Object-Application Linking for Intuitive Data Manipulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current graphical user interfaces lack convenience in allowing users to intuitively manipulate data files and applications through icons, as they do not effectively notify applications of operations performed on data file objects and do not provide user control over the display and processing methods.
Innovation Solution
A data processing program that assigns objects to data files and applications, allowing operations on these objects to affect each other, with notification of operation direction, speed, and position, and modifying display modes based on application capabilities, enabling user-controlled window positioning and data processing methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional graphical user interface is used with icons for data files and applications, then the interface is simple and familiar to users, but the convenience and intuitiveness of manipulating data files and applications are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary object system where visual objects represent both data files and applications. These objects act as mediators between the user and the underlying file system/application system, enabling intuitive drag-and-drop operations. The objects translate user gestures into meaningful operations without exposing complex underlying mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides visual feedback by displaying objects on the screen that represent data files and applications. When users perform operations like dragging objects, the system provides feedback through visual cues and by notifying the target application of the operation parameters (direction, speed, position), making the interaction transparent and controllable.
2Loss of information
If operations on data file icons are accepted in traditional GUI, then basic file operations are supported, but the system cannot notify applications of operation details like direction, speed, and position
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by tracking and recording operation parameters (direction, speed, position) as the user drags the object, before the operation is completed. This allows the system to have all necessary information ready when the operation reaches the target application, enabling precise control without requiring complex real-time communication protocols.
3Ease of operation
If users want to control window positioning and display modes, then user convenience is improved, but the system requires complex notification and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing users to directly manipulate objects on the screen to control window positioning and display modes. The objects themselves carry the control information, and the system automatically processes these manipulations without requiring complex control commands or configuration interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A data processing technology provides improved convenience. A user interface unit assigns a first object to a data file and displays the object on a screen. The unit also assigns a second object to an application processing the data file and displaying the object on the screen. When an operation to allow the first object to affect the second object is accepted, a notifying unit notifies the application of the direction or speed of the operation. The operation determining unit determines an operation performed in processing the data file, based an the direction or speed.