gistfile1.js

/**
 * jQuery plugin to detect clicks outside an element
 * 
 * Copyright (c) 2010 Vesess Inc. (vesess.com)
 * Licensed under the MIT (MIT-LICENSE.txt)  licenses.
 * 
 */

(function($){
  $.fn.outsideClick = function(optional_params){    
   if(arguments.length <= 0) 
    var optional_params = {}; 

   var namespace = optional_params["namespace"] || "" 
   var callback = (optional_params["callback"] && $.isFunction(optional_params["callback"])) ? optional_params["callback"] : function(){ $(this).hide() }

   event_name = "mousedown"
   event_name_with_namespace = (namespace != "") ? (event_name + "." + namespace) : event_name  

   return this.each(function(i) { 
      //bind an event to document
      var self = this;
      $(document).bind(event_name_with_namespace, 
                       function(event){ 
                          elemIsParent = $.contains(self, event.target);
                          if(event.target == self || elemIsParent) return
         
                          if($.isFunction(callback))
                            callback.apply(self);   
                          else
                            $(self).hide(); //do the default action - hide the box element

                          $(document).unbind(event_name_with_namespace);
                       });
    });
  }
})(jQuery);