Patent ID: 7010750
Filing Date: 2006-03-07
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of performing an object editing operation in a data processing system having a display for displaying an object and also having a user input arrangement including a pointer control device for providing inputs to control the location of a pointer on the display, the data processing system also having a processing device programmed to receive and respond to inputs entered through the user input arrangement and provide an output for controlling the display, the method including the steps of: (a) receiving an edit function input entered through the user input arrangement, the edit function input defining an edit operation to be performed by the data processing system; (b) identifying a target in response to the edit function input, the target comprising an object appearing on the display as specified by proximity to the pointer at the time the edit function input is received; (c) determining a state of the target; and (d) applying the edit operation to the target if the state of the target indicates that the edit operation is not currently applied to the target; (e) identifying a first target string for the target if the state of the target indicates that the edit operation is currently applied to the target, the first target string comprising a first string of additional object elements which includes the target; (f) determining the state of the first target string; and (g) applying the edit operation to the first target string if the state of the first target string indicates that the edit operation is not currently applied to the first target string.