Graphical interface method, apparatus and application for creating and modifying a list of values with multiple components

• US 5,867,157 A
• Filed: 08/14/1996
• Issued: 02/02/1999
• 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): Kim, Matthew M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): dela Torre, Crescelle N.
• Application Number:
  US08/696,753
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• Field of Search: 345/333, 345/334, 345/335, 345/336, 345/339, 345/326, 345/347, 345/352, 345/354, 345/340, 707/505, 707/507
• US Class Current: 715/762
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04895 Guidance during keyboard input operation, e.g. prompting

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. The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and application for constructing in a graphical user interface a list of values, with each value having multiple components. Also disclosed is a means for adding, modifying, and deleting values or components of values. Additionally disclosed is a means for copying selected values or components of values from one entry to another entry in the list of values.

Claims

1. An application for creating a list of multiple values, wherein each value is comprised of multiple component values, wherein the application is 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 selecting a first window showing a list box for the values, wherein the displayed list box displays a list of values, the list box containing a heading for each component value;

means for selecting a first add pushbutton to view a second window in which each component may be filled in for an additional value to be added to the list box;

means for filling in each component value in the second window; and

means for selecting a second add pushbutton in the second window causing the first window to appear displaying the list box of values including the added value.

2. An application for copying a first value in a list box to create a second value in the list box, wherein a value is comprised of multiple component values, wherein the application is 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 selecting the first value from a first window showing the list box, wherein the displayed list box displays a list of values;

means for selecting a first add copy pushbutton to view a second window showing the second value with each component value filled-in as for the selected first value; and

means for selecting a second add copy pushbutton in the second window causing the first window to appear displaying the list box of values including the second value as a new entry in the displayed list box.

3. An application for copying a first value with one or more component values in a list box to create a second value in the list box in accordance with claim 2 further comprising:

means for modifying the component values of the second value as desired prior to selecting the second add copy pushbutton.

4. An application for revising a value in a list box displaying multiple values, wherein a value is comprised of multiple components values, wherein the application is 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 selecting a first window displaying a list box, wherein the displayed list box displays a list of values,

means for selecting the value to be modified from the first window;

means for selecting a modify pushbutton to view a second window showing the components of the selected value;

means for modifying as desired the components shown in the second window; and

means for selecting a second modify pushbutton causing the first window to appear displaying the list box of values including the modified value.

5. A method for creating a list of multiple values, wherein each value is comprised of multiple component values, wherein the application is 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:

selecting a first window showing a list box for the values, wherein the displayed list box displays a list of values, the list box containing a heading for each component;

selecting a first add pushbutton to view a second window in which each component may be filled in for an additional value to be added to the list box;

filling in each component in the second window; and

selecting a second add pushbutton in the second window causing the first window to appear displaying the list box of values including the additional value.

6. A method for copying a first value to create a second value, wherein the values are comprised of multiple component values, wherein the application is 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:

selecting the first value from a first window showing the list box, wherein the displayed list box displays a list of values;

selecting a first add copy pushbutton to view a second window showing the second value with each component filled-in as for the selected first value; and

selecting a second add copy pushbutton in the second window causing the first window to appear displaying the list box of values including the second value as a new entry in the displayed list box.

7. A method for copying a first value with one or more component values in a list box to create a second value in the list box in accordance with claim 6 further comprising the steps of:

modifying the component values of the second value as desired prior to selecting the second add copy pushbutton.

8. A method for revising a value, wherein the value is comprised of multiple component values, wherein the application is 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:

selecting a first window displaying a list box, wherein the displayed list box displays a list of values,

selecting the value to be modified from the first window;

selecting a modify pushbutton to view a second window showing the components of the selected value;

modifying as desired the components shown in the second window; and

selecting a second modify pushbutton causing the first window to appear displaying the list box of values including the modified value.