US5943678A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Temporal displacement icon in a graphical user interface
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1996-12-03
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Granted: 1999-08-24
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Expires: 2016-12-03
Abstract
Abstract This invention permits users to conveniently examine functions, applications, data, and other parameters for different periods of time. A region of the graphical user interface is provided to which other icons may be dragged so that the function represented by the dragged icon returns to a prior state or is extrapolated to a future state. By storing the previous m versions of a file, application, database, etc., where m is user selectable, the user can review prior versions of that file, application, or database without explicitly having to track those versions. The graphical nature of the present invention provides a significantly more intuitive way to manipulate the time.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael David Hocker
- 👤 Gregory Tad Kishi
- 👤 James Gordon Mc Lean
- 👤 Clifford Alan Pickover
- 👤 Daniel James Winarski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:04
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/70; G06F8/71
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for accessing a data file from a plurality of versions of the data file residing on a storage device, comprising the steps of: displaying on a monitor a symbolic representation of the data file to be accessed; identifying the plurality of versions of the data file by moving the symbolic representation of data file to be accessed to a dedicated area of the monitor; selecting one of the plurality of versions of the data file to be accessed; and displaying the selected version of the data file on the monitor.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for accessing a data file from a plurality of versions of the data file residing on a storage device, comprising the steps of: displaying on a monitor a symbolic representation of the data file to be accessed; identifying the plurality of versions of the data file by moving the symbolic representation of data file to be accessed to a dedicated area of the monitor; selecting one of the plurality of versions of the data file to be accessed; and displaying the selected version of the data file on the monitor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the dedicated area comprises a virtual time tunnel icon and said identifying step comprises moving the symbolic representation onto the virtual time tunnel icon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said selecting step includes displaying a list of the plurality of versions of the data file.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: said selecting step comprises entering a date and/or time; and said displaying step comprises displaying a version of the data file having a storage date and/or time closest to the entered date and/or time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: said selecting step comprises entering a flashback index i; and said displaying step comprises displaying a prior version n-i of the data file, where n represents the current version of the data file.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: said identifying step comprises moving a virtual time tunnel icon to the symbolic representation of the data file to be accessed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 7, wherein: said selecting step comprises automatically selecting a version n-i of the data file, where n represents the current version of the data file and i represents a previously entered flashback index; and said displaying step comprises displaying the prior version n-i of the data file.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
131 words
An article of manufacture for use in a computer system, said computer system including a processing unit for accessing a data file from a plurality of versions of the data file residing on a storage device, said article of manufacture comprising a computer-readable storage medium tangibly embodying a program of executable computer instructions which may cause said processing unit to execute steps of: displaying on a monitor a symbolic representation of the data file to be accessed; identifying the plurality of versions of the data file by moving the symbolic representation of the data file to be accessed to a dedicated area of the monitor; selecting one of the plurality of versions of the data file to be accessed; and displaying the selected version of the data file on the monitor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
131 words
An article of manufacture for use in a computer system, said computer system including a processing unit for accessing a data file from a plurality of versions of the data file residing on a storage device, said article of manufacture comprising a computer-readable storage medium tangibly embodying a program of executable computer instructions which may cause said processing unit to execute steps of: displaying on a monitor a symbolic representation of the data file to be accessed; identifying the plurality of versions of the data file by moving the symbolic representation of the data file to be accessed to a dedicated area of the monitor; selecting one of the plurality of versions of the data file to be accessed; and displaying the selected version of the data file on the monitor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The article of manufacture of claim 8, wherein said program of executable computer instructions may further cause said processing unit to execute wherein the dedicated area is a virtual time tunnel icon and said identifying step comprises moving the symbolic representation onto the virtual time tunnel icon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The article of manufacture of claim 8, wherein said program of executable computer instructions may further cause said processing unit to execute wherein said selecting step includes displaying a list of the plurality of versions of the data file.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
The article of manufacture of claim 8, wherein said program of executable computer instructions may further cause said processing unit to execute wherein: said selecting step comprises entering a date and/or time; and said displaying step comprises displaying a version of the data file having a storage date and/or time closest to the entered date and/or time.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
The article of manufacture of claim 8, wherein said program of executable computer instructions may further cause said processing unit to execute wherein: said selecting step comprises entering a flashback index i; and said displaying step comprises displaying a prior version n-i of the data file, where n represents the current version of the data file.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The article of manufacture of claim 8, wherein said program of executable computer instructions may further cause said processing unit to execute wherein: said identifying step comprises moving a virtual time tunnel icon to the symbolic representation of the data file to be accessed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
68 words
The article of manufacture of claim 8, wherein said program of executable computer instructions may further cause said processing unit to execute wherein: said selecting step comprises automatically selecting a version n-i of the data file, where n represents the current version of the data file and i represents a previously entered flashback index; and said displaying step comprises displaying the prior version n-i of the data file.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
142 words
A computer system for accessing a data file from a plurality of versions of the data file, the versions residing on a storage device, comprising: a display screen for displaying information, said display screen further having a target region; an input device for selecting and/or moving information displayed within the display screen; and a processing unit coupled to the display screen and the input device, said processing unit identifying the plurality of versions of the data file on the display screen after said input device moves a symbolic representation of the data file into the target region of said display screen, wherein said input device then selects one of the plurality of versions of the data file identified by the processing unit, and said processing unit then causes the selected version of the data file to be displayed on said display screen.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
142 words
A computer system for accessing a data file from a plurality of versions of the data file, the versions residing on a storage device, comprising: a display screen for displaying information, said display screen further having a target region; an input device for selecting and/or moving information displayed within the display screen; and a processing unit coupled to the display screen and the input device, said processing unit identifying the plurality of versions of the data file on the display screen after said input device moves a symbolic representation of the data file into the target region of said display screen, wherein said input device then selects one of the plurality of versions of the data file identified by the processing unit, and said processing unit then causes the selected version of the data file to be displayed on said display screen.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer system of claim 15, wherein the target region of the display screen includes a virtual time transport icon.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer system of claim 15, wherein the target region comprises a dedicated area of the display screen.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The computer system of claim 15, wherein said processing unit identifies the plurality of versions of the data file by displaying a list of the plurality of versions, and said input device selects a selected version from the list.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
51 words
The computer system of claim 15, wherein said input device selects one of the plurality of versions of the data file by entering a date and/or time, and said processing unit displays the version of the data file having a storage date and/or time closest to the entered date and/or time.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
50 words
The computer system of claim 15, wherein said input device selects one of the plurality of versions of the data file by entering a flashback index i, and said processing unit displays a prior version n-i of the data file, where n represents a current version of the data file.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
40 words
The computer system of claim 15, wherein said processing unit identifies the plurality of versions of the data file after said input device moves a virtual time transport icon to the symbolic representation of the data file to be accessed.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The computer system of claim 15, wherein the input device comprises a mouse.
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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) | 2002-08-23 | 2003-02-22 | 2003-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-08-23 | 2007-02-22 | 2007-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-08-23 | 2011-02-22 | 2011-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |