Method and system for transferring data using a graphical user interface

• US 6,411,312 B1
• Filed: 05/10/1999
• Issued: 06/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Activision Publishing Incorporated (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Sheppard, Percy
• Primary Examiner(s): DELA TORRE, CRESCELLE N
• Application Number:
  US09/307,798
• Time in Patent Office: 1,142 Days
• Field of Search: 345/700, 345/764, 345/766, 345/769, 345/770, 345/775-777, 345/781, 345/784, 345/788, 345/790, 345/794, 345/797, 345/810, 345/814, 345/835, 345/844, 345/856
• US Class Current: 715/769
• 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 3/0483 Interaction with page-structured environments, e.g. book metaphor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0486 Drag-and-drop

Abstract

A system and method for controlling transfer of data using “dragging and dropping” on a graphical user interface where a target icon may be in a window layer obscured by other layers provides a special layer select icon over which a source icon may be dragged to initiate sequential display of obscured layers. The operator may then examine successively presented layers and select one on which a target icon is presented on which the source icon may be dropped.

Claims

1. A method of transferring data between objects displayed as icons on different layers of a graphical user interface of a digital computer comprising a display and a pointing device, said graphical user interface including a layer select icon, said method comprising the steps of:

selecting a source icon representing a source object in one layer in response to a first operation of said pointing device;

causing successive layers of said graphical user interface to be presented to the user in response to a second operation of said pointing device to position the source icon on said layer select icon;

selecting a particular one of said successive layers in response to a third operation of said pointing device; and

causing data transfer to be performed from said source object to said target object in response to a fourth operation of said pointing device to drag and drop said source icon onto a target icon representing a target object in the selected layer.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said layer select icon is presented in each layered window in a predetermined position.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said layer select icon is presented in a predetermined position in a reserved area of said interface.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said layer select icon includes two zones, the presentation of successive layers being in forward or reverse sequence through a list of current layers depending on whether the source icon is positioned in one or other of said zones.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, in which the speed of presentation of said successive layers is dependent on the part of the respective zone in which the source icon is positioned.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising stopping presentation of successive layers in response to a user movement of the source icon off the layer select icon, thereby selecting the currently presented layer for transfer.

7. A system for controlling the transfer of data between objects displayed on different layers of a graphical user interface in a digital computer comprising a display and a pointing device in response to user selection of a source icon representing a source object by operation of said pointing device and user dragging and dropping of said source icon on a target icon representing a target object, said system comprising:

means for generating and displaying a layer select icon so positioned on said interface as to be visible whenever any layer is displayed thereon;

sequencing means responsive to user positioning of said source icon on said layer select icon by operation of said pointing device to initiate successive presentation of said different layers;

selecting means for selecting one of said layers in response to operation of said pointing device; and

data transfer means responsive to user operation of said pointing device to drag and drop said source icon on a target object in said one selected layer to transfer data from said source object to said target object.

8. A system as claimed in claim 7 in which said means for generating and displaying said layer select icon is adapted to locate said icon in the same position in each displayed layer.

9. A system as claimed in claim 7 in which said means for generating and displaying said layer select icon is adapted to locate said icon in a reserved position on said interface.

10. A system as claimed in claim 7 wherein said layer select icon includes two zones, the presentation of successive layers being in forward or reverse sequence through a list of current layers depending on whether the selected icon is positioned in one or other of said zones.

11. A system as claimed in claim 10, in which the speed of presentation of said successive layers is dependent on the part of the respective zone in which the selected icon is positioned.

12. A system as claimed in claim 7 in which said sequencing means is responsive to movement of said source icon off said layer select icon to cease presentation of successive layers at the layer currently presented, thereby selecting said currently presented layer for transfer.

13. A system as claimed in claim 7 in which said pointing device is a mouse device.

14. A system as claimed in claim 7 in which said sequencing means includes means for imposing a predetermined delay between presentation of successive layers, means for testing whether an icon remains positioned on said layer select icon at the end of said predetermined delay and means for advancing said presentation to the next layer in response to a positive test result from test testing means.