Patent Application
20050060653
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an object operation apparatus, an object operation method and an object operation program for displaying, on a display, files or folders for use in a computer in the form of objects in one-to-one correspondence with the files or folders, and carrying out a predetermined operation on the objects.
2. Description of the Background Art
In an operating system (OS) for use in a personal computer (hereinafter briefly referred to as a “computer”) such as Windows XP (a trademark of Microsoft Corp.) and Mac OS (a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.), a graphical user interface (GUI) has been put into practice in which an object such as an icon representing a file, folder or the like is displayed on a display screen, and the icon is operated so that the file, folder or the like represented by the icon is copied or moved, for example.
That is, the OS can display a data file, an execution file for starting up a software application, a folder for storing these files and the like on a display in the form of icons (objects). An operator of a computer (hereinafter also briefly referred to as an “operator”) operates an input device of the computer to perform an operation in accordance with the display screen.
For instance, for moving a file existing in a folder (or directory) to another folder (or directory), an icon representing a source file is first specified through the input device of the computer. Specification of the icon is carried out by a pointing device such as a mouse or touch pad. An operator operates the input device to move a pointer onto the icon, and presses a button of the pointing device to highlight the icon pointed to by the pointer. Through such operation, the source file to be copied or moved is specified.
Subsequently, the operator operates the pointing device such that the pointer moves across the display with the button of the pointing device pressed. Then, the icon pointed to by the pointer also moves across the display. Such operation is called a “drag”.
This “drag” operation is continued until the source file is moved onto an icon representing a target directory. Then, the icon representing the target directory is highlighted, that is, the target directory is selected. Then, the operator releases the button of the pointing device having been pressed, on the icon representing the target directory. Such operation is called a “drop”. When the operator performs the “drop” operation on an icon, the OS moves the source file represented by the icon having been dragged by the pointer to the target directory.
In the case where the target directory is in a disk different from one that includes a directory in which the source file is originally stored, the OS copies the source file to the target directory.
As described, an operator of a computer equipped with an OS having a GUI performs a predetermined operation on an icon (object) displayed on a display using an input device, so that an operation such as copying or moving the displayed object can be performed. The drag and drop operation of icons is intuitively understandable, and hence, widely employed in file operations in computers.
In the conventional drag and drop operation, however, a plurality of icons can be dragged, but those icons can only be dropped on one icon. This causes a problem in that, for operating a plurality of files, the drag and drop operation using a pointing device needs to be performed repeatedly.
To solve this problem, various inventions have been disclosed.
However, the conventional technique does not sufficiently solve the problem in that an operation using a pointing device needs to be performed repeatedly.
That is, with the conventional technique, a plurality of icons (objects) cannot be selected by one drag, or one or more files cannot be copied or moved to a plurality of directories only by one drag and drop operation. Accordingly, an operator needs to perform the drag and drop operation several times in order to copy or move one or more files to a plurality of directories, which imposes operational burdens on the operator.
The present invention is directed to an object operation apparatus in a computer system.
According to the present invention, the object operation apparatus comprises: a display for displaying thereon objects symbolically representing digital elements, respectively; a manual input device; a first specification section for specifying a first object among the objects displayed on the display in response to a first manual operation through the manual input device; a second specification section for continuously moving the first object to the vicinity of a plurality of second objects among the objects displayed on the display in response to a second manual operation through the manual input device performed with the first object kept specified, thereby specifying the plurality of second objects; and an operating section for performing a digital operation between a first digital element represented by the first object and each of a plurality of second digital elements represented by the plurality of second objects, respectively.
An operator is not required to repeat the digital operation for each of the plurality of second objects. This can reduce burdens in operating objects imposed on the operator.
According to an aspect of the invention, the object operation apparatus comprises: a display for displaying thereon objects symbolically representing digital elements, respectively; a manual input device; a first specification section for specifying a plurality of first objects among the objects displayed on the display in response to a first manual operation through the manual input device; a second specification section for moving the plurality of first objects to the vicinity of a plurality of second objects among the objects displayed on the display in response to a second manual operation through the manual input device performed with the plurality of first objects kept specified, thereby specifying the plurality of second objects; and an operating section for performing a digital operation between a plurality of first digital elements represented by the plurality of first objects, respectively, and a plurality of second digital elements represented by the plurality of second objects, respectively, in one-to-one correspondence with each other, on the basis of a correspondence between the plurality of first objects and the plurality of second objects. The plurality of first objects and the plurality of second objects are equal in number.
An operator is not required to repeat the digital operation for each of the plurality of second objects. This can reduce burdens in operating objects imposed on the operator.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the object operation apparatus comprises: a display for displaying thereon objects symbolically representing digital elements, respectively; a manual input device; a first specification section for specifying a first object among the objects displayed on the display in response to a first manual operation through the manual input device; a second specification section for moving the first object to the vicinity of a second object among the objects displayed on the display in response to a second manual operation through the manual input device performed with the first object kept specified, thereby specifying the second object; a retrieving section for searching the computer system to retrieve a third object having the same attribute as the second object; and an operating section for performing a digital operation between a first digital element represented by the first object and each of second and third digital elements represented by the second and third objects, respectively.
