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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to data processing systems which
are suitable for icon-based operations, and in particular to data
processing systems which allow direct icon manipulation operations.
2. Description of the Related Art
In modern data processing operations, it is conventional to have one or
more icons displayed on a video display, each of which represent a
collection of underlying data. Typically, the data is arranged in a
plurality of data fields. For example, an icon can be used to represent a
particular entry in an address book. The plurality of fields of data which
correspond to the particular representative icon may include name, home
phone number, home address, business phone number, business address,
E-mail address, facsimile numbers, work department names and numbers,
local area network address, and other pertinent identifying information.
Address listings in particular have become fairly complicated in view of
the numerous modes of communication available with the proliferation of
cellular phones, personal fax machines, and home computing devices. It is
highly likely that a typical entry in an electronic address book may
contain dozens of fields of data which provide useful information
regarding the various modes of communicating with family members, friends,
business associates, and vendors.
However, modern data processing techniques heavily rely upon the direct
manipulation of icons to perform certain operations. For example,
graphical pointing devices have been widely recognized as useful tools for
manipulating software objects and performing operations upon the software
objects. One huge benefit of utilizing graphical pointing devices is that
little or no instruction is required since most operators have an
intuitive feel for operations which involve graphical pointing devices.
One of the most useful operations is the drag-and-drop operation, wherein
a graphical pointing device is utilized to select software objects and
move them to particular workspaces, storage bins, and
iconically-represented functions. For example, a graphical pointing device
may be used to select an iconic representation of a software object, such
as an address book entry, and to drag that iconic representation of the
phone book entry to an iconic representation of a telephone, which
initiates a telephone call to the person identified in the software object
corresponding to the address book entry. However, due to the fact that
most individuals have numerous telephone numbers, it is difficult to
initiate the telephone call using a drag-and-drop operation.
Other types of direct icon manipulation operations are significantly
impeded, not by the proliferation of data fields in a software object, but
by the ambiguity inherent in a combination of a software object and a
particular direct icon manipulation operation. For example, using a
drag-and-drop operation to drag an address book entry icon to a spread
sheet cell or to a document is an inherently ambiguous operation, since it
is not clear which particular data fields are of utility. In this
particular instance, it is unclear whether the person's name should be
dropped, whether the person's E-mail identification should be dropped, or
whether the person's entire record should be dropped.
Consequently, in many circumstances the beneficial aspects of utilizing
direct icon manipulation operations to perform operations is lost. The
operator must resort to reading information from one window or workspace
and keying that information into another window or workspace. The speed
with which direct icon manipulation operations can be performed is thus no
longer realized. Furthermore, the errors inherent in rekeying information
between workspaces arises, a disadvantage which is not a great problem in
direct icon manipulation operations.
Finally, the synergistic effects of defining operations in terms which
correspond to operator intuition is lost and is instead replaced with
clumsy and hard-to-learn menus, and keying instructions. Thus, it appears
that the proliferation of data fields commonly used by operators, and the
significant number of ambiguous direct icon manipulation operations, may
combine to stifle the growing effectiveness and industry reliance upon the
iconographic representation of software objects and corresponding reliance
upon direct icon manipulation operations to facilitate data processing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one objective of the present invention to provide a method and
apparatus which facilitates icon-based operations in a data processing
system, which allows the operator to select particular ones of a plurality
of data fields of a particular icon type for utilization in particular
direct icon manipulation operations, and which records the operator
selection and generates a visual representation which is indicative
thereof which is subject to direct icon manipulation operations, which
allows the visual representation to be used to perform direct icon
manipulation operations to automatically include or exclude from the
direct icon manipulation operation data from particular ones of the data
fields.
It is a more particular objective of the present invention to provide a
method and apparatus for facilitating icon-based operations in a data
processing system which allows operator selection of particular ones of a
plurality of data fields of a particular icon type for utilization in
particular direct icon manipulation operations, and which automatically
generates a data template and iconic representation thereof, which can be
utilized by the operator to perform drag-and-drop operations to deliver
data from at least one particular data field to at least one particular
drop field, but which does not deliver data from selected others of the
plurality of data fields.
