[19]
`United States Patent
`5,859,636
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent: Jan. 12, 1999
`Pandit
`
`
`
`1J8005859636/\
`
`[54] RECOGNITION OF AND OPERATION ON
`TEXT DATA
`
`[75]
`
`Inventor: Milind S. Pandit, Beaverton, Oreg.
`
`[73] Assignee:
`
`Intel Corporation, Santa Clara, Calif.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 579,568
`
`[22]
`
`Filed:
`
`Dec. 27, 1995
`
`Int. Cl.6 ........................................................ G06F 3/00
`[51]
`[52] US. Cl.
`............................................. 345/335; 707/501
`[58] Field of Search ..................................... 345/339, 349,
`345/352, 353, 335; 707/501
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`PUBLICATIONS
`
`“TAPI—The Biggest Roundup Ever Published,” Computer
`Technology, May 1995, p. 55.
`“Apple Introduces Internet Address Detectors,” Newsbytes,
`29 Sep. 1997.
`“E—Mail ’Net Differences—.
`
`.
`
`,” CommunicationWeek, 6
`
`.
`
`“Internet Update,” Newbytes, 10 Sep. 1997.
`“McWorld—Apple, Partners Launch Live Objects,” News-
`bytes, 8 Aug. 1996.
`
`Primary Examiner—A. Katbab
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Duane, Morris & Heckscher LLP
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Text of a predetermined class is recognized in a body of text.
`After recognition, operations relevant to the recognized text
`may be performed. For example, text such as telephone
`numbers, telefax numbers, and dates can be recognized in a
`body of text. Options are provided for selecting and running
`operations and programs relevant to the recognized text,
`such as,
`telephone dialers,
`telefaxing programs, writable
`databases etc. Libraries of subroutines are provided for each
`class of text to be recognized. Each library typically includes
`a plurality of operations which may be run on the particular
`class of text. The libraries are recognized at run time of an
`application, so that additional libraries and operations may
`be added Without a need for recompiling. A single class of
`text is recognizable in a number of formats Without limits as
`to the origin of the body of text.
`
`Jan. 1997 p. 12.
`
`40 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`' ACCENT
`TEXT
`
`21
`
`22
`
`TEXT
`RECOGNIZED
`?
`
`
`
`PROVIDE MENU
`
`BAR OF MENU
`
`NAMES OF
`
`PROVIDE MENU BAR
`DEFAULT
`
`HAVING MENU NAME
`OPERATIONS
`
`
`
`OF OPERATIONS
`
`
`RELATING TO
`ACCENTED TEXT
`
`HIGHLIGHTED
`
`
`PULL DOWN
`
`MENU OF
`PULL DOWN MENU
`DEFAULT
`
`OF OPERATIONS
`OPERATIONS
`CORRESPONDING
`
`TO ACCENT TEXT
`
`
`
`
`
`23
`
`24
`
`
`
`SELECT AND RUN
`
`ONE OR MORE
`
`
`OPERATIONS
`
`
`
`RETURN TO
`
`TEXT
`
`26
`
`25
`
`1/16
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`SAMSUNG EX. 1005
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`1/16
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jan. 12, 1999
`
`Sheet 1 019
`
`5,859,636
`
`12
`
`
` 13
`File Help D te EMail
`Phoneitr‘L
`
`phone: +1 202-707-4386; fax +1 202
`internet: goldberg@mail . loc . gov
`****************
`
`III.B.2
`
`
`
`Fr: 1995 CAIS Conference<CAIS@
`Re: CAIS '95 Conference Registratio
`CAIS/ACSI 95
`
`Annual Conference of
`
`the Canadian Assiciation for Informa
`
`CONNECTEDNESS: INFORMATIO
`
`7-10 June 1995
`To be held at the School of Library an
`University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alb
`
`ABBREVIATED CONFERENCE PR
`
`THURSDA , 6/8/1995.
