Patent ID: 7814427
Filing Date: 2010-10-12
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A computer implemented system, having a processor communicatively coupled to a memory, that facilitates design of an object model, comprising: a layout component that receives as input one or more graphs of objects having one or more different kinds of directed relationships, and converts the one or more graphs into an editable treelike structure comprising one or more nodes corresponding to the received graph of objects, wherein at least one of the nodes includes a plurality of changeable graphical symbols displayed on the node that are configured to change graphics upon activation, and wherein, upon activation of a first changeable graphical symbol, the first changeable graphical symbol dynamically expands to display one or more previously unseen inheritance hierarchy graph objects or collapses to hide one or more previously displayed inheritance hierarchy graph objects, and wherein, upon activation of a second changeable graphical symbol, the second changeable graphical symbol dynamically expands to display one or more previously unseen relationship hierarchy graph objects or collapses to hide one or more previously displayed relationship hierarchy graph objects; a presentation component that presents the editable treelike structure and facilitates user interaction therewith, the user interaction comprising: wherein highlighting or other graphical indications automatically indicate the propagation of future user actions from a selected node of the treelike structure through other nodes having directed relationships to said selected node.