Patent ID: 8370757
Filing Date: 2013-02-05
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. In a computer system, a method for extensibly grouping layout elements within a graphical user interface comprising: obtaining a plurality of initial layout elements from a data repository; providing said plurality of initial layout elements from said data repository to a graphical user interface that renders a graphical user interface display; determining an association between at least two of said plurality of initial layout elements to derive a group comprising a plurality of associated layout elements, wherein said associated layout elements of said group are movable as a collective block while still maintaining an existing layout of said plurality of associated layout elements; rendering an extent surrounding said plurality of associated layout elements, said extent comprising at least one visible border element displayed within the graphical user interface display; and unlinking at least one layout element selected from said group by a user, wherein said association is maintained such that said at least one unlinked layout element remains in said group and moves with said group as a collective block, and wherein said at least one unlinked layout element is individually movable independently from others of said plurality of associated layout elements, and further wherein the extent is configured to automatically grow responsive to the user's movement of an unlinked layout element to a location beyond the at least one border element to a location outside the extent and also to automatically shrink responsive to the user's movement of an outermost unlinked screen element to a location closer to a center within the extent, said group including the same plurality of layout elements before and after said user's movement of the unlinked layout element.