US5491784A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for facilitating integration of software objects between workspaces in a data processing system graphical user interface
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1993-12-30
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Granted: 1996-02-13
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Expires: 2013-12-30
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus is provided for facilitating operator initiated integration of items between software objects in a graphical user interface. In this technique, the operator selects a source software object and one or more target software objects. The source software object and the target software objects include data items which may be copied by the operator between the software objects during an accelerated integration mode of operation. During the accelerated integration mode of operation, a graphical pointing device is utilized by the operator to select items which are present in the source software object. By manipulating the graphical pointing device, the operator selects items from the source software object for automatic inclusion in the one or more target software objects, while the graphical pointing device is maintained entirely within the source software object. A visual indication is automatically provided which is representative of the step of automatically copying.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas B. Douglas
- 👤 Robert J. Torres
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:33
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
In a data processing system graphical user interface which simultaneously displays a plurality of software objects, a method of facilitating operator integration of items between software objects, comprising the data processing implemented steps of: allowing operator selection of a source software object and a target software object within said data processing system; recording said operator selection; thereafter monitoring operator input from a graphical pointing device for selection of items present in said source software object; and automatically copying items selected by said operator to said target software object, while said graphical pointing device is maintained within said source software object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
In a data processing system graphical user interface which simultaneously displays a plurality of software objects, a method of facilitating operator integration of items between software objects, comprising the data processing implemented steps of: allowing operator selection of a source software object and a target software object within said data processing system; recording said operator selection; thereafter monitoring operator input from a graphical pointing device for selection of items present in said source software object; and automatically copying items selected by said operator to said target software object, while said graphical pointing device is maintained within said source software object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising: automatically providing a visual indication within said data processing system which is representative of said step of automatically copying.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein said visual indication which is provided during said step of automatically providing, comprises a simulation of a drag-and-drop direct icon manipulation operation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said simulation of a drag-and-drop direct icon manipulation operation is displayed at an accelerated pace.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 2: wherein said items include at least one iconographic representation for each item; and wherein, during said step of automatically copying, said at least one iconographic representation is copied to said target object.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 5, further comprising: during said step of automatically providing a visual indication representative of said step of automatically copying, a simulation of a drag-and-drop direct icon manipulation operation is provided which involves said at least one iconographic representation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising: providing a visual indication of operator selection of said source software object and said target software object.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising: subsequent to operator selection of said source software object and said target software object, modifying a cursor associated with said graphical pointing device to indicate to said operator that subsequent use of said graphical pointing device will perform said steps of (a) automatically copying, and (b) automatically providing a visual indication of said step of automatically copying.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 1: wherein said items include a plurality of data fields; and wherein, during said step of automatically copying, said plurality of data fields are copied to said target object.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a data processing system graphical user interface which simultaneously displays a plurality of software objects, a method of facilitating operator integration of items between software objects, comprising the comprising the data processing implemented steps of: allowing operator selection of a source software object and a target software object within said data processing system; recording said operator selection; thereafter monitoring operator input from a graphical pointing device for selection of items present in said source software object; automatically copying items selected by said operator to said target software object, while said graphical pointing device is maintained within said source software object; and automatically providing a visual indication within said data processing system which is representative of said step of automatically copying.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a data processing system graphical user interface which simultaneously displays a plurality of software objects, a method of facilitating operator integration of items between software objects, comprising the comprising the data processing implemented steps of: allowing operator selection of a source software object and a target software object within said data processing system; recording said operator selection; thereafter monitoring operator input from a graphical pointing device for selection of items present in said source software object; automatically copying items selected by said operator to said target software object, while said graphical pointing device is maintained within said source software object; and automatically providing a visual indication within said data processing system which is representative of said step of automatically copying.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 10, further comprising: providing a visual indication of operator selection of said source software object and said target software object.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method according to claim 10, further comprising: subsequent to operator selection of said source software object and said target software object, modifying a cursor associated with said graphical pointing device to indicate to said operator that subsequent use of said graphical pointing device will perform said steps of (a) automatically copying, and (b) automatically providing a visual indication of said step of automatically copying.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said visual indication provided during said step of automatically providing comprises a simulation of a drag-and-drop direct icon manipulation operation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 13, wherein said simulation of a drag-and-drop direct icon manipulation operation is displayed at an accelerated pace.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 10: wherein said items include a plurality of data fields; and wherein, during said step of automatically copying, said plurality of data fields are copied to said target object.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 10: wherein said items include at least one iconographic representation for each item; and wherein, during said step of automatically copying, said at least one iconographic representation is copied to said target object.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 16, further comprising: during said step of automatically providing a visual indication representative of said step of automatically copying, a simulation of a drag-and-drop direct icon manipulation operation is provided which involves said at least one iconographic representation.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
187 words
A method in a graphical user interface of a data processing system of facilitating operator initiated integration of items between software objects, comprising the method steps of: providing a visual representation in said graphical user interface of an accelerated integration mode of operation; monitoring operator input for selection of said visual representation of said accelerated integration mode of operation and enabling said accelerated integration mode of operation in response to said operator input; during said accelerated integration mode of operation, monitoring operator input for selection of a source object and at least one target object; during said accelerated integrated mode of operation, monitoring operator input from a graphical pointing device for selection of items present in said source object, thereafter automatically: (a) copying said items to said at least one target object; and (b) providing a dynamic representation in said graphical user interface of each step of copying; while said graphical pointing device is maintained within said source object; monitoring operator input for selection of deactivation of said accelerated integration mode of operation and deactivating said accelerated integration mode of operation in response to said operator input.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
187 words
A method in a graphical user interface of a data processing system of facilitating operator initiated integration of items between software objects, comprising the method steps of: providing a visual representation in said graphical user interface of an accelerated integration mode of operation; monitoring operator input for selection of said visual representation of said accelerated integration mode of operation and enabling said accelerated integration mode of operation in response to said operator input; during said accelerated integration mode of operation, monitoring operator input for selection of a source object and at least one target object; during said accelerated integrated mode of operation, monitoring operator input from a graphical pointing device for selection of items present in said source object, thereafter automatically: (a) copying said items to said at least one target object; and (b) providing a dynamic representation in said graphical user interface of each step of copying; while said graphical pointing device is maintained within said source object; monitoring operator input for selection of deactivation of said accelerated integration mode of operation and deactivating said accelerated integration mode of operation in response to said operator input.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 18, further comprising: providing a visual indication of operator selection of said source object and said target object.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 18, further comprising: upon enabling said accelerated integration mode of operation, modifying a cursor associated with said graphical pointing device to indicate to said operator that subsequent use of said graphical pointing device will perform said steps of (a) copying, and (b) providing dynamic representation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 18, wherein said visual indication provided during said step of providing a dynamic representation comprises a simulation of a drag-and-drop direct icon manipulation operation.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 21, wherein said simulation of a drag-and-drop direct icon manipulation operation is displayed at an accelerated pace.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 18: wherein said items include a plurality of data fields; and wherein, during said step of copying, said plurality of data fields are copied to said target object.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 18: wherein said items include at least one iconographic representation for each item; and wherein, during said step of copying, said at least one iconographic representation is copied to said target object.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 24, further comprising: during said step of providing a dynamic representation, a simulation of a drag-and-drop direct icon manipulation operation is provided which involves said at least one iconographic representation.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
101 words
A data processing system which simultaneously displays a plurality of software objects, and facilitates operator integration of items between software objects, comprising: means for allowing operator selection of a source software object and a target software object; means for recording said operator selection; means for monitoring operator input from a graphical pointing device for selection of items present in said source software object; means for automatically copying items selected by said operator to said target object, while said graphical pointing device is maintained within said source software object; and means for automatically providing a visual indication representative of said automatic copying.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
101 words
A data processing system which simultaneously displays a plurality of software objects, and facilitates operator integration of items between software objects, comprising: means for allowing operator selection of a source software object and a target software object; means for recording said operator selection; means for monitoring operator input from a graphical pointing device for selection of items present in said source software object; means for automatically copying items selected by said operator to said target object, while said graphical pointing device is maintained within said source software object; and means for automatically providing a visual indication representative of said automatic copying.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
A data processing system according to claim 26, further comprising: means for providing a visual indication of operator selection of said source software object and said target software object.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
66 words
A data processing system according to claim 26, further comprising: means for modifying a cursor associated with said graphical pointing device subsequent to operator selection of said source software object and said target software object to indicate to said operator that subsequent use of said graphical pointing device will actuate (a) said means for automatically copying, and (b) said means for automatically providing a visual indication.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
A data processing system according to claim 26, wherein said visual indication provided comprises a simulation of a drag-and-drop direct icon manipulation operation.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
A data processing system according to claim 29, wherein said simulation of a drag-and-drop direct icon manipulation operation is displayed at an accelerated pace.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
34 words
A data processing system according to claim 26: wherein said items include a plurality of data fields; and wherein, during said automatic copying, said plurality of data fields are copied to said target object.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
38 words
A data processing system according to claim 26: wherein said items include at least one iconographic representation for each item; and wherein, during said automatic copying, said at least one iconographic representation is copied to said target object.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
42 words
A data processing system according to claim 32, further comprising: during said automatic providing of a visual indication representative of said automatic copying, a simulation of a drag-and-drop direct icon manipulation operation is provided which involves said at least one iconographic representation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-02-12 | 1999-08-14 | 2000-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-02-12 | 2003-08-14 | 2004-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-02-12 | 2007-08-14 | 2008-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |