Patent ID: 6104398
Filing Date: 2000-08-15
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
In a computing environment, a computer program comprising a computer readable medium having computer readable code for implementing a fast and efficient technique for selecting or deselecting multiple graphical objects with a single operation while preserving an ability to select or deselect individual graphical objects, said computer readable code comprising:a subprocess for identifying a group of graphical objects, said group having a plurality of individual graphical objects as members;a subprocess for identifying at least one subgroup of graphical objects, each of said subgroups being a proper subset of said group or a proper subset of another subgroup;a subprocess for associating a graphical control object with each of said subgroups;a subprocess for displaying said group on a display screen;a subprocess for displaying said associated graphical control objects on said display screen, such that each of said graphical control objects is displayed in a spatial relationship with its associated subgroup and such that said association between said graphical control object and said associated subgroup is visually apparent to a user of said computer readable code;a first subprocess for enabling a user of said computer readable code to select or deselect a particular one of said graphical control objects;a subprocess for setting a selection status of said graphical objects in said subgroup associated with said particular graphical control object, responsive to operation of said first subprocess;a second subprocess for enabling said user to select or deselect a particular one of said individual graphical objects; anda subprocess for toggling an object selection status of said particular individual graphical object, responsive to operation of said second subprocess.