US6434564B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Browser for hierarchical structures
Assignee: SAP SE
•
Filing: 2001-07-02
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Granted: 2002-08-13
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Expires: 2021-07-02
Abstract
Abstract A browser for viewing data representing text, pictures, sounds, virtual reality worlds, links, or other objects, and organized in a hierarchical structure is provided to display and interact with links to the data. A retrieved set of data is displayed in a lens, and subsequently retrieved sets of data that are deeper in the hierarchical structure are displayed in further stacked lenses, creating a visual representation of the hierarchy. A label on each lens provides information on the data originally displayed in the lens. A user may choose to view the originally displayed contents of any lens on the screen. A user may also modify a personal hierarchical data structure comprising links to sets of data in the first hierarchical structure. In doing so, a user creates an entirely new hierarchical structure that customizes the organization of data according to personal preferences and takes advantage of natural association to reduce the number of perceived levels in the new hierarchical data structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Ebert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:13
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/90; G06F16/95; G06F16/954; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/953; Y10S707/956; Y10S707/957; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of creating and displaying a data link to a set of data located in a first hierarchical data structure, wherein the data link is located in a separate second hierarchical data structure, comprising the steps of: (a) creating the set of data in the first hierarchical data structure; (b) displaying the set of data as a first graphical representation for visual display in the context of the first hierarchical data structure; (c) creating the data link to the set of data; (d) placing the data link into a position in a separate second hierarchical data structure; and (e) displaying the data link as a second graphical representation for visual display in the context of the separate second hierarchical data structure, wherein the second graphical representation is based upon the position of the link in the second hierarchical data structure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of creating and displaying a data link to a set of data located in a first hierarchical data structure, wherein the data link is located in a separate second hierarchical data structure, comprising the steps of: (a) creating the set of data in the first hierarchical data structure; (b) displaying the set of data as a first graphical representation for visual display in the context of the first hierarchical data structure; (c) creating the data link to the set of data; (d) placing the data link into a position in a separate second hierarchical data structure; and (e) displaying the data link as a second graphical representation for visual display in the context of the separate second hierarchical data structure, wherein the second graphical representation is based upon the position of the link in the second hierarchical data structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of creating and displaying a data link of claim 1 , wherein the second graphical representation inherits an attribute of a preexisting graphical representation for visual display in the second hierarchical data structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of creating and displaying a data link of claim 1 , wherein the set of data contains a representation of a three-dimensional animation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of creating and displaying a data link of claim 1 , wherein the set of data contains a representation of a virtual reality world.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of creating and displaying a data link of claim 1 , further comprising the step of: storing the position of the second graphical representation for visual display, relative to a position of a preexisting graphical representation for display in the second hierarchical data structure, on a computer-readable storage media.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of creating and displaying a data link of claim 1 , further comprising the step of: displaying a context-sensitive pop-up menu, based on the set of data and based on an authorization level, when a cursor is placed near the second graphical representation for visual display.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of creating and displaying a data link of claim 1 , further comprising the step of: obtaining the set of data in the first hierarchical data structure through a channel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of creating and displaying a data link of claim 1 , further comprising the step of: reporting an exception associated with the set of data in the first hierarchical data structure by altering the second graphical representation for visual display of the data link.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
138 words
A computer system for creating and displaying a data link to a set of data located in a first hierarchical data structure, comprising the steps of: (a) means for creating the set of data in the first hierarchical data structure; (b) means for displaying the set of data as a first graphical representation for visual display in the context of the first hierarchical data structure; (c) means for creating the data link to the set of data; (d) means for placing the data link into a position in a separate second hierarchical data structure; and (e) means for displaying the data link as a second graphical representation for visual display in the context of the separate second hierarchical data structure, the second graphical representation being based upon the position of the link in the second hierarchical data structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
138 words
A computer system for creating and displaying a data link to a set of data located in a first hierarchical data structure, comprising the steps of: (a) means for creating the set of data in the first hierarchical data structure; (b) means for displaying the set of data as a first graphical representation for visual display in the context of the first hierarchical data structure; (c) means for creating the data link to the set of data; (d) means for placing the data link into a position in a separate second hierarchical data structure; and (e) means for displaying the data link as a second graphical representation for visual display in the context of the separate second hierarchical data structure, the second graphical representation being based upon the position of the link in the second hierarchical data structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 9 , wherein the second graphical representation inherits an attribute of a preexisting graphical representation for visual display in the second hierarchical data structure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 9 , wherein the set of data contains a representation of a three-dimensional animation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 9 , wherein the set of data contains a representation of a virtual reality world.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 9 , further comprising: means for storing the position of the second graphical representation for visual display, relative to a position of a preexisting graphical representations for display in the second hierarchical data structure, on a computer-readable storage media.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 9 , further comprising: means for displaying a context-sensitive pop-up menu, based on the set of data and based on an authorization level, when a cursor is placed near the second graphical representation for visual display.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 9 , further comprising: means for obtaining the set of data in the first hierarchical data structure through a channel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 9 , further comprising: means for reporting an exception associated with the set of data in the first hierarchical data structure by altering the second graphical representation for visual display of the link.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
174 words
A computer system comprising a display, a central processor, a graphics processor, a memory, an input device, and a graphical user interface, wherein: the memory has a first hierarchical data structure and a separate second hierarchical data structure, the first hierarchical data structure having a set of data; the graphical user interface requests the set of data; the graphics processor receives the set of data in response to requesting the set of data; the graphics processor displays the set of data as a first graphical representation for visual display; the central processor creates a link to a subset of the set of data; the graphics processor converts the link to a second graphical representation for visual display; the central processor places the link into a position in the separate second hierarchical data structure, based on input from the graphical user interface; the graphics processor displays the second graphical representation for visual display in the context of the second hierarchical data structure, based upon the position of the link in the second hierarchical data structure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
174 words
A computer system comprising a display, a central processor, a graphics processor, a memory, an input device, and a graphical user interface, wherein: the memory has a first hierarchical data structure and a separate second hierarchical data structure, the first hierarchical data structure having a set of data; the graphical user interface requests the set of data; the graphics processor receives the set of data in response to requesting the set of data; the graphics processor displays the set of data as a first graphical representation for visual display; the central processor creates a link to a subset of the set of data; the graphics processor converts the link to a second graphical representation for visual display; the central processor places the link into a position in the separate second hierarchical data structure, based on input from the graphical user interface; the graphics processor displays the second graphical representation for visual display in the context of the second hierarchical data structure, based upon the position of the link in the second hierarchical data structure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer system of claim 17 , wherein the second graphical representation inherits an attribute of a preexisting graphical representation for visual display in the second hierarchical data structure.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer system of claim 17 , wherein the central processor and the graphics processor are the same processor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer system of claim 17 , wherein the set of data contains a representation of a three-dimensional animation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer system of claim 17 , wherein the set of data contains a representation of a virtual reality world.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
45 words
The computer system of claim 17 , wherein the position of the second graphical representation for visual display of the link, relative to a position of a preexisting graphical representation for visual display in the second hierarchical data structure, is stored on computer-readable storage media.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
The computer system of claim 17 , wherein the graphics processor creates a context-sensitive pop-up menu, based on the subset of the set of data and based on an authorization level, when a cursor is placed near the second graphical representation.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer system of claim 17 , wherein the graphics processor receives the set of data through a channel.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
39 words
The computer system of claim 17 , wherein the central processor reports an exception associated with the subset of the set of data by having the graphics processor alter the second graphical representation for visual display of the link.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of displaying and linking data organized in a first hierarchical data structure, the method comprising the steps of: (a) displaying a set of data in the context of the first hierarchical data structure; (b) selecting a subset of the set of data; (c) creating a link to the subset of the set of data; (d) placing the link into a position in a separate second hierarchical data structure; (e) converting the link to a graphical representation for visual display; and (f) displaying the graphical representation for visual display of the link in the context of the separate second hierarchical data structure, the graphical representation being based upon the position of the link in the second hierarchical data structure.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of displaying and linking data organized in a first hierarchical data structure, the method comprising the steps of: (a) displaying a set of data in the context of the first hierarchical data structure; (b) selecting a subset of the set of data; (c) creating a link to the subset of the set of data; (d) placing the link into a position in a separate second hierarchical data structure; (e) converting the link to a graphical representation for visual display; and (f) displaying the graphical representation for visual display of the link in the context of the separate second hierarchical data structure, the graphical representation being based upon the position of the link in the second hierarchical data structure.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of displaying and linking data of claim 26 , wherein the set of data contains a representation of a three-dimensional animation.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of displaying and linking data of claim 26 , wherein the set of data contains a representation of a virtual reality world.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of displaying and linking data of claim 26 , further comprising the step of: storing the position of the graphical representation for visual display of the link, relative to a position of a preexisting graphical representation for visual display in the second hierarchical data structure, on computer-readable storage media.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of displaying and linking data of claim 26 , further comprising the step of: displaying a context-sensitive pop-up menu, based on the subset of the set of data and based on an authorization level, when a cursor is placed near the graphical representation for visual display of the link in the second hierarchical data structure.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of displaying and linking data of claim 26 , further comprising the step of: obtaining the set of data in the first hierarchical data structure through a channel.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of displaying and linking data of claim 26 , further comprising the step of: reporting an exception associated with the subset of the set of data by altering the graphical representation for visual display of the link in the second hierarchical data structure.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of displaying and interacting with a link to a set of data in an R/ 3 system, the set of data being organized in a first hierarchical data structure, the method comprising the steps of: (a) requesting, from an R/ 3 graphical user interface on a computer, provision of the set of data, the set of data being in said first hierarchical data structure; (b) receiving in said computer the requested set of data; (c) converting said set of data to a first graphical representation for visual display; (d) displaying said first graphical representation for visual display of the set of data in a first lens on said R/ 3 graphical user interface; (e) creating a link to a subset of said set of data; (f) placing said link into a position in a separate second hierarchical data structure; and (g) converting said link to a second graphical representation for visual display in a user favorites screen (h) displaying said second graphical representation for visual display in the user favorites screen, based upon the position of the link in said separate second hierarchical data structure.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of displaying and interacting with a link to a set of data in an R/ 3 system, the set of data being organized in a first hierarchical data structure, the method comprising the steps of: (a) requesting, from an R/ 3 graphical user interface on a computer, provision of the set of data, the set of data being in said first hierarchical data structure; (b) receiving in said computer the requested set of data; (c) converting said set of data to a first graphical representation for visual display; (d) displaying said first graphical representation for visual display of the set of data in a first lens on said R/ 3 graphical user interface; (e) creating a link to a subset of said set of data; (f) placing said link into a position in a separate second hierarchical data structure; and (g) converting said link to a second graphical representation for visual display in a user favorites screen (h) displaying said second graphical representation for visual display in the user favorites screen, based upon the position of the link in said separate second hierarchical data structure.
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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) | 2005-08-12 | 2006-02-11 | 2006-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-12 | 2010-02-11 | 2010-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-12 | 2014-02-11 | 2014-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |