Patent ID: 8762870
Filing Date: 2014-06-24
Classification: G06F,G06Q

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method of managing functions for objects associated with an interactive application presented on a display, the method comprising: providing, for rendering in a graphical user interface (GUI) page on the display, a plurality of images that represent different selectable objects; providing, for rendering in the GUI page on the display, a drag-and-drop GUI element to accommodate drag-and-drop selection from the plurality of images, the drag-and-drop GUI element comprising a solitary drag-and-drop GUI field that accommodates selection of only one of the plurality of images at a time, a multiple drag-and-drop GUI field that accommodates selection of more than one of the plurality of images at a time, and a plurality of control elements to initiate functions, wherein the plurality of control elements comprises: an “Add To Group” control that, when activated, initiates a procedure to add at least one of the different selectable objects to a designated group; a “Post To Wall” control that, when activated, initiates a procedure to post a message intended for at least one of the different selectable objects; and a “Connect” control that, when activated, initiates a procedure to connect selectable objects to one another; populating the drag-and-drop GUI element with at least one of the plurality of images; changing activation characteristics of the plurality of control elements in response to a population state of the solitary drag-and-drop GUI field and the multiple drag-and-drop GUI field, wherein the activation characteristics dictate whether each control element of the plurality of control elements is configured to be active or inactive; after populating the drag-and-drop GUI element with the at least one of the plurality of images, receiving a command in response to user interaction with a control element configured in an active state; and in response to receiving the command, performing a function corresponding to the control element configured in an active state.