Siemens Aktiengesellschaft

Helmut Fritz

Helmut Windl

Larry Constantine

The invention relates to a method and a system for entering data (-) in a data processing system (). In this case, the data (-) is entered in a number of steps (-), with a view being displayed at a step (-) in a display region () of a display means (), with the entering and/or display taking place in subsequent steps (-) at least partially as a function of the data (-) entered in one or a number of preceding steps (-). To design the step-by-step entering of data in a more user friendly manner, it is proposed to simultaneously display the views (-) of a number of consecutive steps (-)in the display region ().

Entry of data in a data processing system

The mouse cursor is moved over the register of a register dialog once a drop-and-drag action has been initiated, then the register under the mouse cursor is automatically moved to the foreground after a variable time interval, and the contents can thus be seen. Process of making the item visible is initiated just by locating the mouse over the register of the concealed registered dialog. The invention can be extended to normal mouse movements (that is to say that other than drag drop.) Dropping an object on to a drop destination in a concealed register of a register dialog for drag and drop actions and drag and drop between the registers of a tabbed dialog or the pages of a workbook (such as the various tables in Excel, for example.)

Drop-enabled tabbed dialogs

Permitting or prohibiting a drop is executed at the beginning of the drag-and-drop action initiated by the user, by mouse-clicking on the object to be dragged, for example. Thus, the drag-and-drop action is shown as a visual drop permission or prohibition in the relevant drop areas, such as a visual queue, for example, check mark, etc. In the preferred embodiment, and upon initiation of the action, the surface components display which areas, parts, elements or substructures can or cannot accept a given object or data element before a mouse pointer, arrow or cursor reaches or moves over the relevant areas, parts, elements or substructures.

Growing community of inventors

Nuremberg, Germany

Helmut Fritz