Methods and apparatus for interacting with data objects using action handles

A computer controlled display system, comprising:

• a central processing unit (CPU);
• a memory coupled to said CPU for storing programs and data;
• a graphic display coupled to said CPU for displaying information;
• a pointing device coupled to said CPU for allowing an operator to point to items displayed on said display and for providing signals to said CPU indicative of predetermined actions;
• said CPU being operative to:
• store data corresponding to a data object in said memory;
• display a data object graphic image associated with said data object on said display;
• display an action handle proximate to said data object graphic image on said display, said action handle comprising a predetermined activatable region on said display associated with said action handle;
• in response to a signal from said pointing device indicative of a first type of interaction between said pointing device and said activatable region of said action handle, display at least one selectable command operatively associated with said data object in a context menu including the at least one selectable command;
• and
• in response to a signal from said pointing device indicative of a second type of interaction between said pointing device and said activatable region of said action handle, reposition said data object graphic image on said display.

In a computer controlled display system having a display coupled to a central processing unit (CPU) for displaying images, a method for displaying and controlling actions relating to a selected text string displayed on the display, comprising the steps of:

• generating a graphic image of a string of text on the display;
• in response to selection of predetermined selected text within the string of text, generating a graphic image of an action handle in a region proximate to the predetermined selected text;
• providing an activatable region on the display associated with the action handle;
• in response to a user's positioning of a pointer on the display to the activatable region associated with the action handle using a pointing control device operatively associated with the CPU, providing signals to the CPU indicative of correspondence of the pointer with the action handle;
• in response to a signal indicative of a first type of interaction between the pointer and the activatable region associated with the action handle, displaying at least one selectable command relating to the predetermined selected text in a context menu including the at least one selectable command;
• and
• in response to a signal indicative of a second type of interaction between the pointer and the activatable region associated with the action handle, moving the predetermined selected text on the display.