Graphical Interface for Direct Manipulation of Software Objects
First Claim
1. A method for manipulating software objects to perform a desired operation, the method comprising:
- selecting a first software object;
associating the first software object with a desired operation to create an activated first software object;
selecting a second software object;
associating the second software object with the activated first software object; and
performing the desired operation on the second software object and the activated first software object.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An intuitive user interface is provided for carrying out operations on software objects. The software objects may be databases, and the operations may be Boolean operations. The software objects may be represented by icons, and may be stored hierarchically within a system of folders. Each of Boolean operators may also have an icon, which may operate as a folder. A first software object may be selected and activated by associating it with a desired Boolean operator, for example, by clicking and dragging the first software object onto the icon for the desired Boolean operation. A second software object may then be selected and associated with the activated first software object, for example, by clicking and dragging the second software object onto the icon for the activated first software object. The desired Boolean operation may then be performed to provide an output software object represented by an icon.
71 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for manipulating software objects to perform a desired operation, the method comprising:
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selecting a first software object;
associating the first software object with a desired operation to create an activated first software object;
selecting a second software object;
associating the second software object with the activated first software object; and
performing the desired operation on the second software object and the activated first software object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for manipulating software objects to perform a desired operation, the method comprising:
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selecting a first graphical representation on a screen, the first graphical representation representing a first database;
selecting a second graphical representation on the screen, the second graphical representation representing a second database; and
performing a Boolean operation on the first and second databases. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A computer-readable medium containing computer code for carrying out a method, the method comprising:
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selecting a first software object;
associating the first software object with a desired operation to create an activated first software object;
selecting a second software object;
associating the second software object with the activated first software object; and
performing the desired operation on the second software object and the activated first software object. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A computer-readable medium containing computer code for carrying out a method, the method comprising:
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selecting a first graphical representation on a screen, the first graphical representation representing a first database;
selecting a second graphical representation on the screen, the second graphical representation representing a second database; and
performing a Boolean operation on the first and second databases. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification