Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
2001-07-05
2004-10-12
Kincaid, Kristine (Department: 2174)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C345S215000, C345S215000, C345S215000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06803929
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
This invention concerns a method, apparatus and computer program product relating to a user interface for a computer system, and more particularly to a user interface for copying or moving information on a computer system.
2. Related Art
It is conventional to move or copy a file on a computer system by “dragging and dropping,” where the user places a mouse pointer over the file in a file manager window, presses down one of the mouse buttons and holds it down while moving the pointer to a destination location, e.g., folder, at which time the user releases the button. If the destination folder does not already exist and the user discovers this in the middle of the drag-and-drop procedure, then the user has to stop, create the folder, and repeat the drag-and-drop procedure.
With the conventional drag and drop method, the destination selection, etc. must be done immediately after selecting a file, with no other operations intervening. With another conventional method this immediacy requirement is avoided by selecting with a pointer and then using keyboard combinations such as<control><c> or <control><x> in a first user action sequence, to select the file or files to be copied or moved, and <control><p> in a second user action sequence to place the file or files at the destination (or, similarly, using the pointer and a copy or cut icon for the first sequence, and then a paste icon for the second sequence). However, these methods require numerous steps. Even using the pointer and icons requires one click (i.e., press and release) of a mouse button to select the file and another click to select the copy or cut icon for the first user action sequence. Also, these methods require deciding whether to copy or cut as part of the first user action sequence instead of the second, which somewhat limits user choice.
For the conventional drag-and-drop method there is another disadvantage. That is, if the mouse button is inadvertently released during the drag-and-drop operation is possible for a file to disappear from view into a folder which was inadvertently selected by the inadvertent release of the button. It's even possible that the user may not know which folder was inadvertently selected.
From the above it should be appreciated that because user action sequences for a conventional user interface lack a certain independence between selecting information, deciding whether to copy or move the information, and deciding where to place the information or its copy, or else the user steps of certain conventional user actions sequences are too numerous, a need exists for an improved user interface for copying and moving information. It should also be understood that the need also exists because certain conventional user action sequences tend to lend themselves to unintentional results.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above described need is addressed in the present invention, according to which a method for moving or copying information, such as a file, includes selecting a first file from a current, i.e., source, location (e.g., folder) and placing the information in a memory associated with the pointer (referred to herein as a “pointer queue,” or simply a “queue”) for later placement at a destination location. The queue is capable of holding a second file concurrent with the first file. Responsive to the placing of the information in the queue, the information is displayed in the current location and an appearance of a user display pointer shows that the queue has an entry. An entry for the information stays in the pointer queue until the information is placed at a destination. The appearance of the pointer remains as a reminder to the user to place the information at a destination. The pointer returns to its conventional appearance when the pointer queue is empty, i.e., when the information is placed at the destination. This is advantageous because it provides the user more information in a manner that is easy to see and understand.
In one aspect, this selecting of the file and placing it in the queue is responsive to a first user action sequence, which may, in one alternative, require only pointing of a pointer and a single-click on a button of the pointer device (e.g., mouse), the pointing and clicking being referred to herein as a “single-entry user action sequence”. Also in an aspect, the placing of information at a destination location is responsive to a second user action sequence, and if the queue has a single entry, the second user action sequence may also be a single-entry user action sequence. This is advantageous because the single-entry action sequence is quicker and easier.
In another aspect, the first and second user action sequences are independent of one another such that the first information can be placed at the destination by the second user action sequence without the first user action sequence being repeated for the information. This is advanteous because the invention enables another, possibly unrelated, user action to intervene between the first and second user action sequences.
In another aspect, second information may be selected from a current location and placed in the pointer queue while the first information is still in the queue. The second information is selected responsive to a second instance of the first user action sequence. Responsive to the placing of the second information in the queue, an appearance of the user display pointer shows that the queue has multiple entries until the first or second information is placed at its destination.
In a still further aspect, if the pointer queue has multiple entries then the second user action sequence includes selecting one of the entries from a list of the entries in the queue.
In various alternatives, the single-entry user action sequence is selecting responsive to a pointer of a pointing device being pointed on a user display and placing responsive to a sound being communicated or a button of the pointing device or key of a data entry device being pressed and released.
In another aspect, the second user action sequence includes selecting to i) copy the information, in which case a copy of the information is left at its current, i.e., original, location, or ii) move the information, in which case the information is deleted from the current location. That is, the user is enabled by the invention to defer the choice of whether to move or copy the information until the information is placed at a destination.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5544302 (1996-08-01), Nguyen
patent: 6331840 (2001-12-01), Nielson et al.
patent: 2003/0001895 (2003-01-01), Celik
Hinegardner Michael Douglas
Murillo Jessica Kelley
Emile Volel
England Anthony V. S.
International Business Machines - Corporation
Kincaid Kristine
Roberts Diana L.
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