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Claims  |
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We claim:
1. In a data processing system graphical user interface which
simultaneously displays a plurality of software objects, a method of
facilitating operator integration of items between software objects,
comprising the data processing implemented steps of:
allowing operator selection of a source software object and a target
software object within said data processing system;
recording said operator selection; thereafter
monitoring operator input from a graphical pointing device for selection of
items present in said source software object; and
automatically copying items selected by said operator to said target
software object, while said graphical pointing device is maintained within
said source software object.
2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:
automatically providing a visual indication within said data processing
system which is representative of said step of automatically copying.
3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said visual indication which is
provided during said step of automatically providing, comprises a
simulation of a drag-and-drop direct icon manipulation operation.
4. A method according to claim 3, wherein said simulation of a
drag-and-drop direct icon manipulation operation is displayed at an
accelerated pace.
5. A method according to claim 2:
wherein said items include at least one iconographic representation for
each item; and
wherein, during said step of automatically copying, said at least one
iconographic representation is copied to said target object.
6. A method according to claim 5, further comprising:
during said step of automatically providing a visual indication
representative of said step of automatically copying, a simulation of a
drag-and-drop direct icon manipulation operation is provided which
involves said at least one iconographic representation.
7. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:
providing a visual indication of operator selection of said source software
object and said target software object.
8. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:
subsequent to operator selection of said source software object and said
target software object, modifying a cursor associated with said graphical
pointing device to indicate to said operator that subsequent use of said
graphical pointing device will perform said steps of (a) automatically
copying, and (b) automatically providing a visual indication of said step
of automatically copying.
9. A method according to claim 1:
wherein said items include a plurality of data fields; and
wherein, during said step of automatically copying, said plurality of data
fields are copied to said target object.
10. In a data processing system graphical user interface which
simultaneously displays a plurality of software objects, a method of
facilitating operator integration of items between software objects,
comprising the comprising the data processing implemented steps of:
allowing operator selection of a source software object and a target
software object within said data processing system;
recording said operator selection; thereafter
monitoring operator input from a graphical pointing device for selection of
items present in said source software object;
automatically copying items selected by said operator to said target
software object, while said graphical pointing device is maintained within
said source software object; and
automatically providing a visual indication within said data processing
system which is representative of said step of automatically copying.
11. A method according to claim 10, further comprising:
providing a visual indication of operator selection of said source software
object and said target software object.
12. A method according to claim 10, further comprising:
subsequent to operator selection of said source software object and said
target software object, modifying a cursor associated with said graphical
pointing device to indicate to said operator that subsequent use of said
graphical pointing device will perform said steps of (a) automatically
copying, and (b) automatically providing a visual indication of said step
of automatically copying.
13. A method according to claim 10, wherein said visual indication provided
during said step of automatically providing comprises a simulation of a
drag-and-drop direct icon manipulation operation.
14. A method according to claim 13, wherein said simulation of a
drag-and-drop direct icon manipulation operation is displayed at an
accelerated pace.
15. A method according to claim 10:
wherein said items include a plurality of data fields; and
wherein, during said step of automatically copying, said plurality of data
fields are copied to said target object.
16. A method according to claim 10:
wherein said items include at least one iconographic representation for
each item; and
wherein, during said step of automatically copying, said at least one
iconographic representation is copied to said target object.
17. A method according to claim 16, further comprising:
during said step of automatically providing a visual indication
representative of said step of automatically copying, a simulation of a
drag-and-drop direct icon manipulation operation is provided which
involves said at least one iconographic representation.
18. A method in a graphical user interface of a data processing system of
facilitating operator initiated integration of items between software
objects, comprising the method steps of:
providing a visual representation in said graphical user interface of an
accelerated integration mode of operation;
monitoring operator input for selection of said visual representation of
said accelerated integration mode of operation and enabling said
accelerated integration mode of operation in response to said operator
input;
during said accelerated integration mode of operation, monitoring operator
input for selection of a source object and at least one target object;
during said accelerated integrated mode of operation, monitoring operator
input from a graphical pointing device for selection of items present in
said source object, thereafter automatically:
(a) copying said items to said at least one target object; and
(b) providing a dynamic representation in said graphical user interface of
each step of copying;
while said graphical pointing device is maintained within said source
object;
monitoring operator input for selection of deactivation of said accelerated
integration mode of operation and deactivating said accelerated
integration mode of operation in response to said operator input.
19. A method according to claim 18, further comprising:
providing a visual indication of operator selection of said source object
and said target object.
20. A method according to claim 18, further comprising:
upon enabling said accelerated integration mode of operation, modifying a
cursor associated with said graphical pointing device to indicate to said
operator that subsequent use of said graphical pointing device will
perform said steps of (a) copying, and (b) providing dynamic
representation.
21. A method according to claim 18, wherein said visual indication provided
during said step of providing a dynamic representation comprises a
simulation of a drag-and-drop direct icon manipulation operation.
22. A method according to claim 21, wherein said simulation of a
drag-and-drop direct icon manipulation operation is displayed at an
accelerated pace.
23. A method according to claim 18:
wherein said items include a plurality of data fields; and
wherein, during said step of copying, said plurality of data fields are
copied to said target object.
24. A method according to claim 18:
wherein said items include at least one iconographic representation for
each item; and
wherein, during said step of copying, said at least one iconographic
representation is copied to said target object.
25. A method according to claim 24, further comprising:
during said step of providing a dynamic representation, a simulation of a
drag-and-drop direct icon manipulation operation is provided which
involves said at least one iconographic representation.
26. A data processing system which simultaneously displays a plurality of
software objects, and facilitates operator integration of items between
software objects, comprising:
means for allowing operator selection of a source software object and a
target software object;
means for recording said operator selection;
means for monitoring operator input from a graphical pointing device for
selection of items present in said source software object;
means for automatically copying items selected by said operator to said
target object, while said graphical pointing device is maintained within
said source software object; and
means for automatically providing a visual indication representative of
said automatic copying.
27. A data processing system according to claim 26, further comprising:
means for providing a visual indication of operator selection of said
source software object and said target software object.
28. A data processing system according to claim 26, further comprising:
means for modifying a cursor associated with said graphical pointing device
subsequent to operator selection of said source software object and said
target software object to indicate to said operator that subsequent use of
said graphical pointing device will actuate (a) said means for
automatically copying, and (b) said means for automatically providing a
visual indication.
29. A data processing system according to claim 26, wherein said visual
indication provided comprises a simulation of a drag-and-drop direct icon
manipulation operation.
30. A data processing system according to claim 29, wherein said simulation
of a drag-and-drop direct icon manipulation operation is displayed at an
accelerated pace.
31. A data processing system according to claim 26:
wherein said items include a plurality of data fields; and
wherein, during said automatic copying, said plurality of data fields are
copied to said target object.
32. A data processing system according to claim 26:
wherein said items include at least one iconographic representation for
each item; and
wherein, during said automatic copying, said at least one iconographic
representation is copied to said target object.
33. A data processing system according to claim 32, further comprising:
during said automatic providing of a visual indication representative of
said automatic copying, a simulation of a drag-and-drop direct icon
manipulation operation is provided which involves said at least one
iconographic representation. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to graphical user interfaces for
data processing systems, and in particular to techniques which facilitate
interaction between software objects in a graphical user interface.
2. Description of the Related Art
Graphical user interfaces are now widely utilized in software to facilitate
control over an ever-expanding set of software objects which are to be
manipulated and controlled. These software objects include operating
system programs, application programs such as word processing programs,
spread sheets, and personal information managers, but also include a
variety of databases as well as libraries of archived documents.
One principle advantage of graphical user interfaces is that they allow
operators to perform tasks on a large variety of software objects,
notwithstanding the fact that the operators may have infrequent occasion
to use all the software objects. This is true because most graphical user
interfaces are designed with ease of use as the predominant design
criteria. To the maximum extent possible, graphical user interfaces will
utilize symbology and command structures which are consistent with an
operator's intuition; that is: to the maximum extent possible graphical
user interfaces provide a mirror-image of the real world. This is a
significant advantage since programs can be learned quickly and with
little effort.
One significant disadvantage of the utilization of graphical user
interfaces is that many operations which are performed are slowed down
significantly by the requirement that a graphical pointing device be
manipulated in a manner which interacts with menus, buttons, and
iconographic representations of software objects. Graphical user interface
operations such as "pointing and clicking" and "dragging and dropping"
necessarily require a greater amount of time than that required of
interfaces which are predominantly activated through utilization of the
data processing system keyboard.
It is now one industry-wide objective to maintain the advantageous
"intuitive" nature of graphical user interfaces while allowing for
increased speed in performing common or routine tasks within the graphical
user interface.
At the present time, it is common to provide "clipboards" in graphical user
interfaces which facilitate the copying of software objects and data items
from one software object to another. A clipboard requires that the
graphical pointing device be used to first copy the items from the source
software object to the clipboard, and then copy the items from the
clipboard to the target software object. This requires multiple
point-and-click and drag-and-drop operations, which greatly hinder the
operator in particularly large copying operations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one objective of the present invention to provide a method and
apparatus which facilitates operator integration of items between software
objects which, once enabled, allows for the automatic copying of items
from a source object to one or more target objects, while simultaneously
providing a visual indication which is representative of the automatic
copying.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a method and
apparatus which facilitates operator integration of items between software
objects, which allows items from a source software object to be
automatically copied to one or more target software objects, while a
graphical pointing device is maintained within the source software object.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a method
and apparatus which facilitates operator initiated integration of items
between software objects in a graphical user interface which allows the
utilization of a conventional graphical pointing device to perform
operations in an accelerated integration mode of operation during which
items from a source software object are automatically copied to one or
more target software objects, while a dynamic representation of the
copying action is provided in the graphical user interface.
These and other objectives are achieved as is now described. When
characterized as a method, the present invention includes a number of
method steps. A visual representation is provided in a graphical user
interface which is representative of an accelerated integration mode of
operation, which may be selected by the operator. The data processing
system continuously monitors operator input for selection of the visual
representation of the accelerated integration mode of operation, and then
enables the accelerated integration mode of operation in response to a
detected operator input. During the accelerated integration mode of
operation, the data processing system monitors operator input for
selection of a source object and at least one target object.
(Alternatively, the computer may be programmed to automatically identify
the source software object from the context provided by the previous
operator-initiated actions). Then, the data processing system monitors
operator input from a graphical pointing device for selection of items
present in the source object. Finally, the data processing system
automatically (1) copies the selected items to the one or more target
objects, and (2) provides a dynamic representation in the graphical user
interface of each step of copying, while the graphical pointing device is
maintained within the source object. Thereafter, operator input is
monitored for selection of deactivation of the accelerated integration
mode of operation, and the accelerated integration mode of operation is
deactivated in response to a selected operator input.
When characterized as an apparatus, the present invention is directed to a
means in a data processing system graphical user interface which
facilitates operator integration of items between software objects, and
includes a number of elements which cooperate together. A means is
provided for allowing operator selection of a source software object and a
target software object. Means is provided for recording the operator
selection. Means is also provided for monitoring operator input from a
graphical pointing device for selection of items present in the source
software object. Means is provided for automatically copying items
selected by the operator to the target object, while the graphical
pointing device is maintained within the source software object. Finally,
means is provided for automatically providing a visual indication
representative of the automatic copying.
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 which may
be programmed in accordance with the present invention;
FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 are pictorial representations of display screens in a
graphical user interface which include the technique for facilitating
integration of software objects in accordance with the present invention,
and in particular depict the enablement of an accelerated integration mode
of operation, and selection of a source software object and a target
software object;
FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8 are pictorial representations of display screens,
which illustrate utilization of the method and apparatus for facilitating
integration of software objects in accordance with the present invention,
for the software objects depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4;
FIG. 9 is a pictorial representation of a display screen in a graphical
user interface which utilizes the method and apparatus for facilitating
integration of software objects in accordance with the present invention,
and in particular illustrates an alternative use of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a pictorial representation of a display screen in a graphical
user interface which is equipped with the method and apparatus for
facilitating integration of software objects in accordance with the
present invention, and in particular illustrates another utilization of
the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart representation of a broad overview of a preferred
embodiment of the method and apparatus for facilitating integration of
software objects;
FIG. 12 a flowchart representation of the "enable" subroutine of FIG. 11;
FIGS. 13a and 13b is a flowchart representation of the "click" routine of
FIG. 11; and
FIG. 14 is a flowchart representation of the "drop" routine of FIG. 11.
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 and apparatus 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.
FIG. 2 is a depiction of display screen 30 of video display 14 of data
processing system 10. Display screen 30 includes cursor 32 which is moved
about display screen 30 through operation of graphical pointing device 20.
Display screen 30 also includes software buttons 34, including button 36,
and button 38 (which represent conventional software buttons), and click
and add button 40. Cursor 32 may be utilized to select a function
represented by buttons 34. In the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, cursor 32 may be utilized to select the click and add button
40, which results in the display of pull-down menu 42. As is shown in FIG.
2, pull-down menu 42 includes "source" menu item 44, "target 1" menu item
46, "target 2" menu item 48, "target n" menu item 49, "cancel" menu item
52, and "close" menu item 54.
As is also shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of icons 55 are disposed along the
lowermost portion of display screen 30, and include personal address book
icon 56, shared address book icon 58, icon 60 and icon 62 (which represent
conventional icons). As is conventional, cursor 32 may be positioned
through actuation of graphical pointing device 20 to overlie a particular
one of icons 55 to select or "open" the document which is represented by
the particular one of icons 55 during a "point and click" operation.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, an accelerated
integration mode of operation is selected by the operator through
utilization of cursor 32 to select "click and add" button 40 in a "point
and click" operation. This causes pull-down menu 42 to be displayed.
Cursor 32 is then utilized to identify particular software objects which
are represented by icons 55 as source software objects and target software
objects for the accelerated integration mode of operation.
For example, cursor 32 may be placed over "target 1" menu item 46, and
"clicked" to select that menu item. Thereafter, cursor 32 may be moved
about display screen to a particular one of icons 55, such as personal
address book icon 56. Cursor 32 may be placed over personal address book
icon 56, and "clicked" to identify the personal address book document
which is visually represented by personal address book icon 56 as a
"target" of data items during the accelerated integration mode of
operation. In response to the identification of personal address book icon
56 as a target in the accelerated integration mode of operation, data
processing system 10 will automatically "open" the document represented by
personal address book icon 56. This operation is depicted in FIG. 3,
wherein personal address book viewport 64 is displayed in an "open"
condition.
In an alternative embodiment, the "target" of the data items can be
determined through a computer-implemented analysis of either (1) the
software objects which are open and active within display screen 30, or
(2) the operator interaction with software objects through utilization of
either the graphical pointing device 32 or keyboard 16. In this
alternative approach, the "context" of the selection of the "click and
add" button 40 can determine which particular item is to be the "target"
of data items. In this alternative technique, the operator need not
utilize graphical pointing device 32 to select the "target 1" menu item
46; instead, upon selection of the "click and add" button 40, data
processing system 10 automatically analyzes either the items which are
present and open within the graphical user interface, or the prior
operator activity, to automatically identify the "target".
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the target object
should be highlighted or accentuated to emphasize to the operator that it
has been identified as the target item. This can be accomplished by
displaying the object in a different color, a different grayscale value,
or as a flashing object. This is especially useful when a plurality of
workspaces are provided in overlapping relation within the graphical user
interface. As is shown in FIG. 3, personal address book viewport includes
title bar 66 which identifies the document as a "personal address book",
but also includes menu bar 68 which includes a number of user-selectable
commands, and buttons 70 (including add button 72, find button 74, and
close button 76) which can be manipulated or actuated through utilization
of cursor 32 during a "point and click" operation to perform the functions
of adding data items to the personal address book, finding a particular
data item in the personal address book, or closing the personal address
book. As is shown in FIG. 3, personal address book viewport 64 further
includes a visual representation of a page 78 from a physical address
book. Personal address book viewport 64 further includes a simulation of
stacking 79 as well as tab portion 92 which includes alphabetical tabs.
The operator may navigate through the personal address book by moving
cursor 32 to a particular alphabetic tab, and then performing a "clicking"
operation to turn the address book to that page. In response to the
operator selection, data processing system 10 will immediately display a
simulation of a page with data on it which corresponds to the alphabetic
tab. For example, operator selection of the "S" tab will display an
address book page which includes entries which identify individuals which
have last names which begin with the letter "S". In the view of FIG. 3,
only one data item 80 is displayed. This data item includes a plurality of
data fields 82, including name field 84, telephone number field 86, and
building address field 88. Data item 80 further includes icon 90 which
provides a visual representation of the information contained in the data
fields.
Next, the operator may utilize cursor 32 to select a source software object
which includes a plurality of items which are to be integrated with the
target object. For purposes of this patent, the term "integration" is
intended to comprehend "copying" operations, "moving" operations, or any
other activity which transfers data between software objects. With
reference to FIG. 3, cursor 32 may be moved onto the "source" menu item
44, and then actuated to select this menu item from pull-down menu 42.
Then, cursor 32 is utilized to identify the source software object. In the
example of FIG. 3, cursor 32 may be moved across display screen 30 to
overlie shared address book icon 58, which is representative of an address
book document. Graphical pointing device 20 may be "clicked" to select
shared address book icon 58 and identify it as the "source" software
object. Preferably, once the source software object is selected, the
document which it represents is opened within display screen 30, as is
depicted in FIG. 4.
As is shown, shared address book viewport 94 is displayed on display screen
30 in overlapping relationship with personal address book viewport 64.
Shared address book viewport 94 includes title bar 96 which identifies the
document as a "shared address book", and a menu bar 98 which identifies a
plurality of operations which can be selected by the operator. Shared
address book viewport 94 further includes software buttons 100, including
find button 102, close button 104, and help button 106, which may be
utilized to initiate "find" operations, "close" operations, or "help"
operations. Shared address book viewport 94 includes page 108 which
simulates a page in a physical address book. Shared address book viewport
94 includes tab portion which includes alphabetic tabs of the type which
are utilized in address books. The operator may utilize cursor 32 to
perform "point and click" operations on tab portion 135 to select
particular pages from the address book document which is displayed in
shared address book viewport 94.
In the view of FIG. 4, the page containing listing of individuals having
last names beginning with the letter "A" or "B" is displayed. As is shown,
this page includes a plurality of data items 110, with each data item
representing an entry in the shared address book. Data item 112 identifies
"Dinah Art", and includes a plurality of data fields 128 for name,
telephone number, building address, and network identification, as well as
icon 120 which is representative of the entry. Data items 110 further
includes data item 114 which identifies "Denise Bates", and includes a
number of data fields 130 for name, telephone number, building address,
and network identification, as well as icon 122 which is representative of
the entry. Data item 110 further includes data item 116 which identifies
"Dick Bergman" and includes data fields 132 such as address field,
telephone number field, building address field, and network
identification, but also includes icon 124 which represents this entry.
Finally, data items 110 includes data item 118 which identifies "Ted
Broker", and includes data fields 134 such as name field, a telephone
number field, a building address, and a network identification, as well as
icon 126 which is representative of this entry.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, pull-down menu 42
includes a "target 1" menu item 46, a "target 2" menu item 48, and a
"target n" menu item 49. This allows the operator to select one, two, or a
greater number of target objects for receipt of items from a source
object. If the operator selects the "target n" menu item 49, the keyboard
may be utilized to type a number in the space provided on the "target n"
menu item which identifies the total number of targets which will be
selected by the operator. The operator may then utilize cursor 32 to
select three, four, five or more target items which are to receive
simultaneously objects from the source software object during the
accelerated integration mode of operation. For example, the operator may
utilize cursor 32 to select icons 60, 62 for identification as "software
targets" for simultaneous receipt of items from a software source object,
which is identified in the next stage. If icons 60 and 62 are selected
during this process, they would be opened and displayed within display
screen 30.
FIGS. 3 and 4 depict the opening of a target software object and a source
software object. FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8 will now be utilized to depict the
accelerated integration mode of operation, during which items in the
source software object are rapidly integrated (in this example, copied) to
the one or more target software objects in response to operator
manipulation of the graphical pointing device 20, while maintaining the
graphical pointing device 20 entirely within the source software object.
Turning first to FIG. 5, after the source and target software objects have
been identified through utilization of cursor 32 and pull-down menu 42,
cursor 32 is altered in a manner which emphasizes its capacity for
implementing the accelerated integration mode of operation. In the example
of FIGS. 5 through 8, the cursor is shown as having cross-hatching on it.
In alternative embodiments, the cursor can take a different shape, be
displayed in a different color, or grayscale, or be displayed in a
different size. Any of these alternatives is acceptable, provided cursor
32 is sufficiently modified to communicate to the operator that it is now
capable of performing the accelerated integration operation. In brief
overview, cursor 32 will be maintained entirely within the source software
object (in this example, shared address viewport 94) and will be utilized
to select one or more items which are displayed within the source software
object for automatic and rapid copying to the one or more target software
objects which have been previously identified by the operator.
FIG. 5 shows the placement of cursor 32 over icon 122 which is
representative of the data in the data fields which identifies "Denise
Bates". The operator need only actuate graphical pointing device 20 by
"clicking" it. This initiates the display of a simulated "drag-and-drop"
operation which involves icon 122, and which simulates a drag-and-drop
operation from shared address book viewport 94 to personal address book
viewport 64, while cursor 32 remains fully within shared address book
viewport 94. That the drag-and-drop operation is a "simulation" can be
communicated to the operator by displaying the simulated drag-and-drop
operation in a different color, or grayscale, than would ordinarily be
seen within the graphical user interface being utilized. More
specifically, a very light grayscale value may be utilized to simulate the
drag-and-drop operation which makes the operation appear to occur in
"phantom". In accordance with the present invention, the simulated
drag-and-drop operation is displayed at an accelerated pace, far faster
than would it normally occur within the graphical user interface. This too
communicates to the operator that the drag-and-drop operation is merely a
"simulation". This visual representation of a drag-and-drop operation 136
is depicted in FIG. 6. At the termination of the drag-and-drop operation,
icon 122, and the associated data fields, are automatically copied to the
target software object (in this case, personal address book viewport 64)
and are displayed.
As is depicted in FIG. 6, the operator may then move cursor 32 to another
item or object within the source software object of shared address book
94, such as icon 124, which is representative of the entry for "Dick
Bergman". Actuation of the graphical pointing device 20 by "clicking" will
automatically copy both icon 124 and the associated textual data fields
from shared address book viewport 94 to personal address book viewport 64,
without additional operator intervention, and while cursor 32 remains
entirely within shared address book viewport 94. Like the previous
operation, a visual representation of a drag-and-drop operation 138 will
be displayed within display screen 30 to inform the operator that the
automatic copying to the target software object has occurred. As in the
previous copying operation, a visual representation of a drag-and-drop
operation 138 is displayed in a manner which is distinctly different from
ordinary drag-and-drop operations, and at a greatly accelerated pace. Both
the mode of display and the pace of display emphasize to the operator that
the functional equivalent of a drag-and-drop operation has occurred.
Continuing with FIG. 7, cursor 32 may be placed upon icon 126 which is
representative of the data fields which identify an entry for "Ted
Broker". Manipulation of the graphical pointing device 20 will cause icon
124 and associated data fields to be copied to the one or more target
software objects which have been previously identified by the operator.
Additionally, as is shown in FIG. 8, a visual representation of a
drag-and-drop operation 140 will be displayed within display screen 30.
This visual representation will differ from the ordinary representation of
drag-and-drop operations within the graphical user interface, and will
occur at a greatly accelerated pace, as before, to emphasize to the
operator that the copying operation has occurred in response to the
operator manipulation of the graphical pointing device 20.
Pull-down menu 42 includes "cancel" menu item 50 which is selected by the
operator to cancel all operator initiated copying operations which have
occurred since the identification of the source software object and the
one or more target software objects. This allows the operator to rapidly
undo any such copying operations which the operator now feels is
undesired. In essence, utilization of the "cancel" menu item 50 returns
all software objects to their original condition before the accelerated
integration mode of operation was selected for use by the operator.
Additionally, pull-down menu 42 includes a "close" menu item 54 which may
be selected by the operator through utilization of graphical pointing
device 20 to close the session of the accelerated integration mode of
operation. Selection of this menu item disables cursor 32 from its ability
to initiate accelerated integration operations, and releases the various
software objects from their status as "source software objects" or "target
software objects". In essence, the session is terminated, but the
integration operations which have initiated by the operator have
permanently altered the various software objects in accordance with the
operator's commands.
The example of FIGS. 3 through 8 depicts the ease with which the present
invention may be utilized to populate one directory-type object with items
from another directory-type object. The present invention has many other
useful applications, two of which are depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9
depicts letter viewport 150 overlapped by maildrawer 152, with letter
viewport 150 previously designated by the operator as the target software
object and maildrawer viewport 152 previously identified by the operator
as the source software object. As can be seen from FIG. 9, a letter has
been typed, and the operator now desires to provide a plurality of
attachments to the letter. By calling and opening the maildrawer viewport
152, the operator may utilize the accelerated integration mode of
operation to transfer rapidly a plurality of previously created (and sent)
mail items which are inventor led in the maildrawer viewport 152. Any or
all of items 154, 156, 158, 160 may be selected by the operator through
utilization of cursor 32 for rapid copying to the letter viewport 150 as
attachment items to a letter which has already been created. As in the
previous examples, cursor 132 is placed on the items selected by the
operator, and the graphical pointing device 20 is "clicked". This causes:
(1) the generation of a simulated "drag-and-drop" operation involving the
iconographic representation of the item, in a display format which differs
from typical drag-and-drop operations in the typical operations in the
particular graphical user interface, and at a pace which is greatly
accelerated, both of which emphasize to the operator that the accelerated
integration operation is occurring, and (2) automatic copying of the item
to the target software object, in this case the letter viewport 150.
FIG. 10 provides yet another example of another application of the present
invention. In this figure, reply viewport 162 is displayed as being
overlapped by personal address book viewport 164. Items 166, 168, and 170
are displayed in the view of FIG. 10 within personal address book viewport
164. Each item represents an entry which identifies work groups which are
working on projects. The work group includes a plurality of individuals,
but the personal address book identifies the group as a unit. In this
particular example, the personal address book viewport 164 is the source
software object, and items from this source software object will be
automatically and rapidly copied to the reply viewport 162, which is the
target software object in this example. In this example, the operator
desires to copy one or more work groups with a reply to an E-mail
communication. Cursor 32 may be placed over the icon which is
representative of items 166, 168, 170 to select the group identified in
the item for receipt of copies of the reply. Utilizing cursor 32 to "point
and click" within the source software object will result in: (1) the
automatic generation of a simulated drag-and-drop operation which is
different from ordinary drag-and-drop operations by one or more display
characteristics, but is displayed in a more rapid pace than that of an
ordinary drag-and-drop operation, and (2) the particular items selected by
the operator actuation of a graphical pointing device 20 will be
automatically copied to the target software object, which is in this case
is letter viewport 150.
