US 5,852,439 AGranted

Object browser and manipulation system

AssigneeJBA Holdings PLC

InventorsRupert Jeremy Musgrove, David Kay

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Abstract

A method of manipulating objects using an object browser and manipulation system is described. The system comprises components for representing on a display unit respective objects, the components each comprising an object identifier region. Each component has at least one defined active sub-region, the active sub-region having the capability to display information relating to a state of the component and its respective object and having a functionality activatable by the user through an input device to effect an operation in relation to the component. The method comprises the steps of; a) providing at least one component in the form of an image on the screen of the display unit, b) providing an input device operable by the user to activate the functionality of a first active sub-region of the component and c) providing on the screen of the display unit an image corresponding with the outcome of the operation of the functionality of the fist active sub-region.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A method of manipulating objects using an object browser and manipulation system comprising components for representing on a display unit respective objects, the components each comprising an object identifier and at least one active sub-region, the at least one active sub-region having the capability to display information relating to a state of the component and its respective object and having a functionality activatable by an input device to effect an operation in relation to the component, the method comprising the step of:

(a) providing images of a parent component and a child component representing respectively a parent object and an associated child object on the display of the display unit, each component respectively having at least one active sub-region;
(b) receiving an input via the input device to activate the functionality of the at least one active sub-region of the child component;
wherein the functionality of the at least one active sub-region of the child component performs an operation in relation to the child component without influencing either the parent component or any other child component of the parent component;
and
(c) providing on the screen of the display unit an image corresponding with the outcome of the operation of the functionality of the at least one active sub-region of the child component.

2 more elements

An object browser and manipulation system comprising components for representing on a display unit respective objects, the components each comprising an object identifier and at least one active sub-region, the at least one active sub-region having the capability to display information relating to a state of the component and its respective object and having a functionality activatable by an input device to effect an operation in relation to the component, the system further comprising:

means for providing images of a parent component and a child component representing respectively a parent object and an associated child object on the display of the display unit, each component having at least one respective active sub-region;
means for receiving an input via the input device to activate the functionality of the at least one active sub-region of the child component;
wherein the functionality of the at least one active sub-region of the child component performs an operation in relation to the child component without influencing either the parent component or any other child component of the parent component;
and
means for providing on the screen of the display unit an image corresponding with the outcome of the operation of the functionality of the at least one active sub-region of the child component.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.