Method and apparatus for controlling the display of hierarchical information

Claim 2

In a computer system, a method of presenting information associated with a hierarchy comprising the steps of: creating a first display area, said first display area displaying a first node of said hierarchy; creating a second display area, said second display area presenting a plurality of child nodes of said first node; performing the following when one of said plurality of child nodes in said second display area is selected: updating said first display area to add only said one of said plurality of child nodes; updating said second display area to display a plurality of nodes in place of said plurality of child nodes, said plurality of nodes being the child nodes of said selected child node; performing the following when said first node is selected in said first display area: removing said one of said plurality of child nodes from said first display area; and updating said second display area to display said plurality of child nodes.

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 wherein said hierarchy comprises a file system.

Claim 4

The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of placing the cursor over said one of said child nodes in said second display area.

Claim 5

The method of claim 1 wherein said step of updating said second display area further comprising the steps of: determining whether said child node is a leaf node of said hierarchy; and removing said second display area, if said child node is a leaf node.

Claim 6

The method of claim 1 wherein a size of said first display area is independent of a size of said second display area.

Claim 7

The method of claim 1 wherein said step of updating said second display area further comprises the step of placing a marquee over said one of said child nodes of said selected child node.

Claim 8

The method of claim 1 , further comprising said step of displaying a marquee over said one of said child nodes in said second display.

Claim 9

The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of moving said marquee one entry in said second display area in response to arrow key input.

Claim 10

The method of claim 7 wherein said marquee is positioned over said one of said child nodes, said method further comprising the step of selecting said one of said child nodes in response to right arrow key input.

Claim 11

The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: receiving character input; adding said character input to a search criteria; repositioning a cursor on said one of said plurality of child nodes in response to said character input, said one of said plurality of child nodes resembling said search criteria.

Claim 12

The method of claim 1 wherein said step of performing further comprises the steps of: determining whether there is unused display space in said first display area; performing the following when there is unused display space in said first display area: resizing said first display area to eliminate said unused display space; expanding said second display area to include said unused display space.

Claim 13

A hierarchical information browser comprising: a computer system having a processor and memory; a process executing in said computer; a first display area controlled by said process, said first display area having a plurality of entries that display and identify a selected path through said hierarchical information; a second display area controlled by said process, said second display area having a plurality of path choices of said hierarchical information; a method performing the following when one of said plurality of path choices is selected in said second display area: updating said first display area to add said selected one of said plurality of path choices; updating said second display area to display a plurality of sub path choices in place of said plurality of path choices, said plurality of sub path choices being the child path choices of said one of said plurality of path choices; a method of performing the following when one of said plurality of entries is selected in said first display area: removing said selected one of said plurality of path choices from said first display area; and updating said second display area to display said plurality of path choices of said hierarchical information.

Claim 14

A hierarchical information browser comprising: a computer system having a processor and memory; a process executing in said computer; a first display area controlled by said process, said first display area having a plurality of entries that display and identify a selected path through said hierarchical information; a second display area controlled by said process, said second display area having a plurality of path choices of said hierarchical information; a method performing the following when one of said plurality of path choices is selected in said second display area: updating said first display area to add said selected one of said plurality of path choices; updating said second display area to display a plurality of sub path choices in place of said plurality of path choices, said plurality of sub path choices being the child path choices of said one of said plurality of path choices; a method of performing the following when one of said plurality of entries is selected in said first display area: removing said selected one of said plurality of path choices from said first display area; and updating said second display area to display said plurality of path choices of said hierarchical information.

Claim 15

The hierarchical information browser of claim 12 wherein a size of said first display area is independent of a size of said second display area.

Claim 16

The hierarchical information browser of claim 12 wherein said first display area is limited to a maximum size.

Claim 17

The hierarchical information browser of claim 14 wherein a scrolling mechanism is activated when said first display area reaches said maximum size.

Claim 18

A computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for presenting information associated with a hierarchy comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create a first display area, said first display area displaying a first node of said hierarchy; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create a second display area, said second display area presenting a plurality of child nodes of said first node; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to perform the following when one of said plurality of child nodes in said second display area is selected: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to update said first display area to add only said one of said plurality of child nodes; and computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to update said second display area to display a plurality of nodes in place of said plurality of child nodes, said plurality of nodes being the child nodes of said selected child node; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to execute the following when said first node is selected in said first display area: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to remove said one of said plurality of child nodes from said first display area; and computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to update said second display area to display said plurality of child nodes.

Claim 19

A computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for presenting information associated with a hierarchy comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create a first display area, said first display area displaying a first node of said hierarchy; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create a second display area, said second display area presenting a plurality of child nodes of said first node; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to perform the following when one of said plurality of child nodes in said second display area is selected: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to update said first display area to add only said one of said plurality of child nodes; and computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to update said second display area to display a plurality of nodes in place of said plurality of child nodes, said plurality of nodes being the child nodes of said selected child node; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to execute the following when said first node is selected in said first display area: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to remove said one of said plurality of child nodes from said first display area; and computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to update said second display area to display said plurality of child nodes.

Claim 20

The computer program product of claim 16 wherein said hierarchy comprises a file system.

Claim 21

The computer program product of claim 16 further comprising computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to place a cursor over said one of said child nodes in said second display area.

Claim 22

The computer program product of claim 16 wherein said computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to update said second display area further comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to determine whether said child node is a leaf node of said hierarchy; and computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to remove said second display area, if said child node is a leaf node.

Claim 23

The computer program product of claim 16 wherein a size of said first display area is independent of a size of said second display area.

Claim 24

In a computer system, a method of presenting information associated with a hierarchy comprising the steps of: updating a first display area to add only a first node of said hierarchy in response to said selection of said first node in a second display; updating said second display to display a plurality of child nodes of said first node; performing the following when a parent node of said first node is selected in said first display: removing said first node of said hierarchy from said first display; updating said second display to display a plurality of child nodes of said parent node, said plurality of child nodes comprising said first node.

Claim 25

In a computer system, a method of presenting information associated with a hierarchy comprising the steps of: updating a first display area to add only a first node of said hierarchy in response to said selection of said first node in a second display; updating said second display to display a plurality of child nodes of said first node; performing the following when a parent node of said first node is selected in said first display: removing said first node of said hierarchy from said first display; updating said second display to display a plurality of child nodes of said parent node, said plurality of child nodes comprising said first node.

Claim 26

The method of claim 21 wherein said hierarchy comprises at least one element of a file system.

Claim 27

The method of claim 21 further comprising the steps of: reallocating a portion of said first display area to said second display area when said portion of said first display area is unused.

Claim 28

The method of claim 21 wherein said step of updating said second display area further comprises the steps of: removing said second display area, if said first node is a leaf node.

Claim 29

In a computer system, a method of presenting information associated with a hierarchy comprising the steps of: creating a first display area, said first display area displaying a first node of said hierarchy; creating a second display area, said second display area presenting a plurality of child nodes of said first node; performing the following when one of said plurality of child nodes in said second display area is selected: updating said first display area to add only said one of said plurality of child nodes; determining whether said child node is a leaf node of said hierarchy; removing said second display area when said child node is a leaf node; updating said second display area to display a plurality of nodes in place of said plurality of child nodes when said child node is not a leaf node, said plurality of nodes being the child nodes of said selected child node; performing the following when said first node is selected in said first display area: removing said one of said child nodes from said first display area; determining whether said first node is a leaf node of said hierarchy; removing said second display area when said first node is a leaf node; updating said second display area to display said plurality of child nodes when if said first node is not a leaf node.

Claim 30

In a computer system, a method of presenting information associated with a hierarchy comprising the steps of: creating a first display area, said first display area displaying a first node of said hierarchy; creating a second display area, said second display area presenting a plurality of child nodes of said first node; performing the following when one of said plurality of child nodes in said second display area is selected: updating said first display area to add only said one of said plurality of child nodes; determining whether said child node is a leaf node of said hierarchy; removing said second display area when said child node is a leaf node; updating said second display area to display a plurality of nodes in place of said plurality of child nodes when said child node is not a leaf node, said plurality of nodes being the child nodes of said selected child node; performing the following when said first node is selected in said first display area: removing said one of said child nodes from said first display area; determining whether said first node is a leaf node of said hierarchy; removing said second display area when said first node is a leaf node; updating said second display area to display said plurality of child nodes when if said first node is not a leaf node.

Claim 31

In a computer system, a method of presenting information associated with a hierarchy comprising the steps of: creating a first display area, said first display area displaying a first node of said hierarchy; creating a second display area, said second display area presenting a plurality of child nodes of said first node; performing the following when one of said plurality of child nodes in said second display area is selected: updating said first display area to add only said one of said plurality of child nodes; determining whether said child node is a leaf node of said hierarchy; leaving said second display area blank when said child node is a leaf node; updating said second display area to display a plurality of nodes in place of said plurality of child nodes when said child node is not a leaf node, said plurality of nodes being the child nodes of said selected child node; performing the following when said first node is selected in said first display area: removing said one of said child nodes from said first display area; determining whether said first node is a leaf node of said hierarchy; leaving said second display area blank when said first node is a leaf node; updating said second display area to display said plurality of child nodes when said first node is not a leaf node.

Claim 32

In a computer system, a method of presenting information associated with a hierarchy comprising the steps of: creating a first display area, said first display area displaying a first node of said hierarchy; creating a second display area, said second display area presenting a plurality of child nodes of said first node; performing the following when one of said plurality of child nodes in said second display area is selected: updating said first display area to add only said one of said plurality of child nodes; determining whether said child node is a leaf node of said hierarchy; leaving said second display area blank when said child node is a leaf node; updating said second display area to display a plurality of nodes in place of said plurality of child nodes when said child node is not a leaf node, said plurality of nodes being the child nodes of said selected child node; performing the following when said first node is selected in said first display area: removing said one of said child nodes from said first display area; determining whether said first node is a leaf node of said hierarchy; leaving said second display area blank when said first node is a leaf node; updating said second display area to display said plurality of child nodes when said first node is not a leaf node.

Claim 33

In a computer system, a method of presenting information associated with a hierarchy comprising the steps of: creating a first display area, said first display area displaying a first node of said hierarchy; creating a second display area, said second display area presenting a plurality of child nodes of said first node; performing the following when one of said plurality of child nodes in said second display area is selected: updating said first display area to add only said one of said plurality of child nodes; updating said second display area to display a plurality of grandchild nodes in place of said plurality of child nodes, said plurality of grandchild nodes being the child nodes of said selected child node; performing the following when one of said plurality of grandchild nodes in said second display area is selected: updating said first display area to add only said one of said plurality of grandchild nodes selected; updating said second display area to display a plurality of great grandchild nodes in place of said plurality of grandchild nodes, said plurality of great grandchild nodes being the child nodes of said selected grandchild node; performing the following when said first node is selected in said first display area: removing said one of said child nodes selected and said one of said grandchild nodes selected from said first display area; and updating said second display area to display only said plurality of child nodes.

Claim 34

In a computer system, a method of presenting information associated with a hierarchy comprising the steps of: creating a first display area, said first display area displaying a first node of said hierarchy; creating a second display area, said second display area presenting a plurality of child nodes of said first node; performing the following when one of said plurality of child nodes in said second display area is selected: updating said first display area to add only said one of said plurality of child nodes; updating said second display area to display a plurality of grandchild nodes in place of said plurality of child nodes, said plurality of grandchild nodes being the child nodes of said selected child node; performing the following when one of said plurality of grandchild nodes in said second display area is selected: updating said first display area to add only said one of said plurality of grandchild nodes selected; updating said second display area to display a plurality of great grandchild nodes in place of said plurality of grandchild nodes, said plurality of great grandchild nodes being the child nodes of said selected grandchild node; performing the following when said first node is selected in said first display area: removing said one of said child nodes selected and said one of said grandchild nodes selected from said first display area; and updating said second display area to display only said plurality of child nodes.

Claim 35

In a computer system, a method of presenting information associated with a hierarchy comprising the steps of: creating a first display area, said first display area displaying a first node of said hierarchy; creating a second display area, said second display area presenting a plurality of child nodes of said first node; displaying a choices marquee over said plurality of child nodes in said second display area, wherein said marquee is positioned over one of said child nodes; selecting said one of said child nodes in response to right arrow key input; selecting said first node in said first display area in response to left arrow key input; performing the following when one of said plurality of child nodes in said second display area is selected: updating said first display area to add only said one of said plurality of child nodes; updating said second display area to display a plurality of nodes in place of said plurality of child nodes, said plurality of nodes being the child nodes of said selected child node; performing the following when said first node is selected in said first display area: removing said one of said child nodes from said first display area; updating said second display area to display said plurality of child nodes.

Claim 36

In a computer system, a method of presenting information associated with a hierarchy comprising the steps of: creating a first display area, said first display area displaying a first node of said hierarchy; creating a second display area, said second display area presenting a plurality of child nodes of said first node; displaying a choices marquee over said plurality of child nodes in said second display area, wherein said marquee is positioned over one of said child nodes; selecting said one of said child nodes in response to right arrow key input; selecting said first node in said first display area in response to left arrow key input; performing the following when one of said plurality of child nodes in said second display area is selected: updating said first display area to add only said one of said plurality of child nodes; updating said second display area to display a plurality of nodes in place of said plurality of child nodes, said plurality of nodes being the child nodes of said selected child node; performing the following when said first node is selected in said first display area: removing said one of said child nodes from said first display area; updating said second display area to display said plurality of child nodes.

Claim 37

In a computer system, a method of presenting information associated with a hierarchy comprising the steps of: creating a first display area, said first display area displaying a first node of said hierarchy; creating a second display area, said second display area presenting a plurality of child nodes of said first node; performing the following when one of said plurality of child nodes in said second display area is selected: updating said first display area to add only said one of said plurality of child nodes; updating said second display area to display a plurality of nodes in place of said plurality of child nodes, said plurality of nodes being the child nodes of said selected child node; performing the following when said first node is selected in said first display area: removing said one of said child nodes from said first display area; updating said second display area to display said plurality of child nodes; determining whether there is unused display space in said first display area; performing the following when there is unused display space in said first display area: resizing said first display area to eliminate said unused display space; expanding said second display area to include said unused display space; determining whether there is unused display space in said second display area; resizing said second display area to eliminate said unused display space when there is unused display space in said second display area.

Claim 38

In a computer system, a method of presenting information associated with a hierarchy comprising the steps of: creating a first display area, said first display area displaying a first node of said hierarchy; creating a second display area, said second display area presenting a plurality of child nodes of said first node; performing the following when one of said plurality of child nodes in said second display area is selected: updating said first display area to add only said one of said plurality of child nodes; updating said second display area to display a plurality of nodes in place of said plurality of child nodes, said plurality of nodes being the child nodes of said selected child node; performing the following when said first node is selected in said first display area: removing said one of said child nodes from said first display area; updating said second display area to display said plurality of child nodes; determining whether there is unused display space in said first display area; performing the following when there is unused display space in said first display area: resizing said first display area to eliminate said unused display space; expanding said second display area to include said unused display space; determining whether there is unused display space in said second display area; resizing said second display area to eliminate said unused display space when there is unused display space in said second display area.

Claim 39

In a computer system, a method of presenting information associated with a hierarchy comprising the steps of: creating a first display area, said first display area displaying a first node of said hierarchy; creating a second display area, said second display area presenting a plurality of child nodes of said first node; performing the following when one of said plurality of child nodes in said second display area is selected: updating said first display area to add only said one of said plurality of child nodes; updating said second display area to display a plurality of nodes in place of said plurality of child nodes, said plurality of nodes being the child nodes of said selected child node; performing the following when said first node is selected in said first display area: removing said one of said child nodes from said first display area; updating said second display area to display said plurality of child nodes; limiting said first display area to a maximum size; activating a scrolling mechanism when said first display area reaches said maximum size; limiting said second display area to a maximum size; activating a scrolling mechanism when said second display area reaches said maximum size.

Claim 40

In a computer system, a method of presenting information associated with a hierarchy comprising the steps of: creating a first display area, said first display area displaying a first node of said hierarchy; creating a second display area, said second display area presenting a plurality of child nodes of said first node; performing the following when one of said plurality of child nodes in said second display area is selected: updating said first display area to add only said one of said plurality of child nodes; updating said second display area to display a plurality of nodes in place of said plurality of child nodes, said plurality of nodes being the child nodes of said selected child node; performing the following when said first node is selected in said first display area: removing said one of said child nodes from said first display area; updating said second display area to display said plurality of child nodes; limiting said first display area to a maximum size; activating a scrolling mechanism when said first display area reaches said maximum size; limiting said second display area to a maximum size; activating a scrolling mechanism when said second display area reaches said maximum size.