System and method for annotating web-based document
Computer users may integrate any annotation, including ink, highlighter, text-based notes and audio, directly into a Web-based document (WBD) displayed by a Web browser. This integration enables others to view the personalized annotated WBD, which retains its original active links and properties, over the Internet without the need for specialized software. Annotations are integrated into WBDs by freezing the WBD, overlaying an image file containing the annotations onto the WBD, and enabling browser events to pass through the image layer. Annotations may also be integrated into WBDs by using component object technology. By collecting and organizing annotated WBDs, users can be provided with an intuitive Web-based interface for accessing, viewing and searching the annotated WBDs. Users may annotate blank WBDs, effectively converting their Web browsers into online notebooks/scrapbooks. Users may also be provided with many interface techniques, such as dog-ears and its associated navigation tools, splitting pages, turning pages, selecting and copying various portions of a WBD (including shaking out a copy), and marking menus suited for right-handed or left-handed users.
1. A method for annotating a Web-based document with annotation client software and for viewing the annotated document, comprising:
generating annotation data by processing user input provided to the annotation client software by a user of the annotation client software;
associating the annotation data with the Web-based document to create the annotated document, the Web-based document being displayed via a Web browser;
providing the annotated document to an annotation server;
generating, with the annotation server, a graphic data file corresponding to a visual layout of the annotation data;
retrieving the annotated document from the annotation server in response to a user request, wherein the annotated document is generated for retrieval as a function of the Web-based document and the associated annotation data by
enclosing the annotated document inside a fixed-sized layer of the Web browser,
examining each element of the annotated document to detect particular properties which may cause the element to move relative to a predetermined corner of the annotated document during resizing of the annotated document, and
modifying the particular properties such that movement of the elements is prevented during resizing of the annotated document; and
receiving user input for performing a desired action upon the annotated document, including
receiving, via an input device, a predetermined gesture from the user, to be applied to the annotated document,
determining at least one command for performing a desired action corresponding to the predetermined gesture, and
executing the at least one command to perform the desired action upon the annotated document.
2. The method according to claim 1 , further wherein when the gesture includes a jagged horizontal stroke, the corresponding command instructs the Web browser to divide the annotated document horizontally.
3. The method according to claim 1 , further wherein when the gesture includes a jagged vertical stroke, the corresponding command instructs the Web browser to divide the annotated document vertically.
4. The method according to claim 1 , further wherein when the gesture includes a substantially straight vertical stroke, the corresponding command instructs the Web browser to flip to a bookmarked annotated document.
5. The method according to claim 1 , further wherein when the gesture includes a substantially circular stroke, the corresponding command instructs the Web browser to flip through each of a plurality of different annotated documents.
6. The method according to claim 1 , further wherein when the gesture includes a bracket stroke, the corresponding command instructs the Web browser to select an area of the annotated document bound by sides of the bracket stroke.
7. The method according to claim 1 , further wherein when the gesture includes first and second corner-shaped strokes, the corresponding command instructs the Web browser to select an area of the annotated document bound by the corner-shaped strokes.
8. The method according to claim 6 , wherein when the gesture includes shaking of a selected area of the annotated document, the corresponding command instructs the Web browser to copy the selected area.
9. The method according to claim 7 , wherein when the gesture includes shaking of a selected area of the annotated document, the corresponding command instructs the Web browser to copy the selected area.