Refresh and select-all actions in graphical user interface

• US 5,774,120 A
• Filed: 08/14/1996
• Issued: 06/30/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Goddard, Joan Stagaman, Vo, Minh Trong
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Cao H.
• Application Number:
  US08/696,751
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• Field of Search: 395/332, 395/340, 395/348, 395/346, 395/352, 395/353, 395/356, 395/680, 395/683, 395/682, 345/332, 345/340, 345/348, 345/353, 345/356
• US Class Current: 715/845
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance

Abstract

The invention is carried out in the following environment. The computer system has at least a visual operator interface, an operating system for operating applications within the computer system, and memory for storing at least part, preferably all, of an application. An application apparatus, and method is provided for selecting all objects in a window or area. The Select All function also can be applied to wells. Also provided is an application, apparatus, and method for refreshing all objects in a window or area. The Refresh Function also can be applied to wells.

Claims

1. An application for selecting all objects in a user-selected target as controlled by a computer system having at least a visual operator interface, an operating system for controlling the operation of program applications within the computer system, and memory for storing a program application, the application comprising:

a Select All function;

means for selecting the Select All function;

means for dragging and dropping the Select All function on a user-selected target;

if the selected target is one object, means for selecting the object;

if the selected target is a well, means for selecting all objects in the well;

if the selected target is a pane, means for selecting all objects in the pane but not selecting objects in wells associated with the pane; and

if the selected target is an area, means for selecting all objects in the area, but not selecting objects in wells associated with the area.

2. An application for refreshing the icon status of all objects in a user-selected target as controlled by a computer system having at least a visual operator interface, an operating system for controlling the operation of applications within the computer system, and memory means for storing an application, the application comprising:

a Refresh function;

means for selecting the Refresh function;

means for dragging and dropping the Refresh function on a user-selected target;

if the selected target is one object, means for refreshing the object and any wells opened from the object;

if the selected target is a well, means for refreshing all objects in the well;

if the selected target is a pane, means for refreshing all objects in the pane, but not refreshing objects in wells associated with the pane; and

if the selected target is an area, means for refreshing all objects in the area, but not refreshing objects in wells associated with the area.

3. A method for selecting all objects in a user-selected target as controlled by a computer system having at least a visual operator interface, an operating system for controlling the operation of applications within the computer system, and memory for storing at least part of an application, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting a Select All function;

dragging and dropping the Select All function on a user-selected target;

if the selected target is one object, selecting the object;

if the selected target is a well, selecting all objects in the well;

if the selected target is a pane, selecting all objects in the pane but not selecting objects in wells associated with the pane; and

if the selected target is an area, selecting all objects in the area, but not selecting objects in wells associated with the area.

4. A method for refreshing the icon status of all objects in a user-selected target as controlled by a computer system having at least a visual operator interface, an operating system for controlling the operation of applications within the computer system, and memory means for storing an application, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting a Refresh function;

dragging and dropping the Refresh function on a user-selected target;

if the selected object is one object, refreshing the object and any wells opened from the object;

if the selected target is a well, refreshing all objects in the well;

if the selected target is a pane, refreshing all objects in the pane, but not refreshing objects in wells associated with the pane; and

if the selected target is an area, refreshing all objects in the area, but not refreshing objects in wells associated with the area.