Dynamic classes and graphical user interface for same

In a computer controlled simulation system, a method of defining a dynamic object class, said method comprising the computer implemented steps of:

• displaying a first region for storing contents included within said dynamic object class;
• displaying a second region for storing exclusions from said contents of said dynamic object class;
• displaying a label region for identifying said dynamic object class
• selecting and dragging items from a given area of said simulation system into said first region to add items into said contents;
• selecting and dragging items from a given area of said simulation system into said second region to exclude items from said contents;
• and
• generating a membership of said dynamic object class based on said items within said first region and excluding said items within said second region wherein said membership does not necessarily contain any attributes or characteristics in common between individual members.

In a computer controlled simulation system, a method of attributing a rule of behavior to a dynamic object class, said method comprising the computer implemented steps of:

• displaying a first region for storing contents included within said dynamic object class;
• displaying a second region for storing exclusions from said contents of said dynamic object class;
• adding items from a given area within said simulation system into said first region to add items into said contents;
• adding items from a given area within said simulation system into said second region to exclude items from said contents;
• generating a membership of said dynamic object class based on said items within said first region and excluding items within said second region wherein said membership does not necessarily contain any attributes or characteristics in common between individual members;
• generating a graphical representation of a simulated environment and graphical representations of objects for placement therein;
• defining a rule of behavior by user interaction with said graphical representation of said simulated environment and with said graphical representations of said objects;
• and
• copying said rule of behavior to each member of said membership of said dynamic object class.

A computer system comprising:

• a processor coupled to said bus for executing instructions and processing information;
• a display unit coupled to said bus for displaying information;
• a user interface coupled to said bus for receiving user input;
• a memory coupled to said bus for storing instructions and information;
• wherein said memory in combination with said processor further comprises:
• logic for displaying a first region for storing contents included within said dynamic object class;
• logic for displaying a second region for storing exclusions from said contents of said dynamic object class;
• logic for displaying a label region for identifying said dynamic object class;
• logic for selecting and dragging items from a given area into said first region to add items into said contents;
• logic for selecting and dragging items from a given area into said second region to exclude items from said contents;
• and
• logic for generating a membership of said dynamic object class based on said items within said fast region and excluding said items within said second region wherein said membership does not necessarily contain any attributes or characteristics in common between individual members.

A computer system comprising:

• a processor coupled to said bus for executing instructions and processing information;
• a display unit coupled to said bus for displaying information;
• a user interface coupled to said bus for receiving user input;
• a memory coupled to said bus for storing instructions and information;
• wherein said memory in combination with said processor further comprises:
• logic for displaying a first region for storing contents included within said dynamic object class;
• logic for displaying a second region for storing exclusions from said contents of said dynamic object class;
• logic for allowing items from a given area to be added within said first region to increase contents of said dynamic object class;
• logic for allowing items from a given area to be added within said second region to exclude items from said contents;
• logic for generating a membership of said dynamic object class based on said items within said first region and excluding said items within said second region wherein said membership does not necessarily contain any attributes or characteristics in common between individual members;
• logic for generating a graphical representation of a simulated environment and graphical representations of objects for placement therein;
• logic for defining a role of behavior by user interaction with said graphical representation of said simulated environment and with said graphical representations of said objects;
• and
• logic for copying said role of behavior to each member of said membership of said dynamic object class.

A computer system comprising:

• a processor coupled to said bus for executing instructions and processing information;
• a display unit coupled to said bus for displaying processed information;
• a user interface coupled to said bus for receiving user input;
• a memory coupled to said bus for storing instructions and information;
• said processor for displaying a first region for storing contents included within said dynamic object class;
• said processor also for displaying a second region for storing exclusions from said contents of said dynamic object class;
• said processor also for allowing items from a given area to be added within said first region to increase contents of said dynamic object class;
• said processor also for allowing items from a given area to be added within said second region to exclude items from said contents;
• said processor also for generating a membership of said dynamic object class based on said items within said first region and excluding said items within said second region wherein said membership does not necessarily contain any attributes or characteristics in common between individual members;
• said processor also for generating a graphical representation of a simulated environment and graphical representations of objects for placement therein;
• said processor also for defining a rule of behavior by user interaction with said graphical representation of said simulated environment and with said graphical representations of said objects;
• and
• said processor also for copying said rule of behavior to each member of said membership of said dynamic object class.