PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-7735020-B2
Application Number: US-52462306-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: 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.

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; 
 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 maximum and a minimum parameter, the thumb being movable relative to the slider in response to a user input, at least one of the maximum and the minimum parameter is adjusted when the thumb is pushed against one end of the slider and the position of the thumb determining a selection of a parameter from the list and displaying a label corresponding to the minimum or the maximum value for the slider. 
 
   
   
     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; 
 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 maximum and a minimum parameter, the thumb being movable relative to the slider in response to a user input, at least one of the maximum and the minimum parameter is adjusted when the thumb is pushed against one end of the slider and the position of the thumb determining a selection of a parameter from the list and displaying a label corresponding to the minimum or the maximum value for the slider. 
 
   
   
     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; 
 determining a maximum value and a minimum value of the one of the multiple lists of parameters for the slider in response to a user input; 
 receiving a sliding input of the thumb of the slider to a position along the slider between the maximum and the minimum value of 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; and 
 displaying a label corresponding to the minimum or the maximum value for the slider and wherein the device is either in the first mode or the second mode. 
 
   
   
     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; 
 determining a maximum value and a minimum value of the one of the multiple lists of parameters for the slider in response to a user input; 
 receiving a sliding input of the thumb of the slider to a position along the slider between the maximum and the minimum value of 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; and 
 displaying a label corresponding to the minimum or the maximum value for the slider. 
 
   
   
     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 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. 
   
   
     23. A method performed by a digital processing system 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; 
 determining a maximum value and a minimum value of the one of the multiple lists of parameters for the slider in response to a user input; 
 receiving a sliding input of the thumb of the slider to a position along the slider between the maximum and the minimum value of 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; and 
 displaying a label corresponding to the minimum or the maximum value for the slider. 
 
   
   
     24. The method as in  claim 23  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. 
 
   
   
     25. The method as in  claim 23  further comprising resizing a window. 
   
   
     26. The method as in  claim 23  wherein the list of parameters further comprises one of a font attribute. 
   
   
     27. The method as in  claim 26  wherein the font attribute comprises one of: font size, boldness, italic angle, baseline offset, line spacing and character spacing. 
   
   
     28. The method as in  claim 23  wherein the representation of the command comprises one of: a combination box, a pop-up menu, and a selection list. 
   
   
     29. A user interface for determining an attribute, the user interface comprising:
 a display, displaying multiple attributes wherein a mode of the user interface for each attribute can be selected independently of others; 
 at least two modes in which to allow a user to determine a value in a selected attribute, where each mode is capable of switching to another in response to a user input, the at least two modes comprising: 
 a first mode of the user interface which includes a representation of a command which when activated causes the display of a list which allows selection of a value from the list for the selected attribute; 
 a second mode of the user interface which includes a slider control that replaces the list displayed on the display in the first mode, the slider control having:
 a first end which corresponds to a minimum value, 
 a second end which corresponds to a maximum value, 
 a linear region disposed between the first end and the second end, 
 a moveable unitary thumb disposed along the linear region wherein the value for the attribute from the list is determined from the position of the moveable thumb relative to the first and the second ends, and 
 a label corresponding to the minimum or the maximum value for the slider, wherein the minimum and the maximum values of the list of values are determined in response to a user input. 
 
 
   
   
     30. The user interface as in  claim 29  wherein the user input comprises:
 selecting one of the multiple attributes, when the attribute 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 attribute on one end of the slider and a minimum value of the attribute 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. 
 
   
   
     31. The user interface as in  claim 29  wherein the user input comprises resizing a window. 
   
   
     32. The user interface as in  claim 29  wherein the multiple attributes further comprises a list of different font attributes. 
   
   
     33. The user interface as in  claim 32  wherein the selected font attribute is one of font size, boldness, italic angle, baseline offset, line spacing and character spacing. 
   
   
     34. The user interface as in  claim 29  wherein the representation of the command is one of: a combination box, a pop-up menu, and a selection list. 
   
   
     35. A 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 which when activated causes displaying of a list from which a parameter is selected; 
 receiving an input to switch from either a 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 maximum and a minimum parameter, at least one of the maximum and the minimum parameter is updated when a first input is received, the thumb being movable relative to the maximum and the minimum parameter on the slider and the position of the thumb determining a selection of a parameter from the list and displaying a label corresponding to the minimum or the maximum value for the slider. 
 
   
   
     36. The method as in  claim 35  wherein the input to switch comprises resizing a window. 
   
   
     37. The method as in  claim 35  wherein the list further comprises one of a font attribute. 
   
   
     38. The method as in  claim 37  wherein the font attribute is one of: font size, boldness, italic angle, baseline offset, line spacing and character spacing. 
   
   
     39. The method as in  claim 35  wherein the representation of the command is one of: a combination box, a pop-up menu, and a selection list. 
   
   
     40. 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; 
 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 maximum and a minimum parameter, determining a minimum and maximum parameter of the list of parameters for the slider in response to user input the position of the thumb determining a selection of a parameter from the list, wherein a set of parameters of the list represented by the slider in the second mode is same as the list displayed in the first mode and displaying a label corresponding to the minimum or the maximum value for the slider. 
 
   
   
     41. The machine implemented method as in  claim 40  wherein the input to switch comprises resizing a window. 
   
   
     42. The machine implemented method as in  claim 40  wherein the list further comprises one of a font attribute. 
   
   
     43. The machine implemented method as in  claim 42  wherein the font attribute is one of: font size, boldness, italic angle, baseline offset, line spacing and character spacing. 
   
   
     44. The machine implemented method as in  claim 40  wherein the representation of the command is one of: a combination box, a pop-up menu, and a selection list. 
   
   
     45. 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; 
 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 maximum and a minimum parameter, the thumb being movable relative to the slider in response to a user input and the position of the thumb determining a selection of a parameter from the list determining a minimum and maximum parameter of the list of parameters for the slider in response to user input, and displaying a label corresponding to the minimum or maximum parameter for the slider. 
 
   
   
     46. The medium as in  claim 45  wherein the input to switch comprises resizing a window. 
   
   
     47. The medium as in  claim 45  wherein the list further comprises one of a font attribute. 
   
   
     48. The medium as in  claim 45  wherein the font attribute is one of: font size, boldness, italic angle, baseline offset, line spacing and character spacing. 
   
   
     49. The medium as in  claim 45  wherein the representation of the command is one of: a combination box, a pop-up menu, and a selection list.

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/100,878, filed on Mar. 18, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,117,450. This application also claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/364,974, filed on Mar. 15, 2002, and entitled “Method and Apparatus for Determining Font Attributes” by the inventor Imran Chaudhri. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to Graphical User Interfaces (GUI), and more particularly to a GUI for determining font attributes. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   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. 
     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&#39;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. 
   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 . 
   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 
   Methods and apparatuses for text formatting are described here. 
   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). 
   The present invention includes apparatuses which perform these methods, including data processing systems which perform these methods and machine or computer readable media which when executed on data processing systems cause the systems to perform these methods. 
   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 
     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. 
       FIG. 1  shows a block diagram example of a data processing system which may be used with the present invention. 
       FIGS. 2-3  show a prior art method to adjust font attributes. 
       FIGS. 4-7  show examples of methods to adjust font attributes according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 8-9  show alternative methods to adjust font attributes according to alternative embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 10-11  show methods to set maximum and minimum values for a slider in one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 12  shows an example of scaling a slider according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 13-14  show methods to format text according to embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 15  shows a flow chart of a method to adjust font attributes according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 16  shows a detailed flow chart of a method to adjust font attributes according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   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. 
     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. 
   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. 
   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 . 
   At least one embodiment of the present invention seeks to utilize sliders to set various font attributes for formatting text. 
     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. 
   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. 
   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. 
   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. 
   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. 
   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 ). 
     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. 
   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. 
     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&#39;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. 
   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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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 . 
     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. 
     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&#39;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&#39;s line. The thumb may also be moved by selecting a position on the slider&#39;s line; this may involve pointing the cursor to a new position on the line and pressing a button (e.g., a mouse&#39;s button), thereby causing the thumb to move to the new position. 
   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.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20060920
Publication Date: 20100608
Grant Date: 20100608
Priority Date: 20020315
Inventors: CHAUDHRI IMRAN
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F3/04847", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04847", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 37037427