File directory structure generator and retrevial tool with document locator module mapping the directory structure of files to a real world hierarchical file structure

• US 5,355,497 A
• Filed: 06/10/1992
• Issued: 10/11/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Physiotronics Corporation
• Original Assignee: Physiotronics Corporation
• Inventors: Cohen-Levy, Leon
• Primary Examiner(s): Kriess, Kevin A.
• Application Number:
  US07/896,514
• Time in Patent Office: 853 Days
• Field of Search: 395/700, 395/650, 395/600
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/10 File systems; File servers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability

Abstract

A file directory structure and retrieval system for use in a computer that operates according to an operating system program and an application program. The memory of the computer stores files in a directory structure. A document locator module maps the directory structure of the files stored in the memory to a real world hierarchical file structure of files and directories. The mapping is independent of conventions of the operating system. The document locator module can create, move and delete files and directories without exiting the application program. An open module operates in the background of the application program and intercepts control of the processor when a command is executed to cause a file to be opened. The open module displays on the output device an open card to allow entry of information relating to the contents of the file and location of the file in the real world hierarchical file structure of the file. It causes the file to be opened. A save module operates in the background of the application program and intercepts control of the processor when a command is executed to cause the application program to request information about a file to be saved. The save module displays on the output device a save card to allow entry of information relating to the file. It also causes the file to be saved.

Claims

1. A file directory and retrieval system for use in a computer, the computer comprising an output device, a memory and a processor operating according to an operating system program and an application program, the memory of the computer storing files in a directory structure, the directory structure organized according to conventions of the operating system, the file directory and retrieval system comprising:

a map mapping the directory structure of the files stored in the memory to a real world hierarchical file structure of files and directories independent of conventions of the operating system;

means for creating, moving and deleting directories without exiting the application program;

means, operating in the background of the application program and intercepting control of the processor when a command is executed to cause a file to be opened, for displaying on the output device an open card to allow entry of information relating to the contents of the file and location of the file in the real world hierarchical file structure, utilizing the map for mapping the location of the file in the real world hierarchical file structure to the directory structure, and for causing the operating system to open the file; and

means, operating in the background of the application program and intercepting control of the processor when a command is executed to cause the application program to request information about a file to be saved, for displaying on the output device a save card to allow entry of information relating to the contents of the file to be saved and a location for the file in the real world hierarchical file structure, utilizing the map for mapping the location for the file in the real world hierarchical file structure to the directory structure, and causing the operating system to save the file in the directory structure.

2. The file directory and retrieval system of claim 1 further comprising means for controllably displaying a graphical representation on the output device of the real world hierarchical file structure.

12. The file directory and retrieval system of claim 1 further comprising means for moving files without exiting the application program.

3. A file directory and retrieval system for use in a computer, the computer comprising an output device, a memory and a processor operating according to an operating system program and an application program, the memory of the computer storing files in a directory structure, the directory structure organized according to conventions of the operating system, the file directory and retrieval system comprising:

a map mapping the directory structure of the files stored in the memory to a real world hierarchical file structure of files and directories independent of conventions of the operating system;

means for creating, moving and deleting directories without exiting the application program; and

means, operating in the background of the application program and intercepting control of the processor when a command is executed to cause a file to be opened, for displaying on the output device an open card to allow entry of information relating to the contents of the file and location of the file in the real world hierarchical file structure, utilizing the map for mapping the location of the file in the real world hierarchical file structure to the directory structure, and causing the file to be opened.

4. The file directory and retrieval system of claim 3 further comprising means for controllably displaying a graphical representation on the output device of the real world hierarchical file structure.

13. The file directory and retrieval system of claim 3 further comprising means for moving files without exiting the application program.

5. A file directory system for use in a computer, the computer comprising an output device, a memory and a processor operating according to an operating system program and an application program, the memory of the computer storing files in a directory structure, the directory structure organized according to conventions of the operating system, the file directory system comprising:

a map mapping the directory structure of the files stored in the memory to a real world hierarchical file structure of files and directories independent of conventions of the operating system;

means for creating, moving and deleting directories without exiting the application program; and

means, operating in the background of the application program and intercepting control of the processor when a command is executed to cause the application program to request information about a file to be saved, for displaying on the output device a save card to allow entry of information relating to the contents of the file to be saved and a location for the file in the real world hierarchical file structure, utilizing the map for mapping the location for the file in the real world hierarchical file structure to the directory structure, and causing the file to be saved in the directory structure.

6. The file directory system of claim 5 further comprising means for controllably displaying a graphical representation on the output device of the real world hierarchical file structure.

14. The file directory system of claim 5 further comprising means for moving files without exiting the application program.

7. A computer-implemented method for accessing information about the contents of a file stored in a first memory device when the file is transferred to a second memory device, the method comprising:

(a) saving information about the contents of the file in a database stored in the first memory device;

(b) accessing the database to retrieve the saved information about the contents of the file when the file is to be stored in the second memory device;

(c) storing the retrieved information in a companion file in the second memory device;

(d) storing the file in the second memory device; and

(e) storing an access command in the second memory device that, when executed, displays the contents of the companion file and the name of the file in the second memory device.

8. In a computer system comprising a processor, a memory device and a monitor, the processor operating according to an application program and an operating system, a computer-implemented method for saving a file in the memory device, the method comprising:

(a) selecting a save command using the application program;

(b) intercepting control from the application program before the application program displays a save user interface;

(c) displaying on the monitor a save card;

(d) accepting information about the file on the save card;

(e) accepting information about a location at which the file is to be saved in a form independent of the form required by the operating system or the application program;

(f) storing the accepted information about the file in a database in the memory device;

(g) storing in the database the location at which the file is to be saved in a form required by the operating system; and

(h) storing the file in the memory device.

