US 7,253,823 B2Granted

System and method for providing 1D and 2D connectors in a connected diagram

AssigneeMicrosoft Corporation

InventorsKaren K. Wong, David Gerton, Ilan Berker, Ramona Pousti, Matthew J. Kotler

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Abstract

System and methods for providing 1D and 2D connectors in a connected diagram. Routing and layout of connectors is accomplished through a pre-defined set of behaviors and properties on a connector that enable an aesthetic layout. Routing behaviors and visual look of the connectors within a diagram may be included in an XML definition file or controlled by a user. The user may switch between 1D and 2D connectors regardless of a shape of the connector. Padding and offset features are assigned to connectors for aesthetically pleasing presentation of object relations. Text box shapes and placements on or near connectors are aligned with connector type, size, and placement. Images and non-predefined shapes may be used as connectors with behaviors assigned similar to predefined shapes.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A computer-implemented method for automatically providing a connector in a connected diagram, comprising:

retrieving a connector definition, wherein retrieving the connector definition includes retrieving information associated with a shape of the connector from a connector database, wherein the user is provided an opportunity to modify the shape of the connector, retrieving information associated with an at least one connector property from a connector properties database, wherein the user is provided an opportunity to modify the at least one connector property, and retrieving information associated with content of the connector from a content database, wherein the user is provided an opportunity to modify the content of the connector, wherein the shape of the connector includes one member of a group comprising:
a 1D shape and a 2D shape, and wherein the user is provided an opportunity to switch the shape of the connector from at least one member of a group comprising:
1D to 2D and 2D to 1D;
determining connection points associated with two objects;
applying the at least one property associated with the connector;
positioning the connector on a canvas between the connection points, wherein a shape and a position of the connector is determined based on an optimal routing, on a global positioning of objects and connectors on the canvas, and the connector definition;
inserting connector content;
retrieving an object definition based on another user selection;
displaying the object on the canvas according to an assignment of a relation to the object by the user;
and
storing the connected diagram.

8 more elements

A computer-readable storage medium encoded with computer instructions for execution on a computer and for providing a connector in a connected diagram, the instructions comprising:

retrieving a connector definition;
determining connection points associated with at least two objects, wherein the connection points includes at least one member of a group comprising:
a set of fixed points on object boundaries, a set of intersection points between imaginary lines coupling center points of the objects, and a set of intersection points between imaginary circles coupling center points of the objects;
applying properties associated with the connector, wherein the properties include a padding, a text size and a stem length;
placing the connector on a canvas between the connection points, wherein a shape and a position of the connector is determined based on an optimal routing, the properties associated with the connector, and the connector definition, wherein the padding, the text size and the stem length are automatically adjusted based on a distance between the connection points;
inserting connector content;
and
storing the connected diagram.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.