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US6404446B1
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Multi-node user interface component and method thereof for use in displaying visual indication of search results
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 2000-02-22
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Granted: 2002-06-11
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Expires: 2020-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A user interface component and method of using the same graphically display linked records with node display elements representing individual records, and optional link display elements representing the links therebetween. The user interface component may be automatically and dynamically generated during navigation between linked records, such that whenever a new link is taken from a record represented by a node display element, a new node display element is generated. In addition, the user interface component may further be configured to graphically represent the particular location of a particular link within a record, as well as a scroll display element associated with selected node display elements such that specific data or locations within the records associated therewith may be accessed. Moreover, the user interface component may also be configured to incorporate a retrieve progress display element that indicates a current status of a retrieve operation for a record. Individual node display elements within a user interface component may also separately indicate status information for their associated records, e.g., displaying a cache status and/or a matching status that indicates whether associated records match a predetermined search criteria, among others. The user interface component may also be utilized to perform common operations such as printing, caching and loading, among others, on selected records in response to user selection of the nodes associated with the selected records.
Inventors
- 👤 Cary Lee Bates
- 👤 Paul Reuben Day
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:33
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F16/00; G06F16/20; G06F16/24; G06F16/248; G06F16/90; G06F16/93; G06F16/94; G06F3/0484; G06F3/0485; G06F3/04855; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S715/00; Y10S715/973
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A computer-implemented method of generating a graphic representation of a plurality of linked records, the method comprising: (a) displaying a plurality of node display elements, wherein each of which is associated with a record, and wherein at least a pair of node display elements are respectively associated with a pair of records that are linked to one another, the pair of node display elements graphically linked with one another; (b) searching at least a portion of the plurality of linked records based upon a search criteria to identify any matching records therefrom that meet the search criteria; and (c) providing for each node display element a visual indication of whether its associated record is a matching record meeting the search criteria.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A computer-implemented method of generating a graphic representation of a plurality of linked records, the method comprising: (a) displaying a plurality of node display elements, wherein each of which is associated with a record, and wherein at least a pair of node display elements are respectively associated with a pair of records that are linked to one another, the pair of node display elements graphically linked with one another; (b) searching at least a portion of the plurality of linked records based upon a search criteria to identify any matching records therefrom that meet the search criteria; and (c) providing for each node display element a visual indication of whether its associated record is a matching record meeting the search criteria.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein each node display element includes a search criteria matching status indicator that visually represents whether its associated record is a matching record.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the search criteria matching status indicator for each node display element is selected from the group consisting of a color indicator, a pattern indicator, a border indicator, an icon indicator, an alphanumeric indicator, and combinations thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising, for any intermediate node display element that is associated with a record not meeting the search criteria, but for which a descendant record meeting the search criteria exists, displaying the intermediate node display element as a link display element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein searching at least a portion of the plurality of linked records includes beginning a search at a root record.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein searching at least a portion of the plurality of linked records further includes searching only records that are within a predetermined number of links from the root record.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the search criteria is based upon at least one of the group consisting of record contents, record title, record address, record description, record date, and record size.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein searching at least a portion of the plurality of linked records includes dynamically generating node display elements associated with searched records.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
114 words
A user interface component configured to display on a computer display a graphic representation of a plurality of linked records, the user interface component comprising: (a) a plurality of node display elements, wherein each of which is associated with a record, and wherein at least a pair of node display elements are respectively associated with a pair of records that are linked to one another, the pair of node display elements graphically linked with one another; and (b) a plurality of matching status display elements, each matching status display element configured to indicate for a node display element from the plurality of node display elements whether its associated record meets a predetermined search criteria.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
114 words
A user interface component configured to display on a computer display a graphic representation of a plurality of linked records, the user interface component comprising: (a) a plurality of node display elements, wherein each of which is associated with a record, and wherein at least a pair of node display elements are respectively associated with a pair of records that are linked to one another, the pair of node display elements graphically linked with one another; and (b) a plurality of matching status display elements, each matching status display element configured to indicate for a node display element from the plurality of node display elements whether its associated record meets a predetermined search criteria.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
The user interface component of claim 9 , wherein the search criteria matching status indicator for each node display element is selected from the group consisting of a color indicator, a pattern indicator, a border indicator, an icon indicator, an alphanumeric indicator, and combinations thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
The user interface component of claim 9 , wherein the user interface component further includes an intermediate node display element that is associated with a record not meeting the search criteria, but for which a descendant record meeting the search criteria exists, the intermediate node display element displayed as a link display element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The user interface component of claim 9 , wherein the search criteria is based upon at least one of the group consisting of record contents, record title, record address, record description, record date, and record size.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
132 words
A computer system configured to display a graphic representation of a plurality of linked records, the computer system comprising: (a) a computer display; and (b) a processor configured to display on the computer a plurality of node display elements, wherein each of which is associated with a record, and wherein at least a pair of node display elements are respectively associated with a pair of records that are linked to one another, the pair of node display elements graphically linked with one another; to search each record based upon a search criteria to identify any matching records in the plurality of linked records that meet the search criteria; and to provide for each node display element a visual indication of whether its associated record is a matching record meeting the search criteria.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
132 words
A computer system configured to display a graphic representation of a plurality of linked records, the computer system comprising: (a) a computer display; and (b) a processor configured to display on the computer a plurality of node display elements, wherein each of which is associated with a record, and wherein at least a pair of node display elements are respectively associated with a pair of records that are linked to one another, the pair of node display elements graphically linked with one another; to search each record based upon a search criteria to identify any matching records in the plurality of linked records that meet the search criteria; and to provide for each node display element a visual indication of whether its associated record is a matching record meeting the search criteria.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer system of claim 13 , wherein each node display element includes a search criteria matching status indicator that visually represents whether its associated record is a matching record.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The computer system of claim 14 , wherein the search criteria matching status indicator for each node display element is selected from the group consisting of a color indicator, a pattern indicator, a border indicator, an icon indicator, an alphanumeric indicator, and combinations thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
53 words
The computer system of claim 13 , wherein the processor is further configured to, for any intermediate node display element that is associated with a record not meeting the search criteria, but for which a descendant record meeting the search criteria exists, display the intermediate node display element as a link display element.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer system of claim 13 , wherein the processor is configured to search at least a portion of the plurality of linked records by beginning a search at a root record.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
The computer system of claim 17 , wherein the processor is configured to search at least a portion of the plurality of linked records by searching only records that are within a predetermined number of links from the root record.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer system of claim 13 , wherein the search criteria is based upon at least one of the group consisting of record contents, record title, record address, record description, record date, and record size.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer system of claim 13 , wherein the processor is configured to search at least a portion of the plurality of linked records by dynamically generating node display elements associated with searched records.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
134 words
A program product comprising: (a) a program configured to perform a method of graphically representing on a computer display a plurality of linked records, the method comprising displaying a plurality of node display elements, wherein each of which is associated with a record, and wherein at least a pair of node display elements are respectively associated with a pair of records that are linked to one another, the pair of node display elements graphically linked with one another; searching each record based upon a search criteria to identify any matching records in the plurality of linked records that meet the search criteria; and providing for each node display element a visual indication of whether its associated record is a matching record meeting the search criteria; and (b) a signal bearing media bearing the program.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
134 words
A program product comprising: (a) a program configured to perform a method of graphically representing on a computer display a plurality of linked records, the method comprising displaying a plurality of node display elements, wherein each of which is associated with a record, and wherein at least a pair of node display elements are respectively associated with a pair of records that are linked to one another, the pair of node display elements graphically linked with one another; searching each record based upon a search criteria to identify any matching records in the plurality of linked records that meet the search criteria; and providing for each node display element a visual indication of whether its associated record is a matching record meeting the search criteria; and (b) a signal bearing media bearing the program.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The program product of claim 21 , wherein the signal bearing media is transmission type media.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The program product of claim 21 , wherein the signal bearing media is recordable media.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The program product of claim 21 , wherein each node display element includes a search criteria matching status indicator that visually represents whether its associated record is a matching record.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
44 words
The program product of claim 24 , wherein the search criteria matching status indicator for each node display element is selected from the group consisting of a color indicator, a pattern indicator, a border indicator, an icon indicator, an alphanumeric indicator, and combinations thereof.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
51 words
The program product of claim 21 , wherein the method further comprises, for any intermediate node display element that is associated with a record not meeting the search criteria, but for which a descendant record meeting the search criteria exists, displaying the intermediate node display element as a link display element.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
The program product of claim 21 , wherein searching at least a portion of the plurality of linked records includes beginning a search at a root record.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
The program product of claim 27 , wherein searching at least a portion of the plurality of linked records further includes searching only records that are within a predetermined number of links from the root record.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
35 words
The program product of claim 21 , wherein the search criteria is based upon at least one of the group consisting of record contents, record title, record address, record description, record date, and record size.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
The program product of claim 21 , wherein searching at least a portion of the plurality of linked records includes dynamically generating node display elements associated with searched records.
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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) | 2005-06-10 | 2005-12-10 | 2006-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-06-10 | 2009-12-10 | 2010-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-06-10 | 2013-12-10 | 2014-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |