Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for manipulating page layouts in a desktop publishing system. The present invention comprises an interactive computer-implemented productivity tool that is fast and easy to use and enhances the productivity of operators of the desktop publishing system. Once a two-page spread has been laid out on the monitor of the desktop publishing system, the present invention provides a number of different methods for manipulating the spreads.

Abstract: A system and method for labeling animation movies and for displaying such labels is described. The method of labeling includes identifying the individual figures in the animated movie frame and creating a corresponding matte frame which relates the regions of the figures to labels. Such labels can be textual descriptions, Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) or other data. The method of displaying such labels includes accepting a user input during the playing of an animated movie and then displaying the label associated with the figure selected. Multiple labels can be linked to the same figure in a movie, so that different labels are available to meet the needs of a variety of users. For example, the same figure can have different labels which offer descriptions in foreign languages or for different education levels.

Abstract: Text extracted from computer aided drafting (CAD) files is stored in a receiving database for use in document management. In addition, the textual data stored in the receiving database can be obtained from directory information, constants defined prior to processing the drawings, or pre-existing database(s). The textual data extracted from the CAD files are located by defining an extraction area and comparing the extent of the textual data with the boundaries of the extraction area. Any textual data within the boundaries are stored in a temporary file for transfer to the receiving database.

Abstract: A plurality of source text files are read, representing similar information but in different natural languages. The files have correlated layouts, in that the same layout commands are employed at similar points in the files. Similar text, from the respective files, is aligned by identifying its position between equivalent word processing commands. Preferably, intermediate files are produced in which the word processing (WP) commands are converted into an identifiable form. Aligned text, which differs between the intermediate files whereas WP commands will not differ, is identified by a differential comparison operation, such as a call to DIFF within a UNIX environment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus pertaining to annotating a document window on a display device of a computer-based system. An annotation window is displayed over a selected portion of the document window where the annotation window is defined by a transparent window area bounded by a border. The annotation window enables the selected portion of the document window to be visible through the annotation window. Annotations are displayed within the annotation window where the annotations have a transparent background enabling the selected portion of the document windows to be visible through the transparent background of the annotations. When the annotation window is closed, the annotations are embedded into a contained document shown in the document window so that the annotations and the document are visible simultaneously in the selected portion of the document window.

Abstract: Automatic generation of hypertext markup language (HTML) files based on bitmap image data, which faithfully preserves layout information of an original document from which the bitmap data was obtained. Generally, multi-column document layouts result in automatic generation of HTML files that use HTML "table tags" to display each of the different columns. More particularly, a bitmap image is obtained such as by scanning or retrieval of a pre-existing image, and the bitmap image is segmented into blocks. The location of each block is determined, each block is analyzed in preparation for insertion of appropriate data into an HTML file, and layout analysis is performed to identify layout relationships between the blocks based on the relative locations of the blocks in the bitmap image.

Abstract: A document can be collaboratively edited by multiple editors by providing each editor with a separate copy of the document. Each editor then edits his own document copy using an editing application program, such as a word processor, to produce an edited copy. The edited copies are then retrieved and compared and a single marked-up document is created in which sections (for example, paragraphs) of the original document and corresponding sections of each of the edited documents (with changes from the original document indicated) are displayed in physically adjacent locations of the display screen. The displayed sections contain both edited and duplicated, unedited text. A set of "consolidation" tools are provided to quickly transfer edits between the physically adjacent areas of the screen and to make, or accept, edits made by any of the editors. A final document copy is made by eliminating the duplicate text in the sections.

Abstract: A different code string copying apparatus allows a converted output string to be converted into a code set that is reusable as an original input string.

Abstract: A single file holds multiple versions of a document composed of an interconnection of objects which themselves have versions and are stored in the file. When the document is changed by changing any of the interconnected objects, a check is first made to determine whether the object version is same as the document version currently being edited. If not, a copy of the object is made and saved. Any version of the document can be reconstructed by interconnecting object versions which have a highest level which is equal to, or less than, the desired document version. Therefore, only objects which are changed are duplicated and copies of objects are only made when an object changes. The interconnection of the objects to form structure of the document is maintained by an interconnection of object pointers. Each object has an associated demand loader object which includes a list of object versions for the associated object plus a pointer to one of the versions.

Abstract: In a method of imposing selected pages defined in a sequence of page descriptions included in a PostScript.RTM. file, the selected pages are interpreted by an interpreter and may be transmitted to a raster memory for rendering on a flat by an output device. If the current page is a selected page to be rendered on the flat, a virtual device is defined as the output device for the selected page such that the virtual device specifies an area in a raster memory for positioning the selected page on the flat, and the selected page is interpreted. If the current page is not a selected page, a next page is determined as selected page to be rendered on the flat, the virtual device is defined for the next selected page as the output device for the non-selected page, and the non-selected page is interpreted.

Abstract: A method for displaying on a computer screen information concerning the interrelationships of documents. A first document is retrieved over a network and displayed in a document display window on a display screen while simultaneously displaying, in a second window on the display screen, separately selectable representations of related documents which are relevant to the subject matter of the first document. When a user selects a representation of a second document, the second document is displayed in the document display window, and the representations of related documents in the second window are automatically updated when the second document is displayed in the document display window.

Abstract: Two types of outline font data defining thin and thick line characters belonging to the same font category are stored in a character ROM. Intermediate line characters of the same font category are generated based on the data stored in the character ROM without need for fixedly determining an order of arrangement of a plurality of pieces of data making up the character.

Abstract: The use of style sheets in an electronic publishing system is described. A style sheet is a collection of formatting information, such as font and tabs in a textual document. The style sheets described herein are applied to individual display regions (controls) on a page. Unlike previous systems, the display regions in this system do not contain any text at the time the style sheet is applied. Rather, the text, or other media such as graphics, is poured into the display region when the title is rendered on the customer's computer.

Abstract: In a system which permits different components of a document to be linked, a unique token is associated with a change to data in the source of a link. The token is passed with a command to update linked data. Each destination object keeps track of the token associated with the last change made to its linked data. When a new command to update linked data arrives at the destination object, the token for that update is compared with the token for the previous update. If the tokens are the same, an alert is presented to the user to indicate that either the change has been propagated around a cycle, or more than one update path exists between the source object and the destination object. In response, the user can elect to prevent the change from being carried out in the destination object, in which case the cycle is broken. Alternatively, the user can elect to let the update continue, for example in those situations in which multiple update paths are desirable.

Abstract: In a method of imposing selected pages defined in a sequence of page descriptions included in a PostScript.RTM. file, the selected pages are interpreted by an interpreter and may be transmitted to a raster memory for rendering on a flat by an output device. If the current page is a selected page to be rendered on the flat, a virtual device is defined as the output device for the selected page such that the virtual device specifies an area in a raster memory for positioning the selected page on the flat, and the selected page is interpreted. If the current page is not a selected page, a next page is determined as a selected page to be rendered on the flat, the virtual device is defined for the next selected page as the output device for the non-selected page, and the non-selected page is interpreted. A PostScript.RTM. save operator is redefined in order to save a definition of the virtual device. A PostScript.RTM.

Abstract: An editor for structurally represented computer programs transforms user-entered text on-the-fly into a stream of tokens that constitute words of the program under edit. Each token is classified as one of group of extended lexemes, and based upon token stream information the editor prettyprint displays the program as the user types. Prettyprinting involves typesetting each token in a visually distinct manner and displaying a varying amount of visual inter-token whitespace between the tokens, based upon token lexical type. The program may be user-edited from the prettyprinted display as though the program were internally represented as text. Cursor position and display appearance depend on the lexical types of tokens adjacent the cursor. To improve aesthetics of the prettyprinted display, a user may insert one or more alignment markers into lines of associated text. The presence of such marker(s) forces horizontal alignment between associated text lines containing such markers.

Abstract: A system and method for intuitively generating computer-assisted animation utilizes a transformation space in which a computer input device such as a three-dimensional drawing wand is moved to generated constructed poses from a plurality of source poses. The transformation space may be in the form of a tetrahedron with each of the four vertices representative of a source pose. At any point within the three-dimensional volume of the tetrahedron, a constructed pose may be defined based on weighted averages of the four source poses. The animator may create a sequence of animation simply by moving the drawing wand within the tetrahedron. The rate of change of the transformations of the constructed poses is controlled by the rate of movement of the drawing wand but may be altered after the sequence of constructed poses is defined.

Abstract: A character and figure transforming system which includes a display unit to display characters or figures according to pattern data in dot form. The system having a device for a first device which displays on a display area a menu screen for showing at least two transformation patterns having figures different from each other. A second device which designates an area including at least one character among the characters displayed on the display area, as a subject transformed area, and a third device which displays at least one transformed character on the display area by transforming at least one of the characters designated as a subject transformed area into at least the one transformed character according to a contour line of a figure of the transformation pattern selected.

Abstract: A method for generating images that appear as complex three-dimensional surfaces when viewed using a stereoscopic viewing system, using only a minimum amount of data to define the images. The stereo contours of a complex three-dimensional surface are drawn using a three-dimensional computer drawing system and three-axis input device. The drawing is viewed with a stereoscopic viewing system using, e.g., a CRT where the left and right eye images are time multiplexed in sequential fields and liquid crystal shutter glasses synchronized with the CRT display. Simply by drawing closed loops in space, filling the closed loops with color, and drawing a minimum number of other stereo contours, an image is created which appears to define a complex three-dimensional surface.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for annotating an electronic document. An electronic document is displayed. At least one note having at least one note segment is displayed. The note segment is linked to at least one portion of the electronic document. Location identification information is displayed that identifies a location of the portion in the electronic document that is linked to the note segment. This location identification information is displayed in the note, proximate to the note segment.