Methods and apparatus for interacting with data objects using action handles
First Claim
1. In a computer controlled display system having a display coupled to a central processing unit (CPU) for displaying images, a method for displaying and controlling actions relating to a data object displayed on the display, comprising the steps of:
- generating a graphic image associated with the data object on the display;
generating a graphic image of an action handle proximate to the data object;
providing an activatable region on the display associated with the action handle graphic image;
in response to the user'"'"'s positioning of a pointer on the display with a pointing control device operatively associated with the CPU, providing a signal to the CPU upon correspondence of the pointer with the activatable region of the action handle;
in response to a signal indicative of a first type of interaction between the pointer and the activatable region associated with the action handle, displaying at least one selectable command relating to the data object in a context menu including the at least one selectable command; and
in response to signal indicative of a second type of interaction between the pointer and the activatable region associated with the action handle, moving the graphic image of the data object on the display.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A central processing unit (CPU) is coupled to a computer display for displaying graphic and other information. The CPU is further coupled to a pointer control device such as a pen, stylus or mouse that permits the user to selectively position a pointer and activate an action handle on the display associated with a data object. Activation of the action handle signals the CPU of selections associated with the data object. Tapping or clicking on the action handle causes display of a context menu containing at least one command that may be invoked with respect to the data object. Dragging the action handle indicates movement or dragging of the action handle and the corresponding data object for an operation associated with dragging such as drag-and-drop. The use of action handles in association with data objects eliminates ambiguity between actions intended to create digital ink with respect to a pen-based computer system and actions intended to invoke a command or other interaction with the computer system.
747 Citations
30 Claims
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1. In a computer controlled display system having a display coupled to a central processing unit (CPU) for displaying images, a method for displaying and controlling actions relating to a data object displayed on the display, comprising the steps of:
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generating a graphic image associated with the data object on the display; generating a graphic image of an action handle proximate to the data object; providing an activatable region on the display associated with the action handle graphic image; in response to the user'"'"'s positioning of a pointer on the display with a pointing control device operatively associated with the CPU, providing a signal to the CPU upon correspondence of the pointer with the activatable region of the action handle; in response to a signal indicative of a first type of interaction between the pointer and the activatable region associated with the action handle, displaying at least one selectable command relating to the data object in a context menu including the at least one selectable command; and in response to signal indicative of a second type of interaction between the pointer and the activatable region associated with the action handle, moving the graphic image of the data object on the display. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A computer controlled display system, comprising:
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a central processing unit (CPU); a memory coupled to said CPU for storing programs and data; a graphic display coupled to said CPU for displaying information; a pointing device coupled to said CPU for allowing an operator to point to items displayed on said display and for providing signals to said CPU indicative of predetermined actions; said CPU being operative to; store data corresponding to a data object in said memory; display a data object graphic image associated with said data object on said display; display an action handle proximate to said data object graphic image on said display, said action handle comprising a predetermined activatable region on said display associated with said action handle; in response to a signal from said pointing device indicative of a first type of interaction between said pointing device and said activatable region of said action handle, display at least one selectable command operatively associated with said data object in a context menu including the at least one selectable command; and in response to a signal from said pointing device indicative of a second type of interaction between said pointing device and said activatable region of said action handle, reposition said data object graphic image on said display. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. In a computer controlled display system having a display coupled to a central processing unit (CPU) for displaying images, a method for displaying and controlling actions relating to a selected text string displayed on the display, comprising the steps of:
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generating a graphic image of a string of text on the display; in response to selection of predetermined selected text within the string of text, generating a graphic image of an action handle in a region proximate to the predetermined selected text; providing an activatable region on the display associated with the action handle; in response to a user'"'"'s positioning of a pointer on the display to the activatable region associated with the action handle using a pointing control device operatively associated with the CPU, providing signals to the CPU indicative of correspondence of the pointer with the action handle; in response to a signal indicative of a first type of interaction between the pointer and the activatable region associated with the action handle, displaying at least one selectable command relating to the predetermined selected text in a context menu including the at least one selectable command; and in response to a signal indicative of a second type of interaction between the pointer and the activatable region associated with the action handle, moving the predetermined selected text on the display. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification