Method and apparatus for facilitating integration of software objects between workspaces in a data processing system graphical user interface
First Claim
1. 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;
thereaftermonitoring 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.
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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.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. 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:
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allowing operator selection of a source software object and a target software object within said data processing system; recording said operator selection;
thereaftermonitoring 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. 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:
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allowing operator selection of a source software object and a target software object within said data processing system; recording said operator selection;
thereaftermonitoring 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. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. 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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A data processing system which simultaneously displays a plurality of software objects, and facilitates operator integration of items between software objects, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification