Layer based reorganization of document components

Abstract

A layer based reorganization of document components through a display application. Layers of a document are determined from content of the document which is partitioned based on a paragraph, a sentence, a line, a word, an image, and a similar section. In response to a detection of a user action to select and move one of the layers, non-selected layers from the layers are moved away from the selected layer while moving the selected layer in a direction of the user action during the user action. The selected layer is moved in a place of an adjacent layer from the non-selected layers that is in the direction of the user action.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method executed on a computing device to provide a layer based reorganization of document components, the method comprising:
 determining layers of a document;   detecting a user action to select and move one of the layers;   moving non-selected layers of a subset of the layers away from the selected layer while moving the selected layer during the user action; and   reflowing the selected layer and the non-selected layers upon a completion of the user action.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the layers of the document comprises:
 partitioning the document based on identification tags associated with a format of the document, wherein the identification tags encompass and identify the layers.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining the selected and each of the non-selected layers to include one from a set of: a paragraph, a line, a sentence, and a word, a table, a column, a row, a cell, and an image.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 adjusting a granularity of the selected and the non-selected layers based on one or more of a user preference, a system setting, and a use history associated with the document.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining properties of the selected layer and the non-selected layers, wherein the properties include a location and a depth associated with each of the selected layer and the non-selected layers; and   associating the properties with the selected layer and the non-selected layers.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 adjusting the properties of the selected layer and the non-selected layers during the user action to reflect changes to the properties in accordance with the user action.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 in response to a determination of a format change associated with the selected layer during the user action, executing a reflow operation within the selected layer during the user action to reflect one or more of a new bullet type, a text alignment change, and a text style change.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining a direction of the user action; and   determining an adjacent layer from the non-selected layers based on the direction.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 rendering a move between the selected layer and the adjacent layer to place the adjacent layer in a first location associated with the selected layer and to place the selected layer in a second location associated with the adjacent layer.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 rendering the move using an animation to display a gradual motion that is configured based on one or more system settings.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 disabling a reflow of the non-selected layers during the user action.   
     
     
         12 . A computing device to provide a layer based reorganization of document components, the computing device comprising:
 a memory;   a processor coupled to the memory, the processor executing a display application in conjunction with instructions stored in the memory, wherein the display application is configured to:
 determine layers of a document, wherein each of the layers include one from a set of: a paragraph, a line, a sentence, and a word, a table, a column, a row, a cell, and an image; 
 detect a user action to select and move one of the layers, wherein the user action includes a touch based action; 
 move non-selected layers of a subset of the layers away from the selected layer while moving the selected layer during the user action; and 
 reflow the selected layer and the non-selected layers upon a completion of the user action. 
   
     
     
         13 . The computing device of  claim 12 , wherein the display application is further configured to:
 determine a first set of properties of the selected layer and a second set of properties of an adjacent layer from the non-selected layers, wherein the first set and the second set of properties include a location and a depth associated with each of the selected and the non-selected layers.   
     
     
         14 . The computing device of  claim 13 , wherein the display application is further configured to:
 move the selected layer by adjusting the first set of properties with one or more values from the second set of properties.   
     
     
         15 . The computing device of  claim 13 , wherein the display application is further configured to:
 move the adjacent layer by adjusting the second set of properties with one or more values from the first set of properties.   
     
     
         16 . The computing device of  claim 12 , wherein the display application is further configured to:
 in response to a determination of the completion, reformat the selected layer based on properties of one of the non-selected layers that previously occupied a location of the selected layer at the completion.   
     
     
         17 . The computing device of  claim 12 , wherein the display application is further configured to:
 in response to a determination of the completion, reformat a first subset of the non-selected layers that move based on the user action in accordance with properties of a second subset from the non-selected layers and the selected layer that previously occupied locations of the first subset at the completion.   
     
     
         18 . A computer-readable memory device with instructions stored thereon to provide a layer based reorganization of document components, the instructions comprising:
 determining layers of a document, wherein the layers include one from a set of: a paragraph, a line, a sentence, and a word, a table, a column, a row, a cell, and an image;   detecting a user action to select and move one of the layers, wherein the user action includes a touch based action;   moving non-selected layers of a subset of the layers away from the selected layer while moving the selected layer during the user action; and   reflowing the selected layer and the non-selected layers upon a completion of the user action, wherein the completion includes a drop action of the selected layer.   
     
     
         19 . The computer-readable memory device of  claim 18 , wherein the instructions further comprise:
 determining the selected and the non-selected layers to include one from a set of: a paragraph, a line, a sentence, and a word, a table, a column, a row, a cell, and an image; and   adjusting a granularity of the selected and the non-selected layers based on one or more of a user preference, a system setting, and a use history associated with the document.   
     
     
         20 . The computer-readable memory device of  claim 18 , wherein the instructions further comprise:
 determining properties of the selected layer and the non-selected layers, wherein the properties include a location and a depth associated with each of the selected layer and the non-selected layers;   associating the properties with the selected layer and the non-selected layers; and   adjusting the properties of the selected layer and the non-selected layers during the user action to reflect changes to the properties in accordance with the user action.