Patent ID: 6307573
Filing Date: 2001-10-23
Classification: G06F,G06Q,Y10S

Abstract:
A data processing system of organizing, retrieving, and displaying data within a computer system to enable repeated viewing of different, user-selected subsets of elements, comprising:a. a database and associated software for storing, organizing, and retrieving data about elements and their attributes;b. a display for displaying a visual representation of selected subset elements for comparison, with:1. each of the different, user-selected subsets given its own symbol or common image format; and2. each element's symbol or image given a slot on the display; this slot may be:i. designated by x, y, and z locations representing its real or symbolic relationship to other elements; orii. within a grid; andc. control apparatus for showing and hiding subsets on the visual representation which include:1. display control panel(s) with graphic and text-list selectors that, in response to user events or automatic updating systems, call to the database to determine subset elements to be added and subtracted from the visual representation;2. alternatives to scroll bars which enable graphic and text-list selectors to be displayed in discrete, layered blocks, any one of which may be called forward by clicking, or otherwise signaling, on a segmented bar, arrowhead, or other symbol.