Graphical user interface providing consistent behavior for the dragging and dropping of content objects

• US 6,535,230 B1
• Filed: 08/07/1995
• Issued: 03/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Celik, Tantek I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huynh, Ba
• Application Number:
  US08/511,645
• Time in Patent Office: 2,780 Days
• Field of Search: 395/326, 395/333, 395/334, 395/335, 395/336, 395/339, 395/340, 395/342, 395/346, 395/347, 395/348, 395/349, 395/350, 395/351, 395/352, 395/357
• US Class Current: 715/769
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0486 Drag-and-drop

Abstract

A drag-and-drop operation in a graphical user interface is controlled dependence upon whether the destination for the operation is a content object or a service object. If the destination of a drag-and-drop operation is a content object, the resulting action is to move the dragged object from its original location to the destination. If the destination is a service object, the resulting action is to perform the associated service on the dragged object without affecting the perceived location of the data contained in the dragged object. If the user desires that an operation other than a move be made when dragging an object to a content object, a specified key on a keyboard is pressed, to indicate that the drag-and-drop operation should make a copy, rather than merely move the object. If the source of the dragged object does not permit the user to move the object, the user can be presented with an option to copy the object when the drag-and-drop operation is carried out. Alternatively, rather than requesting the user to indicate a choice each time such a situation occurs, the computer system can be set up to automatically make a copy if the source does not permit the object to be moved.

Claims

1. A method for manipulating objects in a graphical user interfaces for a computer, of the type in which representations of objects stored in a memory are displayed to a user on a display, comprising the steps of:

selecting a first object whose representation is displayed on said display;

dragging the representation of the first object from a first location on the display to a second location associated with a second object;

determining whether said second object is either a service object or a container object;

performing a service with respect to said first object if said second object is a service object;

detecting whether access to said first object is limited;

moving the representation of the first object from said first location to a new location associated with said second object if said second object is a container object, regardless of a source of the first object if access to said first object is not limited; and

prohibiting the representation of the first object to said new location if access to said first object is limited.

2. The method of claim 1 further including the step of:

displaying a message which permits a user to indicate an alternative action for the first object if access to said first object is limited.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said alternative action includes copying said first object to said second object.