These and other objectives are achieved as is now described. When viewed
broadly as a method, the present invention is directed to a method of
facilitating icon-based operations in a data processing system. Typically,
the data processing system displays for operator selection a plurality of
icon types, each icon type represents and identifies data which is
arranged in a plurality of data fields. The data processing system is
typically capable of performing direct icon manipulation operations which
utilize data from selected ones of the plurality of data fields. The
method includes the steps of: (a) allowing operator selection of
particular ones of the plurality of data fields of a particular icon type
for utilization in particular direct icon manipulation operations; (b)
recording the operator selection and generating a visual representation
which is indicative thereof, which is subject to direct icon manipulation
operations; and (c) utilizing the visual representation to perform direct
icon manipulation operations to automatically include or exclude from the
direct icon manipulation operations data from particular ones of the data
fields, in accordance with the operator selection. Preferably, the visual
representation which is generated is an icon which is displayed on the
data processing system, which resembles, but which is not identical to, a
particular icon type. The icon represents a "data template" which may be
selectively applied during direct icon manipulation operations to
particular software objects which provides for the automatic inclusion or
exclusion of data from particular fields. In the preferred embodiment, the
iconic representation of the template is useful in drag-and-drop
operations.
When viewed broadly as an apparatus, the present invention comprises a data
processing system for improved direct icon manipulation operations which
include at least one icon type which is representative of a plurality of
software objects composed of data arranged in a plurality of fields. In
the apparatus, a number of components cooperate together, including: (a) a
selection means for allowing operator selection of particular ones of the
plurality of data fields which contain data useful in a particular direct
icon manipulation operation; (b) a selection icon generation means which
automatically generates a selection icon which is representative of the
particular ones of the plurality of data fields which were selected by the
operator; (c) a template generation means which automatically generates a
data template which may be called through the selection icon; and (d) a
means for applying said selection icon to selected ones of the plurality
of software objects to result in inclusion and exclusion of data from
selected fields in a particular direct icon manipulation operation.
The above as well as additional objectives, features, and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent in the following detailed written
description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth
in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a
preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will
best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of
an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of a data processing system in
accordance with the present invention;
FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c are pictorial representations of exemplary graphical
user interface screens which depict the use of the present invention; and
FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are flowchart representations of the preferred
software implementation of the present method and apparatus for
facilitating icon-based operations, with FIG. 3 providing an overview,
FIG. 4 providing a detailed view of the creation of a selection icon, FIG.
5 providing an overview of the application of a selection icon, and FIG. 6
providing an overview of the selective transfer of data using the
selection icon.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference now to the figures and in particular with reference to FIG.
1, there is depicted a pictorial representation of data processing system
10 which may be programmed in accordance with the present invention. As
may be seen, data processing system 10 includes processor 12 which
preferably includes a graphics processor, memory device and central
processor (not shown). Coupled to processor 12 is video display 14 which
may be implemented utilizing either a color or monochromatic monitor, in a
manner well known in the art. Also coupled to processor 12 is keyboard 16.
Keyboard 16 preferably comprises a standard computer keyboard which is
coupled to the processor by means of cable 18.
Also coupled to processor 12 is a graphical pointing device, such as mouse
20. Mouse 20 is coupled to processor 12, in a manner well known in the
art, via cable 22. As is shown, mouse 20 may include left button 24, and
right button 26, each of which may be depressed, or "clicked", to provide
command and control signals to data processing system 10. While the
disclosed embodiment of the present invention utilizes a mouse, those
skilled in the art will appreciate that any graphical pointing device such
as a light pen or touch sensitive screen may be utilized to implement the
method of the present invention. Upon reference to the foregoing, those
skilled in the art will appreciate that data processing system 10 may be
implemented utilizing a so-called personal computer, such as the Model 80
PS/2 computer manufactured by International Business Machines Corporation
of Armonk, New York.
The method and apparatus of the present invention can best be understood
first with reference to a progression of displays on video display 14
which comprise FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c, which are arranged in temporal order.
As is depicted in FIG. 2avideo display 14 includes address book window 30
and addressing window 32. Address book window 30 is a conventional
accumulation of software objects arranged in a rational fashion which
preserves information pertaining to the names, addresses, telephone
numbers, facsimile numbers, and electronic communication identification
numbers for family members, friends, business associates, and vendors.
First software object 34 is displayed, and pertains to individual number 1
in the address book. Second software object 36 is also displayed, and
pertains to individual number 2 in the address book. Conventional
scrolling operations are allowed for upward or downward movement within
the electronic address book.
