AU2019229364A1 - Word processor - Google Patents

Abstract

WORD PROCESSOR Disclosed is a method of providing writing guidance for a piece of writing. The method comprises obtaining at least one document and extracting at least one portion of the at least one document into one or more knowledge groups. The one or more knowledge groups are aggregated into a structure for a piece of writing. 3/17 200 :Start 202 Obtain external document(s) 204% Create knowledge group(s) Extract portions of external 206- document(s) into knowledge group(s) 208% Display structure of an essay Aggregate knowledge group(s) into 210'. the structure End ) FIG. 2

Description

3/17

200

:Start

202 Obtain external document(s)

204% Create knowledge group(s)

Extract portions of external 206- document(s) into knowledge group(s)

208% Display structure of an essay

Aggregate knowledge group(s) into 210'. the structure

End )

FIG. 2

WORD PROCESSOR

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a word processor.

Background

[0002] Writing is an essential day-to-day duty to both individuals and business. In particular, when composing a piece of writing such as an essay, a report, a research paper or the like on a particular topic, it is often necessary to read and review a large number of documents to which the topic is related in order to identify useful information/materials.

[0003] Conventional word processors function to allow users to read and write. Some word processors have features for taking notes while reading. However, note taking is remote from effective reading and structured writing. For writers who lack experience in researching and writing, it is difficult to effectively identify useful and relevant information from a collection of sources.

[0004] Moreover, a well-framed piece of writing requires the writers to possess a high level of analysis and writing skills. Existing word processors do not provide assistance to less experienced writers in relation to compiling information obtained from a collection of sources to formulate a piece of writing.

[0005] Therefore, a need exists for a word processor that assists in affording reading and writing guidance to writers.

Summary

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the above disadvantages.

[0007] Disclosed is an arrangement for a word processor that guides users in crafting a piece of writing, e.g., an article, a paper, a summary, a note, or any other types of writing. The word processor enables the user to open up one or more external documents (e.g., documents downloaded online, or stored locally) and displays the opened documents in a user interface. When reading through the opened documents, the user may find one or more portions to contain a specific piece of relevant information and wish to save these portions for later use. To achieve this, the user interface is configured to create knowledge groups for saving therein a selection of portions of the opened documents. When the user activates a writing panel within the word processor, the created knowledge groups are aggregated into a structure for a piece of writing. The aggregated knowledge groups provide a starting point from where the user may craft a piece of writing.

[0008] Preferably, each knowledge group relates to a single piece of information or knowledge. For example, when the user is writing on a topic regarding electrical vehicles, one knowledge group can relate to information regarding when electric vehicles were invented.

[0009] The use of knowledge groups therefore enables the user to easily save relevant information and use the saved information to craft a piece of writing on a particular topic.

[0010] Some aspects of the present disclosure are intended to provide reading guidance to the user.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of providing writing guidance for a piece of writing, the method comprising: obtaining at least one document; extracting at least one portion of the at least one document into one or more knowledge groups; displaying a structure for the piece of writing; and aggregating the one or more knowledge groups into the structure.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium storing a computer program for providing writing guidance for piece of writing, the computer program comprising instructions for: obtaining at least one document; extracting at least one portion of the at least one document into one or more knowledge groups; displaying a structure for the piece of writing; and aggregating the one or more knowledge groups into the structure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] Figs. 1A and 1B form a schematic block diagram of a general-purpose computer system upon which a word processor described hereinafter can be practiced;

[0015] Fig. 2 is a flow diagram of a method performed by the word processor of Figs. 1A and 1B;

[0016] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example implementation of the word processor of Figs. 1A and 1B;

[0017] Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating a step of generating a knowledge group of the method of Fig. 2;

[0018] Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example knowledge group of Fig. 4;

[0019] Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating the knowledge group of Fig. 5 into which a selection of a portion of an external document is extracted;

[0020] Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example knowledge group of Fig. 4;

[0021] Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating two different categories of knowledge groups of Fig. 4;

[0022] Fig. 9 is a diagram illustration a search panel of the word processor of Figs. 1A and 1B;

[0023] Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example search result generated by the search panel of Fig. 9;

[0024] Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example search result generated by the search panel of Fig. 9;

[0025] Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating a library panel of the word processor of Figs. 1A and 1B;

[0026] Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating a note taking area of the library panel of Fig. 12;

[0027] Fig. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example note generated in the note taking area of Fig. 13;

[0028] Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating a collapsible area of a knowledge group;

[0029] Fig. 16 is a diagram illustrating a note associated with the knowledge group of Fig. 15.

Detailed Description

[0030] Where reference is made in any one or more of the accompanying drawings to steps and/or features, which have the same reference numerals, those steps and/or features have for the purposes of this description the same function(s) or operation(s), unless the contrary intention appears.

Computer Description

[0031] Figs. 1A and 1B depict a general-purpose computer system 100, upon which the various arrangements described can be practiced.

[0032] As seen in Fig. 1A, the computer system 100 includes: a computer module 101; input devices such as a keyboard 102, a mouse pointer device 103, a scanner 126, a camera 127, and a microphone 180; and output devices including a printer 115, a display device 114 and loudspeakers 117. An external Modulator-Demodulator (Modem) transceiver device 116 may be used by the computer module 101 for communicating to and from a communications network 120 via a connection 121. The communications network 120 may be a wide-area network (WAN), such as the Internet, a cellular telecommunications network, or a private WAN. Where the connection 121 is a telephone line, the modem 116 may be a traditional "dial-up" modem. Alternatively, where the connection 121 is a high capacity (e.g., cable) connection, the modem 116 may be a broadband modem. A wireless modem may also be used for wireless connection to the communications network 120.

[0033] The computer module 101 typically includes at least one processor unit 105, and a memory unit 106. For example, the memory unit 106 may have semiconductor random access memory (RAM) and semiconductor read only memory (ROM). The computer module 101 also includes a number of input/output (1/0) interfaces including: an audio-video interface 107 that couples to the video display 114, loudspeakers 117 and microphone 180; an 1/O interface 113 that couples to the keyboard 102, mouse 103, scanner 126, camera 127 and optionally a joystick or other human interface device (not illustrated); and an interface 108 for the external modem 116 and printer 115. In some implementations, the modem 116 may be incorporated within the computer module 101, for example within the interface 108. The computer module 101 also has a local network interface 111, which permits coupling of the computer system 100 via a connection 123 to a local-area communications network 122, known as a Local Area Network (LAN). As illustrated in Fig. 1A, the local communications network 122 may also couple to the wide network 120 via a connection 124, which would typically include a so-called "firewall" device or device of similar functionality. The local network interface 111 may comprise an Ethernet circuit card, a Bluetooth© wireless arrangement or an IEEE 802.11 wireless arrangement; however, numerous other types of interfaces may be practiced for the interface 111.

[0034] The 1/O interfaces 108 and 113 may afford either or both of serial and parallel connectivity, the former typically being implemented according to the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standards and having corresponding USB connectors (not illustrated). Storage devices 109 are provided and typically include a hard disk drive (HDD) 110. Other storage devices such as a floppy disk drive and a magnetic tape drive (not illustrated) may also be used. An optical disk drive 112 is typically provided to act as a non-volatile source of data. Portable memory devices, such optical disks (e.g., CD-ROM, DVD, Blu-ray DiscTM), USB RAM, portable, external hard drives, and floppy disks, for example, may be used as appropriate sources of data to the system 100.

[0035] The components 105 to 113 of the computer module 101 typically communicate via an interconnected bus 104 and in a manner that results in a conventional mode of operation of the computer system 100 known to those in the relevant art. For example, the processor 105 is coupled to the system bus 104 using a connection 118. Likewise, the memory 106 and optical disk drive 112 are coupled to the system bus 104 by connections 119. Examples of computers on which the described arrangements can be practised include IBM-PC's and compatibles, Sun Sparcstations, Apple MacTM or lke computer systems.

[0036] The method of Fig. 2 may be implemented using the computer system 100 wherein the processes of Figs. 2 and 9, to be described, may be implemented as one or more software application programs 133 executable within the computer system 100. In particular, the steps of the method of Fig. 2 are effected by instructions 131 (see Fig. 1B) in the software 133 that are carried out within the computer system 100. The software instructions 131 may be formed as one or more code modules, each for performing one or more particular tasks. The software may also be divided into two separate parts, in which a first part and the corresponding code modules performs the methods described and a second part and the corresponding code modules manage a user interface between the first part and the user.

[0037] The software may be stored in a computer readable medium, including the storage devices described below, for example. The software is loaded into the computer system 100 from the computer readable medium, and then executed by the computer system 100. A computer readable medium having such software or computer program recorded on the computer readable medium is a computer program product. The use of the computer program product in the computer system 100 preferably effects an advantageous apparatus for processing word.

[0038] The software 133 is typically stored in the HDD 110 or the memory 106. The software is loaded into the computer system 100 from a computer readable medium, and executed by the computer system 100. Thus, for example, the software 133 may be stored on an optically readable disk storage medium (e.g., CD-ROM) 125 that is read by the optical disk drive 112. A computer readable medium having such software or computer program recorded on it is a computer program product. The use of the computer program product in the computer system 100 preferably effects an apparatus for processing word.

[0039] In some instances, the application programs 133 may be supplied to the user encoded on one or more CD-ROMs 125 and read via the corresponding drive 112, or alternatively may be read by the user from the networks 120 or 122. Still further, the software can also be loaded into the computer system 100 from other computer readable media. Computer readable storage media refers to any non transitory tangible storage medium that provides recorded instructions and/or data to the computer system 100 for execution and/or processing. Examples of such storage media include floppy disks, magnetic tape, CD-ROM, DVD, Blu-ray T M Disc, a hard disk drive, a ROM or integrated circuit, USB memory, a magneto-optical disk, or a computer readable card such as a PCMCIA card and the like, whether or not such devices are internal or external of the computer module 101. Examples of transitory or non-tangible computer readable transmission media that may also participate in the provision of software, application programs, instructions and/or data to the computer module 101 include radio or infra-red transmission channels as well as a network connection to another computer or networked device, and the Internet or Intranets including e-mail transmissions and information recorded on Websites and the like.

[0040] The second part of the application programs 133 and the corresponding code modules mentioned above may be executed to implement one or more graphical user interfaces (GUls) to be rendered or otherwise represented upon the display 114. Through manipulation of typically the keyboard 102 and the mouse 103, a user of the computer system 100 and the application may manipulate the interface in a functionally adaptable manner to provide controlling commands and/or input to the applications associated with the GUI(s). Other forms of functionally adaptable user interfaces may also be implemented, such as an audio interface utilizing speech prompts output via the loudspeakers 117 and user voice commands input via the microphone 180.

[0041] Fig. 1B is a detailed schematic block diagram of the processor 105 and a "memory" 134. The memory 134 represents a logical aggregation of all the memory modules (including the HDD 109 and semiconductor memory 106) that can be accessed by the computer module 101 in Fig. 1A.

[0042] When the computer module 101 is initially powered up, a power-on self-test (POST) program 150 executes. The POST program 150 is typically stored in a ROM 149 of the semiconductor memory 106 of Fig. 1A. A hardware device such as the ROM 149 storing software is sometimes referred to as firmware. The POST program 150 examines hardware within the computer module 101 to ensure proper functioning and typically checks the processor 105, the memory 134 (109, 106), and a basic input output systems software (BIOS) module 151, also typically stored in the ROM 149, for correct operation. Once the POST program 150 has run successfully, the BIOS 151 activates the hard disk drive 110 of Fig. 1A. Activation of the hard disk drive 110 causes a bootstrap loader program 152 that is resident on the hard disk drive 110 to execute via the processor 105. This loads an operating system 153 into the RAM memory 106, upon which the operating system 153 commences operation. The operating system 153 is a system level application, executable by the processor 105, to fulfil various high level functions, including processor management, memory management, device management, storage management, software application interface, and generic user interface.

[0043] The operating system 153 manages the memory 134 (109, 106) to ensure that each process or application running on the computer module 101 has sufficient memory in which to execute without colliding with memory allocated to another process. Furthermore, the different types of memory available in the system 100 of Fig. 1A must be used properly so that each process can run effectively. Accordingly, the aggregated memory 134 is not intended to illustrate how particular segments of memory are allocated (unless otherwise stated), but rather to provide a general view of the memory accessible by the computer system 100 and how such is used.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 1B, the processor 105 includes a number of functional modules including a control unit 139, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) 140, and a local or internal memory 148, sometimes called a cache memory. The cache memory 148 typically includes a number of storage registers 144 - 146 in a register section. One or more internal busses 141 functionally interconnect these functional modules. The processor 105 typically also has one or more interfaces 142 for communicating with external devices via the system bus 104, using a connection 118. The memory 134 is coupled to the bus 104 using a connection 119.

[0045] The application program 133 includes a sequence of instructions 131 that may include conditional branch and loop instructions. The program 133 may also include data 132 which is used in execution of the program 133. The instructions 131 and the data 132 are stored in memory locations 128, 129, 130 and 135, 136, 137, respectively. Depending upon the relative size of the instructions 131 and the memory locations 128-130, a particular instruction may be stored in a single memory location as depicted by the instruction shown in the memory location 130. Alternately, an instruction may be segmented into a number of parts each of which is stored in a separate memory location, as depicted by the instruction segments shown in the memory locations 128 and 129.

[0046] In general, the processor 105 is given a set of instructions which are executed therein. The processor 105 waits for a subsequent input, to which the processor 105 reacts to by executing another set of instructions. Each input may be provided from one or more of a number of sources, including data generated by one or more of the input devices 102, 103, data received from an external source across one of the networks 120, 102, data retrieved from one of the storage devices 106, 109 or data retrieved from a storage medium 125 inserted into the corresponding reader 112, all depicted in Fig. 1A. The execution of a set of the instructions may in some cases result in output of data. Execution may also involve storing data or variables to the memory 134.

[0047] The arrangements described hereinafter use input variables 154, which are stored in the memory 134 in corresponding memory locations 155, 156, 157. The arrangements described hereinafter produce output variables 161, which are stored in the memory 134 in corresponding memory locations 162, 163, 164. Intermediate variables 158 may be stored in memory locations 159, 160, 166 and 167.

[0048] Referring to the processor 105 of Fig. 1B, the registers 144, 145, 146, the arithmetic logic unit (ALU) 140, and the control unit 139 work together to perform sequences of micro-operations needed to perform "fetch, decode, and execute" cycles for every instruction in the instruction set making up the program 133. Each fetch, decode, and execute cycle comprises: a fetch operation, which fetches or reads an instruction 131 from a memory location 128, 129, 130; a decode operation in which the control unit 139 determines which instruction has been fetched; and an execute operation in which the control unit 139 and/or the ALU 140 execute the instruction.

[0049] Thereafter, a further fetch, decode, and execute cycle for the next instruction may be executed. Similarly, a store cycle may be performed by which the control unit 139 stores or writes a value to a memory location 132.

[0050] Each step or sub-process in the processes of Fig. 2 is associated with one or more segments of the program 133 and is performed by the register section 144, 145, 147, the ALU 140, and the control unit 139 in the processor 105 working together to perform the fetch, decode, and execute cycles for every instruction in the instruction set for the noted segments of the program 133.

[0051] The arrangements described hereinafter may alternatively be implemented in an electronic device including embedded components such as graphic processors, digital signal processors, or one or more microprocessors and associated memories. The electronic device may be a smart phone, a tablet device or the like.

Word Processor

[0052] Fig. 2 shows a method 200 performed by a word processor. The method 200 can be implemented as one or more computer programs 133, which can be executed by the computer system 100. In the example of Fig.2, a user of the word processor is a student who needs to write an essay on a particular topic. However, the described arrangements can be used to craft any piece of writing.

[0053] Fig. 3 shows an example implementation of the word processor 300. In the example of Fig.3, the word processor 300 has some basic user interface elements such as icons, buttons, scrollbars, menu items, tabs, and input fields. Through manipulation of the input devices 102, 103, 126, 127, and 180 of the computer system 100, the user is able to configure the word processor 300 as appropriate to perform various different functions. It will be appreciated that the word processor 300 may be implemented in various other forms of graphical user interface without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0054] Returning to Fig. 2, the method 200 starts at step 202. At step 202, the user obtains one or more external documents to be displayed on the word processor 300. In one implementation, obtaining an external document comprises copying a selection of text present in another application program (e.g. a web browser) running on the computer system 100 and pasting the selected text into the word processor 300. In another implementation, a user can input (e.g., copy and paste) a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of an external document into an input field of the word processor 300 to download the external document via communications network 120 or 122 to be displayed on the word processor 300. In yet another implementation, obtaining an external document comprises opening and displaying a document stored in the storage device 109 or disk storage medium 125. The obtained one or more external documents are displayed in a predetermined area of the word processor 300.

[0055] In the example of Fig. 3, there is shown a single external document 312 being displayed in the word processor 300. However, the word processor 300 is configured to display a plurality of external documents in a tabbed view and allow the user to toggle between the tabs to access the respective documents within a single instance of the word processor 300.

[0056] Various types of document formats are supported by the word processor 300, for example, a Microsoft Word document, a PDF©document, a text file document, an image file, or the like.

[0057] Returning to Fig. 2, the method 200 continues from step 202 to step 204. At step 204, the word processor 300 generates a knowledge group for receiving one or more portions of the one or more external documents. The word processor 300 is configured to generate a knowledge group, for example, when the user clicks on a button 414 of the word processor 300 as shown in Fig. 4. The generated knowledge group is displayed in an area of the word processor 300 that is different to the area displaying the one or more external documents.

[0058] In one arrangement, the user may create different projects for different topics. The generation of knowledge groups includes saving the knowledge groups against a particular project.

[0059] Referring to Fig. 5, an example knowledge group 516 is shown. The knowledge group 516 is provided with a text field 518 for receiving one or more portions of the one or more external documents and a title 517.

[0060] Returning to Fig. 2, the method 200 continues from step 204 to step 206. At step 206, the word processor 300 extracts one or more portions of the one or more external documents selected by the user and save the selected one or more portions into the knowledge group 516. If the selected one or more portions contain editable texts, the extraction comprises copying the selected one or more portions into the text field 518. If the selected one or more portions contain an image, the extraction may include text recognition.

[0061] In one arrangement, the word processor associates a knowledge group with another knowledge group when any portion saved in the former is extracted directly therefrom into the latter. For example, when a portion saved in a knowledge group A is extracted directly therefrom into a knowledge group B, the word processor 300 associates these knowledge groups. The association of knowledge groups, e.g., knowledge groups A and B, includes creating a link (e.g., a hyperlink) to knowledge group A in a collapsible area of knowledge group B, and vice versa. As such, the user can access knowledge group A from knowledge group B, and vice versa. The association of knowledge groups enables the user to readily access a knowledge group from its associated knowledge groups with a single click.

[0062] In a further arrangement, a knowledge group can be associated with one or more pieces of writing to allow the user to readily access the associated pieces of writing from that knowledge group. When a knowledge group is used to craft a piece of writing (e.g., when aggregated into a structure for a piece of writing or selected by the user to be parts of a note), the word processor 300 adds a link (e.g., a hyperlink) to the piece of writing in a collapsible area of that knowledge group. Referring to Fig. 15, a knowledge group 1547 provided with a collapsible area 1548 containing a link 1550 so added is shown. By clicking the link 1550, the user can access the piece of writing to which the link 1550 is pointing. Referring to Fig. 16, a note 1652 displayed when the user clicks on the link 1550 of Fig. 15 is shown.

[0063] In yet a further arrangement, a knowledge group saved against a project can be associated with one or more other projects. Each project associated with the knowledge group can be readily accessed directly therefrom by way of a link (e.g., a hyperlink) provided in a collapsible area of that knowledge group.

[0064] Additionally, the word processor displays the number of associations for each knowledge group (i.e., the number of times each knowledge group is associated with other knowledge groups or pieces of writing) to indicate an intensity of use. Each time a knowledge group is associated with another knowledge group, a piece of writing or a project, the word processor 300 increments the number of associations for that knowledge group by 1.

[0065] Fig. 5 shows an example selection 520. In the example of Fig.5, the word processor 300 monitors a user input from, for example, the input device 102 or 103. Once the word processor 300 detects and receives a user input (i.e., the selection 520), the word processor 300 pastes the selection 520 into the text field 518. The selected one or more portions are typically portions of the one or more external documents that the user determines to be useful or relevant to the topic of the essay.

[0066] Fig. 6 shows the knowledge group 516 in which the selection 520 of Fig. 5 has been extracted into the text field 518.

[0067] In an alternative arrangement, the user can utilise the input device 102 and/or 103 to type or copy and paste one or more portions of the one or more external documents into the text field 518. Copying and pasting includes selecting text for copying, and dragging and dropping the selected one or more portions into the knowledge group.

[0068] Notably, steps 204 and 206 can be repeated as needed to allow the user to continue generating further knowledge groups for further portions of the one or more external documents.

[0069] In some arrangements, a knowledge group can have one or more further text fields to allow the user to customise the knowledge group. For example, Fig. 7 shows another example knowledge group 718 including three text fields 724, 726, 728. Like text field 518 of Figs. 5 and 6, the text field 724 is used to receive one or more portions of the one or more external documents. In the text fields 726 and 728, the user can add, for example, a labelling or bibliographic information to the knowledge group 718. The labelling could be, for example, a title or a question to which the user is seeking an answer. The bibliographic information could include information such as the author of the external document, the date the external document was published, the URL(s) used by the user to download the one or more external documents.

[0070] In some arrangements, the knowledge groups can be categorised. In one implementation, the word processor 300 is configured to provide a plurality of categories. The plurality of categories relates to a structure of a piece of writing (collectively referred to hereinafter as "structure"). When generating a knowledge group, the word processor 300 is configured to allow the user to determine, among the plurality of categories, a category with which the knowledge group is associated. Alternatively, a knowledge group can be assigned one of the plurality of categories at any time. In one implementation, the word processor 300 is configured to provide 6 categories: "what", "when", "why", "where", "who" and "how" as shown in Fig. 3. Referring to Fig. 8, the "what" knowledge group 830 and the "when" knowledge group 832 are shown.

[0071] Additionally, the word processor 300 is configured to allow the user to define customised categories.

[0072] In one arrangement, the user can generate at least one knowledge group based on the topic before opening an external document. For example, if the user is to write on a topic "to what extent are electric vehicles a solution to global pollution", the user generates a set of knowledge groups as shown in Fig. 3. In the example of Fig.3, the generated knowledge groups each relate to a question associated with the topic, e.g., "what are electric vehicles", "what is global pollution", "where electric vehicles were invented", "why electric vehicles can solve global pollution", etc. These knowledge groups and subsequently generated knowledge groups can be displayed permanently throughout method 200, which serve as a guidance to direct the user to relevant portion(s) of the one or more external documents where useful information may be present, by way of presenting a series of questions in regard to various aspects of the topic to the user, thereby providing a problem-solving context for the user. Such arrangements allow the user to focus the reading towards limited portions of a document without needing to read the entire document, thereby improving the reading efficiency.

[0073] The word processor 300 includes a writing panel for composing, formatting, and storing text. The writing panel is activatable for example, by the user clicking on a "Writing Panel" tab 313 as shown in Fig. 3.

[0074] Once a writing panel is activated, the method 200 continues from step 206 to step 208. At step 208, a structure for a piece of writing is displayed. The structure includes a plurality of segments such as an introduction, a body and a conclusion.

[0075] The method 200 continues from step 208 to step 210. At step 210, the word processor 300 aggregates the knowledge groups into the structure for a piece of writing. By way of example, the word processor 300 is configured to aggregate the "what" knowledge group(s) into the introduction, to aggregate the "when" and "where" knowledge group(s) into the body, and to aggregate the "how" knowledge group(s) into the conclusion. In some implementations, the word processor 300 is configured to aggregate one knowledge group into more than segments. The aggregated knowledge groups provide a starting point from where the user may craft (e.g., add, delete, modify, format) a piece of writing as desired.

[0076] In some arrangements, the word processor 300 comprises a search panel 934 as shown Fig. 9. The search panel 934 can be enabled by a button 936. The search panel 934 allows the user to search the currently displayed document based on one or more keywords input by the user and generates a search result. The generation of a search result comprises identifying pages of the document based on the one or more keywords and displaying a thumbnail of each identified page with each keyword being highlighted in a different colour. The search panel 934 is configured to perform searches using the one or more keywords either independently of one another or in combination. This can be achieved by a special search functionality 937 which provides a checkbox for each keyword. Where none of the check boxes are selected (i.e., the special search functionality 937 is not enabled), the search panel 934 functions using the one or more keywords independently of one another and provides a search result 1037 that includes pages containing any one of the one or more keywords, as shown in Fig.10. Where at least two check boxes are selected (i.e., the special search functionality 937 is enabled), the search panel 934 functions using the selected keywords in combination and provides a search result 1138 that includes pages containing at least one sentence within which all of the selected keywords are present, as shown in Fig. 11. The search panel 934 enables the user to effectively access different portions of a document using different combination of keywords.

[0077] In some arrangements, the generated knowledge groups are stored into a library. The word processor 300 is configured to provide a library panel 1240 that lists all of the generated knowledge groups, as shown in Fig. 12. In the library panel 1240, the user is able to review the knowledge groups and generate a note. The user may generate a note in relation to the topic of the piece of writing or a concept identified therein. Alternatively, a note can be formed from any knowledge groups as the user deems fit. To generate a note, the user clicks on a button 1242 as shown in Fig. 12. Once the button 1242 is clicked, the word processor 300 displays a note taking area 1344 as shown in Fig. 13 into which one or more knowledge groups can be extracted (e.g., dragged and dropped by the user) thereby generating a note. Fig. 14 shows an example of a generated note 1446. The generated note 1446 is sharable with other computer systems or electronic devices via communications network 120 or 122.

[0078] The following describes a use case of the arrangements described. In this use case, a user seeks to craft a piece of writing on a topic "to what extent are electric vehicles a solution to global solution" and inputs the topic into the word processor 300. The user identifies one or more external documents stored in the storage device 109 that are relevant to the topic and opens the identified document(s) via the word processor 300, for example at step 202. The word processor 300 optionally displays 6 categories: "what", "when", "why", "where", "who" and "how" and one or more knowledge groups generated by the user based on the topic. When the user clicks on the button 414, the word processor 300 generates a knowledge group at step 204. The user subsequently selects one or more portions from the one or more external documents via the input device 103. Upon receiving the selection, the word processor 300 extract the selected portions into the knowledge group. The user may continue to generate further knowledge groups into which one or more further portions of the one or more external documents can be extracted. The user may wish to use the knowledge groups to form parts of an essay. Alternatively, the user may wish to generate an intermediate note. If writing an essay is required, the word processor 300 displays a structure for a piece of writing at step 208 and aggregate the knowledge groups into the structure at step 210. If an intermediate note is required, the word processor 300 aggregates a user selection of the knowledge groups and generates a note.

[0079] The arrangements described provide a word processor to assist and guide users to craft a piece of writing, thereby improving efficiency and productivity.

Industrial Applicability

[0080] The arrangements described are applicable to the computer and data processing industries and particularly for the word processing technologies.

[0081] The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the present invention, and modifications and/or changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, the embodiments being illustrative and not restrictive.

[0082] In the context of this specification, the word "comprising" means "including principally but not necessarily solely" or "having" or "including", and not "consisting only of". Variations of the word "comprising", such as "comprise" and "comprises" have correspondingly varied meanings.

Claims (24)

CLAIMS:

1. A method of providing writing guidance for a piece of writing, the method comprising: obtaining at least one document; extracting at least one portion of the at least one document into one or more knowledge groups; displaying a structure for the piece of writing; and aggregating the one or more knowledge groups into the structure.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising generating one or more knowledge groups based on a topic of the piece of writing.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the extracting comprises text recognising.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein each of the one or more knowledge groups comprises at least one text field for receiving one or more portions of the at least one document.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, further comprising assigning a category to each of the one or more knowledge groups.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the structure includes a plurality of segments.

7. The method according to any one of claim 1-6, wherein the structure is displayed in a writing panel for composing, formatting, and storing text.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, further comprising searching the at least one document based on one or more keywords and generates a search result highlighting each keyword in a different colour.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the search result includes pages containing at least one sentence within which all of the one or more keywords are present.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, further comprising storing the one or more knowledge groups into a library.

11. The method according to any one of claim 1-10, further comprising associating each of the one or more knowledge groups with the piece of writing.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein the at least one document is any one of a document stored in a local storage, a document downloaded via a communication network, a selection of text present on an application program other than the word processor.

13. A computer readable medium storing a computer program for providing writing guidance for piece of writing, the computer program comprising instructions for: obtaining at least one document; extracting at least one portion of the at least one document into one or more knowledge groups; displaying a structure for the piece of writing; and aggregating the one or more knowledge groups into the structure.

14. The computer readable medium according to claim 13, wherein the computer program comprises instructions for generating one or more knowledge groups based on a topic of the piece of writing.

15. The computer readable medium according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the extracting comprises text recognising.

16. The computer readable medium according to any one of claims 13-15, wherein each of the one or more knowledge groups comprises at least one text field for receiving one or more portions of the at least one document.

17. The computer readable medium according to any one of claims 13-16, wherein the computer program comprises instructions for assigning a category to each of the one or more knowledge groups.

18. The computer readable medium according to any one of claims 13-17, wherein the structure includes a plurality of segments.

19. The computer readable medium according to any one of claims 13-18, wherein the structure is displayed in a writing panel for composing, formatting, and storing text.

20. The computer readable medium according to any one of claims 13-19, wherein the computer program comprises instructions for searching the at least one document based on one or more keywords and generates a search result highlighting each keyword in a different colour.

21. The computer readable medium according to claim 20, wherein the search result includes pages containing at least one sentence within which all of the one or more keywords are present.

22. The computer readable medium according to any one of claims 13-21, wherein the computer program comprises instructions for storing the one or more knowledge groups into a library.

23. The computer readable medium according to any one of claims 13-22, wherein the computer program comprises associating each of the one or more knowledge groups with the piece of writing.

24. The computer readable medium according to any one of claims 13-23, wherein the at least one document is any one of a document stored in a local storage, a document downloaded via a communication network, a selection of text present on an application program other than the word processor.

Tao Chen and Xiao Han Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON&FERGUSON