System for managing hierarchical information in a digital data processing system

• US 5,230,072 A
• Filed: 05/17/1991
• Issued: 07/20/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Digital Equipment Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Smith, Duane A., O'Rourke, Kelly A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Michael R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHUN, DEBRA
• Application Number:
  US07/702,243
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 395/600, 395/700, 364/419
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/35 Clustering; Classification
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation

Abstract

A system for use in conjunction with a digital data processing system includes an applications program, a user interface and a hierarchy information management system. The applications program generates an information hierarchy including a plurality of hierarchy information items organized in a plurality of hierarchy levels. The user interface includes a display for displaying information to a user and an event initiator, such as, for example, a keyboard or a mouse for generating event information. The hierarchy information management system receives hierarchy information items at selected hierarchy levels from the applications program and transmits the received hierarchy information items to the display of the user interface for display, and responds to the event information by initiating selected operations in connection with the received hierarchy information.

Claims

1. An outline management system adapted for use in conjunction with a user interface means including display means for displaying a portion of a multiple-level outline to a user and an input device for generating input information in response to use of said input device by a user, said outline management system comprising:

A. applications program means, comprising software, for organizing information stored in a computer database into a multiple-level outline including a plurality of outline items organized in a plurality of levels and for retrieving outline items from said outline in response to requests, and

B. outline control means, interfacing with said applications program means and said user interface means, for receiving said input information from said user interface means, said input information indicating to said outline control means which outline items said user wishes to have displayed by said display means, for requesting and receiving, from said applications program means, outline items from a portion of said outline that said user wishes to have displayed by said display means, said received outline items being located on a plurality of branches of said outline, and for transmitting received outline items located on a plurality of branches of said outline to said display means of said user interface means for simultaneous display,

said outline control means transmitting said received outline items that said user wishes to have displayed to said display means in a manner such that relative locations of said received outline items on said display means render apparent to said user parent-child relationships among said received outline items that said user wishes to have displayed by said display means,

said outline control means being adapted for use in conjunction with any of a plurality of differing applications program means, comprising software, that organize information that is stored in a computer database into an outline including a plurality of outline items organized in a plurality of levels, and that structure said outline in response to a multiple-level outline scheme, said outline control means requesting and receiving, from any of said plurality of applications program means, outline items that said user wishes to have displayed by said display means and that are located on a plurality of branches of said outline.

2. An outline management system as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said outline management system further comprises instance storage means for storing outline items,

said outline control means receives outline items from said applications means and stores the outline items in said instance storage means; and

said applications means includes means for generating a call to said outline control means to enable said outline control means to create said instance storage means.

3. An outline management system as defined in claim 2 wherein

A. said instance storage means includes:

i. entry list means including a plurality of entry means each for storing an outline item received from said applications means; and

ii. instance means for identifying said entry list means; and

B. said outline control means receives each outline item from said applications means and stores the outline item in a selected one of said entry means in said entry list means identified by said instance means.

4. An outline management system as defined in claim 3 wherein each said entry means includes valid flag means having selected conditions indicating whether it contains an outline item, said outline control means including

A. entry display identification means for identifying entries whose outline items are to be displayed;

B. valid flag testing means, responsive to said entry display identification means for identifying an entry, for testing the condition of said valid flag of said identified entry means;

C. means for generating a callback to said applications means to obtain an outline item associated with said entry means in response to said valid flag testing means determining that the valid flag of said entry means indicates that said entry means does not contain an outline item.

5. An outline management system as defined in claim 3 wherein:

A. said applications means includes means responsive to a callback from said outline control means requesting outline information for an entry means for generating a call identifying said entry means and an outline item; and

B. said outline control means includes item storing means responsive to the receipt of said call for storing said outline item in said entry means and item display transmission means responsive to the operation of said item storing means for thereafter transmitting said outline item to said display means for display.

6. An outline management system as defined in claim 5 wherein said entry means includes storage pointer means for storing an information storage means pointer to an outline item storage means, said item storing means storing said outline item in said outline item storage means identified by said information storage means pointer.

7. An outline management system as defined in claim 6 wherein an outline item includes at least one component, said applications means generating a call including an entry means identification, a component entry means identification and said component;

A. said outline item storage means including;

i. an array storage means for storing a component; and

ii. component list means containing a component entry means including an array pointer to said array storage means, said information storage means pointer pointing to said component list means;

B. said outline control means including;

i. component pointer retrieval means responsive to the receipt of a call from said applications means for retrieving said information storage means pointer from the entry means identified in said call;

ii. array pointer retrieval means, responsive to said component pointer retrieval means for retrieving said information storage means pointer, for using said information storage means pointer to identify said component list means, retrieving said array pointer from the component means of the component list means identified by said component entry means identification, and storing the component in said array storage means.

8. An outline management system as defined in claim 7 in which said component entry means further includes a component type value, said display means using said component type value in its display operation.

9. An outline management system as defined in claim 3 wherein:

A. said applications means includes means responsive to the receipt of an attach callback from said outline control means for generating an add entries call including a selected entry number value;

B. said outline control means includes;

i. attach callback generating means responsive to said call from said applications means for generating an attach callback to said applications means; and

ii. entry list creation means responsive to the receipt of said add entries call for establishing said entry list means, including a number of entries identified by said entry number value.

10. An outline management system as defined in claim 9 wherein said entry means further includes means for storing a level identification value, said add entries call further including a level value, said entry list creation means further storing the level value in each said entry means created in response to said add entries call.

11. An outline management system adapted for use in conjunction with a user interface means including display means for displaying outline items to a user and an input device for generating input information in response to use of said input device by a user, said outline management system comprising:

A. applications program means, comprising software, for organizing information stored in a computer database into a multiple-level outline including a plurality of outline items organized in a plurality of levels and for retrieving outline items from said outline in response to requests, and

B. outline control means, interfacing with said applications program means and said user interface means, for receiving said input information from said user interface means, said input information indicating to said outline control means which outline items said user wishes to have displayed by said display means, for requesting and receiving, from said applications program means, outline items that said user wishes to have displayed by said display means and that are located on a plurality of branches of said outline, and for transmitting received outline items located on a plurality of branches of said outline to said display means of said user interface means for simultaneous display,

said outline control means transmitting said received outline items that said user wishes to have displayed to said display means in a manner such that relative locations of said received outline items on said display means render apparent to said user parent-child relationships among said received outline items that said user wishes to have displayed by said display means,

wherein said outline management system further comprises instance storage means for storing outline items, and said outline control means receives outline items from said applications means and stores the outline items in said instance storage means, and said applications means includes means for generating a call to said outline control means to enable said outline control means to create said instance storage means,

wherein said instance storage means includes entry list means including a plurality of entry means each for storing an outline item received from said applications means, and further includes instance means for identifying said entry list means; and

said outline control means receives each outline item from said applications means and stores the outline item in a selected one of said entry means in said entry list means identified by said instance means,

wherein said applications means includes means responsive to the receipt of an attach callback from said outline control means for generating an add entries call including a selected entry number value; and

said outline control means includes attach callback generating means responsive to said call from said applications means for generating an attach callback to said applications means, and further includes entry list creation means responsive to the receipt of said add entries call for establishing said entry list means, including a number of entries identified by said entry number value,

wherein said entry means further includes means for storing a level identification value, said add entries call further including a level value, said entry list creation means further storing the level value in each said entry means created in response to said add entries call, and

wherein said instance storage means includes instance means for identifying said entry list means, said instance means including means for identifying a display font value associated with each outline level, said outline control means including display control means comprising;

A. display information retrieval means for retrieving outline information from respective entry means;

B. display image generation means for generating image information for said entry means in response to the outline information from said entry means, the level value in said entry means, and the display font value associated with said level value; and

C. display image transmission means for transmitting the image information for said entry means to said display.

12. An outline management system as defined in claim 11 wherein said instance means further includes means for identifying a display object, said display image generation means further generating image information representative of said identified display object for transmission by said display image transmission means.

13. An outline management system adapted for use in conjunction with a user interface means including display means for displaying outline items to a user and an input device for generating input information in response to use of said input device by a user, said outline management system comprising:

A. applications program means, comprising software, for organizing information stored in a computer database into a multiple-level outline including a plurality of outline items organized in a plurality of levels and for retrieving outline items from said outline in response to requests, and

B. outline control means, interfacing with said applications program means and said user interface means, for receiving said input information from said user interface means, said input information indicating to said outline control means which outline items said user wishes to have displayed by said display means for requesting and receiving, from said applications program means, outline items that said user wishes to have displayed by said display means and that are located on a plurality of branches of said outline, and for transmitting received outline items located on a plurality of branches of said outline to said display means of said user interface means for simultaneous display,

said outline control means transmitting said received outline items that said user wishes to have displayed to said display means in a manner such that relative locations of said received outline items on said display means render apparent to said user parent-child relationships among said received outline items that said user wishes to have displayed by said display means,

wherein said outline management system further comprises instance storage means for storing outline items, and said outline control means receives outline items from said applications means and stores the items in said instance storage means, and said applications means includes means for generating a call to said outline control means to enable said outline control means to create said instance storage means,

wherein said instance storage means includes entry list means including a plurality of entry means each for storing an outline item received from said applications means, and further includes instance means for identifying said entry list means; and

said outline control means receives each outline item from said applications means and stores the outline item in a selected one of said entry means in said entry list means identified by said instance means,

wherein;

A. said input device includes means for generating selecting information identifying an entry,

B. each entry means in said entry list means includes a selected flag having selected conditions indicating a selection condition and an unselected condition; and

C. said outline control means includes selected flag conditioning means for receiving said selection information and for conditioning said selected flag of the entry means identified by said selection information.

14. An outline management system as defined in claim 13 wherein said selected flag conditioning means further conditions said selected flag in response to the condition of said selected flag.

15. An outline management system as defined in claim 13 wherein each said entry means further includes an unselectable flag having selected conditions, said selected flag conditioning means being disabled in response to said unselectable flag having selected conditions.

16. An outline management system as defined in claim 13 wherein said outline control means further includes means for generating a callback to said applications means in response to receipt of said selection information.

17. An outline management system adapted for use in conjunction with a user interface means including display means for displaying outline items to a user and an input device for generating input information in response to use of said input device by a user, said outline management system comprising:

A. application program means, comprising software, for organizing information stored in a computer database into a multiple-level outline including a plurality of outline items organized in a plurality of levels and for retrieving outline items from said outline in response to requests, and

B. outline control means, interfacing with said applications program means and said user interface means, for receiving said input information from said user interface means, said input information indicating to said outline control means which outline items said user wishes to have displayed by said display means, for requesting and receiving, from said applications program means, outline items that said user wishes to have displayed by said display means and that are located on a plurality of branches of said outline, and for transmitting received outline items located on a plurality of branches of said outline to said display means of said user interface means for simultaneous display,

said outline control means transmitting said received outline items that said user wishes to have displayed to said display means in a manner such that relative locations of said received outline items on said display means render apparent to said user parent-child relationships among said received outline items that said user wishes to have displayed by said display means,

wherein said outline management system further comprises instances storage means for storing outline items, and said outline control means receives outline items from said applications means and stores the outline items in said instance storage means, and said applications means includes means for generating a call to said outline control means to enable said outline control means to create said instance storage means,

wherein said instance storage means includes entry list means including a plurality of entry means each for storing an outline item received from said applications means, and further includes instance means for identifying said entry list means; and

said outline control means receives each outline item from said applications means and stores the outline item in a selected one of said entry means in said entry list means identified by said instance means,

wherein;

A. said input device includes means for generating selection and confirmation information identifying an entry;

B. said outline control means includes means for generating a callback to said applications means in response to receipt of said selection and confirmation information, said callback identifying an entry; and

C. said applications means includes selection and confirmation response means for responding to the receipt of said selection and confirmation information.

18. An outline management system as defined in claim 17 in which:

A. said selection and confirmation response means includes means for generating an add entries call in response to said callback, said add entries call including an entry means identification, an entry number value and a level value; and

B. said outline control means includes add entry means responsive to said add entries call for creating additional entry means, corresponding to said entry number value, in said entry list following the entry means identified by said entry means identification, each of said additional entry means including level identification value storage means for receiving said level value.

19. An outline management system as defined in claim 18 in which said entry list comprises a linked list of said entry means, each entry means including a next entry pointer identifying the next entry means in the list, said add entry means establishing the contents of said next entry pointer in said entry means identified by said entry means identification in said add entries call to identify the first of said additional entries, and establishing the contents of the last of said additional entries to identify the next entry means in the entry list to thereby link said additional entries into said entry list.

20. An outline management system as identified in claim 17 in which:

A. said selection and confirmation response means includes means for generating a delete entries call in response to said callback, said delete entries call including an entry means identification and an entry number value; and

B. said outline control means includes delete entry means responsive to said delete entries call for deleting entry means, corresponding to said entry number value, from said entry list following the entry means identified by said entry means identification.

21. An outline management system as defined in claim 20 in which said entry list comprises a linked list of said entry means, each entry means including a next entry pointer identifying the next entry means in the list, said delete entry means establishing the contents of said next entry pointer in said entry means identified by said entry means identification in said delete entries call to identify the entry means in said entry list subsequent to the identified entry means corresponding to said entry number value.

22. An outline management system adapted for use in conjunction with a user interface means including display means for displaying outline items to a user and an input device for generating input information in response to use of said input device by a user, said outline management system comprising:

A. applications program means, comprising software, for organizing information stored in a computer database into a multiple-level outline including a plurality of outline items organized in a plurality of levels and for retrieving outline items from said outline in response to requests, and

B. outline control means, interfacing with said applications program means and said user interface means, for receiving said input information from said user interface means, said input information indicating to said outline control means which outline items said user wishes to have displayed by said display means, for requesting and receiving, from said applications program means, outline items that said user wishes to have displayed by said display means and that are located on a plurality of branches of said outline, and for transmitting received outline items located on a plurality of branches of said outline to said display means of said user interface means for simultaneous display,

said outline control means transmitting said received outline items that said user wishes to have displayed to said display means in a manner such that relative locations of said received outline items on said display means render apparent to said user parent-child relationships among said received outline items that said user wishes to have displayed by said display means,

wherein said outline management system further comprises instance storage means for storing outline items, and said outline control means receives outline items from said applications means and stores the outline items in said instance storage means, and said applications means includes means for generating a call to said outline control means to enable said outline control means to create said instance storage means,

wherein said instance storage means includes entry list means including a plurality of entry means each for storing an outline item received from said applications means, and further includes instance means for identifying said entry list means; and

said outline control means receives each outline item from said applications means and stores the outline item in a selected one of said entry means in said entry list means identified by said instance means,

wherein;

A. said input device generates scrolling information, and

B. said outline control means transmits selected outline items to said display means for display, said outline control means adjusting the selection of the outline items transmitted for display in response to said scrolling information from said input device.

23. An outline management system as defined in claim 22 wherein each entry means in said entry list includes valid flag means having selected conditions indicating whether it contains an outline item, said outline control means including:

A. entry display identification means for identifying an entry means in response to said scrolling information;

B. valid flag testing means responsive to said entry display identification means identifying an entry for testing the condition of said valid flag of said identified entry means;

C. means for generating a callback to said applications means to obtain an outline item associated with said entry means in response to said valid flag testing means determining that the valid flag of said entry means indicates that said entry means does not contain an outline item.

24. An outline management system as defined in claim 22 wherein said scrolling information includes scroll up information, said entry display identification means including entry display deletion means responsive to said scroll up information for selecting an entry means whose associated outline information is to be deleted from said selected outline items transmitted to said display means.

25. An outline management system as defined in claim 24 wherein each entry means includes means for storing a level identification value, said entry display deletion means including:

A. display entry pointer means for storing pointers identifying entries whose associated outline information is being transmitted for display on said display means;

B. path identification storage means for storing a value identifying a pointer in said display entry pointer means whose outline items correspond to a path to the root of the outline information transmitted for display on said display means;

C. entry deletion identification means responsive to the contents of said path identification means and said display entry pointer means for comparing the level identification values of said entry means proximate the entry means pointed to by the pointer identified by the contents of said path identification storage means to identify an entry whose associated outline item is to be deleted.

26. An outline management system as defined in claim 25 wherein said entry deletion identification means includes:

A. first scroll up test means for comparing the level identification value of the entry means identified by the pointer in said display entry pointer means identified by the pointer in said path identification storage means with the level identification value of the entry means identified by the previous pointer in said display entry pointer means and for deleting the outline item associated with the entry means identified by the previous pointer in response to a predetermined comparison result;

B. second scroll up test means responsive to another predetermined comparison result by said first scroll up test means for comparing the level identification value of the entry means identified by the pointer in said display entry pointer means identified by the pointer in said path identification storage means with the level identification value of the entry means identified by the next pointer in said display entry pointer means and for deleting the outline item identified by the pointer in response to a predetermined comparison result;

C. third scroll up test means responsive to another predetermined comparison result by said second scroll up test means for comparing the level identification value of the entry means identified by the first pointer in said display entry pointer means after the pointer identified by the pointer in said path identification storage means with the level identification value of the entry means identified by the next pointer in said display entry pointer means and for deleting the outline item identified by the second pointer in response to a predetermined comparison result; and

D. fourth scroll up test means responsive to another predetermined comparison result by said third scroll up test means for iteratively comparing the level identification values of the entry means identified by pairs of two succeeding pointers in said display entry pointer means after the pointer identified by the pointer in said path identification storage means and for deleting the outline item identified by the first pointer in a pair in response to a predetermined comparison result.

27. An outline management system as defined in claim 22 wherein said scrolling information includes scroll down information, said entry display identification means including scroll down entry display deletion means responsive to said scroll down information for selecting an entry means whose associated outline information is to be deleted from said selected outline items transmitted to said display means.

28. An outline management system as defined in claim 27 wherein each entry means includes means for storing a level identification value, said scroll down entry display deletion means including:

A. consecutive entry comparison means for iteratively testing two consecutive entries whose associate outline items are being transmitted to said display means for display, beginning from the entry means associated with the last outline item transmitted, to identify two entry means that are not consecutive in said entry list; and

B. scroll down entry identification means responsive to the identification by said consecutive entry comparison means identification for specifying an entry means in said entry list between said two identified entry means whose associated outline item is to be transmitted to said display means for display.

29. An outline management system as defined in claim 28 in which:

A. said entry comparison means includes;

i. index storage means for storing an index value initially identifying the number of entry means whose associated outline items are being transmitted to said display means for display;

ii. display entry pointer means for storing pointers identifying entries whose associated outline information is being transmitted for display on said display means;

iii. scroll down comparison means for iteratively determining the location, in said entry list, of said entry means identified by the pointer in said display entry pointer means identified by said index storage means to the location of said entry means identified by the previous pointer in said display entry pointer means to determine whether they are consecutive; and

iv. decrement means for decrementing said index value in said index storage means in response to a negative determination by said scroll down comparison means;

B. said scroll down entry identification means includes;

i. first scroll down test means responsive to a positive determination by said scroll down identification means for comparing (a) the level identification value of said entry means identified by the pointer in said display entry pointer means previous to the pointer identified by said index value, to (b) the level identification value of said entry means in the entry list means previous to the entry means identified by the pointer in said display entry pointer means identified by said index value, and for specifying said entry means identified by the pointer in said display entry pointer means previous to the pointer identified by said index value as said entry means whose associated outline item is to be transmitted to said display means if said level identification values are the same;

ii. second scroll down test means responsive to a negative comparison by said first scroll down test means for iteratively comparing (a) the level identification value of said entry means identified by the pointer in said display entry pointer means previous to the pointer identified by said index value, to (b) the level identification value of said entry means in the entry list means previous to the entry means identified by the pointer in said display entry pointer means identified by said index value, and for specifying said entry means identified by the pointer in said display entry pointer means previous to the pointer identified by said index value as said entry means whose associated outline item is to be transmitted to said display means if said level identification values differ by a selected value; and

iii. third scroll down test means responsive to a negative comparison by said second scroll down test means for specifying the entry means in said entry list means following said entry means identified by the pointer in said display entry pointer means previous to the pointer identified by said index value as the said entry means whose associated outline item is to be transmitted to said display means.

30. An outline management system adapted for use in conjunction with any of a plurality of differing applications program means comprising software that organize information stored in a computer database into a multiple-level outline including a plurality of outline items organized in a plurality of levels and that retrieve outline items from said outline in response to requests, and adapted for use in conjunction with a user interface means including display means for displaying a portion of said outline to a user and an input device for generating input information in response to use of said input device by a user, said outline management system comprising:

A. instance storage means for storing outline items organized in said plurality of levels; and

B. outline control means interfacing with said applications program means and said user interface means, for receiving said input information from said user interface means, said input information indicating to said outline control means which outline items said user wishes to have displayed by said display means, for requesting and receiving, from said applications program means, outline items from a portion of said outline that said user wishes to have displayed by said display means, said received outline items being located on a plurality of branches of said outline, for storing said received outline items located on a plurality of branches of said outline in said instance storage means, and for transmitting received and stored outline items located on a plurality of branches of said outline to said display means for simultaneous display, said outline control means transmitting said received outline items that said user wishes to have displayed to said display means in a manner such that relative locations of said received outline items on said display means render apparent to said user parent-child relationships among said received outline items that said user wishes to have displayed by said display means.

31. An outline management system as defined in claim 30 wherein

A. said instance storage means includes:

i. entry list means including a plurality of entry means each for storing an outline item received from said applications means; and

ii. instance means for identifying said entry list means; and

B. said outline control means receives outline items from said applications means and stores the outline items in a selected one of said entry means in said entry list means identified by said instance means.

32. An outline management system as defined in claim 31 wherein each said entry means includes valid flag means having selected conditions including whether it contains an outline item, said outline control means including

A. entry display identification means for identifying entries whose outline items are to be displayed;

B. valid flag testing means, responsive to said entry display identification means for identifying an entry, for testing the condition of said valid flag of said identified entry means;

C. means for generating a callback to said applications means to obtain an outline item associated with said entry means in response to said valid flag testing means determining that the valid flag of said entry means indicates that said entry means does not contain an outline item.

33. An outline management system as defined in claim 31 wherein said applications means includes means responsive to a callback from said outline control means requesting outline information for an entry means for generating a call identifying said entry means and an outline item, said outline control means further including item storing means responsive to the receipt of said call for storing said outline item in said entry means and item display transmission means responsive to the operation of said item storing means for thereafter transmitting said outline item to said display means for display.

34. An outline management system as defined in claim 33 wherein said entry means includes storage pointer means for storing an information storage means pointer to an outline item storage means, said item storing means storing said outline item in said outline item storage means identified by said information storage means pointer.

35. An outline management system as defined in claim 34 wherein an outline item includes at least one component, said applications means generating a call including an entry means identification, a component entry means identification and said component;

A. said outline item storage means including;

i. an array storage means for storing a component; and

ii. component list means containing a component entry means including an array pointer to said array storage means, said information storage means pointer pointing to said component list means;

B. said outline control means including;

i. component pointer retrieval means responsive to the receipt of a call from said applications means for retrieving said information storage means pointer from the entry means identified in said call;

ii. array pointer retrieval means, responsive to said component pointer retrieval means for retrieving said information storage means pointer, for using said information storage means pointer to identify said component list means, retrieving said array pointer from the component means of the component list means identified by said component entry means identification, and storing the component in said array storage means.

36. An outline management system as defined in claim 35 in which said component entry means further includes a component type value, said display means using said component type value in its display operation.

37. An outline management system as defined in claim 31 wherein said applications means includes means responsive to the receipt of an attach callback from said outline control means for generating an add entries call including a selected entry number value, said outline control means further including;

A. attach callback generating means responsive to said call from said applications means for generating an attach callback to said applications means; and

B. entry list creation means responsive to the receipt of said add entries call for establishing said entry list means, including a number of entries identified by said entry number value.

38. An outline management system as defined in claim 37 wherein said entry means further includes means for storing a level identification value, said add entries call further including a level value, said entry list creation means further storing the level value in each said entry means created in response to said add entries call.

39. An outline management system as defined in claim 31 wherein said input device includes means for generating selection and confirmation information identifying an entry, said outline control means further including means for generating a callback to said applications means in response to receipt of said selection and confirmation information, said callback identifying an entry, and said applications means includes selection and confirmation response means for responding to the receipt of said selection and confirmation information for generating an add entries call in response to said callback, said add entries call including an entry means identification, an entry number value and a level value, said outline control means including add entry means responsive to said add entries call for creating additional entry means, corresponding to said entry number value, in said entry list following the entry means identified by said entry means identification, each of said additional entry means including level value storage means for storing a level identification value for receiving said level value.

40. An outline management system as defined in claim 39 in which said entry list comprises a linked list of said entry means, each entry means including a next entry pointer identifying the next entry means in the list, said add entry means establishing the contents of said next entry pointer in said entry means identified by said entry means identification in said add entries call to identify the first of said additional entries, and establishing the contents of the last of said additional entries to identify the next entry means in the entry list to thereby link said additional entries into said entry list.

41. An outline management system as identified in claim 39 in which said applications means generates a delete entries call in response to said callback, said delete entries call including an entry means identification and an entry number value, said outline control means includes delete entry means responsive to said delete entries call for deleting entry means, corresponding to said entry number value, from said entry list following the entry means identified by said entry means identification.

42. An outline management system as defined in claim 41 in which said entry list comprises a linked list of said entry means, each entry means including a next entry pointer identifying the next entry means in the list, said delete entry means establishing the contents of said next entry pointer in said entry means identified by said entry means identification in said delete entries call to identify the entry means in said entry list subsequent to the identified entry means corresponding to said entry number.

43. An outline management system adapted for use in conjunction with an applications program means comprising software that organizes information stored in a computer database into a multiple-level outline including a plurality of outline items organized in a plurality of levels and that retrieves outline items from said outline in response to requests, and adapted for use in conjunction with a user interface means including display means for displaying outline items to a user and an input device for generating input information in response to use of said input device by a user, said outline management system comprising:

A. instance storage means for storing outline items organized in said plurality of levels; and

B. outline control means, interfacing with said applications program means and said user interface means, for receiving said input information from said user interface means, said input information indicating to said outline control means which outline items said user wishes to have displayed by said display means, for requesting and receiving, from said applications program means, outline items that said user wishes to have displayed by said display means and that are located on a plurality of branches of said outline, for storing said received outline items located on a plurality of branches of said outline in said instance storage means, and for transmitting received and stored outline items located on a plurality of branches of said outline to said display means for simultaneous display, said outline control means transmitting said received outline items that said user wishes to have displayed to said display means in a manner such that relative locations of said received outline items on said display means render apparent to said user parent-child relationships among said received outline items that said user wishes to have displayed by said display means,

wherein said instance storage means includes entry list means including a plurality of entry means each for storing an outline item received from said applications means, and further includes instance means for identifying said entry list means; and

said outline control means receives each outline item from said applications means and stores the outline item in a selected one of said entry means in said entry list means identified by said instance means,

wherein said applications means includes means responsive to the receipt of an attach callback from said outline control means for generating an add entries call including a selected entry number value; and

said outline control means includes attach callback generating means responsive to said call from said applications means for generating an attach callback to said applications means, and further includes entry list creation means responsive to the receipt of said add entries call for establishing said entry list means, including a number of entries identified by said entry number value,

wherein said entry means further includes means for storing a level identification value, said add entries call further including a level value, said entry list creation means further storing the level value in each said entry means created in response to said add entries call, and

wherein said instance means further includes means for identifying a display font value associated with each outline level, said outline control means including display control means comprising;

A. display information retrieval means for retrieving outline information from respective entry means;

B. display image generation means for generating image information for said entry means in response to the outline information from said entry means, the level value in said entry means and the display font value associated with said level value; and

C. display image transmission means for transmitting the image information for said entry means to said display.

44. An outline management system as defined in claim 43 wherein said instance means further includes means for identifying a display object, said display image generation means further generating image information representative of said identified display object for transmission by said display image transmission means.

45. An outline management system adapted for use in conjunction with an applications program means comprising software that organizes information stored in a computer database into a multiple-level outline including a plurality of outline items organized in a plurality of levels and that retrieves outline items from said outline in response to requests, and adapted for use in conjunction with a user interface means including display means for displaying outline items to a user and an input device for generating input information in response to use of said input device by a user, said outline management system comprising:

A. instance storage means for storing outline items organized in said plurality of levels; and

B. outline control means, interfacing with said applications program means and said user interface means, for receiving said input information from said user interface means, said input information indicating to said outline control means which outline items said user wishes to have displayed by said display means, for requesting and receiving, from said applications program means, outline items that said user wishes to have displayed by said display means and that are located on a plurality of branches of said outline, for storing said received outline items located on a plurality of branches of said outline in said instance storage means, and for transmitting received and stored outline items located on a plurality of branches of said outline to said display means for simultaneous display, said outline control means transmitting said received outline items that said user wishes to have displayed to said display means in a manner such that relative locations of said received outline items on said display means render apparent to said user parent-child relationships among said received outline items that said user wishes to have displayed by said display means,

wherein said instance storage means includes entry list means including a plurality of entry means each for storing an outline item received from said applications means, and further includes instance means for identifying said entry list means; and

said outline control means receives each outline item from said applications means and stores the outline item in a selected one of said entry means in said entry list means identified by said instance means,

wherein;

A. said input device includes means for generating selection information identifying an entry,

B. each entry means in said entry list means includes a selected flag having selected conditions indicating a selection condition and an unselected condition; and

C. said outline control means includes selected flag conditioning means for receiving said selection information and for conditioning said selected flag of the entry means identified by said selection information.

46. An outline management system as defined in claim 45 wherein said selected flag conditioning means further conditions said selected flag in response to the condition of said selected flag.

47. An outline management system as defined in claim 45 wherein each said entry means further includes an unselectable flag having selected conditions, said selected flag conditioning means being disabled in response to said unselectable flag having selected conditions.

48. An outline management system as defined in claim 45 wherein said outline control means further includes means for generating a callback to said applications means in response to receipt of said selection information.

49. An outline management system adapted for use in conjunction with an applications program means comprising software that organizes information stored in a computer database into a multiple-level outline including a plurality of outline items organized in a plurality of levels and that retrieves outline items from said outline in response to requests, and adapted for use in conjunction with a user interface means including display means for displaying outline items to a user and an input device for generating input information in response to use of said input device by a user, said outline management system comprising:

A. instance storage means for storing outline items organized in said plurality of levels; and

B. outline control means, interfacing with said applications program means and said user interface means, for receiving said input information from said user interface means, said input information indicating to said outline control means which outline items said user wishes to have displayed by said display means, for requesting and receiving, from said applications program means, outline items that said user wishes to have displayed by said display means and that are located on a plurality of branches of said outline, for storing said received outline items located on a plurality of branches of said outline in said instance storage means, and for transmitting received and stored outline items located on a plurality of branches of said outline to said display means for simultaneous display, said outline control means transmitting said received outline items that said user wishes to have displayed to said display means in a manner such that relative locations of said received outline items on said display means render apparent to said user parent-child relationships among said received outline items that said user wishes to have displayed by said display means,

wherein said instance storage means includes entry list means including a plurality of entry means each for storing an outline item received from said applications means, and further includes instance means for identifying said entry list means; and

said outline control means receives each outline item from said applications means and stores the outline item in a selected one of said entry means in said entry list means identified by said instance means,

wherein;

A. said input device generates scrolling information, and

B. said outline control means transmits selected outline items to said display means for display, said outline control means adjusting the selection of the outline items transmitted for display in response to said scrolling information from said input device.

50. An outline management system as defined in claim 49 wherein each entry means in said entry list includes valid flag means having selected conditions indicating whether it contains an outline item, said outline control means including:

A. entry display identification means for identifying an entry means in response to said scrolling information;

B. valid flag testing means responsive to said entry display identification means identifying an entry for testing the condition of said valid flag of said identified entry means;

C. means for generating a callback to said applications means to obtain an outline item associated with said entry means in response to said valid flag testing means determining that the valid flag of said entry means indicates that said entry means does not contain an outline item.

51. An outline management system as defined in claim 49 wherein said scrolling information includes scroll up information, said entry display identification means including entry display deletion means responsive to said scroll up information for selecting an entry means whose associated outline information is to be deleted from said selected outline items transmitted to said display means.

52. An outline management system as defined in claim 51 wherein each entry means includes means for storing a level identification value, said entry display deletion means including:

A. display entry pointer means for storing pointers identifying entries whose associated outline information is being transmitted for display on said display means;

B path identification storage means for storing a value identifying a pointer in said display entry pointer means whose outline items correspond to a path to the root of the outline information transmitted for display on said display means;

C. entry deletion identification means responsive to the contents of said path identification means and said display entry pointer means for comparing the level identification values of said entry means proximate the entry means pointed to by the pointer identified by the contents of said path identification storage means to identify an entry whose associated outline item is to be deleted.

53. An outline management system as defined in claim 52 wherein said entry deletion identification means includes:

A. first scroll up test means for comparing the level identification value of the entry means identified by the pointer in said display entry pointer means identified by the pointer in said path identification storage means with the level identification value of the entry means identified by the previous pointer in said display entry pointer means and for deleting the outline item associated with the entry means identified by the previous pointer in response to a predetermined comparison result;

B. second scroll up test means responsive to another predetermined comparison result by said first scroll up test means for comparing the level identification value of the entry means identified by the pointer in said display entry pointer means identified by the pointer in said path identification storage means with the level identification value of the entry means identified by the next pointer in said display entry pointer means and for deleting the outline item identified by the pointer in response to a predetermined comparison result;

C. third scroll up test means responsive to another predetermined comparison result by said second scroll up test means for comparing the level identification value of the entry means identified by the first pointer in said display entry pointer means after the pointer identified by the pointer in said path identification storage means with the level identification value of the entry means identified by the next pointer in said display entry pointer means and for deleting the outline item identified by the second pointer in response to a predetermined comparison result; and

D. fourth scroll up test means responsive to another predetermined comparison result by said third scroll up test means for iteratively comparing the level identification values of the entry means identified by pairs of two succeeding pointers in said display entry pointer means after the pointer identified by the pointer in said path identification storage means and for deleting the outline item identified by the first pointer in a pair in response to a predetermined comparison result.

54. An outline management system as defined in claim 50 wherein said scrolling information includes scroll down information, said entry display identification means including scroll down entry display deletion means responsive to said scroll down information for selecting an entry means whose associated outline information is to be deleted from said selected outline items transmitted to said display means.

55. An outline management system as defined in claim 54 wherein each entry means includes means for storing a level identification value, said scroll down entry display deletion means including:

A. consecutive entry comparison means for iteratively testing two consecutive entries whose associated outline items are being transmitted to said display means for display, beginning from the entry means associated with the last outline item transmitted, to identify two entry means that are not consecutive in said entry list; and

B. scroll down entry identification means responsive to the identification by said consecutive entry comparison means identification for specifying an entry means in said entry list between said two identified entry means whose associated outline item is to be transmitted to said display means for display.

56. An outline management system as defined in claim 55 in which:

A. said entry comparison means includes;

i. index storage means for storing an index value initially identifying the number of entry means whose associated outline items are being transmitted to said display means for display;

ii. display entry pointer means for storing pointers identifying entries whose associated outline information is being transmitted for display on said display means;

iii. scroll down comparison means for iteratively determining the location, in said entry list, of said entry means identified by the pointer in said display entry pointer means identified by said index storage means to the location of said entry means identified by the previous pointer in said display entry pointer means to determine whether they are consecutive; and

iv. decrement means for decrementing said index value in said index storage means in response to a negative determination by said scroll down comparison means;

B. said scroll down entry identification means includes;

i. first scroll down test means responsive to a positive determination by said scroll down identification means for comparing (a) the level identification value of said entry means identified by the pointer in said display entry pointer means previous to the pointer identified by said index value, to (b) the level identification value of said entry means in the entry list means previous to the entry means identified by the pointer in said display entry pointer means identified by said index value, and for specifying said entry means identified by the pointer in said display entry pointer means previous to the pointer identified by said index value as said entry means whose associated outline item is to be transmitted to said display means if said level identification values are the same;

ii. second scroll down test means responsive to a negative comparison by said first scroll down test means for iteratively comparing (a) the level identification value of said entry means identified by the pointer in said display entry pointer means previous to the pointer identified by said index value, to (b) the level identification value of said entry means in the entry list means previous to the entry means identified by the pointer in said display entry pointer means identified by said index value, and for specifying said entry means identified by the pointer in said display entry pointer means previous to the pointer identified by said index value as said entry means whose associated outline item is to be transmitted to said display means if said level identification values differ by a selected value; and

iii. third scroll down test means responsive to a negative comparison by said second scroll down test means for specifying the entry means in said entry list means following each entry means identified by the pointer in said display entry pointer means previous to the pointer identified by said index value as the said entry means whose associated outline item is to be transmitted to said display means.

57. An outline management system adapted for use in conjunction with a user interface means including display means for displaying outline items to a user and an input device for generating input information in response to use of said input device by a user, said outline management system comprising:

A. applications program means, comprising software, for organizing information stored in a computer database into a multiple-level outline including a plurality of outline items organized in a plurality of levels and for retrieving outline items from said outline in response to requests, and

B. outline control means, interfacing with said applications program means and said user interface means, for receiving said input information from said user interface means, said input information indicating to said outline control means which outline items said user wishes to have displayed by said display means, for requesting and receiving, from said applications program means, outline items that said user wishes to have displayed by said display means and that are located on a plurality of branches of said outline, and for transmitting received outline items located on a plurality of branches of said outline to said display means of said user interface means for simultaneous display,

said outline control means transmitting said received outline items that said user wishes to have displayed to said display means in a manner such that relative locations of said received outline items on said display means render apparent to said user parent-child relationships among said received outline items that said user wishes to have displayed by said display means,

wherein said input device generates input information in response to said user performing a dragging operation upon a displayed outline item, and said outline control means modifies displayed parent-child relationships between outline items in a manner determined by said input information corresponding to said dragging operation.

58. An outline management system as defined in claim 57, wherein said outline control means notifies said applications program means of said input information corresponding to said dragging operation.

59. An outline management system as defined in claim 57, wherein

said input device further generates input information in response to said user performing a scrolling operation simultaneously with said dragging operation, and

said outline control means, in response to said scrolling information, deletes at least one outline item from display by said display means and adds at least one outline item for display by said display means, before said outline control means modifies displayed parent-child relationships between outline items in a manner determined by said input information corresponding to said dragging operation.

60. An outline management system adapted for use in conjunction with a user interface means including display means for displaying outline items to a user and an input device for generating input information in response to use of said input device by a user, said outline management system comprising:

A. applications program means, comprising software, for organizing information stored in a computer database into a multiple-level outline including a plurality of outline items organized in a plurality of levels and for retrieving outline items from said outline in response to requests, and

outline control means, interfacing with said applications program means and said user interface means, for receiving input information from said user interface means indicating to said outline control means which outline items said user wishes to have displayed by said display means, for requesting and receiving, from said applications program means, outline items that said user wishes to have displayed by said display means and that are located on a plurality of branches of said outline, for transmitting received outline items located on a plurality of branches of said outline to said display means of said user interface means for simultaneous display, for receiving input information from said user interface means corresponding to said user performing a selection operation simultaneously upon displayed outline items in differing branches and levels of said outline, and for causing said display means to display said outline items upon which said selection operation has been performed in a manner that distinguishes display of said outline items upon which said selection operation has been performed from outline items upon which said selection operation has not been performed.

61. An outline management system adapted for use in conjunction with a user interface means including display means for displaying a portion of an outline to a user and an input device for generating input information in response to use of said input device by a user, said outline management system comprising:

A. applications program means, comprising software, for organizing information stored in a computer database into a multiple-level outline including a plurality of outline items organized in a plurality of levels and for retrieving outline items from said outline in response to requests, and

B. outline control means, interfacing with said applications program means and said user interface means, for receiving said input information from said user interface means, said input information indicating to said outline control means which outline items said user wishes to have displayed by said display means, for requesting and receiving, from said applications program means, outline items from a portion of said outline that said user wishes to have displayed by said display means, said received outline items being located on a plurality of branches of said outline, and for transmitting received outline items located on a plurality of branches of said outline to said display means of said user interface means for simultaneous display,

said outline control means transmitting said received outline items that said user wishes to have displayed to said display means in a manner such that relative locations of said received outline items on said display means render apparent to said user a path to a root of said outline for each displayed outline item.

62. An outline management system adapted for use in conjunction with a user interface means including display means for displaying outline items to a user and an input device for generating input information in response to use of said input device by a user, said outline management system comprising:

A. applications program means, comprising software, for organizing information stored in a computer database into a multiple-level outline including a plurality of outline items organized in a plurality of levels and for retrieving outline items from said outline in response to requests, and

B. outline control means, interfacing with said applications program means and said user interface means, for receiving said input information from said user interface means, said input information indicating to said outline control means which outline items said user wishes to have displayed by said display means, for requesting and receiving, from said applications program means, outline items that said user wishes to have displayed by said display means and that are located on a plurality of branches of said outline, and for transmitting received outline items located on a plurality of branches of said outline to said display means of said user interface means for simultaneous display,

said outline control means transmitting said received outline items that said user wishes to have displayed to said display means in a manner such that relative locations of said received outline items on said display means render apparent to said user a path to a root of said outline for each displayed outline item,

wherein said input device generates input information in response to said user performing a scrolling operation;

said outline control means, in response to said scrolling information, deletes at least one outline item from said display means and adds at least one outline item to said display means; and

said outline control means transmits outline items to said display in a manner such that, throughout said scrolling operation, relative locations of said outline items on said display means render apparent to said user said path to said root of said outline for each displayed outline item.

63. An outline management system adapted for use in conjunction with a plurality of user interface means including a respective plurality of display means for displaying a respective plurality of portions of an outline to a plurality of users and a respective plurality of input devices for generating input information in response to use of said input devices by said users, said outline management system comprising:

A. applications program means, comprising software, for organizing information stored in a computer database into a multiple-level outline including a plurality of outline items organized in a plurality of levels and for retrieving outline items from said outline in response to requests, and

B. outline control means, interfacing with said applications program means and said plurality of user interface means, for receiving input information from each of said plurality of user interface means, said input information indicating to said outline control means which outline items each of said plurality of users wishes to have displayed by a respective display means, for requesting and receiving, from said applications program means, outline items from a plurality of portions of said outline that respective users wish to have displayed, said outline items in each of said plurality of portions of said outline being located on a plurality of branches and levels of said outline, and for transmitting received outline items located on a plurality of branches and levels of said outline to respective ones of said display means for simultaneous display.