US5754178A — Method and apparatus for improved feedback during…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 111 words

A method of manipulating data between processes in a computer-controlled display system comprising the following steps: a. a user selecting a first item in a first window, said first window under control of a first process; b. said first process detecting said user selection; c. said user dragging said first item to a second window, said second window under control of a second process; and d. said second process determining if said second window can accept said first item, and providing a primary feedback by highlighting said second window while said first item is in said second window if it is determined that the second window can accept the first item.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 111 words

A method of manipulating data between processes in a computer-controlled display system comprising the following steps: a. a user selecting a first item in a first window, said first window under control of a first process; b. said first process detecting said user selection; c. said user dragging said first item to a second window, said second window under control of a second process; and d. said second process determining if said second window can accept said first item, and providing a primary feedback by highlighting said second window while said first item is in said second window if it is determined that the second window can accept the first item.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of said user deselecting said first item, and said second process receiving data from said first process.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of said second process performing an action using the first item and said second process providing a second feedback to said user indicating that said action has taken place.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 3 wherein said action comprises the copying of said first data.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 3 wherein said action comprises performing a system service using said first data.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 1 wherein the step of highlighting the second window comprises the highlighting of a region in said second window where said first item is located.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 1 wherein said first item comprises text information.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 1 wherein said first item comprises graphic information.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 1 wherein said first item comprises sound information.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 1 wherein said first item comprises video information.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 1 wherein said first item comprises numeric information.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing a third feedback representing said first item while said first item is selected by said user.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 12 wherein said third feedback comprises an outline representation of single pixel width of an arbitrary shape of the first item.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 37 words

The method of claim 12 wherein the third feedback comprises an arbitrary shape formed of text which has been selected as said first item, said third feedback indicating to the user that the first item is text.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method of claim 12 wherein the item feedback comprises an arbitrary shape formed of graphic data which has been selected as said first item, said third feedback indicating to the user that the first item is graphic data.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the third feedback indicates a type of data the first item is formed of.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 1 wherein said first window is a background window and said second window is a foreground window.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 17 wherein said first window remains said background window during said method.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 18 wherein said selected first item in said first window is represented using an outline a single pixel in width.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of highlighting comprises the step displaying a window highlight inset on the second window.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of said user deselecting said first item and ceasing highlighting of the second window when the first item is deselected.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 140 words

A method of manipulating data between processes in a computer-controlled display system comprising the following steps: a. a user selecting a first item in a first window, said first window under control of a first process; b. said first process detecting said user selection; c. said user dragging said first item to a second window, said second window under control of a second process; d. prior to deselecting said first item, said second process determining if said second window can accept said first item, and highlighting said second window while said first item is in said second window if the second process determines that the second window can accept the first item; and e. if said user deselects said first item, said second process receiving first data from said first process, and said second window returning to an unhighlighted state.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 140 words

A method of manipulating data between processes in a computer-controlled display system comprising the following steps: a. a user selecting a first item in a first window, said first window under control of a first process; b. said first process detecting said user selection; c. said user dragging said first item to a second window, said second window under control of a second process; d. prior to deselecting said first item, said second process determining if said second window can accept said first item, and highlighting said second window while said first item is in said second window if the second process determines that the second window can accept the first item; and e. if said user deselects said first item, said second process receiving first data from said first process, and said second window returning to an unhighlighted state.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 22 wherein the step of highlighting comprises the step of highlighting a region in said second window where said first item is located.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 22, wherein the step of highlighting comprises the step displaying a window highlight inset on the second window.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of said second process performing an action using the first item and said second process providing a second feedback to said user indicating that said action has taken place.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 25 wherein said action comprises the copying of said first item.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 25 wherein said action comprises performing a system service using said first item.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 22, wherein said first item is represented by an item feedback while said first item is selected by said user.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 28, wherein said item feedback comprises an outline representation of single pixel width of an arbitrary shape of said first item.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 28, wherein said third feedback indicates to the user the type of data of the first item.

Claim 33

Independent Claim 116 words

An apparatus for manipulating data between processes in a computer-controlled display system comprising: a. means for a user selecting an item in a first window, said first window under control of a first process; b. means for said first process detecting said user selection; c. means for said user dragging said item to a second window, said second window under control of a second process; d. means for said second process determining if said second window can accept said item; e. means for highlighting the second window to provide a first feedback to the user while the item is in the second window if the second process determines that the second window can accept the item.

Claim 34

Independent Claim 116 words

An apparatus for manipulating data between processes in a computer-controlled display system comprising: a. means for a user selecting an item in a first window, said first window under control of a first process; b. means for said first process detecting said user selection; c. means for said user dragging said item to a second window, said second window under control of a second process; d. means for said second process determining if said second window can accept said item; e. means for highlighting the second window to provide a first feedback to the user while the item is in the second window if the second process determines that the second window can accept the item.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 29 words

The apparatus of claim 31 further comprising a means for said user deselecting said item, said second process receiving data from said first process when the item is deselected.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 25 words

The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said means for highlighting the second window highlights a region in said second window where said item is located.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 37 words

The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the second process performs an action using the item once the item is deselected and said second process provides second feedback to said user indicating that said action has taken place.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 30 words

The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said item is represented by an item feedback according to an arbitrary shape of said item while said item is selected by said user.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus of claim 35, wherein said item feedback indicates to the user the type of data of the item.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 21 words

The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said third feedback comprises an outline representation of single pixel width of said arbitrary shape.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 21 words

The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said first window is a background window and said second window is a foreground window.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 121 words

A computer controlled display system comprising: a. a display; b. an input device for selecting and deselecting items on the display; c. a first process; d. a first window under control of the first process, said user selecting a first item located in the first window using the input device and said first process detecting said user selection; e. a second process; f. a second window under control of the second process, said user dragging said first item to the second window, said second process, prior to deselecting said first item, highlighting the second window to provide first feedback to said user while said first item is in said second window and if said second window can accept said first item.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 121 words

A computer controlled display system comprising: a. a display; b. an input device for selecting and deselecting items on the display; c. a first process; d. a first window under control of the first process, said user selecting a first item located in the first window using the input device and said first process detecting said user selection; e. a second process; f. a second window under control of the second process, said user dragging said first item to the second window, said second process, prior to deselecting said first item, highlighting the second window to provide first feedback to said user while said first item is in said second window and if said second window can accept said first item.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 28 words

The computer controlled display system of claim 39 wherein said first feedback comprises the highlighting of a region in said second window where said first item is located.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 21 words

The computer controlled display system of claim 39, wherein the first feedback comprises a highlight inset displayed on the second window.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 25 words

The computer controlled display system of claim 39, wherein when said user deselects said first item said second process ceasing highlighting of the second window.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 43 words

The computer controlled display system of claim 39, wherein the second process performs an action using the first item once the first item is deselected and said second process provides a second feedback to said user indicating that said action has taken place.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 36 words

The computer controlled display system of claim 39, wherein said first item is represented by an item feedback according to an arbitrary shape of said first item while said first item is selected by said user.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 32 words

The apparatus of claim 39, wherein when said first item is selected it is represented by a third feedback that indicates to the user the type of data of the first item.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2001-05-18	2001-11-17	2002-05-19	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2005-05-18	2005-11-17	2006-05-19	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2009-05-18	2009-11-17	2010-05-19	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for improved feedback during manipulation of data on a computer controlled display system

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