Inferring diagram structure through implicit shape relationships
AssigneeMicrosoft Corporation
InventorsMark Nelson, Mike Woolf, Heidi Munson, David Bradlee, Evan Moran
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Information in a diagram is logically structured using lists, containers, and callouts without requiring the diagram author to explicitly define a structure or map any diagram contents to a structure. Logical relationships are inferred based on actions associated with shapes, groupings, and attributes of shapes/groupings taken by the author. Feedback mechanisms are provided to communicate an underlying structure to the author. Intelligent behaviors are enabled to expose manipulation of diagrams based on their logical structure.
Claims20
A method to be executed at least in part in a computing device for inferring diagram structure through implicit shape relationships, the method comprising:
- determining a logic structure of a plurality of shapes on a diagram canvas;
- receiving an action associated with at least one of the plurality of shapes;
- determining a relationship between the at least one of the plurality of shapes and other shapes within the logic structure;
- determining effects of the received action on the at least one of the plurality of shapes and the other shapes;
- and
- applying the effects to the at least one of the plurality of shapes and the other shapes.
A diagramming application capable of inferring diagram structure through implicit shape relationships, the diagramming application executed on a computing device, the computing device comprising:
- a memory storing instructions for executing the diagramming application;
- a processor coupled to the memory for executing the instructions, the processor configured to:
- infer a relationship between a group of shapes on a diagram canvas, the relationship including one of:
- a list, a container, and a callout association from a positioning and an attribute of the shapes;
- receive an indication of an action associated with at least one of the shapes;
- determine effects of the action on the at least one of the shapes, remaining shapes in the group, and the group;
- provide a feedback associated with the effects to a user;
- and
- apply the effects of the action to the at least one of the shapes, the remaining shapes in the group, and the group.
A computer-readable storage medium with instructions stored thereon for providing a diagramming application capable of inferring diagram structure through implicit shape relationships, the instructions comprising:
- inferring a container relationship between unconnected shapes on a diagram canvas, the shapes being ordered within the container;
- receiving one of:
- a copying action, a moving action, and a deletion action associated with the container;
- determining effects of the received ion on the shapes within the container;
- providing a feedback associated with the effects of the action to a user;
- applying the effects of the action to the shapes within the container;
- receiving one of:
- a copying action, a moving action, and a deletion action associated with at least one of the shapes within the container;
- determining effects of the received action on the remaining shapes within the container;
- providing a feedback associated with the effects of the action to a user;
- applying the effects of the action to the remaining shapes within the container;
- and
- resizing the container if the applied action includes a change in a number of the shapes within the list.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.