Hover indicator for objects
Technology is disclosed for identifying embedded objects in a user interface. The technology identifies the objects when a user interface device is positioned over the object. The technology is included in a computer system having a graphical user interface, a display and a user interface selection device. A method of illustrating a characteristic of an object in a document on the display comprises the steps of retrieving an event indicating the position of the user interface selection device over an object; and displaying an indicator illustrating boundaries of the object in a document.
1 . In a computer system having a graphical user interface including a display and a user interface selection device, a method of illustrating a characteristic of an object in a document on the display, comprising the steps of:
(a) retrieving an event indicating the position of the user interface selection device over an object; and
(b) displaying an indicator illustrating boundaries of the object in a document.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the indicator displayed is dependent on the type of object over which the selection device is positioned.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein the indicator is a colored boundary stroke.
4 . The method of claim 1 wherein the indicator is a transparent box having boundaries matching boundaries of the object.
5 . The method of claim 1 wherein the indicator is a colored boundary stroke in combination with a transparent box overlying the object.
6 . The method of claim 1 wherein the indicator is a halo stroke alone for a text box and wherein the indicator is a halo stroke with a transparent box overlying the object for non-text box objects.
7 . The method of claim 1 wherein at least two objects are provided in the document on the display, and wherein a portion of a first of said objects at least partially obscures a second of said objects, said second object having an obscured portion, and wherein the indicator includes displaying said obscured portion.
8 . The method of claim 7 wherein said step of displaying said obscured portion includes rendering said obscured portion transparent.
9 . The method of claim 7 wherein said step of displaying said obscured portion includes rendering said obscured portion with a transparent box overlying the object for non-text box objects.
10 . A method in a computer system for displaying on a display device an indicator of an object, including a location and boundaries of the object, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) determining a position of a user controlled cursor over an object in a document; and
(b) displaying an indicator illustrating at least boundaries of the object in a document.
11 . The method of claim 10 wherein the step of displaying includes displaying a first style of indicator with a first type of object and a second style of indicator with a second type of object.
12 . The method of claim 11 wherein the first style of indicator is a boundary stroke having a first color and the second style of indicator is a boundary stroke having a different color.
13 . The method of claim 11 wherein the first style of indicator is a boundary stroke having a color and the second style of indicator is a boundary stroke including a transparent overlay.
14 . The method of claim 11 wherein the first style of indicator is a boundary stroke having a first color and the second style of indicator is a boundary stroke having a different color and a transparent overlay.
15 . The method of claim 10 wherein at least two objects are provided in the document on the display, and wherein a portion of a first of said objects at least partially obscures a second of said objects, said second object having an obscured portion, and wherein the indicator includes displaying said obscured portion.
16 . The method of claim 15 wherein said step of displaying said obscured portion includes rendering said obscured portion transparent.
17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein said step of displaying said obscured portion includes rendering said obscured portion with a transparent box overlying the object for non-text box objects.
18 . A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising:
(a) retrieving an event indicating the position of the user interface selection device over an object; and
(b) displaying an indicator illustrating boundaries of the object in a document.
19 . The method of claim 18 wherein the indicator displayed is dependent on the type of object over which the selection device is positioned, including displaying a first style of indicator of a boundary stroke having a first color and the second style of indicator of a boundary stroke having a different color.
20 . The method of claim 18 wherein the style of indictor includes a transparent overly in said first or second style of indicator