US5604861A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for improved notebook control in a data procesing system
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1995-10-20
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Granted: 1997-02-18
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Expires: 2015-10-20
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus is provided for improving a notebook control system. The notebook includes a number of panels organized into sections in accordance with an organizational scheme. Divider pages are provided for separating sections. Each divider page includes a tab portion which extends outward therefrom. A graphical representation, indicative of the organizational scheme, is provided in the tab portions. The tab portions are arranged in at least partially overlapping relationship with one another.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas B. Douglas
- 👤 Daryl J. Kahl
- 👤 Peter Scannell
- 👤 Robert J. Torres
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 19:14
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/0483
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A method in a data processing system for providing notebook control of software objects, comprising the method steps of: organizing said software objects into a plurality of sections, with particular ones of said plurality of sections including software objects arranged for selective display in a workspace, with said workspace providing a visual representation of at least one page; providing a plurality of divider pages for defining boundaries for said plurality of sections, and providing a plurality of tab portions with each divider page including a tab portion; automatically organizing said plurality of tab portions of said plurality of divider pages with selected ones of said plurality of tab portions in overlapping relation with adjoining others of said plurality of tab portions; allowing a user to Interactively specify an amount of said overlapping relation between said selected ones of said plurality of tab portions and said adjoining others of said plurality of tab portions; and automatically adjusting said overlapping relation between said plurality of tab portions in accordance with said amount of said overlapping relation specified by said user.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
178 words
A method in a data processing system for providing notebook control of software objects, comprising the method steps of: organizing said software objects into a plurality of sections, with particular ones of said plurality of sections including software objects arranged for selective display in a workspace, with said workspace providing a visual representation of at least one page; providing a plurality of divider pages for defining boundaries for said plurality of sections, and providing a plurality of tab portions with each divider page including a tab portion; automatically organizing said plurality of tab portions of said plurality of divider pages with selected ones of said plurality of tab portions in overlapping relation with adjoining others of said plurality of tab portions; allowing a user to Interactively specify an amount of said overlapping relation between said selected ones of said plurality of tab portions and said adjoining others of said plurality of tab portions; and automatically adjusting said overlapping relation between said plurality of tab portions in accordance with said amount of said overlapping relation specified by said user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising: adjusting said overlapping relation of said plurality of tab portions to ensure display on said data processing system of said graphic representations in their entireties.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising: adjusting said overlapping relation of said plurality of tab portions to ensure display on said data processing system of said graphic representations in groups with differing percentages of visual display.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising: adjusting said overlapping relation of said plurality of tab portions to ensure (a) display of said graphic representations on a selected number of said plurality of tab portions in their entireties and (b) display of a fractional region of remaining one of said plurality of tab portions, without display of any portion of said graphic representations on said plurality of tab portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising: arranging and displaying said plurality of tab portions in one of: (a) horizontal arrangement relative to said workspace of each of said plurality of sections; or (b) vertical arrangement relative to said workspace of each of said plurality of sections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising: automatically regrouping said plurality of tab portions to obtain full display of selected ones of said graphic representations in response to an operator command.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
80 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of tab portions are arranged and displayed in a plurality of tab rows, with upper tab rows providing a fuller view of said graphic representations than lower tab rows which are at least partially obscured due to said partially overlapping relation between particular ones of said plurality of tab portions, said method further including: automatically initiating rearrangement and display of said plurality of tab rows in response to an operator command.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method according to claim 1: wherein said plurality of tab portions are arranged and displayed in a plurality of tab rows, with upper tab rows providing a fuller view of said graphic representations than lower tab rows which are at least partially obscured due to said partially overlapping relation between particular ones of said plurality of said tab portions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 8, further comprising: arranging and displaying said tab rows to provide a selected amount of overlap between particular ones of said plurality of tab portions on adjoining tab rows.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 9, further comprising: arranging and displaying said graphic representations on said plurality of tab portions of said tab rows to display only a selected and uniform proportional portion of said graphic representations in each of said tab rows.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising: displaying selected ones of said software objects in said workspace in response to operator input indicating selection of a particular one of said plurality of tab portions.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
