Patent US5379430A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5379430A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Object-oriented system locator system
Assignee: Apple Inc
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Filing: 1993-08-04
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Granted: 1995-01-03
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Expires: 2013-08-04
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for adding system components (documents, tools, fonts, libraries, etc.) to a computer system without running an installation program. A location framework is employed to locate system components whose properties match those specified in a search criteria. The framework receives notification from the system when system components whose properties match the search criteria are added to or removed from the system.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank T. Nguyen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 03:24
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/448; G06F9/4488; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/953; Y10S707/959; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A computer implemented method for dynamically adding support for hardware or software components with one or more properties to an operating system active on a computer with a memory, comprising the steps of: (a) specifying a target hardware or software component search criteria including one or more properties; (b) querying the operating system to identify one or more hardware or software components that meet the target hardware or software component search criteria; (c) returning hardware or software components meeting the target hardware or software component search criteria; and (d) adding support for the hardware and software components to the operating system without rebooting the operating system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A computer implemented method for dynamically adding support for hardware or software components with one or more properties to an operating system active on a computer with a memory, comprising the steps of: (a) specifying a target hardware or software component search criteria including one or more properties; (b) querying the operating system to identify one or more hardware or software components that meet the target hardware or software component search criteria; (c) returning hardware or software components meeting the target hardware or software component search criteria; and (d) adding support for the hardware and software components to the operating system without rebooting the operating system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as recited in claim 1, including the step of specifying a scope of search to further limit the hardware and software components meeting the target hardware or software component search criteria.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the hardware or software components include system components.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the hardware or software components include network components.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the software components include application components.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as recited in claim 1, including the step of dynamically removing the hardware or software component meeting the target hardware or software component search criteria to disable the hardware or software component without rebooting the operating system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as recited in claim 1, including the step of dynamically adding the hardware or software component meeting the target hardware or software component search criteria to the operating system without re-booting the operating system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the software component includes a specific trash can associated with a software component place.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as recited in claim 1, including the step of utilizing a menu bar associated with a menu displayed on a display for selecting a locator entity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as recited in claim 1, including the step of creating a list of component pointers which provide direct access to the components.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as recited in claim 1, including the step of dynamically removing a software component meeting the target software component search criteria to disable a font without re-booting the operating system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as recited in claim 1, including the step of dynamically adding a software component meeting the target software component search criteria to enable a font without re-booting the operating system.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
109 words
An apparatus for dynamically adding support for hardware or software components with one or more properties to an operating system active on a computer with a memory, comprising: (a) means for specifying a target hardware or software component search criteria including one or more properties; (b) means for querying the operating system to identify one or more hardware or software components that meet the target hardware or software component search criteria; (c) means for returning hardware or software components meeting the target hardware or software component search criteria; and (d) means for adding support for the hardware and software components to the operating system without rebooting the operating system.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
109 words
An apparatus for dynamically adding support for hardware or software components with one or more properties to an operating system active on a computer with a memory, comprising: (a) means for specifying a target hardware or software component search criteria including one or more properties; (b) means for querying the operating system to identify one or more hardware or software components that meet the target hardware or software component search criteria; (c) means for returning hardware or software components meeting the target hardware or software component search criteria; and (d) means for adding support for the hardware and software components to the operating system without rebooting the operating system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 13, including means for specifying a scope of search to further limit the hardware and software components meeting the target hardware or software component search criteria.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the hardware or software components include system components.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the hardware or software components include network components.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the software components include application components.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
An Apparatus as recited in claim 13, including means for dynamically adding the hardware or software component meeting the target hardware or software component search criteria to enable the hardware or software component without rebooting the operating system.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 13, including means for dynamically removing the hardware or software component meeting the target hardware or software component search criteria to disable the hardware or software component without rebooting the operating system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the software component includes a specific trash can linked to a software component place.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 13, including means for utilizing a menu bar associated with a menu displayed on a display for selecting a locator entity.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 13, including means for creating a list of component pointers which provide direct access to the components.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 13, including means for creating a folder with default information identified to a locator.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-01-02 | 1998-07-04 | 1999-01-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-02 | 2002-07-04 | 2003-01-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-02 | 2006-07-04 | 2007-01-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |