Method and apparatus for improved interaction with an application program according to data types and actions performed by the application program
First Claim
1. A method of manipulating data between application programs in a computer-controlled display system comprising the following steps:
- a. a user selecting a first item in a first window, said first window under control of a first process;
b. said first process specifying formats in which first data from said first item may be provided;
c. said user dragging said selected first item to a second window, said second window under control of a second process;
d. said user deselecting said selected first item while said first item is located at said second window;
e. said second process determining if said second process can perform a primary action based upon a first format of said formats of said first item, if so, then receiving data from said first process in said first format and performing said primary action using said first format of said first item from said first process.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for performing actions while selecting objects on a user interface display. A user may select a first item in an area of a display controlled by a first process and drag that item to a second area on a display controlled by a second process. The second process may negotiate with the first process to provide certain data types, and based upon those data types, the second process will determine a list of actions in hierarchical fashion which may be performed upon the data. Such actions may include, but are not limited to, printing, sending electronic mail, and performing other actions in the computer system. Alternative and primary actions may also be specified by a user, such as by selecting various keys on a keyboard or other input device. Further, a user may specify that the second process display a list of actions which may be performed upon the selected item and allow the user to select an action from a list.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of manipulating data between application programs in a computer-controlled display system comprising the following steps:
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a. a user selecting a first item in a first window, said first window under control of a first process;
b. said first process specifying formats in which first data from said first item may be provided;
c. said user dragging said selected first item to a second window, said second window under control of a second process;
d. said user deselecting said selected first item while said first item is located at said second window;
e. said second process determining if said second process can perform a primary action based upon a first format of said formats of said first item, if so, then receiving data from said first process in said first format and performing said primary action using said first format of said first item from said first process. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for manipulating data between application programs in a computer-controlled display system comprising:
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a. means for a user selecting a first item in a first window, said first window under control of a first process;
b. means for said first process specifying formats in which first data from said first item may be provided;
c. means for said user dragging said selected first item to a second window, said second window under control of a second process;
d. means for said user deselecting said selected first item while said first item is located at said second window;
e. means for said second process determining if said second process can perform a primary action based upon a first format of said formats of said first item, if so, then means for activating a means for receiving data from said first process in said first format and means for performing said primary action using said first format of said first item from said first process.
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Specification