Patent ID: 6278991
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of displaying and interacting with links to data, which data is organized in a hierarchical data structure, the method comprising the steps of:(a) sending a first request from a graphical user interface on a computer to provide a first set of data, said first set of data being in said hierarchical data structure and having a position in said hierarchical data structure and having a associated with said position of said first set of data in said hierarchical data structure;(b) receiving in said computer said first set of data in response to said first request;(c) converting said first set of data to a graphical representation for visual display;(d) displaying said graphical representation for visual display of said first set of data in a first lens displayed by said graphical user interface;(e) sending a second request from said graphical user interface to provide a second set of data, said second set of data being in said hierarchical data structure and having a position in said hierarchical data structure and having a level associated with said position of second set of data in said hierarchical data structure;(f) receiving in said computer said second set of data in response to said second request;(g) comparing said level of said second set of data with said level of said first set of data to determine which level is deeper within said hierarchical data structure;(h) converting said second set of data to a graphical representation for visual display based upon said comparing of said level of said second set of data with said level of said first set of data; and(i) displaying said graphical representation for visual display of said second set of data in a second lens displayed by said graphical user interface stacked within and on top of said first lens responsive only to a determination that said level of said second set of data is deeper than said level of said first set of data in said hierarchical data structure.