As is shown in FIG. 2a, first software object 34 and second software object
36 are visually and operationally represented by icons 38, 40,
respectively. As is conventional, graphical pointing device 60 may be
utilized to select one or both of first software object 34 and second
software object 36 for use in conventional direct icon manipulation
operations, such as a drag-and-drop operation to move the data represented
by icons 38, 40 to another window, workspace, or iconic representation of
a system function. For example, graphical pointing device 60 may be
utilized to move data 46 which is arranged in data fields 48, and is
visually represented by icon 38, to addressing window 32 through use of a
conventional drag-and-drop operation. As was discussed in the description
of the prior art, uncertainty arises in this operation, since it is not
clear whether all or selected portions of data 46 should be dropped to
to-field 50 and cc-field 52 of addressing window 32. Therefore, in
accordance with the present invention, selection implement 54 is provided
in video display 14, and can be used to designate particular ones of data
field 48 which are to be included and excluded in drag-and-drop operations
performed which involve icon 38.
As is best shown in FIG. 2b, graphical pointing device 60 may be utilized
(through manipulation of mouse 20) to identify particular ones of data
fields 48 which will be either included or excluded from particular direct
icon manipulation operations. The use of selection implement 54 will
preferably follow a preestablished convention. For example, selection
implement 54 may be utilized to designate items which are excluded from
direct icon manipulation operations. Alternately, selection implement 54
may be utilized to designate those data fields of data fields 48 which are
to be included a particular direct icon manipulation.
According to the embodiment which is depicted in FIG. 2a, selection
implement 54 may be utilized to identify particular ones of data fields 48
of data 46 which are included in subsequent direct icon manipulation
operations which include software object 34 through icon 38. Preferably,
at the end of the selection process, selection icon 56 is generated which
graphically represents the user selections of data fields 48. Selection
icon 56 is a general purpose iconographic representation of a general
purpose data template which is in accord with the operator selections. As
is shown, selection icon 56 resembles the icon type of icons 38, 40, but
is not identical to the icons 38, 40. As is shown, a tiny check mark is
placed at the center portion of selection icon 56. The check mark
corresponds to the graphic representation of selection implement 54. This
provides a visual and intuitive indication that selection icon 56 may be
utilized in direct icon manipulation operations, and provides a data
filter template which corresponds to the selections made by the operator
during the establishment of selection icon 56.
In the preferred embodiment, selection icon 56 is associated with, and
representative of, a recordation of the user selections of particular ones
of data fields 48. Selection icon 56 may be applied to any of the software
objects contained in the address book which is displayed in address book
window 30. For example, the operator may scroll downward within the
electronic address book to locate the one hundredth entry in the address
book. Selection icon 56 may be selected through use of graphical pointing
device 60. This operation is graphically depicted in FIG. 2c. The
drag-and-drop operation includes selection icon 56, icon 62, which
represents software object 64 in address book window 30, and to-field 50
of addressing window 32. In temporal order, the sequence of operations is
as follows: (1) graphical pointing device 60 is utilized to select
selection icon 56 and place it upon icon 62 which iconographically
represents software object 64; (2) clicking or releasing of mouse buttons
24, 26 may be utilized to apply the data template which is visually
represented by selection icon 56 to data 66 contained in data fields 68;
and (3) graphical pointing device 60 is then utilized to drag the data
contained in the unmasked ones of data fields 68 to to-field 50 of
addressing window. Selection icon 56 may be utilized in a similar fashion
to select one or more recipients of carbon copies of the communication by
dragging and dropping only data from unmasked data fields to the cc-field
52 of addressing window 32.
In alternative embodiments, these operations may be performed through use
of keyboard 16 and the cursor of video display 14, so the present
invention is not necessarily reliant upon the use of graphical pointing
devices. In such other embodiments, the cursor may be located on an icon,
and selected keys depressed to perform the operations which are
graphically depicted in FIG. 2c. In still other embodiments, a plurality
of selection implements may be provided to create a plurality of selection
icons, each corresponding to a different data template. Each selection
icon may then correspond to frequently performed direct icon manipulation
operation. For example, one selection icon may be provided for common
internetwork communications, while still other selection icons may be
provided for U.S. mail communications, facsimile communications, or
courier service communications. The software routines of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention are depicted in flowchart form in
FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6 and will be described herebelow with respect to the
particular embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c.
With reference first to FIG. 3, the principal operations of the present
invention can be characterized as: (1) the creation of an icon mask; (2)
the application of an icon mask to an icon; and (3) the delivery of data
in accordance with the data filter represented by the icon mask. The
selection of one or more of these principal functions is identified in
FIG. 3. FIG. 4 provides an overview of the preferred software routine for
creating a selection icon. FIG. 5 provides a detailed flowchart for the
application of a selection icon. FIG. 6 provides a detailed flowchart for
the delivery of data in accordance with the data template represented by a
selection icon. As was discussed above, FIG. 2b graphically depicts the
creation of a selection icon, while FIG. 2c graphically depicts the
application of a selection icon and the delivery of data from appropriate
data fields through use of the selection icon.
With reference again to FIG. 3, the process begins at software block 70. In
accordance with software block 72, the data processing system 10 is
initialized. Next, as set forth in software block 74, the windows and
default icons are opened for display. For example, one or more icons such
as selection icon 54 may be displayed on video display 14 of data
processing system 10. In addition, one or more previously created
selection icons, such as selection icon 56 may also be displayed on video
display 14 of data processing system 10. In accordance with software block
76, data processing system 10 monitors for user input. In accordance with
software blocks 78, 82, and 86, data processing system 10 determines
whether an operator selects predefined routines for creating, applying,
and dropping selection icons. If the routine for creating selection icons
is selected, as determined by software block 78, the process continues in
software block 80, which is set forth in greater detail in FIG. 4. If,
however, the routine for application of a previously generated selection
icon is selected, as determined in software block 82, the process
continues in software block 84, which is depicted in greater detail in
FIG. 5. If, however, the routine from dropping selection icons is
selected, as determined in software block 86, the process continues at
software block 88, which is set forth in greater detail inn FIG. 6. If
none of these functions are selected by the operator, data processing
system 10 determines what other operations are required, in accordance
with software block 90, and returns to software block 76 to continue
monitoring for user input for the selection of one or more of these
routines.
Assuming that the operator selects the routine for creation of a selection
icon, the process continues as is set forth in FIG. 4. In accordance with
software block 92, data processing system 10 determines whether or not the
operator has selected a particular software object; if not, the process
continues at software block 76 of FIG. 3 by continuing to monitor for user
input; however, if a particular object is selected by the operator, the
process continues in software block 94, wherein data processing system 10
creates a duplicate of the software object which is utilized for purposes
of creating a selection icon and corresponding data template which is of
general applicability to other software objects of the kind selected by
the operator.
Next, in accordance with software block 96, data processing system 10
monitors for user input corresponding to operation of selection implement
54 of FIG. 2b. As was discussed in connection with that figure, selection
implement 54 may be utilized through graphical pointing device 60 to
designate particular ones of data fields in the software object which are
to be passed automatically in direct icon manipulation operations, such as
drag-and-drop operations. If no particular data fields are selected within
a predetermined time interval, the process jumps to software block 102
However, assuming that the operator has selected one data field, in
accordance with software block 100, data processing system 10 attaches a
flag to that field in the object's copy.
Next, in accordance with software block 102, data processing system 10
determines whether the operator has called for the end of the selection
process of data fields which are to pass during subsequent direct icon
manipulation operations. If the user does not call for an end to this
process, the routine returns to software block 96, wherein data processing
system 10 monitors for additional operator input, and in particular
monitors for the designation of additional fields which are to be
identified with the data template. Once all the appropriate data fields
have been selected by the operator, the process continues in software
block 104 by attaching mask indicators to unselected fields of the
object's copy. These mask indicators will prevent the passage of data
during subsequent direct icon manipulation operations which involve the
selection icon.
Then, in accordance with software block 106, a selection icon is created
for the particular icon type. In the examples of FIG. 2a, 2b, and 2c, only
one icon type is depicted; however, in alternative embodiments of this
invention selection icons may be created for use with many other varieties
of icon types, and not just the icons which are representative of entries
in an address book. The concepts of the present invention have general
applicability to all iconographic representations of software objects.
Finally, in accordance with software block 108, data processing system 10
displays the selection icon on video display 14.
As is depicted in FIG. 2a, selection icon 56 closely resembles the icon
type which is utilized to represent entries in an electronic address book.
This is particularly useful, since it allows an operator to intuitively
link particular selection icons with particular icon types. The particular
selection icon 56 generated in FIG. 2b includes components of both
selection implement 54 and the icon type of icons 38, 40. This allows the
user to utilize his or her intuition in performing subsequent direct icon
manipulation operations, and is particularly useful when video display 14
is crowded with a variety of icon types as well as a variety of selection
icons with one or more selection icons relating to a particular icon type.
The routine for applying the selection icon created in accordance with the
process outlined in FIG. 4 is set forth in flowchart form in FIG. 5. In
accordance with software block 84, a selection icon is applied to the
iconographic representation of a particular software object. With
reference to the example of FIG. 2c, graphical pointing device 60 is
utilized to move selection icon 56 into an overlapping position with icon
62, and one or more of mouse buttons 24, 26 are depressed to initiate the
application of the selection icon to a particular iconographic
representation of a software object. In accordance with software block
110, data processing system 10 determines whether or not this application
is appropriate; if not, the process continues in software block 112 by
providing an error message and returning for receipt of proper operator
input; however, if the application of the selection of icon is
appropriate, the process continues in software block 114. The example of
FIG. 2c provides a graphic depiction of an appropriate application of the
selection icon. In this instance, selection icon 56 is an icon which
visually represents a data template which has been crafted with regard to
the particular software objects in the address book which is displayed in
address book window 30. The shape and form of selection icon 56 is similar
to that of icon 62, as well as the selection implement 54. This provides
the user with a graphical indication that it is appropriate to apply
selection icon 56 to icon 62, or any other iconographic representation of
entries in the address book displayed in address book window 30. This is
one principal advantage of generating a selection icon which is a
composite of the selection implement as well as the icon type which is
representative of software objects appropriate for a particular direct
icon manipulation operations.
Assuming that an appropriate selection icon has been applied to an
iconographic representation of a software object, in accordance with
software block 114, data processing system 10 reads the selection icon for
data contained in the unmasked fields. Next, in accordance with software
block 116, data processing system 10 preferably provides the operator with
the visual indication of the read operation. For example, data contained
in the unmasked field which is to be transferred during the direct icon
manipulation operation may be shaded, highlighted, or flashed to indicate
to the operator that only data contained in those fields will be
transferred in the drop operation.
The process continues with the drop operation which is depicted in
flowchart form in detail in FIG. 6. With reference again to FIG. 2c, the
direct icon manipulation operation includes the selection of a particular
software object by applying selection icon 56 to icon 62; the process
continues by utilizing graphical pointing device 60 to drag selection icon
56 to addressing window 32 to deposit information in the to-field 50. Once
selection icon 56 is positioned within to-field 50 of addressing window
32, actuation of mouse buttons 24, 26 of mouse 20 may be utilized to
implement the drop of data to the to-field 50.
This user operation is depicted in flowchart form by software block 88 of
FIG. 6. The process continues in software block 120, wherein data
processing system 10 determines whether this is a valid drop operation.
Preferably, data processing system 10 includes a look-up table which
determines which particular selection icons may be utilized with a
particular icon type; also, data processing system 10 should include a
look-up table which determines which particular drop locations are suited
for use with a particular selection icon. If a selection icon is
mismatched with a particular drop location, the process continues in
software block 122 by providing an error message, and returning for
additional operator input. However, if the drop location is suitable for
use with a particular selection icon, the process continues in software
block 124 by reading the unmasked fields.
Next, in accordance with software block 126, data processing system 10
determines whether a particular data field is valid for a particular drop
location. If not, the process continues in software block 128 by providing
an error message and returning for operator input; however, if the
particular data field is valid for a particular drop location, the process
continues in software block 130 by inserting a copy of the data at the
drop point in the receiving object's data field. Next, in accordance with
software block 132, the operator is provided with a visual indication of
the transfer of data from the selection icon to the appropriate data field
in the drop location. Typically, this is performed by displaying the data
in the appropriate field. Next, in accordance with software block 134,
data processing system 10 determines whether additional data fields need
to be filled with data transferred through the selection icon. If not, the
process continues by awaiting additional operator input; however, if more
data is available for the drop operation, the process continues in
software block 136 by incrementing the data pointers to the next data
field and returning to software block 126. In this manner, a plurality of
data fields may be transferred to a plurality of drop fields, with each
data segment being transferred to the appropriate and corresponding drop
location to ensure accurate, efficient, and useful transfer of data
through the selection icon to the drop location.
As was discussed above, the present invention has utility beyond
conventional drag-and-drop operations, but has been exemplified with
respect with such drag-and-drop operations. Other direct icon manipulation
operations may be performed utilizing the present invention to selectively
transfer data from one software object to another software object. A wide
array of selection icons may be provided. A subset of the selection icons
may have utility with respect to a particular icon type. Other subsets may
have utility with respect to other icon types. Preferably, each selection
icon is a visual composite of the selection implement and the particular
icon type to which it pertains. This ensures greater intuitive
implementation of the invention. Additionally, the present invention may
be utilized through use of keyboard 16 and the cursor of video display 14.
Direct icon operations may be performed using the cursor in lieu of the
graphical pointing device, such as mouse 20. In those instances, the
concepts of the present invention will apply equally to the use of
keyboard-driven operations.
With reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made
therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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