161 words
A method in a data processing system for providing notebook control of software objects, with said software objects being organized into a plurality of sections with selected sections including software objects arranged for selective display in a workspace which provides a visual representation of at least one page, said sections being separated by divider pages with each said divider page including a tab portion, comprising the method steps of: arranging said data processing system said tab portions in partially overlapping tab rows; determining a percentage portion of said graphic representations for each particular tab row which will be displayed on said data processing system; allowing a user to interactively specify said percentage portion of said graphic representations for each particular tab row which will be displayed on said data processing system; and displaying on said data processing system said tab rows In accordance with said percentage portion of said graphic representations for said each particular tab row specified by said user.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
161 words
A method in a data processing system for providing notebook control of software objects, with said software objects being organized into a plurality of sections with selected sections including software objects arranged for selective display in a workspace which provides a visual representation of at least one page, said sections being separated by divider pages with each said divider page including a tab portion, comprising the method steps of: arranging said data processing system said tab portions in partially overlapping tab rows; determining a percentage portion of said graphic representations for each particular tab row which will be displayed on said data processing system; allowing a user to interactively specify said percentage portion of said graphic representations for each particular tab row which will be displayed on said data processing system; and displaying on said data processing system said tab rows In accordance with said percentage portion of said graphic representations for said each particular tab row specified by said user.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 12, further comprising: rearranging said tab rows in response to an operator input.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 13, further comprising: maintaining said percentage portion display of said graphic representations for each particular tab row, notwithstanding said rearranging of said tab rows.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 12, further comprising: displaying selected ones of said software objects in said workspace in response to operator input indicating selection of a particular tab portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 15, wherein said step of displaying selected ones of said software objects comprises: displaying selected ones of said software objects in an active workspace in response to operator input indicating selection of a particular tab portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
117 words
A data processing system which maintains notebook control of software objects, comprising: means for organizing software objects into a plurality of sections, with selected sections including software objects arranged for selective display in a workspace, and with divider pages defining boundaries for said plurality of sections, and a plurality of tab portions; means for allowing a user to interactively specify an amount of overlap between selected ones of said tab portions and adjoining others of said tab portions; and means for automatically displaying said tab portions of said divider pages in accordance with said amount of overlap between said selected ones of said tab portions and said adjoining offers of said tab portions specified by said user.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
117 words
A data processing system which maintains notebook control of software objects, comprising: means for organizing software objects into a plurality of sections, with selected sections including software objects arranged for selective display in a workspace, and with divider pages defining boundaries for said plurality of sections, and a plurality of tab portions; means for allowing a user to interactively specify an amount of overlap between selected ones of said tab portions and adjoining others of said tab portions; and means for automatically displaying said tab portions of said divider pages in accordance with said amount of overlap between said selected ones of said tab portions and said adjoining offers of said tab portions specified by said user.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
59 words
A data processing system according to claim 17 wherein said means for displaying comprises: means for displaying said plurality of tab portions of said divider pages in tab rows with selected ones of said tab rows partially overlapping selected others of said tab rows to display only selected percentage portions of said graphic representations of each particular tab rows.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
A data processing system according to claim 17, further comprising: means for allowing rearrangement of said plurality of tab portions in response to an operator input.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
A data processing system according to claim 18, further comprising: means for allowing rearrangement of said tab rows in response to an operator input.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
45 words
A data processing system according to claim 18, further comprising: means for allowing rearrangement of said tab rows in response to an operator input, and maintaining display of only said selected percentage portions of said graphic representations for each particular tab rows notwithstanding said rearranging.
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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) | 2000-02-18 | 2000-08-19 | 2001-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-02-18 | 2004-08-19 | 2005-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-02-18 | 2008-08-19 | 2009-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |