Apparatus and methods for moving/copying objects using destination and/or source bins
First Claim
1. In a computer system comprising a display coupled to a central processing unit (CPU) executing a first and second applications on behalf of a user, a method for executing a copy operation of objects between said first and second applications by said user, comprising the steps of:
- a) generating and displaying a first and second display windows on said display for said first and second applications by said CPU, said first and second display windows comprising a source and destination bin images respectively, said source bin image containing a content image denoting said first application having an object, said source and destination bin images on said display being at least partially visible to said user;
b) positioning a cursor over at least a portion of said source bin image on said display by said user, using a cursor control device coupled to said CPU;
c) providing a select signal to said CPU to denote the selection of said object by said user, said select signal being generated by placing a select switch coupled to said CPU in a select position;
d) positioning said cursor over a portion of said destination bin image, said select switch being maintained in said select position until said cursor is positioned over said portion of said destination bin image by said user;
e) placing said select switch in a unselect position once said cursor has been positioned over said portion of said destination bin image by said user; and
f) copying by said CPU of said object to said second application.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Three modes of moving and copying an object within an application or between applications are provided to a computer system having a graphical user interface. The three modes of moving/copying are: a) unmodified move and unmodified or modified copy from a data pane of a first display window to a "destination bin" of a second display window, b) unmodified copy from a "source bin" of a first display window to a data pane of a second display window, and 3) unmodified copy from a "source bin" of a first display window to a "destination bin" of a second display window. The three modes of moving/copying are performed with a CPU coupled to a display device, a cursor control device and a keyboard. Visual feedback is provided to the user throughout the different modes of moving and copying.
-
Citations
39 Claims
-
1. In a computer system comprising a display coupled to a central processing unit (CPU) executing a first and second applications on behalf of a user, a method for executing a copy operation of objects between said first and second applications by said user, comprising the steps of:
-
a) generating and displaying a first and second display windows on said display for said first and second applications by said CPU, said first and second display windows comprising a source and destination bin images respectively, said source bin image containing a content image denoting said first application having an object, said source and destination bin images on said display being at least partially visible to said user; b) positioning a cursor over at least a portion of said source bin image on said display by said user, using a cursor control device coupled to said CPU; c) providing a select signal to said CPU to denote the selection of said object by said user, said select signal being generated by placing a select switch coupled to said CPU in a select position; d) positioning said cursor over a portion of said destination bin image, said select switch being maintained in said select position until said cursor is positioned over said portion of said destination bin image by said user; e) placing said select switch in a unselect position once said cursor has been positioned over said portion of said destination bin image by said user; and f) copying by said CPU of said object to said second application. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A computer controlled display system comprising a display coupled to a central processing unit (CPU) executing a first and second applications on behalf of a user, said display system comprising:
-
a) display generation means coupled to said CPU for generating and displaying a first and second display windows on said display for said first and second applications, said first and second display windows comprising a source and destination bin images, said source bin image containing a content image denoting said first application having an object, said source and destination bin images on said display being at least partially visible to said user; b) cursor control means coupled to said CPU for selectively positioning a cursor on said display; and c) select signal generation means coupled to said CPU comprising a select switch having a select and unselect position for providing a select signal to said CPU to denote the selection of said object, said select signal being generated by placing said select switch in said select position, said select signal being generated and provided to said CPU until said select switch is placed in said unselect position; said select switch being placed in said select position by said user once said cursor has been positioned by said user over at least a portion of said source bin image on said display, said select switch being maintained in said select position by said user until said cursor is repositioned over at least a portion of said destination bin image on said display, said select switch being returned to said unselect position by said user once said cursor has been repositioned over said portion of said destination bin image on said display; whereby causing said object to be copied from said first application to said second application by said CPU. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
-
- 37. An improved computer system including a user interface, said user interface comprising a first window of a first application having a source bin image and a second window of a second application having a destination bin image, said source bin image denoting said first application as a data source for a data copying operation, said destination bin image having an empty box look, a busy look and a content image look denoting said second application as an eligible recipient application of said copy data.
-
39. An improved computer system including a user interface, said user interface comprising:
-
a cursor having a first cursor image for normal display, a second cursor image for denoting an application as an ineligible recipient application of copy data, and a third cursor image for denoting an application as an eligible recipient application of said copy data; a first window of a first application having a source bin image, said source bin image denoting said first application as a data source for a data copying operation; and a second window of a second application having a destination bin image, said destination bin image having an empty box look, a busy look and a content image look denoting said second application as an eligible recipient application of said copy data.
-
Specification