US5621880A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for providing contextual navigation to historical data
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1996-05-14
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Granted: 1997-04-15
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Expires: 2016-05-14
Abstract
Abstract Automatic navigation to a window which contained a user specified search criteria at some time in history. A user may invoke a number of application programs which display various windows, panels, icons, full screen sessions, and other objects onto a multitasking windowing desktop environment. A service is provided which allows the user to specify a search criteria. The service searches desktop sessions and objects until finding an occurrence that satisfies the criteria in historical data associated with the desktop sessions and objects. Upon finding the occurrence, the service automatically pops the window or full screen session having historical data containing the search string into focus.
Inventors
- 👤 William J. Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 14:19
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of providing navigation in a multitasking windowing environment to display a window of an active object that contains data matching a specific, previously displayed user-specified search criteria, said method comprising the computer implemented steps of: forming a buffer holding historical data of previously displayed windows for for each active object in said multitasking windowing environment; storing sequential in said historical data buffer for an active object, the data displayed in each said window of said active object as said data is displayed; in response to entry of a search string, searching each said historical data buffer for data matching said search string; and, providing focus to said specific, previously displayed window in an active object having a historical data buffer entry that matches said search string.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of providing navigation in a multitasking windowing environment to display a window of an active object that contains data matching a specific, previously displayed user-specified search criteria, said method comprising the computer implemented steps of: forming a buffer holding historical data of previously displayed windows for for each active object in said multitasking windowing environment; storing sequential in said historical data buffer for an active object, the data displayed in each said window of said active object as said data is displayed; in response to entry of a search string, searching each said historical data buffer for data matching said search string; and, providing focus to said specific, previously displayed window in an active object having a historical data buffer entry that matches said search string.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the active object is a full screen session.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the active object is a hidden window.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the active object is an iconized window.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the historical data is data entered by the user into the active object.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of providing focus includes the steps of: forming a hit list of active objects that contain said search string; and, displaying said hit list.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said providing focus step includes the further step of: displaying a window containing said search string in response to selection of an item from said displayed hit list.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, including the steps of: deleting the historical data buffer for each active object that is terminated in said windowing environment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said data stored in said historical data buffer is data entered into a window by a user.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, including the steps of: performing optical character recognition non-character mode information in a window; and, storing results of said optical character recognition in the historical data buffer for said window.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
109 words
A system for providing navigation in a multitasking windowing environment to a window of an active object that contained a user specified search criteria at some time, said system comprising: historical data buffer for each active object in said multitasking windowing environment; means for storing in the historical data buffer for an active object the data displayed in each window of said active object as said data is displayed; means responsive to entry of a search string for searching each historical data buffer for said search string; and, means for providing focus to a window in an active object having a historical data buffer that contains said search string.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
109 words
A system for providing navigation in a multitasking windowing environment to a window of an active object that contained a user specified search criteria at some time, said system comprising: historical data buffer for each active object in said multitasking windowing environment; means for storing in the historical data buffer for an active object the data displayed in each window of said active object as said data is displayed; means responsive to entry of a search string for searching each historical data buffer for said search string; and, means for providing focus to a window in an active object having a historical data buffer that contains said search string.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the active object is a full screen session.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the active object is a hidden window.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the active object is an iconized window.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the historical data is data entered by the user into the active object.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said means for providing focus includes: means for forming a hit list of active objects that contain said search string; and, means for displaying said hit list.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said means for providing focus further includes: means for displaying a window containing said search string in response to selection of an item from said displayed hit list.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system as claimed in claim 11, including: means for deleting the historical data buffer for each active object that is terminated in said windowing environment.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said data stored in said historical data buffer is data entered into a window by a user.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system as claimed in claim 11, including: means for performing optical character recognition non-character mode information in a window; and, means for storing results of said optical character recognition in the historical data buffer for said window.
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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) | 2000-04-14 | 2000-10-14 | 2001-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-04-14 | 2004-10-14 | 2005-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-04-14 | 2008-10-14 | 2009-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |