Workspace drag and drop

Details Workspace drag and drop Workspace drag and drop

1999-02-05

2003-09-30

Cabeca, John (Department: 2173)

Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system

Display driving control circuitry

Controlling the condition of display elements

C345S215000, C345S215000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06628309

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to computer systems, and more particularly to the moving of objects in computer systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many operating systems, including windows-based operating systems, provide a graphical drag and drop for the moving of objects, or files, from one area of the desktop directly to another area of the desktop.
FIG. 1
illustrates a conventional computer system which provides such a drag and drop. The computer system
100
comprises a central processing unit
102
, a graphic user interface (GUI) manager
104
, and a display mechanism
106
, such as a computer monitor. The display mechanism
106
displays a single workspace
112
with open windows
108
and
110
. The drag and drop operation allows a user to select an object
114
residing in window
108
and drag it to a visible window, such as window
110
, where it is dropped. Window
110
is referred to as the “drop zone.” In this manner, a user may move objects around the workspace in a user-friendly, graphic way.
FIG. 2
illustrates another conventional computer system which has multiple workspaces. In this computer system
200
, a user may have access to more than one workspace, each running its own set of applications. An example of a conventional multiple workspace system is the Common Desktop Environment (CDE). The computer system
200
comprises a CPU
102
, GUI manager
104
, and a display mechanism
106
. The display mechanism's displays multiple workspaces,
208
,
210
,
212
, and
214
. However, only one workspace can be displayed at a time. For example, the system
200
may have four workspaces
208
,
210
,
212
, and
214
. While workspace
208
is visible, workspaces
210
,
212
, and
214
are represented by buttons on a front panel
206
. When the user wishes to move to a different workspace, he/she selects the button for that workspace. That workspace would then replace workspace
208
in the display while workspace
208
would be represented by a button on the front panel
206
.
This is a problem because sometimes it is desirable to drag and drop between workspaces within a workspace-based desktop. However, conventional drag and drop between workspaces can not be supported because the drop zone is not visible while the drag and drop operation is in progress. The user may move objects between workspaces by accessing the workspaces' common file system, however, the moving of an object requires multiple operations and is not graphical. Conventional methods of moving objects between workspaces is thus cumbersome.
Accordingly, what is needed is a system and method for providing a drag and drop between workspaces in one operation in a computer system. The present invention addresses such a need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method and system for a drag and drop in a computer system. The method includes beginning a drag and drop on an object in a first workspace, suspending the drag and drop, activating a second workspace, and resuming the drag and drop in the second workspace. The method of the present invention provides a drag and drop for a multiple workspace environment. The drag and drop provides is performed in one multi-step operation. This simplifies the moving of objects between workspaces and provides a graphical operation.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4896290 (1990-01-01), Rhodes et al.
patent: 5422993 (1995-06-01), Fleming
patent: 5608850 (1997-03-01), Robertson
patent: 5689664 (1997-11-01), Narayanan
patent: 5874958 (1999-02-01), Ludolph
patent: 5920312 (1999-07-01), Wagner et al.
patent: 6175364 (2001-01-01), Wong et al.
patent: 6246411 (2001-06-01), Strauss

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