Subset search tree integrated graphical interface

Details Subset search tree integrated graphical interface Subset search tree integrated graphical interface

1998-07-01

2002-11-19

Hong, Stephen S. (Department: 2176)

Data processing: database and file management or data structures

Database design

Data structure types

C707S793000, C707S793000, C707S793000, C345S215000, C345S215000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06484190

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Much of the information presented to computer users today is presented using a tree structure. A tree structure, when referring to a computer user interface, is a structure where groups are associated with entities within the groups which may be associated with even more refined entities within a group. It provides a hierarchical view of a collection of information. An example of this would be a tree structure (a part of which is shown in
FIG. 1
) where the countries of the world are listed, each country containing its associated states, each state containing its associated counties and each county having its associated towns. As shown in
FIG. 1
when looking at North Carolina, much of the tree is not visible on the screen due to the substantial amount of information contained within the tree.
A large percentage of network management programs today are required to be scalable. In order to manage a large number of users with respect to different applications, the applications must group users and networks in some form of hierarchy. The hierarchy is typically mapped on to the tree display for the user of the program. As seen in
FIG. 1
, as the number of users and information in the tree increase, the tree becomes difficult to view, search and manage. Simple search mechanisms are typically offered and these have limited use for finding simple strings within the data. There are no known methods or systems for providing a contextual search within the hierarchy of a tree. A need exists for an uncomplicated method to subset and display hierarchical information to a user without significantly increasing the screen clutter and requiring significant amounts of screen space.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an efficient means for searching hierarchically organized information. It is another object of the present invention to minimize the screen utilization introduced by this searching mechanism. It is yet another objective to provide means for the user to receive additional information or assistance in the searching without requiring additional screen space. It is yet another object of the present invention to enable the user to fold levels of information that are currently uninteresting without disturbing the association with parent nodes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention achieves the foregoing objects by providing a method, system and program product for searching hierarchical trees more effectively. The hierarchical set of information has at least three pieces of information contained at each node of the tree. The three components are (1) the data contained at the node (2) a text entry field for a subset key for the node, and (3) the count of children for the node. This enables more efficient searching and reporting of the information contained within the hierarchical structure.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5600826 (1997-02-01), Ando
patent: 5621905 (1997-04-01), Jewson et al.
patent: 5708806 (1998-01-01), DeRose et al.
patent: 5761664 (1998-06-01), Sayah et al.
patent: 5768581 (1998-06-01), Cochran
patent: 5790121 (1998-08-01), Sklar et al.
patent: 5801702 (1998-09-01), Dodan et al.
patent: 5812123 (1998-09-01), Rowe et al.
patent: 5815155 (1998-09-01), Wolfston, Jr.
patent: 5819258 (1998-10-01), Vaithyanathan et al.
patent: 5838965 (1998-11-01), Kavanagh et al.
patent: 5870739 (1999-02-01), Davis, III et al.
patent: 5953718 (1999-09-01), Wical
patent: 5963208 (1999-10-01), Dolan et al.
patent: 6028602 (2000-02-01), Weidenfeller et al.
patent: 6038560 (2000-03-01), Wical
patent: 6115044 (2000-09-01), Alimpich et al.
patent: 6199098 (2001-03-01), Jones
patent: 6202199 (2001-03-01), Wygodny et al.
patent: 6236987 (2001-05-01), Horowitz et al.
patent: 6341280 (2002-01-01), Glass et al.
patent: 6347320 (2002-02-01), Christensen et al.
patent: 6360332 (2002-03-01), Weinberg et al.
Microsoft Corporation, Microsoft Windows NT, Version 4.0, 1998, screenprints, pp. 1-4.*
Microsoft Windows, Proxima SSO, Microsoft Corporation, 1990-1995, screen printouts, pp. 1-3.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Subset search tree integrated graphical interface does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Subset search tree integrated graphical interface, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Subset search tree integrated graphical interface will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2988164