Tool for selecting ink and other objects in an electronic document
AssigneeMicrosoft Corporation
InventorsAlex J. Simmons, Ian C. McGraw, Peter L. Engrav, Benoit Barabe, Owen C. Braun
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A note-taking application is provided which includes a free-form selection tool. In certain embodiments, a particular selection may be based in part on the speed or velocity of a user selection. The free-form selection tool is configured to provide more or less precise selections based in part on the speed of a selection. The free-form selection tool is further operable to recognize when a user is attempting to retry a selection.
Claims16
A method of using a free-form selection tool to select one or more elements of an electronic document, the method comprising:
- using a device to indicate a start point of a selection, the start point associated with an element of interest;
- continuing the selection with the device, wherein an indicator provides feedback to a user as to what is being selected;
- monitoring a selection distance traversed from the start point;
- determining a speed of the selection;
- using the speed of the selection to determine an intended selection;
- selecting an element based upon a number of times that an imaginary ray associated with the element crosses the indicator;
- and
- not selecting the element if the imaginary ray crosses the indicator an even number of times.
A computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions, which when executed by a computer perform a method of selecting one or more elements of an electronic document, the method comprising:
- indicating a staff point of a selection, the staff point associated with an element of interest,
- continuing the selection and providing a visual indicator of a selection
- determining a speed of the selection;
- using the speed of the selection and other criteria to determine whether to select a particular element;
- selecting an element based upon a number of times that an imaginary ray associated with the element crosses the indicator;
- and
- not selecting the particular element if the imaginary ray crosses the indicator an even number of times.
A system including a free-form selection tool for making element selections associated with an electronic document, the system comprising:
- a memory storage;
- and
- a processing unit coupled to the memory storage, wherein the processing unit is operative to:
- indicate a start point of a selection, the start point associated with an element of interest, wherein a device is used to continue the selection,
- monitor a selection distance associated with the start point,
- determine a particular selection based at least in part on whether a user is performing a retry operation,
- analyzes a number of times that an imaginary ray associated with the element crosses a selection indicator;
- and
- not selecting the element if the imaginary ray crosses the indicator an even number of times.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.