Dynamically changing appearances for user interface elements during drag-and-drop operations
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A computer system, comprising:
- a display device that displays icons representative of objects in the computer system, at least some of the objects being classified into at least a first type or a second type corresponding to respective first and second actions that can be performed on the objects;
a memory storing first and second images for a destination icon that is associated with both of the first and second actions, wherein the first and second images respectively correspond to said first and second actions; and
an operating system that;
detects that an icon associated with a classified object has been selected,determines which type of object is associated with the selected icon, anddisplays the destination icon with the first image or the second image in accordance with the type of object determined to be associated with the selected icon.
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Abstract
A user interface includes elements whose appearance dynamically changes in dependence upon functions associated with the elements. In the case of an icon that is the destination for a drag-and-drop operation, the image displayed for the icon changes in accordance with the object being dragged to it, to represent the task that will be performed as a result of the drag-and-drop operation. The appearance of other elements involved in drag-and-drop operations can also be varied, to reflect the task at hand. As a result, the user is provided with more intuitive feedback regarding the functions that will be performed by the computer as a result of a drag-and-drop operation.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A computer system, comprising:
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a display device that displays icons representative of objects in the computer system, at least some of the objects being classified into at least a first type or a second type corresponding to respective first and second actions that can be performed on the objects; a memory storing first and second images for a destination icon that is associated with both of the first and second actions, wherein the first and second images respectively correspond to said first and second actions; and an operating system that; detects that an icon associated with a classified object has been selected, determines which type of object is associated with the selected icon, and displays the destination icon with the first image or the second image in accordance with the type of object determined to be associated with the selected icon. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A computer system, comprising:
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a display device that displays objects in the computer system, at least some of the objects being classified into at least a first type or a second type corresponding to respective first and second actions that can be performed on the objects; a memory storing first and second images for an element of the graphical user interface that respectively correspond to the first and second actions; and an operating system that; detects that a classified object has been selected, determines which type of object has been selected, and displays the element with the first image or the second image in accordance with the type of object determined to have been selected. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computer system, comprising:
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a display device that displays objects in the computer system, at least some of the objects being classified into at least a first type or a second type; a memory storing first and second images for an element of the graphical user interface that respectively correspond to the first and second object types; and an operating system that; detects that a classified object has been selected, determines which type of object has been selected, and displays the element with the first image or the second image in accordance with the type of object determined to have been selected. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification