Overriding action defaults in direct manipulation of objects on a user interface by hovering a source object

摘要

A user can directly manipulate objects on a data processing system user interface by dragging a source object and then dropping the source object onto the target. Dropping the source object onto a target performs an action. The action is performed in accordance with parameters. The parameters have defaults. The user can override these defaults by positioning the source object on the target and delaying the drop of the source action. The source object is thus "hovered" over the target. After hovering for a predetermined amount of time, an indication of a successful hover is provided to the user. If the user then drops the source object onto the target, the user is prompted for new parameter values. Upon receiving the new parameter values, the action is then performed in accordance with the new values.