Improved interface for modifying data fields in a mark-up language environment

Abstract

A method for modifying a data field is described, illustrated and claimed. The novel system and method allows for quick and efficient modification of all or a portion of a plurality of data fields, while preserving the ability to modify individual areas. An action is associated with a rule for modification of objects in a specific manner. When that action is performed, every object defined by the rule is modified. The method allows for modification of multiple groups in the same manner, and also allows for modification of individual areas.

1 . A method for modifying data fields displayed in a markup language environment, comprising the steps of: 
 displaying a plurality of data fields, each data field having a content area;    receiving a selection input, the selection input identifying a particular data field of said plurality of data fields and a rule to be applied;    displaying an action-icon, said action-icon identifying said rule to be performed and a selection group consisting of at least one of said plurality of data fields to which the rule will be applied;    receiving an actuation of the action-icon; and    modifying said content area of said plurality of data fields in said selection group in accordance with said rule.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of choosing an action-icon from a plurality of action-icons based upon said selection input.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said action-icon is selected from a group of action-icons, and wherein each action-icon in the group of action-icons includes a rule selected from the group of rules consisting of: copy, delete, select, highlight, deselect, update and refresh.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said action-icon is selected from a group of action-icons, and wherein each action-icon in the group of action-icons identifies the selection group.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said action-icon is selected from a group of action-icons, and wherein each action-icon in the group of action-icons includes selection group criteria, the selection group criteria being selected from the group of selection group criteria consisting of: all below, all above, all below and above, N below, N above, adjacent, all left, all right, all left and right, N left and N right, N around.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said selection group for the action-icon is selected based on selecting all data fields to the left and to the right of the particular data field.  
   
   
       7 . A method for modifying data fields displayed by a computer program running a markup language interface, comprising the steps of: 
 displaying a plurality of data fields within the markup language interface;    receiving an input, wherein said input defines an action selector and a data field selected from at least one of said plurality of data fields;    displaying an action-icon at or near said data field, said action-icon being applicable to a particular subset of data fields having a relationship with the selected data field and providing an indicia to indicate the particular subset;    receiving an actuation of the action-icon; and    applying the action to the particular subset of data fields.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said action is selected from the group of actions consisting of: copy, delete, select, highlight, deselect, update and refresh.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said action is a delete action and the step of applying the action comprises deleting the contents of the particular subset of data fields.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said action is a copy action and the step of applying the action comprises copying the contents of selected data field into the particular subset of data fields.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said action is a modify action and the step of applying the action comprises modifying the contents of the particular subset of data fields in conformance with the selected data field.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the particular subset of data fields is determined based on a rule selected from a group of rules consisting of: all below, all above, all below and above, N below, N above, adjacent, all left, all right, all left and right, N left and N right, in relationship to the selected data field and N is greater than or equal to one.  
   
   
       13 . A method for applying operations on one or more of at least one displayed area in a markup language environment, the method comprising the steps of: 
 displaying a plurality of data fields within the markup language interface;    receiving a particular input;    determining an action associated, at least in part and at least on a portion of the particular input;    determining a particular subset of data fields having a relationship with the selected data field, based at least in part, and at least on a portion of the particular input;    displaying an action-icon in the vicinity of said data field, said action-icon providing an indication of the action and the relationship of the particular subset with the selected data field;    receiving an execution request; and    applying the action to the particular subset of data fields.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the particular subset of data fields is determined based on actions performed with a mouse.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the particular subset of data fields is determined based on actions performed with a keyboard.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said action-icon is moveable by performing an action on a logical tray, whereby said tray is associated with a location and a data field.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said action-icon is moveable by performing a combination of actions selected from the group consisting of: 
 left clicking a mouse button and dragging across the display;    right clicking a mouse button and dragging across the display;    left clicking a mouse button while depressing the Shift key and dragging across the display; and    right clicking a mouse button while depressing the Alt key and dragging across the display.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said combination of actions is left clicking a mouse button while depressing the Shift key and dragging across the display.