FIG. 11 provides a broad overview of a computer program which implements
the present invention. The process starts at software block 202, and
continues at software blocks 204, and 206, wherein data processing system
10 is initialized and the window which contains click and add button 40 is
displayed. In software block 208, data processing system 10 monitors for
operator input, and in particular monitors for operator actuation of the
click and add button 40. In response to operator selection of the click
and add button 40, pull-down menu 42 is displayed. The process continues
in three routines: (1) the enable routine 218, (2) the click routine 234,
and (3) the drop routine 256, which are accessed by enable call 210, click
call 212, and drop call 214. The calls 210, 212, 214 to the enable routine
218, click routine 234, and drop routine 256 are initiated by operator
input. FIGS. 12, 13a and 13b, and 14 respectively depict the enable
routine 218, the click routine 234 and the drop routine 256. Once these
routines are completed, as is depicted in FIG. 11, the process continues
at software block 216, wherein data processing system 10 performs other
user actions, until the accelerated integration mode of operation is
requested by the operator, and detected in software block 208.
With reference now to FIG. 12, the enable routine commences at software
block 218, and continues by awaiting operator actuation of pull-down menu
42 to identify the source object and the target object, in software blocks
220, 221. After each operator selection, data processing system 10
automatically provides an "enabled" emphasis to these objects. As was
discussed above, the status of a particular software object as a source
software object, or target software object in the accelerated integration
mode of operation can be depicted by utilization of color coding or
grayscale coding of all, or a portion of, the software object, by flashing
all, or a portion of, the target or source software object at particular
rates, or by otherwise altering the viewport or iconographic
representation of the viewport in a manner which clearly indicates to the
operator that the accelerated integration mode of operation has been
entered, and that these particular software objects have been selected for
the purpose of implementing the accelerated integration mode of operation
for particular items within the source object.
In accordance with software block 222, data processing system 10
continually monitors to determine if the graphical pointing device is on
the source object. If not, in accordance with software block 224, a normal
pointer is displayed. However, if the cursor 32 associated with graphical
pointing device 20 is within the source software object, the cursor will
be modified in a manner which indicates to the operator that any use of
the cursor will result in rapid integration (in this example, copying) of
particular items within the source software object to the one or more
target software objects which have been identified. This feature is
identified in software block 226, which requires that a special "click and
add" pointer be provided in the visual display 30 to communicate this
message clearly to the operator. As cursor 32 is moved about the source
software object, data processing system 10 continuously notes the types of
data which are present within the target software object, in accordance
with software block 228. Then, in accordance with software block 230, data
processing system 10 establishes display locations for insertion of copies
of data items from the source software object, within the target software
object. Then, in accordance with software block 232, data processing
system 10 establishes a data store location for input data from the source
software object.
FIGS. 13a and b depict in flowchart form the "click" routine. The routine
commences as software block 234. In accordance with software block 236,
data processing system 10 determines which software objects within the
source software object have been selected by the operator for inclusion in
the target software object. For each item selected by the operator, data
processing system 10 determines an input location for each item within the
target software object. In accordance with software block 240, data
processing system 10 determines whether entry of the items is possible. If
not, in accordance with software block 242, data processing system 10
creates an entry in the control module for the target software object. In
either event, data processing system 10 converts the items from the source
software object to a format which is compatible with the target software
object, in accordance with software block 244. Next, in accordance with
software block 246, data processing system 10 automatically displays a
dynamic representation of the copying of items to the target software
object. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, this dynamic
representation is that of an accelerated drag-and-drop operation. In
accordance with software block 248, data processing system 10 then inserts
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