Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Microsoft Corporation

Ilan Berker

Matthew Jay Kotler

Scott A Sherman

Janet L Schorr

Karen K Wong

Thomas Charles Underhill

Stephen Thomas Wells

Dawn Marie Wright

Richard J Wolf

Brent Gilbert

Cynthia Christine Shelly

Gary Allan Pritting

Kim Tapia St Amant

David M Gerton

Ramona Pousti

Sean Olin Blagsvedt

Crystal L Hoyer

Chris M White

Jason Churchill Costa

Mitika Gupta

Karel Blaha

Keywon Chung

Shain Heuer

Todd Blocksom

Gabe Hall

Joseph Benoit, Iii

Thomas C Underhill

Stephen T Wells

Dawn Wright

Kim Tapia Stamant

Gary A Pritting

Cynthia C Shelly

A method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium are provided for creating and laying out a graphic within a drawing application program. The method includes receiving a data model defining a set of data and data relationships to be represented in the graphic, receiving a graphic definition describing the mapping of the data from the data model to a set of algorithms, algorithm parameters, constraints, constraint rules, and shape properties, determining a shape size and position for the layout nodes utilizing the set of algorithms, constraints, and constraint rules from the graphic definition, and creating a list of shapes and shape properties for the graphic, including size and position. The method further includes determining if the graphic fits a given layout into a specific area based on the set of constraint values and if the graphic does not fit the specific area, then modifying the set of constraint values using the constraint rules.

Method, system, and computer-readable medium for creating and laying out a graphic within an application program

A method and system for rendering graphics based on user customizations in a computer graphics application are disclosed. The customizations relate to various properties of one or more graphical elements in the graphic. Such properties include positioning, size, formatting and other visual attributes associated with the graphical elements. These properties may be defined as either semantic properties or presentation properties. Semantic properties are persistent across all graphic definitions. Presentation properties are specific to the graphic definition to which each particular graphic belongs. Thus, a customization to a semantic property of a displayed graphic is preserved in memory for application not only to the currently displayed graphic, but also to all other graphic definitions that may be displayed in the future. In contrast, a customization to a presentation property is only preserved for the currently displayed graphic, and thus not preserved for all other graphic definitions.

Maintaining graphical presentations based on user customizations

A method and computer-readable medium are provided for generating graphics having a finite number of dynamically sized and positioned shapes. According to the method, a relative size and position are defined for each of the shapes in a graphic. The relative size and position of the shapes may be defined relative to a canvas size or relative to other shapes. Once the size and position have been defined, the size and position are translated into size and position values expressed as relative to a canvas size. A mapping is also created between specific locations in a data set and the shapes. The graphic is generated utilizing the mapping and by sizing and positioning the shapes relative to the current canvas size. If a new canvas size is detected, the size and position of the shapes may be recomputed relative to the new canvas size. The graphic may also be utilized within a dynamic graphic.

Method and computer-readable medium for generating graphics having a finite number of dynamically sized and positioned shapes

A method and computer-readable medium are provided for fitting text to shapes within a graphic. According to the method, initial constraints are defined that comprise initial values describing how a shape and text within the shape should be laid out. Constraint rules are also defined for use in modifying the initial constraints when application of the initial constraints to the text in a shape results in the text overflowing the boundaries of the shape. A change may be detected to the graphic that would affect the size or position of one or more of the shapes or the text within one of the shapes. If such a change causes text to overflow when laid out using the initial constraints, the constraint rules are applied sequentially to modify the constraints. The modified constraints are then reapplied to the shapes to create a new layout for the graphic.

Method and computer-readable medium for fitting text to shapes within a graphic

Structuring graphics with placeholders may be provided. A first diagram may be displayed configured to display data associated with a data model. The first diagram may have a first diagram type. Next, a request may be received to display the data model in a second diagram configured to display the data associated with the data model. The second diagram may have a second diagram type. Then, the second diagram may be displayed configured to show the data associated with the data model.

Structuring graphics with placeholders

Methods and systems provide for aggregating person-centric data from one or more data sources and for providing the aggregated data to a user via a computer-displayed user interface that is keyed on or otherwise associated with an identified name in electronically presented text or data. A name in the text or data of an electronic document is identified and is associated with a unique identification, such as an electronic mail address. The unique identification is used by a persona menu application to obtain person-centric data from a variety of data sources. Example data sources include electronic mail contact files, electronic mail and calendaring system free/busy status files, directories of person-centric data related to persons associated with a distributed computing network, and instant messaging files. A data structure is populated with the returned data. Upon user selection, a user interface containing aggregated data associated with the identified name is displayed to the user to provide the user helpful information and actions associated with the identified name.

Persona menu

Dynamic routing of 1D and 2D connectors is provided in a connected diagram. 2D connector shapes, end-shapes, content such as text or images are dynamically adjusted as objects are placed onto the diagram canvas. Connection points for connectors are determined using cardinal points, shortest distance between objects, or by generating additional cardinal points with a virtual object. Connectors are routed using a boundary box placed between cardinal points and a relationship between imaginary vectors pointing away from the objects at the connection points.

Providing 1D and 2D connectors in a connected diagram

System and methods for providing 1D and 2D connectors in a connected diagram. Routing and layout of connectors is accomplished through a pre-defined set of behaviors and properties on a connector that enable an aesthetic layout. Routing behaviors and visual look of the connectors within a diagram may be included in an XML definition file or controlled by a user. The user may switch between 1D and 2D connectors regardless of a shape of the connector. Padding and offset features are assigned to connectors for aesthetically pleasing presentation of object relations. Text box shapes and placements on or near connectors are aligned with connector type, size, and placement. Images and non-predefined shapes may be used as connectors with behaviors assigned similar to predefined shapes.

System and method for providing 1D and 2D connectors in a connected diagram

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Seattle, WA, United States of America

Ilan Berker