Method and apparatus for improved interaction with an application program according to data types and actions performed by the application program

Abstract

A method and apparatus for performing actions while selecting objects on a user interface display. A user may select a first item in an area of a display controlled by a first process and drag that item to a second area on a display controlled by a second process. The second process may negotiate with the first process to provide certain data types, and based upon those data types, the second process will determine a list of actions in hierarchical fashion which may be performed upon the data. Such actions may include, but are not limited to, printing, sending electronic mail, and performing other actions in the computer system. Alternative and primary actions may also be specified by a user, such as by selecting various keys on a keyboard or other input device. Further, a user may specify that the second process display a list of actions which may be performed upon the selected item and allow the user to select an action from a list.

1 . A method of manipulating data between application programs in a computer-controlled display system comprising the following steps:
 a. a user selecting a first item in a first window, said first window under control of a first process;   b. said first process specifying formats in which first data from said first item may be provided;   c. said user dragging said selected first item to a second window, said second window under control of a second process;   d. said user deselecting said selected first item while said first item is located at said second window;   e. said second process determining if said second process can perform a primary action based upon a first format of said formats of said first item, if so, then receiving data from said first process in said first format and performing said primary action using said first format of said first item from said first process.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said second process comprises a plurality of actions, including said primary action. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said plurality of actions comprises an alternate action. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of performing said alternate action using a second format of said formats of said first item if said second process cannot perform said first action based upon a first format of said first item. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of:
 a. displaying a list of said plurality of actions which can be performed by said second process upon said formats of said first item;   b. said user selecting a desired action from said list of plurality of actions; and   c. said second process performing said desired action using data based upon a third format of said formats of said first item.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of said second process determining if said second process can perform a primary action comprises determining whether a user has specified said primary action, and if not, said second process performing an alternate action using said first item from said first process. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said alternate action is specified by said user selecting an alternate action indication means.