bottom)
position of the slider. From the position of thumb 1202 and the
maximum and minimum values displayed on labels 1207 and 1209, the
slider determines the current value for display on label 1205.
Thumb 1202 can be pulled along slider 1203 to change the current
value. When view 1201 is resized to view 1211, slider 1213 and
thumb 1212 are resized so that all components are visible within
view 1211. When view 1211 is further resized to view 1221, the
sizes of slider 1223 and thumb 1222 are further reduced. When view
1221 is further resized to view 1231, the size of slider 1233 is
reduced; and no thumb is visible. In view 1231 (as well as in views
1201, 1211, 1221), scroll arrows (1237 and 1239) can be use to
scroll and to select a value.
[0037] FIGS. 13-14 show methods to format text according to
embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 13 shows a format window
containing sliders 1311-1316 for adjusting font size, boldness,
italic angle, character spacing, position (baseline offset) and
line spacing, as indicated by the corresponding labels 1301-1306.
Character spacing (inter-item spacing) may be adjusted according to
a percentage of a normal spacing (or according to a fixed
dimension). Similarly, line spacing may be adjusted according to a
percentage of a normal spacing, or according to a specified
dimension. The baseline of a character may be increased to raise
the character to a superscript position or higher, or be decreased
to lower it to a subscript position or lower. Further, a slider may
be used to push one or more characters forward or backward from a
normal position to form special effects. In one embodiment of the
present invention, a user can interactively and dynamically change
a font attribute (e.g., font size, boldness, italic angle, line
spacing, baseline offset, character spacing) of selected text using
a slider.
[0038] FIG. 14 shows another type of slider for a format window
according to one embodiment of the present invention. Text entries
(or combo boxes) 1421-1426 are used to receive type-in values and
to display the currently selected values. Sliders 1411-1416 can be
used to adjust the font attributes by moving the corresponding
thumbs. Further, the maximum and minimum values of the sliders can
be changed accordingly when the thumbs are pressed against the ends
of the sliders, as described above with FIGS. 10-11.
[0039] FIG. 15 shows a flow chart of a method to adjust font
attributes according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Operation 1501 determines default values for a first number and a
second number (e.g., the maximum and minimum values of a range).
Operation 1503 receives input (e.g., typing a value, selecting one
from a list, pushing a thumb against one end of a slider) to change
the first number. Operation 1505 receives input (e.g., typing a
value, selecting one from a list, pushing a thumb against one end
of a slider) to change the second number. Operation 1507 receives
input resulting from sliding a thumb of a slider to a position; and
operation 1509 determines a font attribute (e.g., font size,
boldness, italic angle, line spacing, baseline offset, character
spacing) from the position of the thumb of the slider and the first
and second numbers.
[0040] FIG. 16 shows a detailed flow chart of a method to adjust
font attributes according to one embodiment of the present
invention. Operation 1601 receives input (e.g., resizing a window,
pushing a button, selecting an option) selecting a mode to control
a font attribute (e.g., font size, boldness, italic angle, line
spacing, baseline offset, character spacing). When operation 1603
determines that a slider mode is selected, operation 1611 displays
a slider with a maximum and minimum associated with the slider.
Optionally, operation 1613 receives input for new values for the
maximum and the minimum. After operation 1615 receives input
resulting from a sliding of the thumb of the slider, operation 1617
determines a value for the font attribute according to the position
of the thumb and the maximum and the minimum. When operation 1603
determines that a slider mode is not selected, operation 1605
displays a predetermined list. After operation 1607 receives input
selecting an item from the predetermined list, operation 1609
determines a value for the font attribute according to the selected
item. It will be appreciated that sliding the movable thumb (e.g.,
by dragging the thumb) along the slider control is one of several
different ways of repositioning the thumb (sometimes also referred
to as a scroller) along the line of the slider control. Other ways
to reposition the thumb include pressing at least one key (e.g.,
the up or down arrow key) on a keyboard or selecting, with a cursor
and a mouse button, a position along the linear region. These
alternative ways to reposition the thumb may be used instead of, or
in addition to, the sliding of operation 1615 or 1507 and may be
used with the various different embodiments shown and described
herein. It will also be understood that dragging the thumb involves
positioning a cursor (e.g., through a mouse) over (or near) the
thumb and selecting the thumb (pressing a button such as a mouse's
button while the cursor is over the thumb to select the thumb) and
maintaining the selection (e.g., by keeping the button pressed)
while moving the cursor to thereby cause the thumb to move (usually
with the cursor) along the slider's line. The thumb may also be
moved by selecting a position on the slider's line; this may
involve pointing the cursor to a new position on the line and
pressing a button (e.g., a mouse's button), thereby causing the
thumb to move to the new position.
[0041] In the foregoing specification, the invention has been
described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof.
It will be evident that various modifications may be made thereto
without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the
invention as set forth in the following claims. The specification
and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative
sense rather than a restrictive sense.
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