US Patent:
20020129171, Sep 12, 2002
Inventors:
DOUGLAS L. COINER - SAN DIEGO CA, US
International Classification:
G06F015/163
G06F009/54
G06F009/00
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for transferring digital data from a source application in a computer to a destination application in a computer through one of plural types of transfers. The apparatus automatically determines how a transfer can be made by automatically analyzing the receptivity of the destination application to a particular type of transfer. The types of transfers used are clipboard transfers (preferred), drag-and-drop transfers and specific transfer methods specified in a database. The apparatus also automatically makes the type of transfer to which the destination application is receptive. The method establishes the identification of the destination application by determining which application was used last or by having the user designate a destination application. Then the method automatically transfers the digital data through the use of several different types of transfers. Specifically the method uses, clipboard transfers, drag-and-drop transfers, and specific transfer methods specified in a database. Further, these transfer methods are ordered in such a way so as to maximize their efficiency.