System and methods for improved spreadsheet interface with user-familiar objects
DCFirst Claim
Patent Images
1. In a computer system, a method for providing a user access to values of properties of objects appearing on screen, the method comprising:
- (a) displaying a plurality of objects on screen, at least some of the objects having properties whose values can be set by the user;
(b) requesting properties of a particular object of interest, by positioning a screen cursor at or near the particular object and requesting inspection of the properties of the particular object;
(c) in response to the request for properties of the particular object, displaying a property dialog for the particular object, said property dialog including(i) a list of properties corresponding to a plurality of properties for the particular object, and(ii) at least one property pane corresponding to at least one property for the particular object, each property pane including one or morescreen controls for getting and setting values for the corresponding property of the particular object;
(d) receiving user input for selecting one of said properties from the list; and
(e) in response to said user input, displaying the property pane that corresponds to the selected property while continuing to display the list of properties.
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Abstract
An electronic spreadsheet system includes a notebook interface having a plurality of notebook pages, each of which may contain a spread of information cells, or other desired page type (e.g., Graphs page). Methods are provided for rapidly accessing and processing information on the different pages, including displaying a plurality of page identifiers for selecting individual pages, and further including a preferred syntax for referencing information. Additional methods are provided for editing cells and blocks of cells.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. In a computer system, a method for providing a user access to values of properties of objects appearing on screen, the method comprising:
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(a) displaying a plurality of objects on screen, at least some of the objects having properties whose values can be set by the user; (b) requesting properties of a particular object of interest, by positioning a screen cursor at or near the particular object and requesting inspection of the properties of the particular object; (c) in response to the request for properties of the particular object, displaying a property dialog for the particular object, said property dialog including (i) a list of properties corresponding to a plurality of properties for the particular object, and (ii) at least one property pane corresponding to at least one property for the particular object, each property pane including one or more screen controls for getting and setting values for the corresponding property of the particular object; (d) receiving user input for selecting one of said properties from the list; and (e) in response to said user input, displaying the property pane that corresponds to the selected property while continuing to display the list of properties. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. In a computer system for operating an application program, a method for assisting a user for getting and setting of various properties of objects which comprise the application program, the method comprising:
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(a) receiving first user input which requests access to properties of a particular object; (b) in response to said first user input, displaying a tabbed property dialog comprising a plurality of descriptive tabs corresponding to a plurality of properties for the particular object and at least one of a corresponding plurality of property sheets, each property sheet, when displayed, presenting one or more user interface controls for setting respective values for a particular property of the particular object; (c) receiving second user input for selecting one of the property sheets, said second user input comprising at least one signal from an input device for selecting the descriptive tab of the property sheet being selected; (d) in response to said second user input, displaying said selected property sheet while continuing to display the plurality of descriptive tabs, said selected property sheet having one or more user interface controls for effecting respective changes to values for the property associated with the selected property sheet; (e) receiving third user input at said one or more user interface controls of the selected property sheet, for changing the value of the associated property to a new value; and (f) in response to said third user input, changing the value of the property associated with said selected property sheet to the new value. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. In a computer system including a processor;
- a screen device, and a pointing device for generating a first set of at least one signal designating locations on the screen device and a second set of at least one signal indicating at least one type of event at the designated screen location, a method for allowing a computer user to inspect and modify values corresponding to properties of objects displayed on the screen device, the method comprising operating the computer system to perform the steps of;
displaying a plurality of objects on the screen device, at least some of said objects being of different types, each different type of object having a different set of properties, each property for a given type of object having one or more individually settable values, with at least one of the properties for at least one type of object having a plurality of individually settable values; in response to signals including a given type of event at a given designated location, identifying an object of interest; and displaying for the identified object of interest a dialog box that includes a list of properties available for the identified object, each property on the list being selectable, and a dialog pane containing user interface controls for indicating and setting values corresponding to the selected property, said list being displayed along an edge of the dialog pane with the selected property in the list being displayed to appear as a tab distinguished from the other properties in the list, said tab extending from an edge of the dialog pane. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
- a screen device, and a pointing device for generating a first set of at least one signal designating locations on the screen device and a second set of at least one signal indicating at least one type of event at the designated screen location, a method for allowing a computer user to inspect and modify values corresponding to properties of objects displayed on the screen device, the method comprising operating the computer system to perform the steps of;
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33. In a computer system including a processor, a screen device, and a pointing device for generating a first set of at least one signal designating locations on the screen device and a second set of at least one signal indicating at least one type of event at the designated screen location, a method for allowing a computer user to inspect and modify values corresponding to properties of objects displayed on the screen device, the method comprising operating the computer system to perform the steps of:
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displaying a plurality of objects on the screen device, at least some of said objects being of different types, wherein each different type of object has a different set of properties, each property for a given type of object has one or more individually settable values, and the types of objects include at least one type of user-created object and at least one type of object that is not created by the user; in response to signals including a given type of event at a given designated location, identifying an object of interest; displaying for the identified object of interest, regardless of whether the object is a type of user-created object or is a type of object that is not created by the user, a dialog box that includes a list of properties available for the identified object, each property on the list being selectable, and a dialog pane containing user interface controls for indicating and setting values corresponding to the selected property; receiving input specifying a different selected property in the list; and in response to the input, displaying a dialog pane containing user interface controls for indicating and setting values corresponding to the different selected property while continuing to display the list.
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Specification