US5666503A — Structured image (SI) image editor and method for…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 82 words

A structured image (SI) editor for editing a structured image that includes multiple data types, including individual objects, and a pasteboard that represents a frame onto which the multiple data types are rendered, said editor comprising: an SI structure editor operable to create a hierarchical representation of the structured image; and an SI image editor, coupleable to said SI structure editor, and being operable to edit said multiple data types while associating the multiple data types with their respective high level representations.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 82 words

A structured image (SI) editor for editing a structured image that includes multiple data types, including individual objects, and a pasteboard that represents a frame onto which the multiple data types are rendered, said editor comprising: an SI structure editor operable to create a hierarchical representation of the structured image; and an SI image editor, coupleable to said SI structure editor, and being operable to edit said multiple data types while associating the multiple data types with their respective high level representations.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 38 words

The editor of claim 1, wherein the SI structure editor and the SI image editor are combineable to form a communications link to perform at least one of monitoring and editing the development of a structured image definition.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 35 words

The editor of claim 2, wherein the communications link allows editing of a structured image on a first machine while other machines, connected to the first machine, monitor the editing executed on the first machine.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 22 words

The editor of claim 3, wherein each of said other machines is operable to edit each version of the edited structured image.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 22 words

The editor of claim 1, wherein the SI structure editor and the image editor are one of independently operable and conjunctively operable.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 41 words

The editor of claim 1, wherein said SI image editor comprises a layering means that places each of said objects on an object level, such that the objects are prevented from colliding on a rendered pasteboard, and object selection is facilitated.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 21 words

The editor of claim 6, wherein the SI image editor layering means groups said objects together independent of said object level.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 20 words

The editor of claim 6, wherein the SI image editor layering means switches said objects to different object level positions.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 26 words

The editor of claim 6, wherein the SI image editor layering means groups a plurality of said objects into one object and across multiple object levels.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 34 words

The editor of claim 6, wherein the SI image editor layering means splits each object into a plurality of objects, and each of said plurality of said objects are placed on separate object levels.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 23 words

The editor of claim 1, wherein said structured image has a resolution that is dependent on a resolution of a connected output device.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 22 words

The editor of claim 11, wherein said output device includes one of a monitor, a printer, a pen-plotter, and a display device.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 19 words

The editor of claim 11, wherein the structured image resolution comprises display resolution imagery with display size memory requirements.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 28 words

The editor of claim 1, wherein storage of an edited structured image requires less memory than that of an original raster image represented by the edited structured image.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 29 words

The editor of claim 14, wherein multiple versions of edited structured images require a memory that is a fraction of a memory size required for said original raster image.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 23 words

The editor of claim 15, wherein the multiple versions of said edited structured images are represented as descriptive text in an ASCII file.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 21 words

The editor of claim 1, wherein said multiple data types include one of and any combination of text, graphics and rasters.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 85 words

A method for editing a structured image (SI) that includes multiple data types, including individual objects, and a pasteboard that represents a frame onto which the multiple data types are rendered, the method comprising the steps of: defining and editing image processing operations required to create a hierarchical representation of the structured image; and editing said multiple data types using at least one of an SI image editor and an SI structure editor while associating the multiple data types with their respective high level representations.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 85 words

A method for editing a structured image (SI) that includes multiple data types, including individual objects, and a pasteboard that represents a frame onto which the multiple data types are rendered, the method comprising the steps of: defining and editing image processing operations required to create a hierarchical representation of the structured image; and editing said multiple data types using at least one of an SI image editor and an SI structure editor while associating the multiple data types with their respective high level representations.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 18, further comprising providing a communications link for monitoring development of said structured image and said image processing operations.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 19, further comprising editing a structured image on a first machine, and monitoring the editing on at least one other machine using said communications link.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 20, further comprising editing the structured image using the at least one other machine.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 18, further comprising providing a unifying layer for representing said multiple data types as one of bits and rasters.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 37 words

The method of claim 18, further comprising placing each of said objects in a layering structure that includes a plurality of object levels, thus preventing the objects form colliding on a rendered pasteboard, and facilitating object selection.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 23, further comprising grouping said objects together independent of said object level.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 23, further comprising switching object level positions of said objects.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 23, further comprising grouping a plurality of objects into one object and across multiple object levels.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 23, further comprising splitting each object into a plurality of objects, and placing each of the plurality of objects on a separate object levels.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 18, further comprising representing and saving multiple versions of edited structured images as a description in an ASCII file.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 42 words

The method of claim 18, further comprising providing unlimited undo capability by providing each edited structured image with a memory that is less than a fraction of a memory size required for an original raster image represented by said edited structured image.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 18, further comprising adopting a resolution value from a connected printing device as a resolution of said structured image.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 18, wherein said editing further includes determining the type of image to be edited, and editing the object image based on said determining.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 31, wherein said determining includes reading a heritage tag that identifies the type of structured image to be edited.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 18, wherein said SI image editor operates to edit said multiple data types using high level representations, and said SI structure editor operates to edit and create image processing operation.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 33, wherein said editing includes editing said multiple data types using both the SI image editor and the SI structure editor.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 18, further comprising rendering said multiple data types into bits, and editing said rendered multiple data types.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 60 words

The method of claim 18, further comprising displaying said multiple data types on first and second display areas, wherein the first display area displays said hierarchical representation including at least one of any combination of said image processing operations, image merge orders, and imaging composition operations, and the second display area displays said structured image as a high level representation.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method of claim 36, wherein said first display area is one side of a split screen monitor, and the second display area is a second side of said split screen monitor.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 36,wherein said first display area is a first monitor, and the second display area is a second monitor.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method according to claim 18, further comprising editing using said SI image editor while highlighting the SI object on said hierarchical representation.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2000-09-08	2001-03-10	2001-09-09	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2004-09-08	2005-03-10	2005-09-09	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2008-09-08	2009-03-10	2009-09-09	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Structured image (SI) image editor and method for editing structured images

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