MXPA05008351A - An improved user interface for displaying selectable software functionality controls that are relevant to a selected object - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved user interface is provided for displaying selectable software functionality controls that are relevant to a selected object and that remain visibly available for use while the selected object is being edited. Upon selection of a particular object for editing, functionality available for editing the object is presented in a ribbon-shaped user interface above the software application workspace to allow the user ready and efficient access to functionality needed for editing the selected object. The display of relevant functionality controls is persisted until the user dismisses the display, selects another top-level functionality control or selects another object for editing.

Description

IMPROVED USER INTERFACE TO PRESENT SOFTWARE FUNCTIONALITY CONTROLS SELECTABLE THAT ARE RELEVANT TO AN OBJECT SELECTED CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUESTS The present application claims the priority of the provisional application of E.U.A. No. 60 / 601,815, Proxy No. 60001.0407USP1, Applicant No. 309417.1, filed on 16 August 'of 2004, entitled "Improved User Interfaces for Computer Software Applications ".

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to user interfaces of software application. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved user interface for presenting selectable software controls that are relevant to a selected object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION With the advent of the computer age, computer and software users have become accustomed to condescending software applications with the user that help them write, calculate, organize, prepare presentations, send and receive email, make music, and Similar. For example, modern electronic word processing applications allow users to prepare a variety of useful documents. Modern spreadsheet applications allow users to enter, manipulate and organize data. Modern electronic slide presentation applications allow users to create a variety of slide presentations containing text, images, data or other useful objects. To assist users in locating and utilizing the functionality of a given software application, a user interface, containing a plurality of generic functionality controls, is typically provided along an upper, lower or side edge of a user interface. presented work, where the user can enter, copy, manipulate and format text or data. Such functionality controls frequently include selectable buttons with names such as "file", "edit", "view", "insert", "format", and the like. Typically, the selection of one of these higher level functionality buttons, eg "format", causes a scrolling menu to be presented to expose one or more selectable functionality controls associated with the higher level functionality, for example, " source "under a higher-level" format "functionality. After a user selects a desired functionality control, or if the user moves the cursor with the mouse to a different location, the scrolling menu typically disappears. If the user determines that the functionality of the first scrolling menu was the desired functionality, the user must remember that top-level functionality was selected, re-select that functionality and then find the desired functionality control all over again. Therefore, in order to use the functionality of a given software application, the user must know which desired functionality is available under one of the selectable buttons, or the user must select different top-level functionalities until the specific functionality is located desired. This is particularly inconvenient when the user wishes to apply many available functionalities to a given type of object. For example, if the user wishes to edit a picture object fixed in a text document, according to previous methods and systems, the user must find the functionality in a scroll menu associated with editing the picture object. After the application of any given functionality, the scrolling menu associated with editing the selected object, eg, image object, typically disappears. When the user wishes to make a second or subsequent edition to the object, the user must again find the correct top-level functionality control, present a menu of available functionalities, and find the desired particular functionality. Said method of searching for the desired functionality is inconvenient and time consuming, particularly for less experienced users, and when a new functionality is added by the developers of the software application, the new functionality can never be used unless the user knows a little of its existence. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved user interface to present selectable software functionality controls that are relevant to a selectable object and that remains visibly available for use while the object is being edited. The present invention has been made with respect to these and other considerations.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION The embodiments of the present invention solve the above and other problems by providing an improved user interface to present selectable software functionality controls that are relevant to a selected object and that remain visibly available for use while the selected object is being edited. In general, aspects of the present invention provide for the display of selectable functionality controls associated with higher level functionality with the selection of a given object for editing. With the selection of a particular object to edit, the functionality available to edit the object is presented in a user interface in the form of a ribbon in the software application workplace to allow the user quick and efficient access to the functionality needed to edit the selected object. The presentation of relevant functionality controls is persisted until the user discards the presentation, selects another top-level functionality control, or selects another object to edit. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, methods and systems provide the functionality of a software application that is relevant to an edited object through an improved user interface. A plurality of available functionalities of a given software application is provided. After receiving an indication of a selection of an object to be edited through the software application, one or more selectable controls representing a subgroup of the plurality of functionalities is presented in a tape-like user interface while the subgroup of the plurality of functionalities is relevant and allows to edit the selected object. The subgroup of the plurality of functionalities is persisted in the user interface until an indication of the selection of a different object to be edited or the selection of a different functionality associated with a different subgroup of the plurality of functionalities is received. These and other aspects and advantages, which characterize the present invention, will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings. It should be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are illustrative and explanatory only and do not limit the claimed invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the architecture of a personal computer that provides an illustrative operating environment for the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 2 is an illustration of a computer screen display showing a tape-like user interface for presenting task-based top-level functionality labels and for presenting a plurality of functionalities available under a top-level functionality label selected Figure 3 illustrates a computer screen display showing the tape-like user interface in which selectable functionality controls are presented relevant to and associated with the editing of a selected object. Figure 4 illustrates a computer screen display showing an editable object according to the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 5 illustrates a computer screen display showing the presentation of a plurality of functionalities associated with an object selected for editing. Figure 6 illustrates a computer screen display of Figure 5 wherein a scrolling menu of combinations of selectable format options is illustrated under a selectable format control. Figure 7 illustrates a computer screen presentation showing the presentation of a plurality of functionalities associated with an object selected for editing. Figure 8 illustrates a computer screen display showing an editable object according to embodiments of the present invention. Figure 9 illustrates a computer screen display showing a menu of scroll functionality to provide functionality associated with an object selected for editing. Figure 10 illustrates a computer presentation showing the presentation of a plurality of functionalities associated with an object selected for editing. Figure 11 illustrates a computer screen display showing the display of a plurality of functionalities associated with an object selected for editing. Figure 12 illustrates a computer screen display showing the display of a plurality of functionalities associated with an object selected for editing.

Figure 13 illustrates a computer screen display showing a menu of scroll functionality to provide functionality associated with an object selected for editing. Figure 14 illustrates a computer screen display showing the display of a plurality of functionalities associated with an object selected for editing. Figure 15 illustrates a computer screen display showing a menu of scroll functionality to provide functionality associated with an object selected for editing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION As briefly described above, the embodiments of the present invention are directed to an improved user interface for presenting selectable functionality controls that are relevant to a selected object and that remain visibly available for use while the selected object is being edited. In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that are part of it, and which are shown as specific embodiments of illustrations or examples. These modalities can be combined, other modalities can be used, and structural changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is therefore not taken in a limiting sense and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims or their equivalents. Referring now to the drawings, in which similar numbers represent similar elements throughout the various figures, aspects of the present invention and the illustrative operating environment will be described. Figure 1 and the following discussion are intended to provide a brief general description of a suitable computing environment in which the invention can be implemented. Although the invention will be described in the general context of program modules running together with an application program running in an operating system on a personal computer, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can also be implemented in combination with others. program modules. In general, program modules include routines, programs, components, data structures, and other types of structures that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention can be practiced with other computer system configurations, including portable devices, multiprocessor systems, programmable or microprocessor-based consumer electronics, minicomputers, macrocomputers, and the like. The invention can also be practiced in distributed computing environments, where tasks are performed through remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices. Returning now to Figure 1, an illustrative computer architecture for a personal computer 2 for practicing the various embodiments of the invention will be described. The computer architecture shown in Figure 1 illustrates a conventional personal computer, including a central processing unit 4 ("CPU"), a system memory 6, including a random access memory 8 ("RAM") and a memory only 10 ("ROM"), and a common system driver 12 that couples memory to the CPU 4. A basic input / output system containing the basic routines that help transfer information between elements within the computer, such as during the boot is stored in the ROM 10. The personal computer 2 also includes a mass storage device 14 for storing an operating system 16, application programs, such as application program 205, and data. The mass storage device 14 is connected to the CPU 4 via a mass storage controller (not shown) connected to the common conductor 12. The mass storage device 14 and its associated computer-readable media provide non-volatile storage for the computer. personal computer 2. Although the description of the computer-readable media contained herein refers to a mass storage device, such as a hard disk or a CD-ROM drive, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that readable media by computer can be any available means that can be accessed by the personal computer 2. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media can comprise computer storage media and media. The computer storage means includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media, implemented in any method or technology for storing information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other solid state memory technology, CD-ROM, DVD, or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, storage of magnetic disk or other magnetic storage devices, or any other means that can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the computer. According to the various embodiments of the invention, the personal computer 2 can operate in a networked environment using logical connections to remote computers through a TCP / IP network 18, such as the Internet. The personal computer 2 can be connected to the TCP / IP network 18 through a network interface unit 20 connected to the common conductor 12. It should be appreciated that the network interface unit 20 can also be used to connect to other types of network interfaces. networks and remote computer systems. The personal computer 2 may also include an input / output controller 22 for receiving and processing the input of a number of devices, including a keyboard or mouse (not shown). Similarly, an input / output controller 22 may provide output to a display screen, a printer, or other type of output device. As mentioned above, a number of modules of program modules and data files can be stored in mass storage device 14 and RAM 8 of personal computer 2, including an operating system 16 suitable for controlling the operation of a computer networked personnel, such as the WINDOWS operating systems from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Washington. The mass storage device 14 and the RAM 8 can also store one or more application programs. In particular, the mass storage device 14 and the RAM 8 can store an application program 105 to provide a variety of functionalities to a user. For example, the application program 105 may comprise many types of programs such as a word processing application, a spreadsheet application, a desktop advertising application, and the like. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the application program 105 comprises a software application of multiple functionality to provide word processing functionality, slide presentation functionality, spreadsheet functionality, database functionality, and Similar. Some of the individual program modules comprising the multiple functionality application 105 include a word processing application 125, a slide presentation application 135, a spreadsheet application 140 and a database application 145. An example of such a multi-functional application 105 is the OFFICE manufactured by Microsoft Corporation. Other software applications illustrated in Figure 1 include an email application 130. Figure 2 illustrates a computer screen display showing a tape-like user interface for presenting top-lefunctionality labels based on task and for present a plurality of functionalities available under a selected top-lefunctionality label. As briefly described above, the improved user interface of the present invention includes a tape-like user interface for presenting selectable controls associated with the task-based functionality available under a given software application, such as the software application. 105 illustrated in Figure 1. A first section 210 of the user interface 200 includes generic selectable controls for functionality not associated with a particular task, such as word processing versus spreadsheet data analysis. For example, section 210 includes selectable controls for general file commands such as "open file", "save file", and "print". According to one embodiment of the present invention, the selectable controls included in the first section 210 are controls that can be used by a variety of software applications comprising a multiple functionality application 105. That is, the selectable controls included in the First section 210 may be controls that are generally found and used through a number of different software applications. The selectable controls included in the first section 210 may be used for all of these applications comprising such multi-functional application, but other selectable controls presented at user interface 200 described below, may be designed for particular tasks that may be performed by particular software applications comprising the application of multiple functionality. On the other hand, it should be appreciated that the user interface 200 described herein can be used for an individual software application such as a word processing application 125, a slide presentation application 135, a spreadsheet application 140, a database application 145, or any other software application that can use a user interface to allow users to apply the functionality of the associated application. Still referring to Figure 2, adjacent to the first section 210 of the user interface 200 is a task-based tag section. The tag section includes selectable tags associated with the task-based functionality provided by a given software application. For illustrative purposes, the task-based labels illustrated in Figure 2 are associated with tasks that can be performed using a word processing application 125. For example, a "Write" label 215 is associated with functionality that can be used to perform writing tasks. An "insert" tag 220 is associated with the functionality associated with carrying out insert operations or tasks. A "Page Display" label 230 is associated with the functionality provided by the associated application to make or edit page display attributes of a given document. As should be appreciated, many other task-based tags or selectable controls can be added to the tag section of the user interface to call the functionality associated with other tasks. For example, task tags can be added for text effects, document styles, review and comments, and the like. And, as described above, the user interface 200 can be used for a variety of different software applications. For example, if the user interface 200 is used for a slide presentation application, the labels contained in the label section may include labels such as "Create Slides", "Insert", "Format", "Draw", " "Effects, and the like associated with a variety of tasks that can be performed by a slide presentation application. Similarly, labels that can be used in the tag section of the user interface 200 for a spreadsheet application 140 may include tags such as "Data" or "Enter Data", "Lists", "Pivot Tables" , "Analysis", "Formulas", "Pages and Printing", and the like, associated with tasks that can be done using a spreadsheet application. Immediately below the generic controls section 210 and the task-based tag section there is a selectable functionality control section for presenting selectable functionality controls associated with a selected tag 215, 220, 230 of the tag section based on task. In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, when a particular label is selected, such as the "Write" label 215, the selectable functionality available from the associated software application to perform the selected task, for example, a write task , is presented in logical groupings. For example, referring to Figure 2, a first logical grouping 240 is presented under a heading of "Clipboard". In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the clipboard section 240 includes logically selectable functionality controls grouped together and associated with clipboard actions below the general write task. For example, the clipboard section 240 may include selectable controls such as a cut control, a copy control, a paste control, a select all control, etc. Adjacent to the clipboard section 240, a second logical grouping 250 is presented under the heading "Format". The selectable controls presented in the "Format" section 250 can include selectable controls such as text justification, text type, font size, line separation, bold, italics, underline, etc. Therefore, the functionalities associated with the format operations are logically grouped together under the whole "Write" task. A third logical grouping 260 is presented under the heading of "Writing Tools". The writing tools section 260 includes writing tools such as find / replace, auto-correct, etc. According to the embodiments of the present invention, with the selection of a task-based tag different from the tag section, a different set of functionality controls selectable in different logical groupings at the user interface 200 associated with the tag are presented. tag based on selected task. For example, if the "Insert" task tag 220 is selected, the selectable functionality controls presented at the user interface 200 are changed from those illustrated in Figure 2 to include selectable functionality controls associated with the insert task. For detailed information regarding user interface 200, illustrated in Figure 2, see U.S. Patent Application, Proxy No. 60001.0407USP1, Applicant's No. 309417.01, entitled "Command User Interface for Presenting Control Controls". Selectable Software Functionality ", which is incorporated herein by reference as set forth herein completely. Figures 3 to 10 illustrate aspects of a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 illustrates a computer screen display showing a tape-like user interface in which selectable functionality controls are provided relevant to and associated with the editing of a selected object. According to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3-10, of the present invention, wherein a portion of a document or a particular object is selected to be edited, such as a text object, image object, spreadsheet object , or the like, the user interface illustrated in Figure 2 is temporarily replaced with a user interface, as illustrated in Figure 3, which contains selectable functionality controls particularly associated with editing the selected object. 'For example, if an image object set in a text file for editing is selected, the task-based functionality labels and any associated logical groupings of individual selectable functionality controls, as described above with reference to the Figure 2, are replaced with one or more task-based functionality tags and associated logical groupings of selectable functionality controls that are particular to edit the selected object. For example, referring to Figure 3, a particular object set in a text file or other document is selected for editing by the user, the tape-shaped user interface 300 replaces the user interface in the form of tape 200 for that the user be provided with particular task-based tags 310, 320, 330 to edit the selected image object. Similar to the description of the user interface 200 described above, with the selection of one of the task-based tags 310, 320, 330, the portion of the user interface 300 disposed under the tags is populated with individual or logical groupings of selectable functionality controls to apply functionality available under the selected task-based label to the selected object. For example, referring to the user interface 300, the selection of a "Style Gallery" label 310 causes the presentation of a "Presentation" section 350 and a section of "Image Styles" 355.

In addition, a "Selection" section 345 is provided to allow the user to select among multiple image objects, for example, for application of any selected functionality. If the user applies a given functionality to the selected object, but is not satisfied with the result of the functionality application, a reset button 340 is provided to allow the user to reestablish the selected object to its previous condition to apply the selected functionality. The selection of one of the task-based tags, such as the "Effects" tag 320 or the "Image Tools" tag 330, will cause a different group of selectable functionality controls to be displayed in the lower portion of the tag. user interface 300 associated with the tag based on selected task. Referring to exemplary functionality controls illustrated in user interface 300, in the "Image Styles" section 355, a plurality of images is provided to show a user how a selected object should be presented if a particular combination of Format options or image styles is applied to the object. In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the selection of one or more images may cause all the commands necessary to format or style the selected object in a manner consistent with the selected image of the user interface 300. That is, after After selecting a desired image in the "Image Styles" section 355, the object selected in the user document is automatically formatted or stylized. The "Presentation" section 350 'is representative of a section of functionality controls that may have one or more potential presentation images or styles or schemes that may be presented in the user interface 300. Therefore, as illustrated and described further on with reference to Figure 6, the selection of the "Presentation" section 350 may cause a scroll menu or slide menu to be presented providing a user with a variety of different display options that may be applied to the display. Selected object. As should be understood by those skilled in the art, task-based labels and individual functionality controls illustrated in user interface 300 are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit in any way the variety of object-specific functionalities that may be provided in the user interface 300. In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, by replacing the normal functionality offers of the user interface 200 with the particular functionality to the selected object, the user experience is one of being immersed in the functionality available to the user to edit the selected object. If enough space is available in the user interface 300 to present all the logical groupings of functionality controls associated with a task-based tag, a real-time determination of application can be made as to any of the logical groupings that must be collapsed or closed until the associated task-based tag is selected. Similarly, if the user manually reduces the size of the user interface 300, a determination is made as to the space available to present selectable functionality control sections, and certain selectable functionality control sections are collapsed as required. As it should be appreciated, a determination can be made as to the order of collapsing selectable functionality control sections so that a criterion, such as "the most used" or "most recently used" can be used to determine which control sections of Selectable functionality are presented and which sections are collapsed while decreasing the available space in the user interface.

