×

Selection, type matching and manipulation of resource objects by a computer program

  • US 5,999,178 A
  • Filed: 01/21/1997
  • Issued: 12/07/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method for enabling a user to select and manipulate resource objects using a graphical user interface of a computer system, the method comprising:

  • controlling a cursor control device of the computer system to drag a program icon corresponding to a program stored on the computer system onto a resource object icon corresponding to a parent resource object of the computer system, the program icon and the parent resource object icon being displayed by the graphical user interface of the computer system, wherein the parent resource object icon is part of a plurality or resource object icons arranged in a tree topology and each resource object icon corresponds to a resource object;

    determining a type of the program;

    determining a type of the parent resource object;

    determining a type of a first child resource object corresponding to a first child resource object icon of the parent resource object icon;

    determining a type of a second child resource object corresponding to a second child resource object icon of the parent resource object icon;

    comparing the type of the program to the type of the parent, the first or the second child resource objects to determine whether the program can manipulate the parent, the first or the second child resource objects;

    upon determining by said comparing that the program can manipulate the first or the second child resource objects, modifying a visual display of the parent, the first or the second child resource object icons to indicate to a user that the program can manipulate the first or the second child resource objects, wherein the modification of the visual display of the parent resource object icon is different from the modification of the visual display of the first or the second resource object icons; and

    upon the user electing to manipulate the first or the second child resource objects via the program, executing the program on the first or the second child resource objects.

View all claims
  • 23 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×