US6421072B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Displaying a complex tree structure among multiple windows
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1999-06-03
•
Granted: 2002-07-16
•
Expires: 2019-06-03
Abstract
Abstract Multiple windows are used to represent different branches of a single tree structure. The user can select any tree node and choose “start new window” action. A visual link is attached from the parent node to the virtual root node of the new subtree window. Within each window, information is displayed in a more manageable manner. The subtrees can be merged back into the parent tree.
Inventors
- 👤 William Hsiao-Yu Ku
- 👤 John Shih-Yuan Wang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:28
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/14; G09; G09G; G09G5/00; G09G5/14; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/0482
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for displaying hierarchically arranged data in a computer system, comprising the steps of: displaying a first tree structure having a plurality of nodes sharing parent/child relationships, in a first window within a computer display; and responsive to a tree window open selection of one of said plurality of nodes within the first tree structure: displaying a second tree structure having a plurality of nodes sharing parent/child relationships, in a second window within the computer display, wherein the root node of the second tree structure is the tree window open selected node, and wherein the tree window open selected node is removed from the first tree structure displayed within the first window; and displaying an inter-window link between the root node of the second tree structure and a corresponding parent node within the first tree structure such that visual connectivity is maintained between the first tree structure within the first window and the second tree structure within the second window.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for displaying hierarchically arranged data in a computer system, comprising the steps of: displaying a first tree structure having a plurality of nodes sharing parent/child relationships, in a first window within a computer display; and responsive to a tree window open selection of one of said plurality of nodes within the first tree structure: displaying a second tree structure having a plurality of nodes sharing parent/child relationships, in a second window within the computer display, wherein the root node of the second tree structure is the tree window open selected node, and wherein the tree window open selected node is removed from the first tree structure displayed within the first window; and displaying an inter-window link between the root node of the second tree structure and a corresponding parent node within the first tree structure such that visual connectivity is maintained between the first tree structure within the first window and the second tree structure within the second window.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said computer system executes a graphical user interface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second tree structures represents a portion of a master tree structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of: responsive to a tree window close selection of the second tree structure root node: combining the second tree structure displayed within the second window into the first tree structure displayed within the first window such that when the first tree structure and second tree structure are combined, a single tree structure is formed within the first window; and closing the second window.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein said tree window close selection comprises dragging and dropping the second tree structure root node from the second window into the first window.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
169 words
A computer program product within a computer usable medium for displaying hierarchically arranged data in a computer system, comprising: instructions for displaying a first tree structure having a plurality of nodes sharing parent/child relationships, in a first window within a computer display; and instructions responsive to a tree window open selection of one of said plurality of nodes within the first tree structure for: displaying a second tree structure having a plurality of nodes sharing parent/child relationships, in a second window within the computer display, wherein the root node of the second tree structure is the tree window open selected node, and wherein the tree window open selected node is removed from the first tree structure displayed within the first window; and displaying an inter-window link between the root node of the second tree structure and a corresponding parent node within the first tree structure such that visual connectivity is maintained between the first tree structure within the first window and the second tree structure within the second window.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
169 words
A computer program product within a computer usable medium for displaying hierarchically arranged data in a computer system, comprising: instructions for displaying a first tree structure having a plurality of nodes sharing parent/child relationships, in a first window within a computer display; and instructions responsive to a tree window open selection of one of said plurality of nodes within the first tree structure for: displaying a second tree structure having a plurality of nodes sharing parent/child relationships, in a second window within the computer display, wherein the root node of the second tree structure is the tree window open selected node, and wherein the tree window open selected node is removed from the first tree structure displayed within the first window; and displaying an inter-window link between the root node of the second tree structure and a corresponding parent node within the first tree structure such that visual connectivity is maintained between the first tree structure within the first window and the second tree structure within the second window.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer program product of claim 6 , wherein said program product executes within a graphical user interface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer program product of claim 6 , wherein said first and second tree structures represent a computer file system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer program product of claim 6 , further comprising instructions for receiving input from a user.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
74 words
The computer program product of claim 6 , further comprising: instructions responsive to a tree window close selection of the second tree structure root node for: combining the second tree structure displayed within the second window into the first tree structure displayed within the first window such that when the first tree structure and second tree structure are combined, a single tree structure is formed within the first window; and closing the second window.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4821211A
Cited
US5504853A
Cited
US5515487A
Cited
US5701137A
Cited
US5923328A
Cited
US6281896B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-07-15 | 2006-01-14 | 2006-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-15 | 2010-01-14 | 2010-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-15 | 2014-01-14 | 2014-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |