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US5615336A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Selective user coupling for shared object oriented computer system

Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 1991-04-30
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Granted: 1997-03-25
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Expires: 2011-04-30
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Abstract

Abstract An object based computer system has viewers which may be directed around the object world of the system. A coupling facility is provided whereby viewers may be linked equally or in a hierarchy so that information is passed between them concerning the objects being viewed. Viewers may thus follow one another voluntarily or automatically for mutual working, demonstration or tuition, for example.

Inventors

  • 👤 Christopher Robson
  • 👤 Hugh Duggan
  • 👤 William Morel

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 22:22
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/448; G06F9/4488

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim 198 words
An object based computer system, comprising: at least one computer; a plurality of objects including at least two semantic objects; object manager means for managing the plurality of objects; a plurality of viewers, each viewer being linked to one of the semantic objects wherein a plurality of viewers are linkable to the same semantic object to allow concurrent observation of that semantic object; presence mechanism means for notifying each viewer linked to the same semantic object of the presence of other viewers currently linked to that semantic object by means of an indication on each of the plurality of viewers linked to the same semantic object; and navigational coupling means for coupling together two viewers linked to the same semantic object so as to pass a navigational message generated by a first one of the plurality of viewers to a second one of the plurality of viewers so that when the first one of the plurality of viewers becomes linked to another one of the semantic objects then so does the second one of the plurality of viewers whereby the first one of the plurality of viewers leads the second viewer around and between objects in the system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 198 words
An object based computer system, comprising: at least one computer; a plurality of objects including at least two semantic objects; object manager means for managing the plurality of objects; a plurality of viewers, each viewer being linked to one of the semantic objects wherein a plurality of viewers are linkable to the same semantic object to allow concurrent observation of that semantic object; presence mechanism means for notifying each viewer linked to the same semantic object of the presence of other viewers currently linked to that semantic object by means of an indication on each of the plurality of viewers linked to the same semantic object; and navigational coupling means for coupling together two viewers linked to the same semantic object so as to pass a navigational message generated by a first one of the plurality of viewers to a second one of the plurality of viewers so that when the first one of the plurality of viewers becomes linked to another one of the semantic objects then so does the second one of the plurality of viewers whereby the first one of the plurality of viewers leads the second viewer around and between objects in the system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 30 words
An object based computer system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for allowing a user to select a coupling mode to establish a hierarchical or an equal relationship.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 30 words
An object based computer system as claimed in claim 2, wherein in a hierarchical relationship one viewer is a master and the remaining viewer or viewers coupled thereto are normal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 36 words
An object based computer system as claimed in claim 3, wherein navigation of a master viewer to view a fresh object causes corresponding and automatic navigation of normal viewers coupled thereto to view the same object.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 32 words
An object based computer system as claimed in claim 3, wherein navigation of a normal viewer to view a fresh object causes display of an information message in the viewers coupled thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 32 words
An object based computer system as claimed in claim 4, wherein navigation of a normal viewer to view a fresh object causes display of an information message in the viewers coupled thereto.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4785472A Cited
US4974173A Cited
US5008853A Cited
US5220657A Cited
US5159669A Cited
US5206934A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2000-03-24 2000-09-23 2001-03-25 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2004-03-24 2004-09-23 2005-03-25 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2008-03-24 2008-09-23 2009-03-25 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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