Method and apparatus for facilitating integrated icon-based operations in a data processing system
December 30, 2013. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesGraphical processing Visually assisted method for transfer of data within an application or from a source application to a receiving application Graphical system for executing a process and for programming a computer to execute a process, including graphical variable inputs and variable outputs Polymorphic dataflow block diagram system and method for programming a computer 5339392 User-modifiable popup menus for object oriented behavior Method and system for selecting devices in information networks, including inputting/outputting data to a specified device selected by pointing to a corresponding indicator on a screen Method and apparatus for facilitating operator reconfiguration of a graphical user interface in a data processing system Patent #: 5384910 InventorsApplicationNo. 175997 filed on 12/30/1993US Classes:715/846, Non-array icons715/810Menu or selectable iconic array (e.g., palette)ExaminersPrimary: Herndon, Heather R.Assistant: Burwell, Joseph R. Attorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassG06F 015/00AbstractA method and apparatus is provided for facilitating operator initiated integration of items between software objects in a graphical user interface. In this technique, the operator selects a source software object. The source software object includes data items which may be selected by the operator. During an integrated operation mode of operation, a graphical pointing device is utilized by the operator to data select items which are present in the source software object. By manipulating the graphical pointing device, the operator then selects a particular icon, which includes representative of either software objects or data processing implemented operations. The data processing system is programmed to then automatically initiate a particular data processing implemented operation which involves the recorded operator selection of the data items and the software object or data processing implemented operation which is represented by the icon selected by the operator. In some instances, a single predetermined contextual relationship exists between the selected data items and the selected icon. In that case, that particular data processing implemented operation is performed. If there is no single contextual relationship between the selected data items and the selected icon, a menu is displayed to allow the operator to select a particular data processing implemented operation which is to be performed.Other References
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