US5889520A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Topological view of a multi-tier network
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1997-11-13
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Granted: 1999-03-30
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Expires: 2017-11-13
Abstract
Abstract A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for displaying a multi-tiered network configuration in a programming development environment supporting the development of Internet and Intranet applications. More specifically, a topological view of a multi-tier network configuration displayed in a window on a display screen connected to a computer. A visual representation is assigned to each application file in each tier to graphically represent the application file in the display window. Also, the visual representations for each tier are displayed in a designated portion of the display window.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard Justin Glaser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:38
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/20; G06F16/28; G06F16/284; H; H04; H04L; H04L41/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S715/00; Y10S715/961; Y10S715/965; Y10S715/969
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A method of graphically displaying a topological view of a multi-tier network having at least one application file and at least one data source, comprising the steps of: when storing each application file, identifying data paths representing relationships between each application file and each data source accessed by each application file; storing each application file with the identified data paths; forming a display window on a display screen coupled to a computer; retrieving information for each application file in each network tier, the information comprising data and structures representing a software project in the multi-tier network and comprising the identified data paths; designating a portion on the display window for each network tier; generating a graphical representation for the application file information for each application file in each network tier and for the identified data paths; and displaying the graphical representation for each application file within the display window portion designated for each application file's network tier with the identified data paths.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
162 words
A method of graphically displaying a topological view of a multi-tier network having at least one application file and at least one data source, comprising the steps of: when storing each application file, identifying data paths representing relationships between each application file and each data source accessed by each application file; storing each application file with the identified data paths; forming a display window on a display screen coupled to a computer; retrieving information for each application file in each network tier, the information comprising data and structures representing a software project in the multi-tier network and comprising the identified data paths; designating a portion on the display window for each network tier; generating a graphical representation for the application file information for each application file in each network tier and for the identified data paths; and displaying the graphical representation for each application file within the display window portion designated for each application file's network tier with the identified data paths.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the graphical representation is selected from a group comprising an icon and an alphanumeric label.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, further including the step of changing the graphical representations based on changes to the information.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the data paths represent relationships between the network tiers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the data paths between the network tiers are visually represented by lines connecting the corresponding network tiers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the data paths represent relationships between application files.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the data paths between the application files are visually represented by lines between the corresponding application files.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the graphical representation of an application file comprises a hierarchical display of a project and its components stored in the application file.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein nested information for an application file is displayed by invoking the visual representation of the application file.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the step of invoking the visual representation of the application file comprises the steps of: positioning a cursor on the application file; and clicking on a mouse button.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, further including the step of displaying a graphical representation of the multi-tier network performance.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the step of displaying a graphical representation of the multi-tier network performance comprises the steps of: retrieving a data structure containing performance information for the multi-tier network; associating a visual representation to the performance information for each network tier; designating a portion in the display window; displaying the visual representations for each tier on the designated portion; and changing the visual representations based on changes to the multi-tier network performance.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein one of the tiers is a database server.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the multi-tier network consists of a three-tier web-based network having a network server as the second tier and a database server as the third tier.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the application files comprises one or more elements selected from a group comprising: a HTML page; a stored procedure; an user defined function; and a database query.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
202 words
An apparatus for graphically displaying a topological view of a multi-tier network configuration, comprising: a computer having a display screen; means, performed by the computer, for, when storing application files, identifying data paths representing relationships between each application file and each data source accessed by each application file; means, performed by the computer, for storing each application file with the identified data paths; means, performed by the computer, for forming a display window on the display screen; means, performed by the computer, for retrieving information for each of the plurality of application files in each network tier; means, performed by the computer, for assigning a visual representation to the information for each of the plurality of application files in each network tier and to the identified data paths, wherein each visual representation is a graphical representation of each application file in each network tier; means, performed by the computer, for designating a portion on the display window for each of the network tiers; and means, performed by the computer, for displaying the visual representation related to each application file in a particular network tier on the designated portion of the display window for the particular network tier with the identified data paths.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
202 words
An apparatus for graphically displaying a topological view of a multi-tier network configuration, comprising: a computer having a display screen; means, performed by the computer, for, when storing application files, identifying data paths representing relationships between each application file and each data source accessed by each application file; means, performed by the computer, for storing each application file with the identified data paths; means, performed by the computer, for forming a display window on the display screen; means, performed by the computer, for retrieving information for each of the plurality of application files in each network tier; means, performed by the computer, for assigning a visual representation to the information for each of the plurality of application files in each network tier and to the identified data paths, wherein each visual representation is a graphical representation of each application file in each network tier; means, performed by the computer, for designating a portion on the display window for each of the network tiers; and means, performed by the computer, for displaying the visual representation related to each application file in a particular network tier on the designated portion of the display window for the particular network tier with the identified data paths.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the graphical representation is selected from a group comprising an icon and an alphanumeric label.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 16, further including the means for changing the graphical representations based on changes to the information.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the data paths represent relationships between the network tiers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the data paths between the network tiers are visually represented by lines connecting the corresponding network tiers.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the data paths represent relationships between application files.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the data paths between the application files are visually represented by lines between the corresponding application files.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the graphical representation of an application file comprises a hierarchical display of a project and its components stored in the application file.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein nested information for an application file is displayed by invoking the visual representation of the application file.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the means for invoking the visual representation of the application file comprises: means for positioning a cursor on the application file; and means for clicking on a mouse button.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 16, further including the means for displaying a graphical representation of the multi-tier network performance.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
83 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the means for displaying a graphical representation of the multi-tier network performance comprises: means for retrieving a data structure containing performance information for the multi-tier network; means for associating a visual representation to the performance information for each network tier; means for designating a portion in the display window; means for displaying the visual representations for each tier on the designated portion; and means for changing the visual representations based on changes to the multi-tier network performance.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein one of the tiers is a database server.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the multi-tier network consists of a three-tier web-based network having a network server as the second tier and a database server as the third tier.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the application files comprises one or more elements selected from a group comprising: a HTML page; a stored procedure; an user defined function; and a database query.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
201 words
An article of manufacture comprising a program storage medium readable by a computer having a display screen and embodying one or more instructions executable by the computer to perform method steps for graphically displaying a topological view of a multi-tier network configuration having a plurality of application files and at least one data source, the method comprising the steps of: when storing each application file, identifying data paths representing relationships between each application file and each data source accessed by each application file; storing each application file with the identified data paths; forming a display window on the display screen; retrieving information for each of the plurality of application files in each network tier; assigning a visual representation to the information for each of the plurality of application files in each network tier and to the identified data paths, wherein each visual representation is a graphical representation of each application file in each network tier; designating a portion on the display window for each of the network tiers; and displaying the visual representation related to each application file in a particular network tier on the designated portion of the display window for the particular network tier with the identified data paths.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
201 words
An article of manufacture comprising a program storage medium readable by a computer having a display screen and embodying one or more instructions executable by the computer to perform method steps for graphically displaying a topological view of a multi-tier network configuration having a plurality of application files and at least one data source, the method comprising the steps of: when storing each application file, identifying data paths representing relationships between each application file and each data source accessed by each application file; storing each application file with the identified data paths; forming a display window on the display screen; retrieving information for each of the plurality of application files in each network tier; assigning a visual representation to the information for each of the plurality of application files in each network tier and to the identified data paths, wherein each visual representation is a graphical representation of each application file in each network tier; designating a portion on the display window for each of the network tiers; and displaying the visual representation related to each application file in a particular network tier on the designated portion of the display window for the particular network tier with the identified data paths.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
The article of manufacture of claim 31, wherein the graphical representation is selected from a group comprising an icon and an alphanumeric label.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
The article of manufacture of claim 31, further including the step of changing the graphical representations based on changes to the information.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article of manufacture of claim 31, wherein the data paths represent relationships between the network tiers.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
The article of manufacture of claim 34, wherein the data paths between the network tiers are visually represented by lines connecting the corresponding network tiers.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The article of manufacture of claim 31, wherein the data paths represent relationships between application files.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
The article of manufacture of claim 36, wherein the data paths between the application files are visually represented by lines between the corresponding application files.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
30 words
The article of manufacture of claim 31, wherein the graphical representation of an application file comprises a hierarchical display of a project and its components stored in the application file.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
25 words
The article of manufacture of claim 31, wherein nested information for an application file is displayed by invoking the visual representation of the application file.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
36 words
The article of manufacture of claim 39, wherein the step of invoking the visual representation of the application file comprises the steps of: positioning a cursor on the application file; and clicking on a mouse button.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
The article of manufacture of claim 31, further including the step of displaying a graphical representation of the multi-tier network performance.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
78 words
The article of manufacture of claim 41, wherein the step of displaying a graphical representtion of the multi-tier network performance comprises the steps of: retrieving a data structure containing performance information for the multi-tier network; associating a visual representation to the performance information for each network tier; designating a portion in the display window; displaying the visual representations for each tier on the designated portion; and changing the visual representations based on changes to the multi-tier network performance.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
The article of manufacture of claim 31, wherein one of the tiers is a database server.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
33 words
The article of manufacture of claim 31, wherein the multi-tier network consists of a three-tier web-based network having a network server as the second tier and a database server as the third tier.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
35 words
The article of manufacture of claim 44, wherein the application files comprises one or more elements selected from a group comprising: a HTML page; a stored procedure; an user defined function; and a database query.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4545011A
Cited
US4855906A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-03-29 | 2002-09-28 | 2003-03-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-29 | 2006-09-28 | 2007-03-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-29 | 2010-09-28 | 2011-03-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |