Object browser and manipulation system

• US 5,852,439 A
• Filed: 03/01/1996
• Issued: 12/22/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GEAC Enterprise Solutions Holdings Limited (KOCH Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: JBA Holdings Plc (Infor Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kay, David, Musgrove, Rupert Jeremy
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAX, STEVEN PAUL
• Application Number:
  US08/608,626
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: 345/339, 345/340, 345/341, 345/343, 345/348, 345/335, 345/326, 345/350, 345/351, 345/352, 345/353, 345/354, 345/355, 345/356, 345/357, 345/358, 395/349, 395/346, 395/342
• US Class Current: 715/764
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/24 Object-oriented
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/38 for implementing user interfaces

Abstract

A method of manipulating objects using an object browser and manipulation system is described. The system comprises components for representing on a display unit respective objects, the components each comprising an object identifier region. Each component has at least one defined active sub-region, the active sub-region having the capability to display information relating to a state of the component and its respective object and having a functionality activatable by the user through an input device to effect an operation in relation to the component. The method comprises the steps of;

a) providing at least one component in the form of an image on the screen of the display unit,

b) providing an input device operable by the user to activate the functionality of a first active sub-region of the component and

c) providing on the screen of the display unit an image corresponding with the outcome of the operation of the functionality of the fist active sub-region.

Claims

1. A method of manipulating objects using an object browser and manipulation system comprising components for representing on a display unit respective objects, the components each comprising an object identifier and at least one active sub-region, the at least one active sub-region having the capability to display information relating to a state of the component and its respective object and having a functionality activatable by an input device to effect an operation in relation to the component, the method comprising the step of:

(a) providing images of a parent component and a child component representing respectively a parent object and an associated child object on the display of the display unit, each component respectively having at least one active sub-region;

(b) receiving an input via the input device to activate the functionality of the at least one active sub-region of the child component;

wherein the functionality of the at least one active sub-region of the child component performs an operation in relation to the child component without influencing either the parent component or any other child component of the parent component; and

(c) providing on the screen of the display unit an image corresponding with the outcome of the operation of the functionality of the at least one active sub-region of the child component.

3. An object browser and manipulation system as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the functionality activatable by the user effects an operation in relation to both the component and its corresponding object.

4. An object browser and manipulation system as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that an operation in relation to the component includes a screen hide/reveal object function.

5. An object browser and manipulation system as claimed in claim 3 characterised in that an operation in relation to the component and its corresponding object includes one or more functions selected from the following:

a) create object;

b) remove object;

c) move object;

d) add an object association link;

e) remove an object association link;

f) perform a zoom-in function;

g) perform a zoom-out function;

h) provide 3-d extractions.

6. An object browser and manipulation system as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that there are a number of active sub-regions of each component and these can be assigned various functions.

7. An object browser and manipulation system as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the component can be in any convenient form.

8. An object browser and manipulation system as claimed in claim 7 characterised in that the variable form of the component image is adapted to incorporate the active sub-region.

9. An object browser and manipulation system as claimed in claim 8 characterised in that the active sub regions form a distinct visual part of the component.

10. An object browser and manipulation system as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the active region visually displays the activatability of the corresponding function.

2. An object browser and manipulation system comprising components for representing on a display unit respective objects, the components each comprising an object identifier and at least one active sub-region, the at least one active sub-region having the capability to display information relating to a state of the component and its respective object and having a functionality activatable by an input device to effect an operation in relation to the component, the system further comprising:

means for providing images of a parent component and a child component representing respectively a parent object and an associated child object on the display of the display unit, each component having at least one respective active sub-region;

means for receiving an input via the input device to activate the functionality of the at least one active sub-region of the child component;

wherein the functionality of the at least one active sub-region of the child component performs an operation in relation to the child component without influencing either the parent component or any other child component of the parent component; and

means for providing on the screen of the display unit an image corresponding with the outcome of the operation of the functionality of the at least one active sub-region of the child component.

11. An object browser and manipulation system as claimed in claim 2 characterised in that the functionality activatable by the user offsets an operation in relation to both the component and its corresponding object.

12. An object browser and manipulation system as claimed in claim 2 characterised in that an operation in relation to the component includes a screen hide/reveal object function.

13. An object browser and manipulation system as claimed in claim 11 characterised in that an operation in relation to the component and its corresponding object includes one or more functions selected from the following:

a) create object;

b) remove object;

c) move object;

d) add an object association link;

e) remove an object association link;

f) perform a zoom-in function;

g) perform a zoom-out function;

h) provide 3-d extractions.

14. An object browser and manipulation system as claimed in claim 2 characterised in that there are a number of active sub-regions of each component and these can be assigned various functions.

15. An object browser and manipulation system as claimed in claim 2 characterised in that the component can be in any convenient form.

16. An object browser and manipulation system as claimed in claim 2 characterised in that the active region visually displays the activatability of the corresponding function.