Patent US5606654A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5606654A
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US
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Computer screen and memory organization enabling presentation of a tree
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1993-12-21
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Granted: 1997-02-25
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Expires: 2013-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A method for displaying a n-ary tree graph (30) on a display screen (100) is disclosed. The method comprises a first step of dividing the display screen (100) into one or more equally sized portions, a second step of displaying in said display screen portions at most one node (10) of said n-ary tree graph (30) and a third step of displaying in the same display portion as the node (10), the child nodes (20) of said node (10) of said n-ary tree graph (30). On the display screen (100), symbols (120, 140) corresponding to said node (10) or said child nodes (20) are displayed in the top left hand corners of the display screen portions. These symbols may incorporate visual clues (`no more room`) to indicate that said child nodes (20) themselves have child nodes (i.e. grandchild nodes) which cannot be displayed and visual clues (`no more room`) to indicate that said child nodes (20) have siblings which cannot be displayed.
Inventors
- 👤 Adrianus Schuur
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:59
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for displaying a N H by N V tree graph having vertically and horizontally related nodes defined vertically and horizontally by N levels where N is a whole number of 3 or greater on a display screen comprising the steps of: dividing the display screen into multiple equally sized portions; and displaying in said display screen portions at most one node of said N H by N V tree graph; displaying in the same display screen portion as the node, all of the child nodes of said node of said N H by N V tree graph, wherein symbols corresponding to said node or said child nodes thereof are displayed in said display screen portions, and wherein said symbols incorporate visual icons to indicate that said child nodes have grandchild nodes which cannot be displayed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for displaying a N H by N V tree graph having vertically and horizontally related nodes defined vertically and horizontally by N levels where N is a whole number of 3 or greater on a display screen comprising the steps of: dividing the display screen into multiple equally sized portions; and displaying in said display screen portions at most one node of said N H by N V tree graph; displaying in the same display screen portion as the node, all of the child nodes of said node of said N H by N V tree graph, wherein symbols corresponding to said node or said child nodes thereof are displayed in said display screen portions, and wherein said symbols incorporate visual icons to indicate that said child nodes have grandchild nodes which cannot be displayed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of displaying all of the child nodes comprises: dividing said same display screen portion into k further equally sized display screen portions, where k is the number of child nodes of said node, and displaying in said divided display screen portions at most one child node of said node.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said equally sized display screen portions are rectangular in shape and have an aspect ratio in accordance with an industry standard.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein symbols corresponding to said node or said child nodes are displayed in the top left hand corners of said display screen portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein an observer may use a pointing device to select one of said child nodes for display on said display screen the child nodes of said child nodes, causing said tree graph to be reordered for said display screen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method for displaying a directed acyclic graph using the method of claim 2 wherein a selected one of said nodes is displayed on said display screen; a child node is displayed in an equally sized display screen portion in a first part of the display screen; and the child nodes of said node are displayed in equally sized display screen portions in a second part of the display screen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein: said equally sized display screen portions are rectangular in shape and have a specified aspect ratio.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said symbols corresponding to said node or said child nodes thereof are displayed in the top left hand corners of said display screen portions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 8 wherein said symbols incorporate visual icons to indicate that said child nodes have grandchild nodes which cannot be displayed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 1 in which an observer uses a pointing device to select one of said child nodes for display on said display screen of the selected child nodes and grandchild nodes thereof, said display screen to present the tree graph in another screen and, thereafter, reordering.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
71 words
A method for displaying a directed acyclic graph using the method of claim 10 wherein a selected one of said nodes is displayed on said display screen; the grandchild nodes of said node displayed in equally sized display screen portions in a first part of the display screen; and the child nodes of said node are displayed in equally sized display screen portions in a second part of the display screen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
78 words
A method for displaying a directed acyclic graph using the method of claim 1 wherein a selected one of said nodes is displayed connected with internodel channels of the tree graph on said display screen; all the child nodes are displayed in equally sized display screen portions in a first part of the display screen; and the child nodes of said node are displayed in equally sized display screen portions in a second part of the display screen.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
Use of the method of claim 12 to display a configuration diagram for a computer system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
105 words
A workstation with display screen, upon which tree graphs are displayed, with processing unit incorporating a visual display unit controller characterized in that at most one node of the tree graph is displayed in each of a plurality of equally sized portions of said display screen, wherein all of the child nodes of said node are displayed in the same display screen portion as the node, and wherein symbols corresponding to said node or said child nodes thereof are displayed in said display screen portions, and wherein said symbols incorporate visual icons to indicate that said child nodes have grandchild nodes which cannot be displayed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
105 words
A workstation with display screen, upon which tree graphs are displayed, with processing unit incorporating a visual display unit controller characterized in that at most one node of the tree graph is displayed in each of a plurality of equally sized portions of said display screen, wherein all of the child nodes of said node are displayed in the same display screen portion as the node, and wherein symbols corresponding to said node or said child nodes thereof are displayed in said display screen portions, and wherein said symbols incorporate visual icons to indicate that said child nodes have grandchild nodes which cannot be displayed.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
The workstation according to claim 14 further characterized in that said display screen portion is divided into k further display screen portions, where k is the number of the child nodes of the parent node, and each child node is displayed in one of said k divided display screen portions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
A workstation according to claim 14 further characterized in that a pointing device is incorporated in said workstation to allow an observer to select any node or child nodes thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
A workstation according to claim 14 further characterized in that a pointing device is incorporated in said workstation to allow an observer to select any one of said nodes or child nodes.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of displaying a tree graph having the dimensions of N H by N V having vertically and horizontally displayed internodal channels, the method of displaying the tree graph comprising forming a first display screen showing a higher node in a display screen having a selected size, and showing a child or grandchild node thereof and interconnected by channels thereto in a second display screen wherein the first and second display screens are arranged to show a portion of the tree graph, and where N is a whole number of at least two and wherein visual icons indicate that said higher node has a child node which cannot be displayed.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of displaying a tree graph having the dimensions of N H by N V having vertically and horizontally displayed internodal channels, the method of displaying the tree graph comprising forming a first display screen showing a higher node in a display screen having a selected size, and showing a child or grandchild node thereof and interconnected by channels thereto in a second display screen wherein the first and second display screens are arranged to show a portion of the tree graph, and where N is a whole number of at least two and wherein visual icons indicate that said higher node has a child node which cannot be displayed.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for displaying a N H by N V tree graph having vertically and horizontally related nodes defined vertically and horizontally by N levels where N is a whole number of 3 or greater on a display screen comprising the steps of: dividing the display screen into multiple equally sized portions; displaying in said display screen portions at most one node of said N H by N V tree graph; and displaying in the same display screen portion as the node, all of the child nodes of said node of said N H by N V tree graph, wherein symbols corresponding to said node or said child nodes thereof are displayed in said display screen portions, and wherein said symbols incorporate visual icons to indicate that said child nodes have sibling nodes which cannot be displayed.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for displaying a N H by N V tree graph having vertically and horizontally related nodes defined vertically and horizontally by N levels where N is a whole number of 3 or greater on a display screen comprising the steps of: dividing the display screen into multiple equally sized portions; displaying in said display screen portions at most one node of said N H by N V tree graph; and displaying in the same display screen portion as the node, all of the child nodes of said node of said N H by N V tree graph, wherein symbols corresponding to said node or said child nodes thereof are displayed in said display screen portions, and wherein said symbols incorporate visual icons to indicate that said child nodes have sibling nodes which cannot be displayed.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 19, wherein the step of displaying all of the child nodes comprises: dividing said same display screen portion into k further equally sized display screen portions, where k is the number of child nodes of said node, and displaying in said divided display screen portions at most one child node of said node.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 19 wherein said symbols corresponding to said node or said child nodes thereof are displayed in the top left hand corners of said display screen portions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 19 wherein an observer may use a pointing device to select one of said child nodes to display on said display screen the child nodes of said child nodes causing said tree graph to be reordered for said display screen.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-02-25 | 2000-08-26 | 2001-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-02-25 | 2004-08-26 | 2005-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-02-25 | 2008-08-26 | 2009-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |