US005428735A
`t9
`United States Patent
`5,428,735
`[11] Patent Number:
`Jun. 27, 1995
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Kahl et al.
`
`ANUANTA
`
`[54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`MAINTAINING A RECORD OF
`SET-CREATING DATA PROCESSING
`ACTIVITIES AND ASSOCIATED DATA SETS
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Daryl J. Kahl, Flower Mound; Chen
`D. King, Colleyville; Raymond E.
`Lee, Irving, all of Tex.; Sharon
`Stanners, Boca Raton, Fla.; Robert J.
`Torres, Colleyville, Tex.
`
`[73] Assignee:
`
`International Business Machines
`Corporation, Armonk, N.Y.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 997,397
`
`Dec. 28, 1992
`[22] Filed:
`[51] Unt, C16cececeseteerenseceseeecnenees GO6F 17/30
`[52] US. CU, eeeeeecceteeeeeeeeeeteneneees 395/159; 395/160;
`395/600
`[58] Field of Search ................-- 345/115; 364/419.13,
`364/419.19, 419.07, 419.08; 395/153, 160, 161,
`600, 159
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,157,783 10/1992 Andersonetal. .........:000 395/600
`
`5,175,814 12/1992 Anick et al...eeeeeeeeeee 395/161
`5,263,167 11/1993 Conner, Jr. et al.
`0... 395/700
`
`5,265,014 11/1993 Haddocketal. ...
`w- 364/419.08
`
`§,265,246 11/1993 Li et ab. oeeeeeeeeereetecees 395/600
`5/1994 Reed et ab. 0. 395/148
`5,312,478
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`0477152
`0491517
`
`3/1992 European Pat. Off.
`6/1992 European Pat. Off.
`
`.
`.
`
`Search Results #1
`
`9112582
`
`8/1991 WIPO .
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`“Text Search and Retrieval Reference Manual for the
`Automated Patent System”, U.S. Department of Com-
`merce (Dec. 3, 1991), pp. 1-42.
`“Microsoft Excel User’s Guide”, Microsoft, Corp.
`(1990), pp. 4-5, 67-100, 147, and 183.
`“Microsoft Windows Users Guide”, Microsoft, Corp.
`(1990), pp. 103-137.
`
`Primary Examiner—Mark K. Zimmerman
`Assistant Examiner—N. Kenneth Burraston
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Jonathan E. Jobe; Melvin A.
`Hunn; Andrew J. Dillon
`
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`A method for maintaining a record ofset-creating data
`processing activities and associated data sets. The
`method includes the steps of creating and displaying a
`plurality of visual representations, one for each of the
`set-creating activities, and arranging the visual repre-
`sentations to indicate a hierarchical relationship within
`the set-creating activities. The visual representations
`may be used to select for viewing a particular one of
`either the set-creating activities or the associated data
`sets, and displaying them on the data processing system.
`The display may correspond to a duration of an opera-
`tor input activity, or to a time interval defined by an
`initiating operator input at a terminating operator input.
`In its simplest form, the method requires the arrange-
`ment of the visual representations in a hierarchy which
`correspondsto set-creation chronology.
`
`26 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`June 27, 1995
`
`Sheet 1 of 9
`
`5,428,735
`
`i
`
`
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`rr,
`Lf)LLLI
`
`PAELIT
`EX
`F—FY) saaaye 1
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`12
`
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`
`FIGURE 1
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`June 27, 1995
`
`Sheet 2 of 9
`
`5,428,735
`
`
`
`RSS
`
`
`
`36
`
`28
`
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`
`Search Query #1
`
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`Results
`
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` 52
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`
`68
`
`FIGURE 2a
`SP
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`June 27, 1995
`
`Sheet 3 of 9
`
`5,428,735
`
`
`
`
`
`Search Query #2
`
`
`
`Search ms
`
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`=\ Results
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`Search Results #2
`
`FIGURE 2b
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`June 27, 1995
`
`Sheet 4 of 9
`
`5,428,735
`
`Search Query #3
`
`
`
`50
`
`30
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`FIGURE 2c
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`June 27, 1995
`
`Sheet 5 of 9
`
`5,428,735
`
`108
`
`START
`
`182
`
`INITIALIZE SYSTEM
`
`184
`
`OPEN REQUESTED WINDOWS,
`ICONS & APPLICATIONS
`
`106
`
`MONITOR USER INPUT
`
`188
`
` SEARCH
`
`FUNCTION
`
`YES
`
`118
`
`DISPLAY SEARCH WINDOW
`
`MONITOR USER INPUT
`
`D
`
`YES
`
`118
`
`UPDATE SEARCH
`QUERY HISTORY
`
`DISPLAY SEARCH
`RESULTS WINDOW
`
`UPDATE SEARCH
`RESULTS HISTORY
`
`120
`
`122
`
`124
`
`PERFORM OTHER
`REQUESTED ACTIONS
`
`112
`
`FIGURE 3a
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`U.S. Patent
`
`June 27, 1995
`
`Sheet6 of 9
`
`5,428,735
`
`SEARCH
`
`128
`
`YES
`
`132
`
`YES
`
`
`
`
`FIRST TIME
`SEARCH ?
`
`NO
`
`134
`
`132
`
`THEIR POSITIONS
`
`FETCH SEARCH QUERY
`HISTORY FOR PREVIOUS
`SEARCH ICONS &
`THEIR POSITIONS
`
`FETCH SEARCH RESULTS
`HISTORY FOR PREVIOUS
`SEARCH ICONS &
`
`ADD CURRENT QUERY
`TO THE SEARCH
`PATTERN HISTORY
`
`pe 8
`ADD CURRENT SEARCH
`RESULT TO THE SEARCH
`RESULTS HISTORY
`
`148
`
`FETCH ORDERED LIST
`OF SEARCH RESULTS
`
`
`
`FETCH WINDOW HANDLE
`AND FRAME FOR
`SEARCH WINDOW
`
`FETCH WINDOW HANDLE
`AND FRAME FOR
`RESULT WINDOW
`
`146
`
`WRITE SEARCH ICON
`INTO SEARCH WINDOW
`PT APPROPRIATE
`LOCATION
`
`
`
`148
`
`WRITE SEARCH RESULTS
`HISTORY AND RESULT
`LISTS INTO RESULT
`WINDOW AT
`APPROPRIATE LOCATION
`
`FIGURE 3b
`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`June 27, 1995
`
`Sheet 7 of 9
`
`5,428,735
`
`138
`
`152
`
`WRITE SEARCH PATTERN
`WINDOW FRAME INTO
`DISPLAY BUFFER
`
`|
`
`WRITE SEARCH RESULTS
`WINDOW FRAME INTO
`DISPLAY BUFFER
`
`|
`
`|
`
`134
`
`UPDATE DISPLAY BUFFER
`
`136
`
`FIGURE 3c
`
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`June 27, 1995
`
`Sheet 8 of 9
`
`5,428,735
`
`OPEN VISUAL SEARCH
`HISTORY ITEM
`
`|
`
`108
`
`162
`
`
`ONLY 1 HISTORY
`ITEM?
`
`
`
`YES
`
`NO
`
`166
`
`176
`
`178
`
`FETCH SEARCH QUERY FOR
`SELECTED HISTORY ITEM
`
`FETCH SEARCH RESULTS WITH
`SELECTED HISTORY ITEM
`
`168
`
`189
`
`FETCH WINDOW HANDLE &
`FRAME FOR SEARCH WINDOW
`
`17@
`
`FETCH WINDOW HANDLE &
`FRAME FOR RESULT WINDOW
`
`182
`
`
`
`
`
`WRITE SEARCH PATTERN
`HISTORY & SEARCH QUERY
`INTO SEARCH WINDOW AT
`APPROPRIATE LOCATION
`
`
`WRITE SEARCH RESULTS
`
`
`INTO RESULT WINDOW AT
`
`APPROPRIATE LOCATION
`
`
`
`
`
`WRITE SEARCH PATTERN
`WINDOW FRAME INTO
`DISPLAY BUFFER
`
`
`
`
`WRITE SEARCH RESULTS
`WINDOW FRAME INTO
`
`
`DISPLAY BUFFER
`
`
`174
`
`UPDATE DISPLAY BUFFER
`
`pi
`
`FIGURE 3d
`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`June 27, 1995
`
`Sheet 9 of 9
`
`5,428,735
`
`MONITOR POINTER
`LOCATION
`
`186
`
`
`
`188
`
`
`
`IS
`POINTER
`
`
`ON QUERY OR
`SEARCH
`
`ICONS
`
`YES
`
`198
`
`YES
`
`192
`
`START CLOCK
`
`194
`
`NO
`
`196
`
`198
`
`DISPLAY QUERY OR
`SET ASSOCIATED
`WITH ICON FOR
`
`TIME T
`
` *CLICK"
`WITH ICON
`
`BEFORE TIME
`OUT
`
`YES
`
`DISPLAY QUERY OR
`DATA ASSOCIATED
`
`288
`
`NO
`
`282
`
`YES
`
`|
`
`FIGURE,detimesp
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`

`1
`
`5,428,735
`
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAINTAINING
`A RECORD OF SET-CREATING DATA
`PROCESSING ACTIVITIES AND ASSOCIATED
`DATA SETS
`
`5
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Technical Field
`The present invention relates in general to set-creat-
`ing data processing operations, and in particular to
`searching operations which are performed in a data
`processing environment.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`Modern data processing systems allow operators to
`manipulate data at astounding rates; processing speeds
`of microprocessors in data processing systems have
`long ago ceased to be a major impedimentto the speed
`and efficiency of most operatoractivities. Instead cum-
`bersome user interfaces have developed into a poten-
`tially serious impediment to efficient operator interac-
`tion with the data processing system. The operations of
`opening, positioning, sizing and closmg windows can
`place considerable strain on a user, particularly when
`complicated tasks are being performed or when the
`computer display screen is crowded with overlapping
`windows. This is especially true when an operator uses
`a data processing system to create and manipulate sets
`of data. One particularly useful set-creating activity is
`the use of set operations to search databases or software
`objects. Such operations are quite common, and include
`full-text key word searching, full-text character string
`searching, and descriptor field searching.
`For example, key word or character string search
`operations may be used to search commercial databases
`containing and identifying booksin print or periodicals,
`to identify the pertinent literature relating to a particu-
`lar topic. Key word or character string search opera-
`tions may be used to research products or companies in
`several commercially-available electronic databases.
`Alternatively, descriptor field searching operations may
`be performed to search selected data fields only; for
`example, such operations may be used to locate compa-
`nies or products by conventional standard industrial
`codes; to identify publicly-traded companies by stock
`exchange identifiers; or to identify books by interna-
`tional standard book numbers. Descriptor field search-
`ing is usually more efficient, since the full text of the
`database need not be searched.
`The principal difficulty for the operator in perform-
`ing a plurality of set-creating operations is the coordina-
`tion and implementation of a search strategy in a user
`interface that requires frequent user input and manipula-
`tion. For example, user interfaces that require the con-
`tinuous opening and closing of windowsorthesorting
`and storing of data sets introducesignificant distraction,
`which can result in search strategy errors, the loss of
`data sets, or the performance of incomplete or inconclu-
`sive searches. One additional difficulty encountered in
`set-creating activities is that search strategy decisions
`are often reevaluated on-the-fly in view of the search
`results obtained from previous queries. Also, in order to
`optimize search efficiency and minimize error, it is a
`common practice to refer to and review previous search
`queries and/or data sets to verify the accuracy of the
`query or to perform additional search operations on a
`previously generated data set. Unfortunately, the cur-
`rent commercially-available user interfaces makeit dif-
`ficult for the operator to quickly andefficiently review
`
`40
`
`45
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`the queries and data sets developed in selected levels of
`a hierarchical search strategy.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is one objective of the present invention to provide
`a method for use in a data processing system for main-
`taining a record ofset-creating activities and associated
`sets, which includes the steps of creating and displaying
`a plurality of visual representations, one for each of the
`set-creating activities, and arranging the visual repre-
`sentations to indicate a hierarchical relationship within
`the set-creating activities. The hierarchical arrangement
`of set-creating activities provides a record ofset-creat-
`ing data processing activities and associated data sets
`which provide the operator with a visual indication of
`the set-creating activity chronology.
`It is another objective of the present invention to
`allow the visual representations of set-creating activities
`and associated data sets to serve as software buttons to
`allow for selected viewing and manipulation of at least
`one of (a) the set-creating data processing instructions,
`and (b) the associated datasets.
`It is yet another objective of the present invention to
`provide a method for maintaining a recordof set-creat-
`ing data processing activities which allows the use of
`visual representations to select for viewing a particular
`one of a plurality of set-creating activities, and associ-
`ated data sets, and displaying the particular one of the
`set-creating activities or data sets. It is another objective
`of the present invention to allow for the display of the
`set-creating activities or data sets in a presentation for-
`mat corresponding to a selected operator input. Alter-
`natively, it is an objective to allow for the displaying of
`the set-creating activities or associated data sets for a
`duration corresponding to an operator input.
`It is yet another objective of the present invention to
`provide a data processing system for efficiently main-
`taining a record of set-creating data processing activi-
`ties and associated data sets, which includes: a means for
`creating and displaying a plurality of visual representa-
`tions, one for each of the set-creating data processing
`activities; a means for arranging said visual representa-
`tions to indicate a hierarchical relationship within the
`set-creating data processing activities; and a means for
`allowing selective viewing of at least one of (a) said
`set-creating data processing activities, and (b) said asso-
`ciated data sets.
`These and other objectives are achieved as is now
`described. Viewed broadly, the method of the present
`invention is directed to maintaining a record of set-
`creating activities and associated sets, and includes a
`number of method steps including: (a) creating and
`displaying a plurality of visual representations, one for
`each of the set-creating activities, and (b) arranging the
`visual representations to indicate a hierarchical relation-
`ship within said set-creating activities. In the preferred
`embodiment, the method further includes using a se-
`lected one of the visual representations to select for
`viewing a particular one of the set-creating activities,
`and displaying the particular one of the set-creating
`activities on the data processing system. Preferably, the
`method further includes the steps of using a selected one
`of the visual representations to select for viewing a
`particular one of the associated sets, and displaying the
`particular one of the associated sets on the data process-
`ing system. In the preferred embodiment, the method
`further includes displaying said particular one of the
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`5,428,735
`
`3
`set-creating activities or the associated sets for a time
`interval corresponding to a duration of an operator
`input activity. Alternatively,
`the method consists of
`displaying said particular one ofthe set-creating activi-
`ties or associated data sets for a time interval defined by
`an initiating operator input and a terminating operator
`input.
`The present invention may also be viewed as a data
`processing system whichefficiently maintains a record
`of set-creating data processing activities and associated
`data sets. The data processing system includes a number
`of conventional components, plus: (a) means for creat-
`ing and displaying a plurality of visual representations,
`one for each of the set-creating data processing activi-
`ties; (b) means for arranging said visual representations
`to indicate a hierarchical relationship within said set-
`creating data processing activities; and (c) means for
`allowing selected viewing of at least one of said set-
`creating data processing activities and/or said associ-
`ated data sets.
`The above as well as additional objectives, features,
`and advantages of the present invention will become
`apparentin the following detailed written description.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The novel features believed characteristic of the in-
`vention are set forth in the appended claims. The inven-
`tion itself however, as well as a preferred modeofuse,
`further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be
`understood by reference to the following detailed de-
`scription of an illustrative embodiment when read in
`conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
`FIG.1 is a pictorial representation of a data process-
`ing system in accordance with the present invention;
`FIGS.2a, 2b, and 2c depict a progression of operator
`interface windows which graphically depict the tech-
`nique of the present invention for maintaining a record
`of set-creating, activities and associated sets;
`FIGS.3a,3d, 3c and 3d provide a flowchart represen-
`tation of the software employed in providing and updat-
`ing a record of set-creating data processing activities
`and associated data sets; and
`FIG.4 is a flowchart representation of the software
`required to allow for operator selected viewing of the
`set-creating data processing activities and associated
`data sets.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`With reference now to the figures and in particular
`with reference to FIG. 1, there is depicted a pictorial
`representation of data processing system 10 which may
`be programmed in accordance with the present inven-
`tion. As maybeseen, data processing system 10 includes
`processor 12 which preferably includes a graphics pro-
`cessor, memory device and central processor (not
`shown). Coupled to processor 12 is video display 14
`which may be implemented utilizing either a color or
`monochromatic monitor, in a manner well knownin the
`art. Also coupled to processor 12 is keyboard 16. Key-
`board 16 preferably comprises a standard computer
`keyboard which is coupled to the processor by means of
`cable 18.
`Also coupled to processor 12 is a graphical pointing
`device, such as mouse 20. Mouse 20 is coupled to pro-
`cessor 12, in a manner well knownin theart, via cable
`22. As is shown, mouse 20 mayincludeleft button 24,
`and right button 26, each of which may be depressed, or
`
`4
`“clicked”, to provide command and controlsignals to
`data processing system 10. While the disclosed embodi-
`ment of the present invention utilizes a mouse, those
`skilled in the art will appreciate that any graphical
`pointing device such as a light pen or touch sensitive
`screen may be utilized to implement the method of the
`present invention. Upon reference to the foregoing,
`those skilled in the art will appreciate that data process-
`ing system 10 may be implementedutilizing a so-called
`personal computer, such as the Model 80 PS/2 com-
`puter manufactured by International Business Machines
`Corporation of Armonk, N.Y.
`FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2¢ provide a chronological pro-
`gression of user interface windows which are provided
`to receive search queries from an operator, and display
`search results which are developedasa result of execu-
`tion of the search queries. Particularly, windows 28, 30
`may be displayed simultaneously, or consecutively, on
`video display 14 of data processing system 10. In the
`preferred embodiment of the present invention, win-
`dows28,30 are display simultaneously on video display
`14, to facilitate efficient user interaction therewith. Asis
`shown, window 28 defines an active workspace 32;
`when cursor 34 is located within workspace 32, search
`queries may be entered using keyboard 16. Search
`query 36, such as search query number one, may be
`typed into workspace 32 in a format whichis consistent
`with the database that is being searched. There are a
`great number of commercially available databases
`which may be accessed by the public for fees. Each of
`these commercially available databases is responsive to
`certain types of search queries, provided they are pres-
`ented in predetermined, and acceptable query formats.
`For example, the WESTLAW and LEXISlegal re-
`search databases allow for full-text keyword and de-
`scriptor field searching provided that the search queries
`are formulated in a predetermined and predefined ac-
`ceptable query format. Likewise, those databases avail-
`able through the DIALOG database service require
`that queries be formulated in predefined and acceptable
`query formats.
`As is shown in FIG. 2a, window 28 is dedicated for
`receiving search queries, and thus includestitle section
`38 which indicates this dedicated function. Function
`buttons 40 are provided at the lowermost portion of
`window 28, and include search button 42, cancel button
`44, and help button 46. A graphical pointing device,
`such as mouse 20, may be used to locate a pointer on
`any one of function buttons 40, to call that particular
`function. If mouse 20 is employed to movepointer 48 to
`search button 42, and is depressed, search query 36
`whichis set forth in workspace 32 of window 28 will be
`executed by data processing system 10. Alternatively, if
`mouse 20 is used to locate pointer 48 on cancel button
`44, and mouse 20 is depressed, the on-going search
`operation is cancelled, and additional search operations
`may be conducted. This is particularly useful if the
`operator determines that an on-going search operation
`will not yield useful data, or contains a strategy or typ-
`ing error. Alternatively, mouse 20 may beused to locate
`pointer 48 to help button 46. If mouse 20 is depressed, a
`user help screen is displayed which provides a menu of
`options for the user in determining the basic operation
`of the search program, the content of the database, or
`other similar information matters.
`Also, as is shown in FIG.2a, icon fill 50 is provided
`above workspace 32, and is dedicated for presenting to
`the operator a visual representation of the search or
`
`20
`
`25
`
`40
`
`45
`
`350
`
`35
`
`60
`
`65
`
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`5
`searches which have been performed since the search
`session began. In the preferred embodimentof the pres-
`ent invention, when search query 36 is typed into work-
`space 32, and the search button 42 is selected and de-
`pressed, icon 52 is automatically displayed in icon field
`50 to provide a visual representation of search query 36.
`As will be discussed herebelow,additional icons may be
`provided in icon field 50, each of which corresponds to
`a different search query which has been performed on
`data contained in the selected database.
`As was discussed above, search queries represent one
`type of set-generating activity which can be performed
`upon a selected database, or subset thereof, to create a
`set. Most commercially available search programs and
`commercially-available electronic databases allow for
`the rudimentary set operations to be performed. These
`operations include “and” operations “or” operations,
`“nand” operations, and “nor” operations. The data set
`which is generated as a result of execution of search
`query 36is selectively displayed in window 30, whichis
`dedicated for use in displaying all or portions of the
`search results which comprise the data set. Conse-
`quently, title section 58 indicates that this window 30is
`dedicated for displaying search “results”. Workspace 60
`is provided within window 30 for the display of all or
`portions of the data set of search results 62.
`Function buttons 64 are provided at the lowermost
`portion of window 30, and include cancel button 66 and
`help button 68. Cancel button 66 may be selected to
`discard search results. Help button 68 may be used to
`call up a help screen with a menu which provides a
`number of informational displays. As is shown, icon
`field 70 is provided at the uppermost portion of window
`30. This field is dedicated for receiving icons which
`represent search results, such as search results 62. As is
`shown, icon 72 corresponds to search results 62 which
`were generated as a result of execution of search query
`36. Frequently, search results 62 comprise lengthylis-
`ting of data elements which correspond to the require-
`ments provided by search query 36. Accordingly, a
`scroll bar function may be provided to allow forscroll-
`ing operations to allow rapid review of large data sets.
`As is shown in FIGS. 26 and 2c, the entry and execu-
`tion of additional search queries results in the automatic
`generation and display of icons which represent both
`the query and the associated data set in the appropriate
`ones of windows 28, 30. As is shown in FIG. 24, the
`operator may input search query 78 in workspace 32 of
`window 28, and have it executed by data processing
`system 10. In accordance with the present invention,
`icon 80 is automatically generated and displayed in icon
`field 50 of window 28 as a visual representation of
`search query 78 which has been executed by data pro-
`cessing system 10. The search results 82 which are gen-
`erated by the execution of search query 78 are automati-
`cally displayed in workspace 60 of window 30, and a
`corresponding icon 84 which visually represents results
`82 is automatically generated and displayedin icon field
`70 of window 30.
`The formation and execution of an additional search
`query is represented in FIG. 2c. As is shown therein,
`search query 86 may be entered by the operator in
`workspace 60 of window 28. Upon execution of search
`query 86, icon 88 is automatically generated and dis-
`played in icon field 50 of window 28 to provide a visual
`representation of search query 86. After search query 86
`is fully executed, search results 90 are displayed in
`workspace 60 of window 30, and icon 92 is automati-
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`cally generated and displayed in icon field 50 of win-
`dow 30 as a visual representation of search results 90.
`In this manner, the chronological and logical pro-
`gression of search strategies and associated data setsis
`visually represented in iconfields 50, 70 of windows28,
`30 to indicate the chronological and hierarchical rela-
`tionship between search strategies and search results.
`This iconic representation of search strategies and
`search results provides a useful “mapping” system for
`the progression of a search strategy. Of course, many
`additional search queries may be formulated and exe-
`cuted by data processing system 10; the iconographic
`representation of search queries and search results be-
`comes increasingly more beneficial to an operator when
`large sequences of logically related searches are per-
`formed utilizing data processing system 10.
`FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 3c depict in flowchart form the
`preferred computer program operations which are re-
`quired to implement the present invention. With refer-
`ence first to FIG. 3a, the process starts at software
`block 100, and continues at software block 102 in which
`the data processing system 10 is initialized, in accor-
`dance with conventional techniques. The process con-
`tinues in software block 104, wherein routines for re-
`quested windows, and corresponding icons, as well as
`requested applications are opened by the data process-
`ing system 10. In block 106, user input is monitored to
`determine if a search function is requested. If the data
`processing system 10 determines that a search function
`is not requested, other requested actions are performed,
`as is set forth in software block 112.
`If, however, a search function is requested in soft-
`ware block 108, the process continues in block 110,
`wherein search window 28is displayed on video display
`14 of data processing system 10. In accordance with
`software block 116, user input is monitored in work-
`space 32, which is an “active” space. As was discussed
`above, cursor 34 and keyboard 16 are utilized to input
`alphanumeric search queries in accordance with prees-
`tablished and conventional search query syntax and
`formats. Once a search query is typed into workspace
`42 of window 28, mouse 20 may be utilized to move
`pointer 48 onto search button 42. Either left button 24
`or right button 26 maybe used to “click” mouse 20, thus
`initiating the execution of search query 36. Software
`block 118 represents the monitoring and detection of
`the initiation of a search activity by actuation of search
`button 42.
`Asis depicted in software block 120, the query his-
`tory provided in icon field 50 of window 28 is updated
`by the automatic generation and display of icono-
`graphic representation of the search query. In block
`122, the search results are displayed in window 30 and,
`in accordance with block 124, the search results history
`is updated by the automatic generation and display of an
`iconographic representation of the search results in icon
`field 70 of window 30. As is shown in FIG. 3a, the
`system returns to software block 116, wherein user
`input is monitored. The user may perform a series of
`search operations; for each search operation, an icono-
`graphic representation of both the search query and the
`search results will be provided in icon fields 50, 70 of
`windows 28, 30 to provide a visual representation of
`both the data processing set-generating instructions
`which comprise the search query, as well as the data set
`which comprises the search results for each query.
`FIG. 3b provides a flowchart representation of the
`software routines which are employed to update the
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`search query history and search result history. The
`process begins at software block 128, wherein data
`processing system 10 determines that a search is being
`executed. In software decision block 130, data process-
`ing system 10 determines whether the search is a first
`time search query in a strategy. If data processing sys-
`tem 10 determines that the search being executed is an
`initial search activity, the process continues by simulta-
`neous execution of the functions of software blocks 136,
`138; however,if it is determined in software block 130
`that prior search activities exist for this search session,
`the process continues simultaneously in software blocks
`132, 134. If previous search queries exist, in accordance
`with software block 132, data processing system 10
`fetches the query history for previous search icons and
`their relative positions;
`in addition, data processing
`system 10 fetches the search results history for previous
`search icons andtheir relative positions, in accordance
`with software block 134. Next, data processing system
`10 adds the current query to the search pattern history,
`in accordance with software block 136; additionally,
`data processing system 10 addsthe current search result
`history to the search result history. In software block
`140, data processing system 10 fetches the orderedlist
`of search results for displaying in workspace 60 of win-
`dow 30.
`In accordance with software blocks 142, 144, data
`processing system 10 fetches the window handle and
`frame for search window 28, as well as the window
`handle and frame for result window 30. Then,in accor-
`dance with software blocks 146, 148, data processing
`system 10 writes the search icon into icon field 50 of
`search window 28 at the appropriate location; simulta-
`neously, data processing system 10 writes the search
`results history and resultant history of search items into
`the result window 30 at appropriate locations. Any one
`of a number of conventions can be established for indi-
`cating the relative hierarchical (and chronological)
`position of each search query and associated results
`relative to previous and subsequent search queries and
`search results. As is shown in FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c, in
`the preferred embodiment, the left-most icons represent
`the earliest searches in a hierarchical arrangement,
`while the right-most icons represent thoselater in time.
`In accordance with software blocks 150, 152, data pro-
`cessing system writes the search pattern window frame
`into a display buffer, and simultaneously writes the
`results window frame into a display buffer. In accor-
`dance with software block 154, data processing system
`10 updates the display buffer. In step 156, the process
`ends.
`Another important component of the present inven-
`tion is that the iconographic representation of search
`queries and search results may be used to access previ-
`ously performed search queries and associated data sets.
`It is fundamentalto this operation that the data process-
`ing instructions which comprise a query be automati-
`cally saved at the conclusion of execution of the search
`query. Also, it is important that the search results like-
`wise be automatically saved. The iconic representation
`of either a search query ora data set which are disposed
`in icon fields 50, 70 may be selected by operator actua-
`tion of mouse 20. More specifically, mouse 20 may be
`employed to locate pointer 48 on a selected icono-
`graphic representation of either a search query icon or
`a searchresult icon. One ofleft button 24 orright button
`26 may be depressed by the operator to select that par-
`ticular search query or search result for viewing. This
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`step of selecting the particular iconographic representa-
`tion of the search query or search result is graphically
`depicted in FIG.3c as software block 160.
`In software block 162, data processing system 10
`determines whether there are multiple levels in the
`search. If only one level of searching exists, the data
`processing instructions for the search query and the
`associated search results are already displayed in win-
`dows28, 30, so the process ends at software block 176.
`If multiple search levels exist, then the process contin-
`ues simultaneously in software blocks 166, 178. In ac-
`cordance with software block 166, data processing sys-
`tem 10 fetches from computer memory the data pro-
`cessing instructions which correspond to the search
`query item which has been selected from the hierarchi-
`cal arrangementoficonsin icon field 50 of window 28.
`Simultaneously, data processing system 10 fetches from
`computer memorythe search results which correspond
`to that particula