`
`11
`
`FIG. 1a
`
`2/16
`
`SAMSUNG EX. 1005
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`2/16
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`SAMSUNG EX. 1005
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jan. 12, 1999
`
`Sheet 2 0f9
`
`5,859,636
`
`12
`
`
` 13
`
`File Help Dte EMail Phone#
`
`
`
`
`
`phone; +1 20 Display calendar...
`internet: gold Create appointment...
`***********
`
`18
`
`III.B.2
`
`Fr: 1995 CAIS Conference<CAIS@
`Re: CAIS '95 Conference Registratio
`CAIS/ACSI 95
`
`Annual Conference of
`
`
`
`the Canadian Assiciation for Informa
`
`CONNECTEDNESS: INFORMATIO
`
`7-10 June 1995
`To be held at the School of Library an
`University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alb
`
`ABBREVIATED CONFERENCE PR
`
`THURSDA , 6/8/1995.
`
`11
`
`FIG.
`
`lb
`
`3/16
`
`SAMSUNG EX. 1005
`
`3/16
`
`SAMSUNG EX. 1005
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jan. 12, 1999
`
`Sheet 3 0f9
`
`5,859,636
`
`15
`
`
` 13
`File Help Date
`E
`ail Phone#
`
`phone: +1 202-707—4386; fax +1 202
`internet: goldberg@mail.loc.gov
`*******
`
`14—
`
`
`
`III.B.2
`
`Fr: 1995 CAIS Conference<CAIS@
`Re: CAIS '95 Conference Registratio
`CAIS/ACSI 95
`
`Annual Conference of
`
`the Canadian Assiciation for Informa
`
`CONNECTEDNESS: INFORMATIO
`
`7—10june 1995
`To be held at the School of Library an
`University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alb
`
`ABBREVIATED CONFERENCE PR
`
`THURSDAY , 6/8/1995.
`
`FIG.
`
`lc
`
`4/16
`
`SAMSUNG EX. 1005
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`4/16
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`SAMSUNG EX. 1005
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jan. 12, 1999
`
`Sheet 4 0f 9
`
`5,859,636
`
`15
`
`
` 13
`File Help Date E
`ail Phone#
`
`
`
`phone: +1 202-70
`Send mail...
`
`internet: goldberg Add to address book...
`
`
`
`*****
`
`
`
` III.B.2
`Fr: 1995 CAIS Conference<CAIS@
`Re: CAIS '95 Conference Registratio
`CAIS/ ACSI 95
`
`14
`
`19
`
`Annual Conference of
`
`the Canadian Assiciation for Informa
`
`CONNECTEDNESS: INFORMATIO
`
`7-10 june 1995
`To be held at the School of Library an
`University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alb
`
`ABBREVIATED CONFERENCE PR
`
`THURSDAY , 6/8/1995.
`
`FIG. 1d
`
`5/16
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`SAMSUNG EX. 1005
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`5/16
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`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jan. 12, 1999
`
`Sheet 5 0f9
`
`5,859,636
`
`
`
`File Help Date EMail Ph ne#
`
`13
`
`17
`
`phone: +1 202-707-4386; fax +1 202
`internet: goldberg@mail.loc.gov
`****************
`
`16
`
`III.B.2
`
`Fr: 1995 CAIS Conference<CAIS@
`Re: CAIS '95 Conference Registratio
`CAIS/ACSI 95
`
`Annual Conference of
`
`the Canadian Assiciation for Inforrna
`
`CONNECTEDNESS: INFORMATIO
`
`7—10june 1995
`To be held at the School of Library an
`University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alb
`
`ABBREVIATED CONFERENCE PR
`
`THURSDAY , 6/8/1995.
`
`
`
`FIG. 1e
`
`6/16
`
`SAMSUNG EX. 1005
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`6/16
`
`SAMSUNG EX. 1005
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jan. 12, 1999
`
`Sheet 6 0f9
`
`5,859,636
`
`17
`
`
`
`File
`Help
`
`
`
`
`Dial...
`phone: +1 202-707-4386;
`
`
`Add to address book...
`internet: goldberg@mail.
`
`****************
`
`
`Send fax. ..
`
`
`III.B.2
`
`Fr: 1995 CAIS Conference<CAIS@
`Re: CAIS '95 Conference Registratio
`CAIS/ACSI 95
`
`1 3
`
`16
`
`
`
`Date EMail Phone#
`
`20
`
`Annual Conference of
`
`the Canadian Assiciation for Informa
`
`CONNECTEDNESS: INFORMATIO
`
`7—10]une 1995
`To be held at the School of Library an
`University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alb
`
`ABBREVIATED CONFERENCE PR
`
`THURSDAY , 6/8/1995.
`
`FIG. 1f
`
`7/16
`
`SAMSUNG EX. 1005
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`7/16
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jan. 12, 1999
`
`Sheet 7 0f 9
`
`5,859,636
`
` ACCENT
` 22
`?
` PROVWE MENU
`
`
`
`
`
`PROVWE MENU BAR
`
`HAWNG MENU NAME
`OPERAHONS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`TEXT
`
` 21
`
`TEXT
`
`RECOGNQED
`
`23
`
`OF OPERAHONS
`RELAHNG TO
`
`BAR OF MENU
`
`NAMES OF
`
`DEFAULT
`
`ACCENTED TEXT
`WGHLBHTED
`
`
`PULL DOWN
`
`
`
`24
`MENU OF
`
`
`DEFAULT
`
`
`
`OPERAHONS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PULL DOWN MENU
`OF OPERAHONS
`CORRESPONMNG
`
`TO ACCENT TEXT
` 26
`
`
`
`SELECT AND RUN
`
`25
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ONE OR MORE
`OPERAHONS
`
`RETURN TO
`
`TEXT
`
`FIG. 2
`
`8/16
`
`SAMSUNG EX. 1005
`
`8/16
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`SAMSUNG EX. 1005
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jan. 12, 1999
`
`Sheet 8 0f9
`
`5,859,636
`
`Q
`
`o_1
`KID—l
`D
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`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jan. 12, 1999
`
`Sheet 9 0f 9
`
`5,859,636
`
`
`
`CHECK FOR
`LIBRARY
`
`41
`
` ANY
`LIBRARY
`?
`
`
`
`42
`
`
`
`OBTAIN NAME
`OF LIBRARY
`
`
`
` OBTAIN
`NUMBER OF
`
`
`OPERATIONS
`
`
`
`
`
` OBTAIN NAMES OF
`FIRST THROUGH N’rh
`
`
`OPERATION
`
`
`
`
`ANY MORE
`LIBRARIES
`I)
`
`YES
`
`FIG. 4
`
`10/16
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`10/16
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`

`

`5,859,636
`
`1
`RECOGNITION OF AND OPERATION ON
`TEXT DATA
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`This invention relates to the field of text data processing.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`Word recognition involves an ability to recognize selected
`words in a document or the like. One example of word
`recognition is the searching of large volumes of text, such as
`encyclopedias or legal case books, using key words or
`search terms. A user typically locates relevant segments of
`information from within large volumes by specifying a word
`or words which must appear in the segment in order for it to
`be retrieved. Generally, other limiters are used, such as
`commands which require that the searched for words appear
`in a same sentence or paragraph, or within a predetermined
`number of words from one another. Boolean connectors also
`
`figure prominently in this type of searching. Generally,
`therefore, this type of word recognition involves searching
`a large body of text for the presence of one or more words,
`which possibly are arranged in a predefined order. No
`operations are performed other than retrieval of a portion of
`text which includes the selected words and the words are not
`
`recognized as part of a general class.
`Other word recognition and operation features are known.
`Generally, programs which provide for word recognition
`and for operations using or on the recognized words require
`the words to have been created by the program. For example,
`conventional applications that allow users to perform word
`recognition and operations on the words typically require
`that
`the words be created using the application. Words
`created using any other application are not recognizable and
`may not be operated on. Consequently, words created using
`a particular word processing or database program can be
`recognized and operated on only by the word processing or
`database program responsible for their creation. Examples
`of the conventional operations which can be performed on
`words by conventional word processing or database pro-
`grams include spell checking, finding and replacing, etc.
`The present invention will benefit any application which
`displays text to a user, regardless of the origin of the text.
`The invention expands the operations which may be per-
`formed using recognized text by allowing a user to intu-
`itively exploit the presence of certain classes or types of text
`in any document by transforming the text into an interface
`to other functions or operations.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention pertains to recognition of text in a body of
`text as belonging to a predetermined class and performing an
`operation relevant to the recognized text.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The following detailed description will be more fully
`understood with reference to the accompanying drawings in
`which:
`
`FIGS. 1a—1f are graphic representations of recognized
`text on video monitors in accordance with the invention;
`FIG. 2 is a flow chart diagram of the operation of the test
`recognition and operation features of the invention;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the libraries of the invention;
`and
`
`FIG. 4 is a flow chart diagram of the menu building
`features of the invention.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`40
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`45
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`50
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`55
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`60
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`65
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`2
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`The invention selectively recognizes text and performs
`relevant operations based on the recognition. Referring to
`FIG. 1a and FIG. 2, for example, a date 11 in text appearing
`on a video monitor is accented (step 21 of FIG. 2) for
`example by shading, underlining or pointing to and clicking
`on the text. The invention recognizes the accented text (step
`22), and provides a menu bar 13 in which the name of menu
`12 corresponding to the class of text accented is highlighted
`or shown in bold type, thereby showing that the menu is
`enabled (step 23). In the example of FIG. 1a, the Date menu
`12 is shown in bold type, signifying that
`the invention
`includes a menu of operations and/or programs which are
`relevant to dates. Auser can “click” on the Date menu name
`
`12 or otherwise call the menu by one or more keystrokes on
`a keyboard associated with the video monitor to display or
`pull down the contents of the menu (step 24). A view of an
`embodiment of a pulled-down Date menu 18 is shown in
`FIG. 1b. Auser may directly call a calender or appointment
`database program from pulled-down menu 18. Other pro-
`grams may be included in pulled-down date menu 18 as
`discussed below.
`
`As shown in FIGS. lc—1f, the invention is not limited to
`the recognition of dates in text and preferred embodiments
`of the invention can recognize e-mail addresses and tele-
`phone numbers. In fact, there is no limit on the type of text
`which can be recognized by the invention and additional
`embodiments can recognize such classes of text as Uniform
`Resource Locators, nouns, verbs, names, street addresses,
`etc.
`
`The pull-down menus provided by the invention identify
`the operations and/or programs which relate to the class of
`text accented, highlighted or otherwise indicated. For
`example, referring again to FIG. 1a where date 11 has been
`accented and recognized by the invention, the pulled-down
`menu 18 can identify operations and/or programs relevant to
`dates, such as the calendar program and appointment pro-
`grams shown as well as a To-Do list program, an anniversary
`database, a scheduling program etc. .
`. .Auser is able to run
`one or more of the programs relevant to dates which are
`identified in the pulled-down menu in a known manner, such
`as by clicking on the name of the program as it appears in
`the pulled-down menu (step 25) or through the execution of
`one or more keyboard key strokes. In the example shown,
`therefore, a user is able to record in, for example, a calendar
`program, an upcoming event mentioned in a body of text in
`which a date has been recognized. The user may then
`quickly return to the body of text (step 26).
`Referring to FIG. lc, an e-mail address 14 is accented. In
`this example, a user may click on the highlighted menu
`name EMail 15 to pull-down the menu. The EMail menu
`preferably includes, for example, an identification of pro-
`grams and operations related to EMail and EMail addresses.
`An embodiment of pulled-down EMail menu 19 is shown
`in FIG. 1d. Included in pulled-down Email menu 19 are such
`programs as a writable Email or general address book
`database and an EMail template and transmitting program,
`preferably automatically addressed with the accented
`address recognized in the text, etc. Any other program
`related to EMail sending or address storage may be included
`as within the scope of this invention.
`Referring now to FIG. 16, a telephone number 16 is
`accented. The pull down menu named Phone #17 is high-
`lighted and preferably identifies the executable operations
`and/or programs which are relevant to telephone and telefax
`
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`5,859,636
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`3
`numbers. As shown in FIG. If on pulled-down menu 20,
`possible programs include a writable computer database of
`telephone and telefax numbers, a program which instructs a
`properly equipped computer to dial the number accented, a
`program which generates a template for the preparation of a
`fax message and which subsequently causes a properly
`equipped computer to transmit the message to the accented
`number, etc. Again, any program related to telephone or
`telefax numbers can be included in pulled-down menu 20 for
`direct accessing in accordance with the teachings of this
`disclosure.
`
`Where the invention is capable of recognizing nouns or
`verbs, pull-down menus can, for example, identify execut-
`able programs which provide the meaning of the highlighted
`word, appropriate synonyms and the singular or plural
`version of the noun or conjugation of the verb.
`As noted above the invention preferably includes a library
`enabling recognition of Uniform Resource Locators (URLs)
`in text. Consequently, preferred programs which appear on
`and can be run from the pull-down menu in response to the
`accenting and subsequent recognition of a URL include
`World-Wide Web browser programs, such as “NETSCAPE”
`or “NCSA MOSAIC.”
`
`In a preferred embodiment, in the event the accented text
`is not recognized, i.e., the text is not of the specific type or
`class recognizable by any of the libraries provided, a menu
`bar having a list of one or more menu names of default
`operations can be made to appear (step 27). The invention
`preferably includes as default operations such programs as
`spell-checkers, grammar-checkers, a thesaurus, a dictionary,
`execution of an EMail program to transmit the text, pro-
`grams to store the text and any other programs relating to
`words in general. Of course,
`the names of the default
`programs appear on one or more pull-down menus (step 28)
`corresponding to the one or more menu names.
`Referring now to FIG. 3, the invention is implemented in
`one or more modular libraries of subroutines. The libraries
`
`can be Dynamically Linked Libraries as understood by those
`skilled in the art with “MICROSOFT” operating systems.
`Every subroutine performs a distinct task. In FIG. 3, three
`libraries 30, 50 and 60 are shown, although the number of
`libraries which are possible is limited only by the number of
`possible operations which may be performed. Each library
`preferably holds five sets of subroutines. For example,
`Libraries A, B and C each include subroutines a, b, c, d and
`e. Subroutines a and c are concerned with the class or type
`of text data recognized by the Library. Subroutines b, d and
`e are concerned with the operations performed by the
`Library on the recognized text.
`Library A concerns, for example, recognizing and per-
`forming operations on dates in text as described above in
`reference to FIGS. 1a and 1b. Subroutine a (31) of Library
`Apreferably detects a class or type of text data, in this case,
`dates. Generally, subroutine a is a parser capable of recog-
`nizing a class or type of text data in a number of formats. In
`the case of Library A, the parser subroutine a is able to
`recognize, for example, date text written in a number of
`variations, for example 1/1/99, 1/1/1999, 1-1-99, January 1,
`1999 etc.
`
`Subroutine c (33) of Library A provides the menu name
`corresponding to Library A and its text recognition and
`operating functions. For example, subroutine c provides the
`name Date or Dates 12. This name appears in menu bar 13,
`as shown in FIG. 1a and can be displayed in bold-face type
`or emphasized in some other way whenever date text has
`been recognized to signify that a number of operations are
`available for running on the date text.
`
`10
`
`15
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`20
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`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
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`
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`
`4
`
`Subroutine d (34) of Library A identifies the particular
`number of operations which can be performed on the date
`text and correlates to the number of operations implemented
`by subroutine b. Each operation is identified by a number
`between and including 1 and the value returned by subrou-
`tine d.
`
`Given a number identifying an operation, subroutine e
`(35) of Library A identifies the name of the operation.
`Examples of the names of the operations which can be run
`on date text include Schedule, To-Do List, Anniversary, etc.
`Subroutine e provides the names of the operations as they
`appear in pull-down menu 18.
`Given a number identifying an operation, subroutine b
`(32) of Library A performs the identified operation on the
`recognized text data. For example, subroutine b can call
`scheduling programs, writable calendar databases, writable
`to-do list databases, anniversary book databases and any
`other number of programs or operations relevant to dates.
`A person of ordinary skill will understand that any addi-
`tional libraries, such as Libraries B and C shown in FIG. 3
`will have subroutines generally related in function to the
`subroutines of Library A for implementing the invention
`with respect
`to other classes of text. For example,
`the
`subroutines of Library B preferably are directed to imple-
`menting the invention with respect to EMail addresses in a
`document and the subroutines of Library C are directed to
`implementing the invention with respect to telephone and
`telefax numbers, as shown in FIGS. 1b—1f. Other libraries
`may be added to, for example, operate on URLs, nouns,
`verbs, names street addresses, etc.
`Conventionally, a software program must be entirely
`recompiled for its functionality to be increased or its opera-
`tions changed in any manner. The present
`invention,
`however, is highly modular and allows libraries to be added
`at will and additional features to be added to libraries
`
`without recompiling. For example, by implementing librar-
`ies as “MICROSOFT” Component Object Model Servers or
`by using equivalent standards known to those skilled in the
`art, each library is recognized and utilized using the same
`programming interface, i.e., though the function and results
`of the subroutines a—e differ from library to library, every
`library has subroutines a—e. Consequently, an application
`which is written to recognize and utilize one library can
`automatically recognize and utilize any other library.
`Furthermore, an application which is written to recognize
`and utilize more than one library can automatically recog-
`nize and utilize any number of other libraries. Additional
`libraries can be added at any time, without recompiling, and
`an application using standards known to those skilled in the
`art will recognize the addition of one or more libraries at
`run-time. For example, an application 29 using the invention
`will use standards known to those skilled in the art to check
`
`the
`for the presence of any libraries. Once recognized,
`application 29 will be able to use any or all of the libraries.
`The invention also allows additional features to be added
`
`to a library without recompiling. For example, additional
`operations can be installed in a library at any time, and
`recognized by application 29 at run-time. For example, at
`run-time, application 29 will build the appropriate menus
`relating to the one or more types of data which are recog-
`nizable. At run-time, application 29 will
`identify,
`for
`example, the presence of LibraryA (steps 41 and 42 of FIG.
`4). Subroutine c of Library A informs application 29 of the
`name of the Library (step 43), which of course will be used
`as one of the names of the menu of operations of appearing
`in the menu bar. Application 29 subsequently queries sub-
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`routine d of Library A for the number of operations Library
`Ais capable of performing on the recognized data (step 44).
`Subroutine e provides to application 29 the names for each
`of the number of operations identified, e.g. Schedule,
`Calendar, To-Do, Anniversary, etc. (step 45). Application 29
`will repeat
`the process outlined above to build menus
`relating to every library which is part of the invention (Step
`46). This menu-building procedure at run time allows librar-
`ies to be added and to be upgraded at any time, for example
`to add additional operations performable on a piece of
`recognized text, without a need for recompiling the program.
`Conventional programs that provide any text recognition
`and operation capabilities, i.e., find and replace, etc. require
`the text to be embedded in, for example, a document created
`by the program. This invention does not require that the text
`be embedded in any document created on or by a particular
`application program. Any text appearing on a video monitor
`can be operated on by the invention, whether the text is
`within an EMail message, World-Wide Web site, created by
`a word processing or database program, etc. Furthermore, by
`using parsers as the subroutines for detecting certain types of
`data, the invention is able to recognize data appearing in a
`number of formats, rather than a single defined format.
`The present invention can be embodied in the form of
`computer-implemented processes and apparatuses for prac-
`ticing those processes. The present invention also can be
`embodied in the form of computer program code embodied
`in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMS, hard
`drives, or any other computer-readable storage medium,
`wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into
`and executed by a computer,
`the computer becomes an
`apparatus for practicing the invention. The present invention
`can also be embodied in the form of computer program code,
`for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded
`into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over
`some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or
`cabling,
`through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic
`radiation, wherein, when the computer program code is
`loaded into and executed by a computer,
`the computer
`becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention.
`When implemented on a general-purpose microprocessor,
`the computer program code segments configure the micro-
`processor to create specific logic circuits.
`Furthermore, it should be understood that various changes
`in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts which
`have been described and illustrated in order to explain the
`nature of this invention may be made by those skilled in the
`art without departing from the principle and scope of the
`invention as expressed in the following claims.
`What I claim is:
`
`1. A computer-implemented method for processing a
`selected text, comprising the steps of:
`(a) recognizing the selected text as belonging to a prede-
`termined class, a computer performing the step of
`recognizing, including:
`(1) comparing a format of the selected text to a prede-
`termined format associated with the predetermined
`class,
`(3) recognizing the selected text as belonging to the
`predetermined class if the format of the selected text
`matches the predetermined format; and
`(b) performing an operation associated with the predeter-
`mined class using the recognized text as a parameter.
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`2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises the
`step of:
`(i) displaying a plurality of menu names, and
`(ii) emphasizing, relative to any other displayed menu
`name, a menu name of a menu identifying one or more
`operations associated with the predetermined class,
`which may be performed on the recognized text.
`3. The method of claim 2, wherein step (b) comprises the
`steps of:
`(i) displaying the menu; and
`(ii) starting one or more operations from the one or more
`operations identified on the menu.
`4. The method of claim 2, wherein:
`step (i) comprises the steps of:
`(1) checking for a library of the one or more operations;
`and
`
`(2) obtaining the name of the library; and
`step (ii) comprises the steps of:
`(1) obtaining a number of the one or more operations in
`the library; and
`(2) obtaining names for each of the number of opera-
`tions.
`
`5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of:
`(3) repeating steps (i)1, (i)2, (ii)1 and (ii)2 for each library
`present.
`6. The method of claim 1, wherein the text appears in a
`body of text, further comprising the step of:
`(c) returning to the body of text.
`7. The method of claim 1, wherein the text is one of a date,
`name, telephone number, telefax number, e-mail address,
`and Uniform Resource Locator.
`
`8. The method of claim 7, wherein the operation is the
`starting of a writable, computer database application.
`9. The method of claim 7, wherein the text is a Uniform
`Resource Locator and the operation is the starting of a
`World-Wide Web browser application.
`10. The method of claim 7, wherein the text is an EMail
`address and the operation is the starting of an EMail message
`preparing and transmitting application.
`11. The method of claim 7, wherein the text is a telephone
`number and the operation is the starting of an application
`causing a modem to dial the telephone number.
`12. The method of claim 7, wherein the text is a telefax
`number and the operation is the starting of telefax message
`preparing and transmitting application.
`13. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (a)
`includes:
`
`(1) comparing the format of the selected text to a plurality
`of predetermined formats associated with the predeter-
`mined class, and
`(2) recognizing the selected text as belonging to the
`predetermined class if the format of the selected text
`matches any one of the plurality of predetermined
`formats.
`
`14. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (a) is
`performed a plurality of times, for a plurality of predeter-
`mined classes, respectively, and the selected text is recog-
`nized as belonging to one of the plurality of predetermined
`classes, further comprising the step of:
`displaying a plurality of menu names, each associated
`with a respectively different one of the plurality of
`predetermined classes;
`emphasizing the respective menu name associated with
`the one of the plurality of predetermined classes to
`which the selected text belongs, relative to menu names
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`that are not associated with the plurality of predeter-
`mined classes.
`
`15. An apparatus for text processing, comprising:
`(a) means for recognizing a selected text as belonging to
`a predetermined class, including:
`(1) means for comparing a format of the selected text
`to a predetermined format associated with the pre-
`determined class,
`(2) means for recognizing the selected text as belonging
`to the predetermined class if the format of the
`selected text matches the predetermined format; and
`(b) means for performing an operation associated with the
`predetermined class using the recognized selected text
`as a parameter.
`16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein means (a):
`(i) displays a plurality of menu names, and
`(ii) emphasizes, relative to any other displayed menu
`name, a menu name of a menu identifying one or more
`operations associated with the predetermined class,
`which may be performed on the recognized text.
`17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein means (a):
`generates a menu name of a menu of one or more
`operations by:
`(1) checking for a library of the one or more operations;
`and
`
`(2) obtaining the name of the library; and
`generates a menu for listing the one or more operations
`by:
`(1) obtaining a number of the one or more operations in
`the library; and
`(2) obtaining names for each of the number of opera-
`tions.
`
`18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein means (b):
`(i) displays the menu; and
`(ii) starts one or more operations to be run from the one
`or more operations identified on the menu.
`19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the text appears in
`a body of text, further comprising:
`(c) means for returning to the body of text.
`20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the text is one of
`a date, name,
`telephone number,
`telefax number, e-mail
`address and Uniform Resource Locator.
`
`21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the operation is
`the starting of a writable, computer database application.
`22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the text is a
`Uniform Resource Locator and the operation is the starting
`of a World-Wide Web browser application.
`23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the text is an
`EMail address and the operation is the starting of an EMail
`message preparing and transmitting application.
`24. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the text is a
`telephone number and the operation is the starting of an
`application causing a modem to dial the telephone number.
`25. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the text is a telefax
`number and the operation is the starting of telefax message
`preparing and transmitting application.
`26. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the recog-
`nizing means includes:
`(1) means for comparing the format of the selected text to
`a plurality of predetermined formats associated with the
`predetermined class, and
`(2) means for recognizing the selected text as belonging
`to the predetermined class if the format of the selected
`text matches any one of the plurality of predetermined
`formats.
`
`8
`27. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the recog-
`nizing means performs recognition a plurality of times, for
`a plurality of predetermined classes, respectively, and rec-
`ognizes the selected text as belonging to one of the plurality
`of predetermined classes, further comprising:
`means for displaying a plurality of menu names, each
`associated with a respectively different one of the
`plurality of predetermined classes;
`means for emphasizing the respective menu name asso-
`ciated with the one of the plurality of predetermined
`classes to which the selected text belongs, relative to
`menu names that are not associated with the plurality of
`predetermined classes.
`28. A storage medium encoded with machine-readable
`computer program code for text processing, comprising:
`(a) means for causing a computer to recognize a selected
`text as belonging to a predetermined class, including:
`(1) means for comparing a format of the selected text
`to a predetermined format associated with the pre-
`determined class,
`(2) means for recognizing the selected text as belonging
`to the predetermined class if the format of the
`selected text matches the predetermined format; and
`(b) means for causing the computer to perform an opera-
`tion associated with the predetermined class using the
`recognized selected text as a parameter.
`29. The storage medium of claim 28, wherein means (a)
`causes the computer to:
`(i) display a plurality of menu names, and
`(ii) emphasize, relative to any other displayed menu
`name, a menu name of a menu identifying one or more
`operations associated with the predetermined class,
`which may be performed on the recognized text.
`30. The storage medium of claim 29, wherein means (b)
`causes the computer to:
`(i) display the menu; and
`(ii) start one or