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US5497484A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

File menu support for encapsulated applications

Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1993-02-24
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Granted: 1996-03-05
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Expires: 2013-02-24
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Abstract

Abstract When an operating system for the computing system opens, creates or renames a file, a new full path name of the file is added to a history queue. When the operating system sends a message to an application process indicating a new window title, the history queue is searched, starting with a most recent entry, for a matching full path name which includes the new window title. When the matching full path name which includes the new window title is found within the history queue, an icon which is attached to the matching full name path is displayed on the computer screen. When the operating system sends a message to the application process indicating the application process is to be closed, the history queue is flushed. When the operating system sends a message to the application process indicating the application process is to be destroyed, the history queue is searched for a full path name which includes an extension for the application process. When the history queue has a full path name which includes an extension for the application process, an icon which is attached to the matching full name path is displayed on the computer screen.

Inventors

  • 👤 Cathy Potter
  • 👤 Brian Harrison
  • 👤 Charles Whelan

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 11:56
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/451; G06F16/00; G06F16/10

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim 121 words
In a file management system within a computing system, a method comprising the steps of: (a) when an operating system for the computing system opens, creates or renames a file, adding a new full path name of the file to a history queue; and, (b) when the operating system sends a message to a process of an application program indicating a new window title, performing the following substeps: (b.1) searching the history queue for a matching full path name which includes the new window title, and (b.2) when the matching full path name which includes the new window title is found within the history queue, displaying on a computer screen an icon which is attached to the matching full name path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 121 words
In a file management system within a computing system, a method comprising the steps of: (a) when an operating system for the computing system opens, creates or renames a file, adding a new full path name of the file to a history queue; and, (b) when the operating system sends a message to a process of an application program indicating a new window title, performing the following substeps: (b.1) searching the history queue for a matching full path name which includes the new window title, and (b.2) when the matching full path name which includes the new window title is found within the history queue, displaying on a computer screen an icon which is attached to the matching full name path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 33 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein in step (a), the history queue stores at most a predetermined number of full path names for files which were most recently opened, created or renamed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 15 words
A method as in claim 2 wherein in step (a) the predetermined number is eight.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 27 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (a) includes intercepting interrupts issued by the operating system to determine when files are being opened, created or renamed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 107 words
A method as in claim 1 additionally comprising the steps off: (c) when the operating system sends a message to the process indicating the process is to be closed, flushing the history queue; and, (d) when the operating system sends a message to the process indicating the process is to be destroyed, performing the following substeps: (d.1) searching the history queue for a full path name which includes an extension for the process, and (d.2) when the history queue has a full path name which includes an extension for the process, displaying on the computer screen an icon which is attached to the matching full name path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 27 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (b) additionally comprises the substep of: (b.3) in an agent task, focusing on an object represented by the icon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 21 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein in substep (b.1) the history queue is searched starting with a most recent entry.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 139 words
In a computing system which includes an operating system and a computer screen, a file manager comprising: a history queue for storing full path names of files; file history queue updating means for adding a new full path name of a file to a history queue when the operating system opens, creates or renames the file; and, an encapsulation shell which encapsulates a process of an application program, wherein the encapsulation shell, in response to the operating system sending a message to the process indicating a new window title, searches the history queue for a matching full path name which includes the new window title, and when the matching full path name which includes the new window title is found, the encapsulation shell displays on the computer screen an icon which is attached to the matching full name path.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 139 words
In a computing system which includes an operating system and a computer screen, a file manager comprising: a history queue for storing full path names of files; file history queue updating means for adding a new full path name of a file to a history queue when the operating system opens, creates or renames the file; and, an encapsulation shell which encapsulates a process of an application program, wherein the encapsulation shell, in response to the operating system sending a message to the process indicating a new window title, searches the history queue for a matching full path name which includes the new window title, and when the matching full path name which includes the new window title is found, the encapsulation shell displays on the computer screen an icon which is attached to the matching full name path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 31 words
A file manager as in claim 8 wherein, the history queue stores at most a predetermined number of full path names for files which were most recently opened, created or renamed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 13 words
A file manager as in claim 9 wherein the predetermined number is eight.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 30 words
A file manager as in claim 8 wherein file history queue updating means intercepts interrupts issued by the operating system to determine when files are being opened, created or renamed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 105 words
A file manager as in claim 8 wherein the encapsulation shell includes: means for flushing the history queue when the operating system sends a message to the process indicating the process is to be closed; means for searching the history queue for a full path name which includes an extension for the process when the operating system sends a message to the process indicating the process is to be destroyed; and, means for displaying on the computer screen an icon which is attached to the matching full name path when the history queue has a full path name which includes an extension for the process.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 21 words
A file manager as in claim 8 wherein the encapsulation shell searches the history queue starting with a most recent entry.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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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) 1999-03-05 1999-09-04 2000-03-05 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2003-03-05 2003-09-04 2004-03-05 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2007-03-05 2007-09-04 2008-03-05 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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