Drag and Drop Object Attribute Value Update Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drag and drop techniques in GUIs do not efficiently manipulate object attribute values, as they lack a systematic method to update data members through direct interaction with corresponding method members using drag and drop operations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that detect a drop event in a GUI, identify the region where an object is dropped, retrieve the associated attribute value, and update the object's attribute with that value, enabling the manipulation of object attribute values through drag and drop operations by invoking the appropriate method member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If drag and drop is used to manipulate virtual objects in a GUI, then object positioning and basic operations are simplified, but efficient manipulation of object attribute values cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The drag and drop operation is enhanced to serve multiple functions: not only moving objects but also updating attribute values. When an object is dropped on a target object, the system automatically invokes the target object's setter method to update its attribute, making a single gesture perform both positioning and data manipulation tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the drag and drop operation itself acts as a mediator between user input and attribute value updates. The system detects the drop event, identifies the target object, retrieves the source object's attribute value, and automatically sets the target object's attribute through method invocation, eliminating the need for separate programming steps.
2Measurement precision
If programmatic invocation of method members is used to establish data member values, then precise control is achieved, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The target object automatically performs the attribute update operation when receiving a drop event. The object's own setter method is invoked through the drag and drop mechanism, allowing the object to update itself without external programmatic intervention. This self-service approach maintains precision while reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures target objects with setter methods that are automatically invoked during drag and drop operations. This preliminary setup allows precise attribute control to be achieved through simple user gestures rather than complex programming sequences, as the method invocation logic is already in place and ready to execute.
3Productivity
If traditional drag and drop is used for file operations, then simple actions are achieved, but systematic manipulation of object attribute values across multiple objects is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The drag and drop operation is transformed from a single-function file operation tool into a universal interface for manipulating various object attributes. The same drag and drop gesture can update different attributes (e.g., color, size, position) of different object types, providing both efficiency and versatility through a unified interaction model.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts the drag and drop operation's function based on the target object type and context. When an object is dropped on a target, the system automatically determines which attribute to update and invokes the appropriate setter method, allowing the same basic operation to systematically manipulate diverse attributes across multiple object types without requiring different interaction patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide a method, system and computer program product for drag and drop manipulation of object attribute values. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for drag and drop manipulation of object attribute values is provided. The method includes detecting a drop event for an object in a GUI of an application executing in memory of a computer. The method additionally includes identifying a region of the GUI into which the object is dropped and retrieving a value associated with the identified region, that is additionally associated with an attribute of the object. Finally, the method includes setting the attribute of the object with the retrieved value.