An operator is not required to specify a plurality of objects that correspond to the second object or perform an object operation repeatedly. This can reduce burdens in operating objects imposed on the operator.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve the efficiency in operating objects displayed on the display.
These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Hereinbelow, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be discussed.
The CPU11 executes an operation in accordance with an OS 160 stored in the storage 16, for controlling operational conditions of hardware and software implemented in the computer. Further, the CPU11 executes a program 161 recorded in a media disk 18 inserted into the media drive 15, at the memory 17, for performing the functions of the object operation apparatus 1.
The display 12 is used to display information necessary for an object operation. That is, the display 12 displays objects such as icons, a pointer for pointing to objects, and the like.
The input device 13 includes a mouse (or pointing device) and a keyboard (or key device). An operator operates the input device 13 in accordance with the display 12 to input an instruction to the object operation apparatus 1, thereby executing a predetermined operation. For instance, the operator operates the pointer displayed on the display 12 using the input device 13, thereby specifying an object and moving the pointer. That is, the input device 13 is used as a manual input device.
The network I/F14 is provided for connecting the object operation apparatus 1 and a network not shown. The object operation apparatus 1 is capable of downloading the program 161 for achieving the functions of the object operation apparatus 1 from a server not shown through the network I/F14.
The media drive 15 is used to read the program 161 recorded in the media disk 18. The functions of the object operation apparatus 1 are achieved by the program 161 read by the media drive 15.
The storage 16 stores the OS 160 necessary for executing operations of the object operation apparatus 1. The program 161 read by the media drive 15 is also stored in the storage 16. Further, a plurality of files 162 to be operated in a process which will be described later are also stored in the storage 16.
The OS 160 is an operating system for controlling a personal computer which configures the object operation apparatus 1. The OS 160 is executed by the CPU11, so that a file operation is achieved in the personal computer. Further, through the functions of the OS 160, the objects and pointer are displayed on the display 12, and the pointer is operated by the input device 13.
The program 161 is for performing an object operation according to the present invention in the object operation apparatus 1. The file 162 contains electronic data to be processed by the object operation performed by the object operation apparatus 1. The file 162 is managed by the OS 160 and is assigned a path that defines an electronic location of the file 162. Here, a path is synonymous with a directory generally used in computerese, and the file 162 is managed by the storage 16 as being stored in a directory in accordance with the path assigned thereto.
The OS 160 and the whole or part of program 161 stored in the storage 16 is copied to the memory 17. The CPU11 then executes an operation in accordance with the OS 160 and the program 161 stored in the storage 16. That is, the memory 17 is used as a work memory of the CPU11. For instance, the OS 160 is executed by the CPU11 at the memory 17, so that the functions of an object display section 171 and a pointer display section 172 are performed. Also, the program 161 is executed by the CPU11, so that the functions of an object specification section 173 and an operating section 176 are performed at the memory 17.
The object display section 171 displays the file 162 stored in the storage 16 on the display 12 in the form of an object such as an icon. In other words, an object displayed on the display 12 represents the file 162 which is a digital element stored in the storage 16, and symbolically represents the digital element. Further, the display 12 can also display a directory managed by the OS 160 in the form of an object by obtaining a path to the directory. A directory displayed on the display 12 in the form of an object is particularly called a folder. As described, the object display section 171 displays an object symbolically representing a digital file or digital folder.
The pointer display section 172 displays the pointer to be operated by the input device 13 on the display 12, and moves the pointer across the screen of the display 12 in accordance with an input through the input device 13.
The object specification section 173 selects and specifies an object displayed by the object display section 171 in accordance with an input through the input device 13. Specifically, the object specification section 173 selects and specifies a source object (or first object) highlighted with a click of the button (not shown) of the pointing device of the input device 13 with the pointer located on the source object, and a target object (or second object) highlighted with the pointer holding the source object located in the vicinity of the target object. Alternatively, the source object can be specified using a shortcut menu displayed by operating a button (not shown) of the pointing device of the input device 13.
The object specification section 173 includes a source object specification section 1731 and a target object specification section 1732.
When the pointer displayed by the pointer display section 172 points to an object to be operated in accordance with an input through the input device 13, the source object specification section 1731 specifies the object as a source object. That is, the source object is specified in response to a manual operation performed by an operator through the input device 13.
In this manner, the source object specification section 1731 highlights or selects one or more objects displayed on the display 12 in accordance with an input through the input device 13, and specifies the selected object as a source object.
Accordingly, a source object can be specified that represents a file or folder (digital element) such as a file to be moved or copied, or a file with which an association is to be established.
Object specification by the source object specification section 1731 can be performed by a drag and drop operation performed by operating the pointer through the input device 13 or using a shortcut menu displayed by operating a button (not shown) of the pointing device of the input device 13.
The object specification section 173 includes a source object specification order storing section 17311. In the case where a plurality of source objects are specified by the object specification section 173, the specification order storing section 17311 stores the order of specification of the plurality of source objects.
For instance, in the case where the source objects are sequentially specified by the source object specification section 1731, the specified objects are stored in the specification order storing section 17311 in association with their positions in the order of specification.
Then, the order of specification of the source objects as stored is referred to when performing an object operation on files or folders (digital elements) represented by the plurality of source objects in one-to-one correspondence with files or folders represented by a plurality of target objects (which will be discussed later in detail).
When the pointer displayed by the pointer display section 172 points to a plurality of target objects in accordance with an input through the input device 13, the target object specification section 1732 specifies the plurality of objects as target objects. That is, the target objects are specified in response to a manual operation performed by an operator through the input device 13 with the source objects kept specified.
As described, in specifying target objects by the target object specification section 1732, one or more source objects specified by the source object specification section 1731 are first held and dragged while the pointer sweeps in the vicinity of a plurality of objects displayed on the display 12 other than the source objects, so that the plurality of objects are highlighted or selected. The target object specification section 1732 specifies the selected plurality of objects as target objects.
Accordingly, a plurality of target objects can be specified that represent target files or folders such as objects representing folders to which source files are to be moved or copied, or objects representing files with which an association is to be established.
Note that a plurality of target objects are specified by the target object specification section 1732 by pressing a certain key, e.g., a “Shift” key on the keyboard of the input device 13 in addition to the drag and drop operation performed with the pointer operated through the input device 13.
When the pointer passes over an object with the “Shift” key on the keyboard of the input device 13 pressed by the operator, the target object specification section 1732 specifies the object as a target object, thereby continually specifying a plurality of target objects.
Specifically, in the case where objects to be specified as target objects are located adjacently to each other on the display 12, object specification is performed by the following steps.
(1) First, the operator operates the input device 13 to drag a source object to the vicinity of one of objects which are to be specified by the target object specification section 1732 (hereinafter also referred to as a “to-be-selected object”). The to-be-selected object is thereby highlighted.
(2) Next, upon confirming that the to-be-selected object is highlighted, the source object is dragged with the “Shift” key on the keyboard of the input device 13 pressed. Accordingly, objects present in the vicinity of a route followed by the source object while the “Shift” key is pressed are highlighted.
Specifically, an object selection signal is continuously transmitted to the CPU11 from the keyboard while the “Shift” key is pressed. The CPU11 highlights or selects objects present in the vicinity of the dragged source object while receiving the object selection signal. In the present embodiment, the object selection signal continuously transmitted to the CPU11 is also called a “continuous selection signal”.
(3) Then, upon confirming that the plurality of objects located adjacently to each other are all highlighted through the steps (1) and (2), the operator releases the “Shift” key. Then, the target object specification section 1732 specifies the plurality of highlighted objects as target objects. Accordingly, objects displayed on the display 12 can be continuously specified as a plurality of target objects.
In the step (3), the plurality of highlighted objects may be specified as target objects not only when the operator releases the “Shift” key, but also when the dragging of the source object is released (i.e., the button (not shown) of the pointing device of the input device 13 is released).
Further, specification of a plurality of objects by the target object specification section 1732 may be performed not only continuously as described above, but also sequentially by pressing a certain key, e.g., a “Ctrl” key on the keyboard of the input device 13.
When the operator presses the “Ctrl” key on the keyboard of the input device 13 with the pointer located on an object, the target object specification section 1732 specifies the object as a target object. When the operator presses the “Ctrl” key with the pointer operated by the operator to be located on another object, the target object specification section 1732 also specifies the object as a target object. With such operation repeatedly performed by the operator, the target object specification section 1732 can sequentially specify a plurality of target objects.
Specifically, sequential specification of a plurality of target objects is performed by the following steps.
(1) First, the operator moves a source object to the vicinity of a to-be-selected object similarly in the case of continuously specifying target objects. The to-be-selected object is thereby highlighted.
(2) Next, upon confirmation that the pointer is located on the to-be-selected object, the operator presses the “Ctrl” key on the keyboard of the input device 13. The highlighted to-be-selected object is thereby additionally specified as one of target objects to be specified.
Specifically, when the “Ctrl” key is pressed, the object selection signal is transmitted to the CPU11 from the keyboard. The target object specification section 1732 having received this selection signal specifies a highlighted object located in the vicinity of a dragged source object as a target object. In the present embodiment, the object selection signal transmitted to the CPU11 in synchronization with the pressing of the “Ctrl” key is also called an “intermittent selection signal”.
(3) Repeating the steps (1) and (2), a plurality of target objects can be specified sequentially. In this manner, the pointer PO holding the source object visits another object displayed on the display 12, so that the target object specification section 1732 specifies the object as a target object.
The target object specification section 1732 further includes a target object specification order storing section 17321. The storing section 17321 stores the order of specification of a plurality of target objects specified by the target object specification section 1732.
For instance, in the case where target objects are sequentially specified by the target object specification section 1732, the specified objects are stored in the storing section 17321 in association with their positions in the order of specification.
The order of specification of target objects as stored is referred to when operating a file (digital element) represented by the source object with respect to files or folders represented by the plurality of target objects, and also when operating files or folders represented by a plurality of source objects with respect to files or folders represented by the plurality of target objects in one-to-one correspondence with each other (both cases will be discussed later).
The operating section 176 operates a file represented by a source object specified by the source object specification section 1731 with respect to a file or folder represented by a target object specified by the target object specification section 1732. That is, the operating section 176 executes a digital operation (hereinafter also referred to as an “object operation”) such as file copying, file moving and file association to be described later between the file represented by the source object and the file or folder represented by the target object. For this purpose, the operating section 176 includes a file copying section 1761, a file moving section 1762 and a file associating section 1763.
When the target object specified by the target object specification section 1732 represents a folder (or directory), the file copying section 1761 copies a file represented by the source object to the directory represented by the target object.
Specifically, the file copying section 1761 executes file copying by the following steps. (1) First, the file copying section 1761 obtains a path to the folder representing the target object as an attribute of the target object.
(2) Next, the file copying section 1761 copies the file represented by the source object, and assigns the path obtained from the folder represented by the target object to the copied file. That is, file data corresponding to the source object (e.g. text data in the case of a text file) is copied, and a path portion of attributes of the copied file is replaced by the path obtained in the step (1). The file represented by the source object is thereby copied to the directory represented by the target object.
When the target object specified by the target object specification section 1732 represents a folder (or directory), the file moving section 1762 moves the file represented by the source object to the directory represented by the target object.
Specifically, the file moving section 1762 executes file moving by the following steps. (1) First, the file moving section 1762 obtains a path to the folder represented by the target object as an attribute of the target object.
(2) Next, a path to the file represented by the source object is replaced by the path obtained in the step (1). The file represented by the source object can thereby be moved to the directory represented by the target object.
The above-described file copying by the file copying section 1761 and file moving by the file moving section 1762 may be performed using the functions of the OS 160.
When the target object specified by the target object specification section 1732 represents a file, the file associating section 1763 associates the file represented by the source object with the file represented by the target object.
Specifically, the file associating section 1763 executes an operation of adding information on the file or folder represented by the source object (e.g., path information of the file or folder) to the file represented by the target object. This operation is, for example, writing path information of the file represented by the source object in a certain portion (e.g., the header) of the file represented by the target object as a file attribute. Accordingly, the file with which an association is established (i.e., the file represented by the target object) can be retrieved on the basis of the written attribute.
The file associating section 1763 establishes an association by the following steps. (1) First, the file associating section 1763 obtains an attribute of the target object or an attribute of the file represented by the target object, to judge whether it is possible to establish an association with the file represented by the source object.
In the case where it is judged that an association is possible in the step (1), the file associating section 1763 associates the file represented by the source object with the file represented by the target object.
For an association established by the file associating section 1763, an association by linking or incorporating the file represented by the source object into the file represented by the target object may be employed.
Even when an object represents a folder in which files are stored, operations of the object display section 171, source object specification section 1731, target object specification section 1732 and operating section 176 can be performed considering the folder as one file.
Specifically, before performing an object operation, the operating section 176 checks in advance respective attributes of the source object and target object, to judge whether or not the object operation is possible. Accordingly, there arises no problem in the object operation even if the source object and target object are considered as files, respectively.
Similarly, as to a display operation performed by the object display section 171 and object specification performed by the source object specification section 1731 and target object specification section 1732, predetermined operations can be performed by checking attributes of source and target objects without distinguishing whether each object represents a file or folder.
Further, since a file and a folder can be distinguished from each other by checking their attributes, files and folders can be managed as files 162 in the storage 16.
First, in step S1, objects are displayed on the display 12 prior to an object operation. Specifically, objects representing files 162 (not only so-called files, but also folders) stored in the storage 16 are displayed on the display 12 (see
Here, objects displayed on the display 12 are commonly called “icons”, and the operator operates the input device 13 to specify icons displayed on the display 12 and perform a predetermined operation (object operation) among a plurality of icons.
In step S2, the operator operates the input device 13, to check whether or not an icon (object) displayed on the display 12 is selected. When it is judged that the icon is highlighted or selected (see
Here, object specification by the object specification section 173 can be performed with a click of a button of the pointing device of the input device 13 with the pointer located on the object.
In step S4, the source object specified in step S3 is dragged, so that it is checked whether or not any object displayed on the display 12 other than the specified object is highlighted. When it is judged that no other object is highlighted or selected, step S4 is repeated.
On the other hand, when it is judged that any object other than the source object is highlighted or selected (see
Then, when it is judged that the “Shift” key is pressed to be brought into the ON state in step S5, objects located in the vicinity of a route followed by the source object being dragged with the “Shift” key pressed are highlighted or selected (step S4; see
On the other hand, when the operator releases the “Shift” key to be brought into the OFF state from the ON state (step S5), the target object specification section 1732 specifies the highlighted or selected objects as target objects (step S6).
In step S7, an object operation is performed between the source object specified in steps S2 and S3 and the target objects specified in steps S4 and S5. Specifically, the CPU11 first confirms whether or not dragging of the source object is released (i.e., whether or not the button (not shown) of the pointing device of the input device 13 is released).
When it is judged that the dragging is released, the operating section 176 judges whether the source object specified by the source object specification section 1731 represents a file or folder, and judges whether the plurality of target objects specified by the target object specification section 1732 represent files or folders.
Then, the process is completed after a predetermined object operation is performed between the file or folder represented by the source object and the files or folders represented by the plurality of target objects.
For instance, in the case where the source object represents a file and the plurality of target objects each represent a folder, the file represented by the source object is copied or moved to each of folders represented by the plurality of target objects.
In the case where each of the source object and the plurality of target objects represents a file, an association is established that writes information on the source object into each of the files represented by the plurality of target objects.
As described, the object operation apparatus 1 is capable of repeating steps S4 and S5 in the flow chart shown in
Steps S11 to S13 are similar to steps S1 to S3 shown in
In step S14, the source object specified in step S13 is dragged, so that it is checked whether or not any object displayed on the display 12 other than the specified object is highlighted. When it is judged that no other object is highlighted or selected, step S14 is repeated.
On the other hand, when it is judged that an object other than the source object is highlighted or selected (see
Then, when it is judged that the “Ctrl” key is pressed, a highlighted object located under the pointer is specified as a target object by the target object specification section 1732 (step S16). In other words, the highlighted object with the “Ctrl” key pressed is specified as a target object.
In step S17, an object operation is performed between the source object specified in steps S12 and S13 and the target object specified in steps S14 to S16. Then, a predetermined object operation is performed between the file or folder represented by the source object and each of the files or folders represented by the plurality of target objects.
Subsequently, in step S18, it is checked whether or not dragging of the source object is released (i.e., whether or not the button (not shown) of the pointing device of the input device 13 is released), and thus, whether or not specification of the source object is released.
When it is judged that specification of the source object is not released, steps S14 to S17 are repeated, so that an object operation is performed between newly specified target objects and the source object specified in steps S12 and S13 (see
On the other hand, when it is judged that specification of the source object is released, the process is finished considering that the object operation has been completed.
As described, the object operation apparatus 1 is capable of repeating steps S14 to S17 in the flow chart shown in
The object display section 171 highlights the source object so as to be distinguishable from other objects. Accordingly, the operator can easily judge which one of objects displayed on the display 12 has been specified as a source object.
The object display section 171 highlights an object displayed on the display 12 in order to show that the object is selected.
In common computers, when the operator releases the button of the pointing device of the input device 13 in the state shown in
In contrast, the object operation apparatus 1 shown in
The object display section 171 also highlights the icons FO2 and FO3 to show that these icons are also selected. Here, hatching shows that the icons FO2 and FO3 are selected, similarly to the target icon FO1 (see
Upon confirmation that icons to be specified (in
Accordingly, the icons FO1, FO2 and FO3 are specified as target objects by the target object specification section 1732. Then, an object operation is performed between the source icon FI and each of the icons FO1 to FO3 similarly to dropping the icon FI onto each of the icons FO1 to FO3.
That is, in response to this operation similar to dropping the icon FI onto each of the icons FO1 to FO3, the operating section 176 activates the file copying section 1761, file moving section 1762 or file associating section 1763 to execute an object operation between the file or folder represented by the source icon FI and each of the files or folders represented by the target icons FO1 to FO3.
As described, the object operation apparatus 1 shown in
Specifically, the target object specification section 1732 specifies the target icon FO1 as a target object. The operating section 176 activates the file copying section 1761, file moving section 1762 or file associating section 1763 to execute an object operation between the file or folder represented by the source icon FI and each of the files or folders represented by the target icons FO1 to FO3.
As a result, similarly to the step shown in
In the state shown in
As described, in the object operation apparatus 1 shown in
As described above, the object operation apparatus 1 according to the first preferred embodiment operates in accordance with the flow chart shown in
That is, the conventional drag and drop operation enables a one-to-one or many-to-one object operation between one or more source objects and one target object. In contrast, the object operation apparatus 1 according to the present invention enables a one-to-many or many-to-many object operation between one or more source objects and a plurality of target objects, in addition to the conventional one-to-one or many-to-one object operation.
This eliminates the need to perform the drag and drop operation in specifying each of target objects after specifying a source object, which can reduce burdens in operating objects imposed on an operator.
Next, a second preferred embodiment of the present invention will be discussed. The object operation apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is the same as in the first preferred embodiment except the process of object operation. The following discussion will be focused on this difference.
Step S101 is similar to step S1 shown in
In step S102, the specification order storing section 17311 provided in the source object specification section 1731 and the specification order storing section 17321 provided in the target object specification section 1732 are both reset.
In step S103, the operator operates the input device 13 to check whether or not icons (objects) displayed on the display 12 are selected. When it is judged that the icons are highlighted or selected (see
Repeating steps S103 to S105, the source object specification section 1731 can specify a plurality of source objects necessary for an object operation.
Here, steps S103 to S105 will be discussed referring to the display 12.
First, the operator operates the input device 13 to move the pointer, so that the source icon FI1 is selected. Then, the source object specification section 1731 specifies the source icon FI1 as a source object (steps S103 and S104), and the specification order storing section 17311 stores the source icon FI1 as a first one in the order of specification (step S105).
Repeating steps S103 and S104 in accordance with an input through the input device performed by the operator, the source object specification section 1731 specifies the source icons FI2 and FI3 in this order as source objects. Then, the specification order storing section 17311 stores the source icons FI2 and FI3 as the second and third ones in the order of specification, respectively (step S105, see
As a result, as shown in
Referring back to
On the other hand, when it is judged that objects other than the source object are highlighted or selected (see
Here, steps S106 to S108 will be discussed referring to the display 12.
The operator operates the input device 13 to move the pointer PO to locate on the target icons FO1 to FO3 with the source icons FI1 to FI3 shown in
Upon completion of specification of the target objects by the target object specification section 1732, the order of specification of the target icons FO1 to FO3 is stored in the specification order storing section 17321 (step S108; see
As shown in
Referring back to
Specifically, the operating section 176 judges whether the plurality of source objects specified by the source object specification section 1731 represent files or folders, and judges whether the plurality of target objects specified by the target object specification section 1732 represent files or folders. That is, the operating section 176 extracts a plurality of pairs of digital elements, each pair having the same specification number, and performs a digital operation between digital elements of each of the pairs.
In other words, the process is completed after performing a predetermined object operation between the files or folders represented by the source objects and the files or folders represented by the plurality of target objects in the order of specification.
More specifically, in the present embodiment, the operating section 176 performs a predetermined object operation between the source icon FI1 specified as the first source object (see
As described, the object operation apparatus 1 according to the second preferred embodiment is capable of specifying a plurality of target objects with respect to a plurality of source objects in accordance with the flowchart shown in
That is, the present embodiment allows an object operation to be performed between a source object and a target object having the same specification number in the order of specification stored in each of the specification order storing sections 17311 and 17321.
This eliminates the need to perform the drag and drop operation in specifying each of target objects in response to specification of each of source objects, which can reduce burdens in operating objects imposed on the operator.
Next, a third preferred embodiment of the present invention will be discussed. The object operation apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is the same as that of the first preferred embodiment except that it includes a target object attribute retrieving section 174 and a target file attribute assigning section 175, and except the process of object operation. The following discussion will be focused on these differences.
Similar components as in the object operation apparatus 1 according to the first preferred embodiment are indicated by the same reference characters. These components have already been discussed in the first preferred embodiment, and explanation thereof is omitted here.
Here, an attribute of an object to be searched for by the attribute retrieving section 174 is: a path that defines a folder, in the case where the object represents the folder; and the type of a data file, information on an application in which the data file is to be executed and the like, in the case where the object represents the data file.
When a target object is specified, the attribute retrieving section 174 obtains an attribute of the target object, searches for an object having the same attribute, and temporarily stores information on a retrieved target object.
In the case where the attribute assigning section 175 which will be discussed later assigns an attribute to the file or folder represented by the specified target object, the attribute retrieving section 174 makes a search for that assigned attribute.
The attribute assigning section 175 assigns an attribute to be searched for by the attribute retrieving section 174 to a file or folder represented by an object specified as a target object. The operator operates the input device 13 to operate the attribute assigning. section 175, for assigning an attribute to the file or folder represented by the target object. An attribute assigned to the file or folder represented by the target object is, for example, “being a file/folder”, or in the case where the target object represents a file, information for use in specifying a file to be associated with the file represented by the target object.
In step S302, the operator operates the input device 13 to check whether or not an icon (object) displayed on the display 12 is selected. When it is judged that an icon is highlighted or selected (see
In step S304, the source object specified in step S303 is dragged, and it is checked whether or not any object displayed on the display 12 other than the source object is highlighted or selected. When it is judged that no object is highlighted or selected, step S304 is repeated.
When it is judged that an object other than the source object is highlighted or selected (see
In step S305, the target object specification section 1732 obtains an attribute of the specified target object from a file or folder represented by the target object, and temporarily stores the attribute. For instance, when the target object represents a file, attributes such as filename, file location defined by a path assigned to the file and file type distinguishable by its extension are stored. When the target object represents a folder, an attribute indicating that the target object is a “folder” and path information of the folder are stored.
In step S306, an object having the same attribute as the target object specified in step S305 is retrieved and selected. That is, in step S306, the attribute retrieving section 174 searches for the attribute temporarily stored in the target object specification section 1732 through objects present within a predetermined range, and, within the range, retrieves and selects an object having the same attribute as the target object specified in step S305.
In the retrieval and selection, the folder in which the target object specified in step S305 is stored may be set as the predetermined range, and files or the like present in the folder may be searched. Further, an attribute to be searched for by the attribute retrieving section 174 may be specified by the operator.
In step S307, an object operation is performed between the object specified as the target object in step S305 and the source object specified in step S303, and between the source object and each of objects retrieved and selected in step S306. That is, the operating section 176 performs an object operation between the source object and each of files or folders represented by the objects retrieved in step S306 having the same attribute as the target object.
The file icon FI is displayed on the display 12 by the object display section 171 as an object representing the file 162 stored in the storage 16. The folder icons FO1 to FO3 respectively represent folders for storing files 162 in directories, and are displayed on the display 12 by the object display section 171. The pointer PO is displayed on the display 12 by the pointer display section 172.
For ease of description, only one file icon FI is displayed on the display 12, however, the number of file icons FI to be displayed is not limited to one. Similarly, less than three or more than three folder icons FO may be displayed.
The pointer PO is then moved onto or to the vicinity of the file icon FI and the button of the pointing device of the input device 13 is pressed, so that the file icon FI is selected. Then, the object specification section 173 specifies the selected file icon FI present in the vicinity of the pointer PO as a source object.
At this time, information on the specified file icon FI is stored in the source object specification section 1731.
The object display section 171 performs a special display, for example, highlights the file icon FI, to thereby show the operator that the file icon FI is specified as a source object.
That is, when an object is selected with a source object specified by the source object specification section 1731, the object specification section 173 activates the target object specification section 1732 such that the selected object is specified as a target object. Then, the target object specification section 1732 specifies the folder icon FO1 on which the file icon FI is located as a target object.
The object display section 171 performs a special display, for example, highlights the folder icon FO1, to thereby show the operator that the folder icon FO1 is specified as a target object.
As shown in
In
The attribute retrieving section 174 searches objects displayed on the display 12 to retrieve the folder icons FO2 and FO3 having the same attribute as the folder icon FO1, “being a folder”.
The operating section 176 obtains the result of the search made by the attribute retrieving section 174, and causes the object display section 171 to perform a special display, for example, highlights the folder icons FO2 and FO3, to thereby show the operator that an object operation is also to be performed between the file icon FI and each of the folder icons FO2 and FO3.
The operator checks the display 12 as shown in
Specifically, the operating section 176 activates the file copying section 1761 or the file moving section 1762 to copy or move the file 162 represented by the file icon FI to a directory represented by the folder icon FO1. Then, the operating section 176 also copies or moves the file 162 represented by the file icon FI to directories represented by the folder icons FO2 and FO3, respectively, both retrieved by the attribute retrieving section 174 having the same attribute as the folder icon FO1.
A file operation by the conventional drag and drop operation can only make a one-to-one or many-to-one operation, whereas the object operation apparatus 1 shown in
Specifically, in the present embodiment, an object having the same attribute as a target object specified by the target object specification section 1732 can be retrieved and selected, and an object operation can be performed between the source object and the target object and between the source object and the object retrieved by the attribute retrieving section 174.
This eliminates the need for the operator to operate the input device 13 to perform the drag and drop operation frequently, which can reduce burdens in operating objects imposed on the operator.
Next, a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention will be discussed. The object operation apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is the same as that of the third preferred embodiment except the process of object operation. The following discussion will be focused on this difference.
Process of Object Operation
For instance, there exists a conventional technique for associating a font and color conversion information in accordance with the ICC (International Color Consortium) profile with an original file such as a PDF (portable document format) file, thereby creating a print having a desired font or having undergone desired color conversion. The object operation apparatus 1 can also be used for associating a recipe file having a predetermined effects with such original file.
In step S402, the attribute assigning section 175 assigns attributes for use in a search made by the attribute retrieving section 174 to an original file. That is, in step S402, the attribute assigning section 175 assigns, to an original file, such object attributes that an object is retrieved with efficiency in step S407 which will be described later.
Specifically, the operator first operates the input device 13 to activate the attribute assigning section 175 so that a search is made through original files. In other words, the operator activates the attribute assigning section 175 to be used in assigning attributes to an original file.
The attribute assigning section 175 as activated assigns attributes (e.g., subject, keyword, comment, etc.) to an original file in response to an operator's input. That is, for assigning attributes to the original file, a subject, keyword, comment and the like are written into the header of the original file.
In this manner, information on a file can be obtained by clicking an icon representing the file. Therefore, the attribute retrieving section 174 is capable of handling an attribute written into the header of the original file as a target of search.
Attributes may be assigned to an original file in an application in which the original file has been created. Alternatively, attributes may be assigned through the use of the functions of the OS 160.
Steps S403 to S407 are similar to steps S302 to S306, and explanation thereof is thus omitted here.
In step S408, the operating section 176 associates the source object specified in step S403 with the target object specified in step S405 and the object retrieved in step S407 having the same attribute as the target object.
In the case where a file represented by the source object specified by the source object specification section 1731 is a recipe file, and a file represented by the target object specified by the target object specification section 1732 is an original file, the operating section 176 activates the file associating section 1763 to associate the recipe file with the original file.
The file associating section 1763 incorporates/links the recipe file represented by the source object in/to the original file represented by the target object and the original file represented by the retrieved object having the same attribute as the target object, to thereby associate the recipe file with the original files. Specifically, in step S408, an association is established by incorporating/linking information (path information or file contents) on the recipe file specified in step S403 in/to the original files specified in steps S406 and S407.
The attribute assignment menu MZF has a subject input box 61, a keyword input box 62, a comment input box 63, an OK button 64 and a cancel button 65.
The subject input box 61 is used to input a subject to be assigned to an original file as an attribute. The operator operates the input device 13 to input the subject of the original file as an attribute to be searched for by the attribute retrieving section 174. That is, the operator operates the input device 13 to input a desired character string or the like into the subject input box 61, so that the character string can be assigned to the original file as a “subject” attribute.
The keyword input box 62 is used to input a keyword to be assigned to the original file as an attribute. The comment input box 63 is used to input a comment to be assigned to the original file as an attribute. By inputting character strings and the like into these input boxes 62 and 63, a “keyword” attribute and a “comment” attribute can be assigned to the original file.
Upon completion of input into the subject input box 61, keyword input box 62 and comment input box 63, the operator operates the input device 13 to press the OK button 64. When the OK button 64 is pressed, the attribute assigning section 175 writes the text having been input in the subject input box 61, keyword input box 62 and comment input box 63 into the header of the original file and finishes the display of the attribute assignment menu MZF. When the cancel button 65 is pressed by the operator, the attribute assigning section 175 deletes the text having been input to the attribute assignment menu MZF, and finishes the display of the attribute assignment menu MZF without assigning any attribute to the original file.
Attributes are assigned to the original files “image1.pdf”, “image2.pdf” and “image3.pdf” in accordance with the attribute assignment menu MZF shown in
Specifically, attributes which can be set by the attribute assignment menu MZF shown in
Here, the displayed properties show that the keyword “machine” for the “image1.pdf” file, “landscape” for the “image2.pdf” file, and “machine” for the “image3.pdf” file are input by the operator in correspondence with images stored in the respective files.
That is, the operator uses the attribute assignment menu MZF to set the “keyword” attribute: “machine”; “landscape”; and “machine” for the “imag1.pdf” file, “image2.pdf” file and “image3.pdf” file, respectively, in correspondence with images stored in the respective files.
In the case where the headers of the respective original files include a different attribute from one another, it is desirable for the operator to operate the input device 13 such that the attribute retrieving section 174 uses the different attribute as a target of search. Here, the “keyword” attribute shall be selected as a target of search by the attribute retrieving section 174.
Specifically, it is desirable to specify an attribute to be used as a search key by the attribute retrieving section 174 such that a desired original file can be retrieved from a plurality of original files. In the respective files shown in
With the above specification, the attribute retrieving section 174 searches for another object having the same attributes as the image icon II1 based on the attributes of the specified object temporarily stored in the target object specification section 1732.
Specifically, the attribute retrieving section 174 uses the “keyword” attribute written in the header of the file as a target of search (search key), to search for an image icon representing a file having the same keyword “machine” as that written in the header of the “image1.pdf” file represented by the image icon II1. The image icon II3 representing the “image3.pdf” file is thereby retrieved.
As a result, an object with respect to which an object operation of the recipe icon RI is to be performed by the operating section 176 is specified. The object display section 171 provides an indication to be paid attention to by the operator.
The operator confirms the indication and drops the recipe icon RI onto the image icon II1. Then, the file associating section 1763 executes an operation for associating the recipe file “recipe.dat” with each of the original files “image1.pdf” and “image3.pdf”.
As shown in
Specifically, the attribute retrieving section 174 retrieves the image icon II3 having the same attribute as the image icon II1 specified as a target object. Accordingly, the “recipe.dat” can be associated with the original file “image3.pdf” represented by the image icon II3 retrieved by the attribute retrieving section 174 as well as the “image1.pdf” file specified by the target object specification section 1732.
Therefore, the “image3.pdf” file can be subjected to an association without an operator's direct specification. As a result, the recipe file is associated with a plurality of original files by specifying only one target object.
A file operation by the conventional drag and drop operation can only make a one-to-one or many-to-one operation, whereas the object operation apparatus 1 shown in
Specifically, in the present embodiment, an optimum file attribute that corresponds to an original file can previously be determined by the attribute assigning section 175. Further, the attribute retrieving section 174 uses the attribute determined by the attribute assigning section 175, thereby retrieving and selecting suitably and effectively an object having the same attribute as the target object. Then, an object operation can be performed between the source object and each of the target object and the object selected by the attribute retrieving section 174.
Therefore, the operator is not required to operate the input device 13 to perform the drag and drop operation frequently. This can reduce burdens in operating objects imposed on the operator.
The first to fourth preferred embodiments have respectively discussed the operations of the object operation apparatus 1, however, the object operation apparatus 1 may perform the respective operations discussed in the first to fourth preferred embodiments at the same time.
Further, the first preferred embodiment has described referring to
Furthermore, the first preferred embodiment has described referring to
In the flow chart shown in
Specifically, as shown in
When the icon FO3 is next specified as a target icon (back to step S206, S207), the target icon FO3 is stored in the specification order storing section 17321 as a second target object (step S208).
Then, the icon FO1 is specified as the last target object (back to step S206, S207). The target icon FO1 is then stored in the specification order storing section 17321 as a third target object (step S208).
In summary, as shown in
In step S209, the operator judges whether or not the number of specified source objects stored in the specification order storing section 17311 and the number of specified target objects stored in the specification order storing section 17321 match each other. If not, the process returns to step S206. If yes, the process proceeds into step S210.
In step S210, the operating section 176 performs an object operation on files or folders represented by a plurality of source objects in the order of specification stored in the specification order storing section 17311 in one-to-one correspondence with files or folders represented by a plurality of target objects in the order of specification stored in the specification order storing section 17321.
Therefore, as shown in
As described, the object operation apparatus shown in
Further, the first to fourth preferred embodiments have described that one or three source objects and three target objects are displayed on the display 12, however, the number of source objects and that of target objects are not limited to these numbers.
Furthermore, although the first preferred embodiment has described that the “Shift” key and “Ctrl” key on the keyboard of the input device 13 are used to specify target objects, other keys of the input device 13 may be used instead.
Still further, the first to fourth preferred embodiments have described that the drag and drop operation is used in an object operation, however, a shortcut menu may be used instead.
As shown in
With such an object operation method using a shortcut menu, the operator is not required to operate the input device 13 to perform the shortcut menu operation frequently. This can reduce burdens imposed on the operator.
While the invention has been shown and described in detail, the foregoing description is in all aspects illustrative and not restrictive. It is therefore understood that numerous modifications and variations can be devised without departing from the scope of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2003-320575 | Sep 2003 | JP | national |
| JP2003-320576 | Sep 2003 | JP | national |
