초록 ▼

A method and system for refining the function performed by a drag operation during the drag operation. After a drag operation begins, a "Drag Toolbar" appears with controls that change the current function of the drag operation when the cursor is moved over a selected control. In the preferred embod

A method and system for refining the function performed by a drag operation during the drag operation. After a drag operation begins, a "Drag Toolbar" appears with controls that change the current function of the drag operation when the cursor is moved over a selected control. In the preferred embodiment, the controls are mutually exclusive "radio buttons". However, the controls may be cumulative "check boxes", or incrementing/decrementing, or allow navigation, or otherwise permit object manipulation. The Drag Toolbar may be fixed in place or be a floating palette, may be of various shapes and forms. Selection of a control from the Drag Toolbar may be indicated in any of various manners. The depiction of the cursor may be changed as controls are selected during the drag operation to further indicate which control has been selected. In another embodiment, the Drag Toolbar may be floating and have a "follow me" characteristic, where the Drag Toolbar moves so as to always be within a certain distance from the cursor. The invention provides an unambiguous way for a user to change the drag functionality of a cursor during a drag operation. Thus, a user need not memorize different keyboard modifier combinations. Further, the graphical user interface is not cluttered, since the Drag Toolbar only appears when a drag operation is initiated. The invention can be used for other applications as well, such as drawing mode changes.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] In a graphical user interface of a computer system, a method for changing a current function of a cursor during a drag operation on an object, including the steps of:(a) displaying after initiation of a drag operation, a toolbar containing at least one selectable control

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] In a graphical user interface of a computer system, a method for changing a current function of a cursor during a drag operation on an object, including the steps of:(a) displaying after initiation of a drag operation, a toolbar containing at least one selectable control button, at least one control button defining an associated cursor function;(b) monitoring, during the drag operation, for selection by the cursor of at least one such control buttons having an associated cursor function; and(c) changing, during the drag operation, the current function of the cursor to the cursor function associated with at least one selected control button,wherein the toolbar indicates options available upon release of the dragged object for each area of the graphic user interface underlying a current position of the cursor.