Method, apparatus and application for object selective but global attribute modification

• US 5,818,444 A
• Filed: 08/14/1996
• Issued: 10/06/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Vigil, Luana L., Doescher, Calvin Larry, Goddard, Joan Stagaman, Boldt, Gerald D., Wittig, James Philip, Vo, Minh Trong, Alimpich, Claudia C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Phu K.
• Application Number:
  US08/696,762
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 345/333, 345/349, 345/350, 345/356, 345/357, 345/433
• US Class Current: 715/765
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

An application, method and apparatus for revision of attributes of selected objects as controlled by a computer system. The computer system has at least a visual operator interface, an operating system for operating applications within the computer system, and memory for storing the application therein. Selected objects, such as other applications, parts of applications such as cells in a spread sheet, or real objects such as printers, are designated for selected attribute revision. A global change operation for all of the designated objects having properties to be revised is selected. The attributes are revised as desired and the revised attributes are propagated to the designated objects. Also disclosed is a method, apparatus and application for indicating the desired revisions to the attributes using a model object. The model object method, apparatus and application is an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Claims

1. An application for revision of the value of attributes of selected objects 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:

means for designating objects, having attributes to be altered, modified, added or deleted (collectively, "revised");

means for selecting a global change operation for all of the designated objects having attributes to be revised;

means for revising the attributes as desired; and

means for propagating the revised attributes to the designated objects.

2. An application for revision of the value of attributes of selected objects 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:

means for selecting a model object;

means for designating objects having attributes to be revised;

means for selecting a global change operation for all of the designated objects having properties to be revised;

means for revising attributes of the model object; and

means for propagating the revised attributes to the designated objects.

3. An application for revision of the value of attributes of selected objects 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:

means for designating objects, having attributes to be altered, modified, added or deleted (collectively, "revised");

means for selecting a global change operation for all of the designated objects having attributes to be revised;

means for selecting a model object from the designated objects;

means for revising attributes of the model object; and

means for propagating the revised attributes to the designated objects.

4. A method for revision of the value of attributes of selected objects 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:

designating objects having attributes to be altered, modified, added, or deleted (collectively, "revised");

selecting a global change operation for all of the designated objects having attributes to be revised;

revising the attributes as desired; and

propagating the revised attributes to the designated objects.

5. A method for revision of the value of attributes of designated properties of selected objects 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 model object;

designating objects having attributes to be revised;

selecting a global change operation for all of the designated objects having properties to be revised;

revising attributes of the model object; and

propagating the revised attributes to the designated objects.

6. A method for revision of the value of attributes of selected objects 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:

designating objects having attributes to be altered, modified, added, or deleted (collectively, "revised");

selecting a global change operation for all of the designated objects having attributes to be revised;

selecting a model object from the designated objects;

revising attributes of the model object; and

propagating the revised attributes to the designated objects.