According to an alternate embodiment, if the user interface 300 lacks sufficient space to present all the logical groupings of functionality controls associated with a given task-based label, the size of the presentation of logical groupings is reduced to allow space for the presentation of all the associated logical groupings. According to one aspect of this embodiment, different sizes of group presentations can be defined, for example small, medium and large. At the time of presentation, a determination can be made as to the space available. At a starting point, the largest size is presented for each applicable logical grouping presentation. As required, the presentation size (ie, large to medium to small) is reduced for each logical grouping until each grouping is adjusted in the available space. In addition, for smaller logical grouping presentation designs, text labels can be shortened or eliminated and the presentation of individual selectable controls contained in given groupings can be reordered to allow more efficient use of space. Referring now to Figure 4, an exemplary text document is presented in a word processing application workspace having a fixed image object. The user interface 200, arranged along the upper end of the word processing application workspace, is presented with task-based tags and associated selectable functionality control sections for writing text in the presented document. If the user wishes to edit the image object 410, according to embodiments of the present invention, the user does not need to search for the functionality required to edit image objects. After the selection of the image object 410 for editing, a "Show Image Tools" 420 control is presented to the user to allow the user to remember tools and other functionality available to the user to edit the selected object. As it should be understood by those skilled in the art, the description of the edition of an image object is for illustrative purposes only and is not limiting a variety of different tools and functionalities that can be exposed to the user in a user interface 300 described. previously after the selection of different types of objects: For example, tools and functionality can be provided for editing table objects, worksheet objects, slide show objects, database objects, and the like. If the user selects the "Show Image Tools" control, according to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3-10, the user interface 300 is dynamically generated and temporarily replaces the user interface 200, as illustrated in the Figure 5. Referring to Figure 5, the user interface 300 replaces the user interface 200, and the task-based functionality available to the user to edit the selected image object is presented at the user interface 300, as described above with reference to Figure 3. Now, the user can select one or more applicable functionalities to edit the selected object (e.g., image object) without the need to search through a variety of different menus or toolbars to the functionality needed to edit the selected object. In order to discard the user interface 300 and return to the user interface 200, and the output control can be selected. Referring to Figure 6, it is considered, for example, that the user decides to change the presentation of the document by moving the fixed image object to a different location. The user can manually move the fixed object to a different location followed by the change of orientation and location of text contained in the document to cause the total document to have an acceptable and desirable presentation. Nevertheless, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the user may select the display control 350 to display a scroll menu to provide a variety of different potential presentations for the selected object within the selected document. For example, scroll menu 600 provides presentations such as "Large Centering", 610, "Upper Left", 620, "Upper Right", 630, "Text Centered", 640, "Up and Down", 650 and " Only on Page "660. As may be understood, the potential presentations described as illustrated with respect to Figure 6 are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit a variety of different presentations that may be provided to the user through the interface of user 300. As described above with reference to Figure 3, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, all commands required to apply a presented or displayed format to the selected object can be encoded for execution after selecting one of the images of format or presentation provided in the user interface. Accordingly, if the user wishes to select a presentation by placing the selected image object in the upper right orientation of the selected document, the user may select the "Top Right" display 630, and all the functionality required to reorder the selected object and document. according to the selected presentation is applied to the document and object so that the document assumes the selected presentation, as illustrated in. Figure 7. Referring to Figure 7, the selected object 410 is now placed in the upper right corner of the document, and therefore the text has been reordered. As illustrated in Figure 7, the user interface 300 containing the functionality associated with the selected object remains persisted in the user interface until the user selects a different object in the document to be edited. For example, if the user moves the mouse cursor to a portion of text in the document and selects the text portion of the document to be edited, the user interface 300 will be discarded and an appropriate user interface 200 associated with editing the text will be presented. selected, as illustrated in Figure 4. For example, as illustrated in Figure 8, the image object has been removed and the cursor is located in the text portion of the document. Accordingly, the user interface 300, containing particular functionality for editing an image object is discarded, and the user interface 200 is presented, which contains task-based tags and associated selectable functionality controls, groupings or sections to provide the user the functionality needed to edit the text portion of the document. As described above, a method for presenting the user interface 300 to provide selectable functionality associated with a particular object is to select a particular object within a given document. Alternatively, the user interface 300, which contains the functionality associated with a particular object can be presented by inserting an object of a given type into a document. For example, referring to Figure 9, if the user wishes to insert a table object into the document illustrated in Figure 9, the user may select the "Insert" task-based tag 220 from the user interface 200 to present selectable functionality controls associated with inserting text or objects into the document. Then if the user decides to insert a particular object, for example, a table object, into the document, the user may use one or more selectable functionality controls presented in the user interface 200, or the user may launch a 900 dialogue, as illustrated in Figure 9, to create and insert a desired object, for example a table object, into the selected document. In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, once the user selects to insert the desired object into the document, the object 1050 is inserted into the document, as illustrated in Figure 10. Simultaneously, the user interface 200 is replaced. with a user interface 300 to present selectable functionality for editing the now selected table object 1050. For example, with reference to Figure 10, the user interface 300 now includes task-based tags associated with editing a table object. For example, task-based tags, illustrated in user interface 300, include "Style Gallery," "Effects," "Borders and Shading," "Table Display," and "Date." As described above with reference to Figures 2 and 3, the selection of one of the task-based tags, for example the "Style Gallery" tag, causes a display of selectable individuals or groups of functionality controls 1020, 1030, 1040 to edit the selected object according to the tag based on the selected task. Figures 11 to 15 illustrate aspects of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Referring now to Figure 11, aspects of this embodiment of the present invention are illustrated and described with reference to a spreadsheet application 140. As illustrated in Figure 11, a spreadsheet document is presented having a table illustrative data 1150. A user interface 1100 similar to the user interface 200 described above with reference to Figure 2 is arranged on the spreadsheet workplace to provide spreadsheet application functionality. A plurality of task-based tags is provided at the top of the user interface 1100 to selectively present logical groupings of selectable functionality controls associated with given task-based functionality tags. For example, task-based functionality tags included in user interface 1100 include "Insert", "Page Display", "Analysis", etc. According to aspects of this embodiment, when an object is selected for editing, such as the object of table 1150 illustrated in Figure 11, the selectable functionality controls associated with the selected object do not replace the labels presented in the user interface 1100 , but they are appended to the user interface 1100 under the tags presented in the user interface 1100. The controls associated with the selected object are automatically presented in the appended orientation relative to the tags of the user interface 1100 after selection or insertion of a given object. The selection of any of the tags in the user interface 1100 discards the controls presented for the selected or inserted object that are appended under the user interface 1100. For example, a section of "Styles" 1110 is provided to apply place styles. from worksheet to document, a "Properties" section 1120 is provided, a "Actions" section 1130 is provided, and a "Publish to Server" section 1140 is provided. In accordance with the embodiments herein invention, because a table object is fixed in the spreadsheet workspace, a "Table Tools" label is displayed adjacent to the functionality labels based on task 1100. As it should be appreciated, the selection of the "Table Tools" tab can cause a display of selectable functionality controls associated with table objects in the lower portion of the user interface . As illustrated in Figure 12, the selection of the "Table Tools" label causes the display of the selectable functionality controls associated with the selected table. Alternatively, the presentation of the functionality controls associated with the selected table can be automatically presented after the selection of the table object without using the "Table Tools" label. As it should be understood, the description of the table object 1150 and use of the "Table Tools" label are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the operation of the embodiments of the present invention with respect to other objects that may be inserted or edited at the spreadsheet workplace. Referring to Figure 13, if the user decides to create a table, for example, using data contained in the selected table object, the user can select one of the "Controls" of picture type images illustrated in the user interface of Figure 12. After the selection of a table to be inserted in the spreadsheet workplace, a "Insert Table" dialog 1310 can be presented to allow use to specify attributes of the selected table. As illustrated in Figure 14, once the particular box attributes are selected, a corresponding box is drawn and presented at the worksheet workspace. In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the insertion of the selected frame automatically causes the functionality of the previously presented user interface (see Figures 12 and 13) to be replaced with selectable functionality controls associated with editing the selected and inserted frame. For example, a "Frame Structure" section 1410, a "Frame Options" section 1420, a "3D View" section 1430, and an "Axis Scale" section 1440 are presented in a lower portion of the user interface to provide particular selectable functionality controls associated with editing the selected frame. Referring now to Figure 15, if the user selects a different functionality for application to the spreadsheet workplace, for example, inserting a pivot table, the particular functionality presented in the user interface associated with editing the table, as illustrated in Figure 14, it is replaced with functionality associated with inserting the selected or desired pivot table. Accordingly, functionality controls are made available and presented to the user according to the origin of the user's work, for example, the selection of a particular object in a document to be edited. As described herein, an improved user interface is provided to present selectable functionality controls that are relevant to a selected object and that remain persisted for use while the selected object is being edited. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or variations may be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention described herein.

Claims (37)

1. - A method for providing functionality from a software application that is relevant to an edited object through an improved user interface, comprising: providing a plurality of functionalities available from the software application; receive an indication of a selection of an object to edit through the software application; after receiving an indication of the selection of an object to edit, provide in the user interface one or more selectable controls representing a first subgroup of the plurality of functionalities, while the subgroup of the plurality of functionalities allows the edition of the selected object.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein in response to receiving an indication of a selection of an object to be edited through the software application, providing a selectable control on the selected object to selectively cause the provision in the user interface of the one or more selectable controls that represent a first subgroup of the plurality of functionalities.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein before providing in the user interface one or more selectable controls that represent a subgroup of the plurality of functionalities, further comprises providing a user-interface interface tag in the user interface. user for each one or more tasks that can be performed with the subgroup of the plurality of functionalities.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising receiving an indication of the selection of a first user interface tag, providing in the user interface one or more selectable controls to select one or more functionalities organized under a first task associated with the first user interface tag selected.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising receiving an indication of a selection of a second user interface tag, which provides in the user interface one or more controls for selecting functionalities organized under a second task associated with the second user interface tag selected.

6. The method according to claim 4, further comprising grouping the one or more selectable controls that represent a subgroup of the plurality of functionalities in one or more logical groupings of selectable controls while each or more of the logical groupings is associated with a subgroup of the one or more selectable controls for selecting one or more functionalities organized under the first task associated with the first selected user interface tag.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein if the user interface lacks sufficient space to present selectable controls of a given logical grouping, the given logical grouping in an individual selectable control is collapsed to access the controls selectable grouped under the given logical grouping.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising receiving a selection of the individual selectable control, providing a menu of the selectable controls grouped under the given logical grouping.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein if the user interface lacks sufficient space to present selectable controls of a given logical grouping, a presentation size of each or more logical groupings is reduced until each or more logical groupings can be presented in the user interface.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising reordering a presentation of individual selectable controls grouped in a given logical grouping to reduce the presentation size of the logical grouping.

11. The method according to claim 10, which further comprises arranging a presentation of one or more individual selectable controls grouped in a given logical grouping which is grouped to reduce the presentation size of the logical grouping.

12. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: after receiving an indication of a mouse movement of a second user interface tag, providing in the user interface one or more selectable controls representing a second subgroup of the plurality of functionalities; and after stopping the mouse movement of the second user interface tag, providing in the user interface one or more selectable controls representing the first subgroup of the plurality of functionalities.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein after providing in the user interface one or more selectable controls representing a second subgroup of the plurality of functionalities, receiving an indication of a selection of one of one or more selectable controls that represent the second subgroup of the plurality of functionalities; and if the second user interface tag is not selected to persist a provision in the user interface one or more selectable controls representing a second subgroup of the plurality of functionalities; provide in the user interface one or more selectable controls that represent the first subgroup of the plurality of functionalities.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving an indication of a selection of an object to be edited through the software application includes receiving an indication of an insertion of an object to be edited in a document object to through the software application.

15. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving an indication of a selection from one of the one or more selectable controls, applying the functionality associated with the selected one or more selectable controls for the selected object.

16. An improved user interface for providing the functionality of a software application that is relevant to a selected object, comprising: one or more tags arranged in a top row of the user interface, each of said one or more tags identifying a task that can be performed with the software application, wherein said task is associated with objects of the same type as a selected object; wherein each of said one or more tags are operative after selection to cause a display at the user interface of one or more selectable functionality controls associated with a selected tag; and while said one or more selectable functionality controls are arranged in a row below the arrangement of one or more labels, each of said one or more functionality controls being operative to cause an application of an associated functionality of the software application to the selected object.

17. The improved user interface according to claim 16, further comprising said one or more selectable functionality controls being organized and presented at the user interface in one or more logical groupings, wherein each of said one or more logical groupings is associated with a subset of functionalities available from the software application that can be applied to the selected object according to a portion of a task associated with a selected label.

18. A computer-readable medium containing computer executable instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform a method to provide functionality from a software application that is relevant to an edited object through an improved user interface , comprising: providing a plurality of available functionalities of a software application; receive an indication of a selection of an object to edit through the software application; after receiving the indication of the selection of the object to be edited, providing in the user interface one or more selectable controls representing a first subgroup of the plurality of functionalities, while the subgroup of the plurality of functionalities allows the edition of the selected object.

19. - The computer readable medium according to claim 18, wherein in response to receiving an indication of a selection of an object to be edited through the software application, it provides a selectable control on the selected object to selectively cause the provision in the user interface of the one or more selectable controls that represent a first subgroup of the plurality of functionalities.

20. The computer-readable medium according to claim 18, wherein before providing in the user interface one or more selectable controls that represent a subgroup of the plurality of functionalities, further comprises providing a user interface at the user interface. of user interface for each one or more tasks that can be performed with the subgroup of the plurality of functionalities.

21. The computer readable medium according to claim 20, further comprising receiving an indication of the selection of a first user interface tag, providing in the user interface one or more selectable controls to select one or more functionalities organized under a first task associated with the first user interface tag selected.

22. The computer-readable medium according to claim 21, further comprising receiving an indication of a selection of a second user interface tag, providing in the user interface one or more selectable controls for selecting organized functionalities. under a second task associated with the second selected user interface tag.

23. The computer readable medium according to claim 21, further comprising grouping the one or more selectable controls that represent a subgroup of the plurality of functionalities in one or more logical groupings of selectable controls wherein each or more of the logical groupings is associated with a subgroup of the one or more selectable controls for selecting one or more functionalities organized under the first task associated with the first user interface tag selected.

24. The computer-readable medium according to claim 23, wherein if the user interface lacks sufficient space to present selectable controls of a given logical grouping, the given logical grouping in an individual selectable control is collapsed to access the selectable controls grouped under the given logical grouping.

25. The computer-readable medium according to claim 24, further comprising, after receiving a selection of the individual selectable control, providing a menu of the selectable controls grouped under the given logical grouping.

26. The computer-readable medium according to claim 23, wherein if the user interface lacks sufficient space to present selectable controls of a given logical grouping, a presentation size of each or more logical groupings is reduced to that each or more logical groupings can be presented in the user interface.

27. The computer-readable medium according to claim 26, further comprising reordering a presentation of individual selectable controls grouped in a given logical grouping to reduce the presentation size of the logical grouping.

28. The computer readable medium according to claim 27, further comprising arranging a presentation of one or more individual selectable controls grouped in a given logical grouping to reduce the presentation size of the logical grouping.

29. The computer-readable medium according to claim 21, further comprising: after receiving an indication of a mouse movement of a second user interface tag, providing in the user interface one or more selectable controls that they represent a second subgroup of the plurality of functionalities; and after stopping the mouse movement of the second user interface tag, providing in the user interface one or more selectable controls representing the first subgroup of the plurality of functionalities.

30. The computer readable medium according to claim 29, after providing in the user interface one or more selectable controls representing a second subgroup of the plurality of functionalities, receiving an indication of a selection of one of one or more selectable controls representing the second subgroup of the plurality of functionalities; and if the second user interface tag is not selected to persist a provision in the user interface one or more selectable controls representing a second subgroup of the plurality of functionalities, provide in the user interface one or more selectable controls that represent the first subgroup of the plurality of functionalities.

31. The computer readable medium according to claim 18, wherein receiving an indication of a selection of an object to be edited through the software application includes receiving an indication of an insertion of an object to be edited on an object. of document through the software application.

32. The computer-readable medium according to claim 18, further comprising receiving an indication of a selection from one of the one or more selectable controls, applying the functionality associated with that selected from one or more selectable controls for the Selected object.

33. A method for providing functionality of a software application that is relevant to an edited object through an improved user interface, comprising: receiving an indication of a selection of an object to be edited through the software application; after receiving the indication of the selection of the object to be edited, providing in the user interface a user interface tag for each of one or more tasks that are particular to be performed on an object of the same type as the selected object; provide in the user interface one or more selectable controls representing a first user interface tag, each of one or more selectable controls for selecting the application to the selected object from one or more functionalities of the software application associated with a first task; and grouping the one or more selectable controls that represent a first user interface tag in one or more logical groupings of selectable controls where each of one or more logical groupings is associated with a subgroup of one or more selectable controls representing the first user interface label.

The method according to claim 33, wherein in response to receiving an indication of a selection of an object to be edited through the software application, providing a selectable control on the selected object to selectively cause provision in the user interface of the user interface tag of one or more tasks that are particular to perform on an object of the same type as the selected object, and to cause provision in the user interface of one or more controls representing a first user interface label, each of one or more selectable controls for selecting an application to the selected object of one or more functionalities of the software application associated with a first task.

35. The method according to claim 33, further comprising receiving an indication of a selection of a second user interface tag, providing in the user interface one or more selectable controls representing the second interface tag of the user interface. user, each of one or more selectable controls to select for application to the selected object of one or more functionalities of the software application associated with a second task.

36. The method according to claim 33, wherein if the user interface lacks sufficient space to present selectable controls of a given logical grouping, the given logical grouping in an individual selectable control is collapsed to access the selectable controls grouped under the given logical grouping.

37. - The method according to claim 36, further comprising receiving a selection of the individual selectable control, providing a menu of the selectable controls grouped under the given logical grouping. 38.- The method according to claim 33, wherein receiving an indication of a selection of an object to be edited through the software application includes receiving an indication of an insertion of an object to be edited in a document object. through the software application. The method according to claim 33, further comprising receiving an indication of a selection from one of one or more selectable controls, applying the functionality associated with the selected one or more controls to the selected object. 40.- A computer readable medium containing computer executable instructions that when executed by a computer perform a method to provide functionality of a software application that is relevant to an edited object through an improved user interface, comprising : receive an indication of a selection of an object to edit through the software application; after receiving the indication of the selection of the object to be edited, providing in the user interface a user interface tag for each of one or more tasks that are particular to be performed on an object of the same type as the selected object; providing in the user interface one or more selectable controls representing a first user interface tag, each of one or more selectable controls for selecting the application to the selected object from one or more functionalities of the software application associated with a first homework; and grouping the one or more selectable controls that represent a first user interface tag in one or more logical groupings of selectable controls where each of one or more logical groupings is associated with a subgroup of one or more selectable controls representing the first user interface label. 41.- The computer readable medium according to claim 40, wherein in response to receiving an indication of a selection of an object to be edited through the software application, providing a selectable control on the selected object to selectively cause the provision in the user interface of the user interface tag for one or more tasks that are particular to be performed on an object of the same type as the selected object, and to cause provision in the user interface of one or more selectable controls representing a first user interface tag, each of one or more selectable controls for selecting the application to the selected object from one or more functionalities of the software application associated with a first task. 42.- The computer-readable medium according to claim 40, further comprising, after receiving an indication of a selection of a second user interface tag, providing in the user interface one or more selectable controls representing the second user interface label, each of one or more selectable controls for selecting the application to the selected object of one or more functionalities of the software application associated with a second task. 43.- The computer-readable medium according to claim 40, wherein if the user interface lacks sufficient space to present selectable controls of a given logical grouping, the given logical grouping in an individual selectable control is collapsed to access the Selectable controls grouped under the given logical grouping. 44.- The computer readable medium according to claim 43, further comprising, after receiving a selection of the individual selectable control, providing a menu of the selectable controls grouped under the given logical grouping. 45.- The computer readable medium according to claim 40, wherein receiving an indication of a selection of an object to be edited through the software application includes receiving an indication of an insertion of an object to be edited in an object. of document through the software application. 46.- The computer readable medium according to claim 40, which further comprises after receiving an indication of a selection of one of one or more selectable controls, applying the functionality associated with the selected one or more controls to the selected object .