Patent ID: 6226792
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
For use in a system having a memory for storing modules containing data signals, each of the modules being identifiable as a respective type of software construct for performing one or more functions, an object management system for managing the modules, comprising:a first memory to store asset elements, each of the asset elements comprising data signals descriptive of a respectively associated one of the modules; anda second memory coupled to said first memory to store locator elements, each of said locator elements including concept signals indicative of a respective one of the one or more functions, each of said locator elements further comprising first relationship signals indicative of one or more first relationships, each of said first relationships existing between said each of said locator elements and a respectively related other one of said locator elements, at least one of said locator elements further including second relationship signals indicative of a second relationship between said at least one of said locator elements and a respectively related one of said asset elements, wherein said at least one of said locator elements includes concept signals indicative of one of the one or more functions that may be performed by the module that is respectively associated with said respectively related one of said asset elements,and further including element locator means coupled to said second memory to search each of said locator elements to identify a selected one of said locator elements including concept signals indicative of a selected one of the one or more functions, said element locator means to further identify, for said selected one of said locator elements, any said respectively related one of said asset elements.wherein said element locator means further includes selection means to selectably cause said element locator means to identify, for said selected locator element, one or more of said respectively related other ones of said locator elements, and to further identify for each of said respectively related other ones of said locator elements any said respectively related one of said asset elements, and user interface means to allow said selected one of the one or more functions to be provided as input by a user of the object management system, andwherein each of said first relationships forms a branch in a hierarchical tree structure having multiple levels, and wherein said element locator means further includes level selection means for causing said element locator means to identify predetermined ones of said locator elements located within said hierarchical tree structure not more than a selected number of said multiple levels from said selected one of said locator elements, and for further causing said element locator means to identify, for each identified one of said locator elements, any said respectively related one of said asset elements.