AU2020102941A4

AU2020102941A4 - Improved word processor

Info

Publication number: AU2020102941A4
Application number: AU2020102941A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Max Lawrence Skinner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-11-29
Filing date: 2020-10-21
Publication date: 2020-12-17
Anticipated expiration: 2028-10-21

Abstract

The present invention relates to a word processor. The word processor includes a display for displaying text. One or more comments are inserted within the displayed text. The comments are audio comments for playback. Advantageously, the audio comments do not visually detract from the actual text. 4/4 00 %Aa 0 cc1 C)C __ L.O hC iL ECl 0O C~C) ,'I-

Description

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,'I- IMPROVED WORD PROCESSOR TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved word processor. The present invention has particular, although not exclusive application to a legal word processor.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] A word processor is an electronic tool for editing text.

[0004] MS WordTM isa well utilized word processor. In practice, documents containing the text to be processed are passed from a creator to a reviewer for review. The reviewer can provide written comments at various location throughout the text, for guidance when returned to the creator.

[0005] In the legal industry, the text can be quite lengthy and involved. Owing to the expression of complex ideas, may comments are often included which can be time consuming to type, and can visually detract from the corresponding displayed text owing to their size.

[0006] Legal firms often work with documents by having lawyers dictate changes into a recording device and sending to colleagues to get the changes actioned. It can often be hard to reconcile the audio instructions against locations within the document.

[0007] The preferred embodiment provides a word processor with improved comments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a word processor including: a display for displaying text; and one or more comments inserted within the displayed text, the comments being audio comments for playback.

[0009] Advantageously, the audio comments do not visually detract from the actual text.

[00010] The comments may be created by a creator, and word processor may include a reply control to enable a reviewer to reply to the comments. The reply may be in the form of one or more audio comments. Advantageously, the creator and reviewer can create a conversation in this manner. The word processor may include a resolved control so that the reviewer can mark the comment as resolved.

[00011] The word processor may include one or more of the controls for controlling the comments, the controls may be enabled responsive to focus on a comment. The controls may appear on a ribbon or a pop-up.

[00012] The word processor may include a plug-in for adding audio comments to an existing text comment.

[00013] The word processor may include a textbox for receiving the comments in text form that are converted and inserted in audio form.

[00014] The word processor may include a microphone control to control capture of the audio comments being spoken into a microphone, thereby avoiding the need to type long comments which can be time consuming. The word processor may include a stop control to stop capture of the comments. The word processor may include a restart control to restart capture of comments. The word processor may include a timer to time the duration of the audio comments. The word processor may include visual level indicator to indicate the level of the capture.

[00015] The word processor may include a playback control to control playback of the audio comments. The playback control may include play, pause, back, forward and/or slider controls. The playback control may display a time elapsed and/or time remaining for an audio comment. The word processor may include a delete control to control deletion of the audio comments.

[00016] The word processor may further include a speech-to-text processor for converting the audio comments to text.

[00017] The word processor may includeMS WordTM

[00018] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a word processing method involving: displaying text; and inserting one or more comments within the displayed text, the comments being audio comments for playback.

[00019] The method may further involve capturing the creator of each audio comment. The method may further involve enabling amendment or deletion of each audio comment by only the creator of the comment.

[00020] The method may involve enabling controls when a comment gets focus.

[00021] The step of inserting may involve selecting an area of the text. The method may involve compressing captured audio comments to be inserted.

[00022] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00023] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[00024] Figures 1 to 5 show the sequential steps involved with adding an audio comment using a legal word processor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electronic word processor 100 as shown in Figure 1 for use in the legal field. The word processor 100 includes a display 102 for displaying text 104.

[00026] Turning to Figure 2, the MS WordTM word processor 100 is provided as a base, and also includes a unique plug-in audio comments menu 200 to enable one or more audio comments to be inserted within the displayed text 104. The audio comments are positioned at desired locations within the text 104 for playback. Advantageously, the audio comments are not themselves visible, and do not visually detract from the actual text 104. Rather, an indicator 202 such as highlighted text indicates the presence of a comment.

[00027] Turning to Figure 3, the comments are created by a document creator 300 (i.e. user) using a pop-up comments controller 302 with controls for controlling various aspects relating to the comments. The controller 302 pops up and the controls are enabled responsive to focus on a comment. Typically, the focus would be in the form of a user selecting a position on the comment indicator 202.

[00028] As can best be seen in Figure 4, the comments controller 302 includes a reply control 400 to enable a user 402 (i.e. creator 300 or another reviewer) to reply to the comments. The reply is also in the form of one or more audio comments. Advantageously, the users (e.g. creator and reviewer) can create a conversation in this manner, by replying to each other with alternating audio comments. The word processor 100 captures the creator of each audio comment, and enables amendment or deletion of each audio comment by only the creator of the comment (and no other user).

[00029] The controller 302 also includes a resolved control 404 so that a user can mark the comment as resolved for the benefit of other users.

[00030] Turning to Figure 5, the comments controller 302 includes a microphone control 500 to control capture of the audio comments being spoken into a microphone, thereby avoiding the need to type long comments which can be time consuming. Once actuated, the microphone control 500 includes sub-controls including a stop control to stop capture of the comments, a restart control to restart capture of comments, a timer to time the duration of the audio comments, and a visual level indicator to indicate the level of the capture.

[00031] The comments controller 302 also includes include a playback control 502 to control playback of the audio comments. Once actuated, the playback control 502 includes play, pause, back, forward and/or slider sub-controls. The playback control 502 also displays a time elapsed and/or time remaining for an audio comment.

[00032] The comments controller 302 also includes a delete control 504 to control deletion of the audio comment.

[00033] A word processing method using the word processor 100 is now briefly described.

[00034] Initially a user selects the first paragraph of text 104, displayed in the display 102, as shown in Figure 1.

[00035] As shown in Figure 2, the user then selects the "new comment" option in the comments menu 200 to insert an audio comment at the highlighted text 104.

[00036] As shown in Figure 3, the pop-up comment controller 302 is displayed and the current user 300 is captured.

[00037] The user can enter a new audio comment, linked to the selected text 104 and the captured user 300, using the microphone control 500. Alternatively, if the comment already exists and is in focus to enable the controls, as shown in Figure 4, the user can select the reply control 400 to reply to an existing selected comment, or can select the resolved control 404 to resolve the selected comment.

[00038] As shown in Figure 5, the microphone control 500 is used to capture the spoken audio comment. The captured audio comment inserted in the text 104 is compressed to reduce storage. After the audio comment has been captured, the playback control 502 can be used to playback the audio comment.

[00039] If a user without the plug-in audio comments menu 200 on their word processor 100 views the document, the audio comments are hidden.

[00040] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[00041] The word processor can further include a voice commander for performing voice command actions.

[00042] In one embodiment, the comment controls can appear on a ribbon rather than a pop-up controller 302.

[00043] In one embodiment, an audio comment can be added to an existing text comment.

[00044] In one embodiment, the word processor 100 includes a textbox for receiving the comments in text form that are converted and inserted in audio form. This is particularly useful when a microphone is not available.

[00045] In one embodiment, the word processor 100 further includes a speech-to-text processor for converting the audio comments to text.

[00046] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[00047] Reference throughout this specification to 'one embodiment' or'an embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or'in an embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A word processor including: a display for displaying text; and one or more comments inserted within the displayed text, the comments being audio comments for playback.

2. A word processor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the comments are created by a creator, and word processor includes a reply control to enable a reviewer to reply to the comments, the reply being in the form of one or more audio comments.

3. A word processor as claimed in claim 1 of claim 2, wherein including one or more of the controls for controlling the comments, the controls preferably being enabled responsive to focus on a comment and preferably appearing on a ribbon or a pop-up.

4. A word processor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further including: a microphone control to control capture of the audio comments being spoken into a microphone, thereby avoiding the need to type long comments which can be time consuming; a stop control to stop capture of the comments; a restart control to restart capture of comments; a timer to time the duration of the audio comments; a visual level indicator to indicate the level of the capture; a playback control to control playback of the audio comments, the playback control including play, pause, back, forward and/or slider controls and displaying a time elapsed and/or time remaining for an audio comment; a delete control to control deletion of the audio comments; a speech-to-text processor for converting the audio comments to text; and/or a textbox for receiving the comments in text form that are converted and inserted in audio form.

5. A word processing method involving: displaying text; and inserting one or more comments within the displayed text, the comments being audio comments for playback.

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