9. In a computer system comprising a processor, a memory device and a monitor, the processor operating according to an application program and an operating system, a computer-implemented method for retrieving a file saved in a location in the memory device, the method comprising:

(a) selecting an open command using the application program;

(b) intercepting control from the application program before the application program displays an open user interface;

(c) displaying on the monitor an open card;

(d) accepting information about the file on the open card;

(e) accepting on the open card information about the location at which the file is saved in a form independent of the form required by the operating system of the application program;

(f) retrieving an operating system location for the file from a database in the memory device using information stored in the database relating to the file; and

(g) utilizing the operating system location to retrieve the file from the memory device.

10. In a computer system comprising a processor, a memory device and a monitor, the processor operating according to an application program and an operating system, a computer-implemented method for retrieving a file from the memory device, the method comprising:

(a) selecting an open command using the application program;

(b) intercepting control from the application program before the application program displays an open user interface;

(c) displaying on the monitor an open card;

(d) accepting information about the file on the open card independent of operating system conventions;

(e) retrieving an operating system location for the file from a database in the memory device using information stored in the database about the file; and

(f) retrieving, utilizing the operating system location, the file from the memory device.

11. In a computer system comprising a processor, a memory device and a monitor, the processor operating according to an application program and an operating system, a computer-implemented method for retrieving a file saved in a location in the memory device, the method comprising:

(a) selecting an open command using the application program;

(b) intercepting control from the application program before the application program displays an open user interface;

(c) displaying on the monitor an open card;

(d) accepting information on the open card about the location at which the file is saved in a form independent of the form required by the operating system or the application program;

(e) retrieving an operating system location for the file from a database in the memory device using information stored in the database relating to the file that is in a form independent of the form required by the operating system of the application program; and

(f) retrieving, utilizing the operating system location, the file from the memory device.

15. A computer-based apparatus for organizing files in and retrieving files from a memory of a computer system, the computer system comprising an output device and a processor operating according to an operating system program and an application program, the memory of the computer system storing the files in a directory structure, the directory structure organized according to conventions of the operating system, the computer-based apparatus comprising:

a map mapping the directory structure of the files stored in the memory to a real world hierarchical file structure of files and directories independent of conventions of the operating system;

means for creating, moving and deleting directories without exiting the application program;

means for deleting and moving files without exiting the application program; and

means for displaying on the output device an open card to allow entry of information relating to the contents of the file and location of the file in the real world hierarchical file structure whenever an application program command is executed to cause a file to be opened.

16. A computer-based apparatus for retrieving files from a memory of a computer system, the computer system comprising an output device and a processor operating according to an operating system program and an application program, the memory of the computer system storing the files in a directory structure, the directory structure organized according to conventions of the operating system, the computer-based apparatus comprising:

means for mapping the directory structure of the files stored in the memory to a real world hierarchical file structure of files and directories independent of conventions of the operating system; and

means for displaying on the output device an open card to allow entry of information relating to the contents and location of a file in the real world hierarchical file structure whenever an application program command is executed to cause a file to be opened.

17. A computer-based apparatus for organizing and saving files in a memory of a computer system, the computer system comprising an output device and a processor operating according to an operating system program and an application program, the memory of the computer storing files in a directory structure, the directory structure organized according to conventions of the operating system, the computer-based apparatus comprising:

a map mapping the directory structure of the files stored in the memory to a real world hierarchical file structure of files and directories independent of conventions of the operating system;

means for creating, moving and deleting directories without exiting the application program;

means for moving and deleting files without exiting the application program; and

means for displaying on the output device a save card to allow entry of information relating to the contents of a file to be saved and a location for the file in the real world hierarchical file structure whenever a command is executed to cause the application program to request information about a file to be saved.

18. A computer-based apparatus for organizing and saving files in a memory of a computer system, the computer system comprising an output device and a processor operating according to an operating system program and an application program, the memory of the computer storing files in a directory structure, the directory structure organized according to conventions of the operating system, the computer-based apparatus comprising:

means for mapping the directory structure of the files stored in the memory to a real world hierarchical file structure of files and directories independent of conventions of the operating system; and

means for displaying on the output device a save card to allow entry of information relating to the contents and location for a file in the real world hierarchical file structure whenever a command is executed to cause the application program to request information about a file to be saved.

19. In a computer system comprising a processor, a memory device and a monitor, the processor operating according to an application program and an operating system, a computer-implemented method for saving a file in the memory device, the computer-implemented method comprising:

(a) intercepting control from the application program whenever a save command is selected before a user can enter information on a save user interface of the application program;

(b) displaying on the monitor a save card;

(c) accepting information about the file on the save card;

(d) accepting information about a location at which the file is to be saved in a form independent of the form required by the operating system or the application program;

(e) storing the accepted information about the file and the location at which the file is to be saved in a form required by the operating system together in a database in the memory device; and

(f) causing the file to be stored in the memory device.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of accepting information about the file on the save card comprises accepting a user defined name for the file that is independent of operating system conventions.

21. In a computer system comprising a processor, a memory device and a monitor, the processor operating according to an application program and an operating system, a computer-implemented method for saving a file in the memory device, the computer-implemented method comprising:

(a) intercepting control from the application program whenever a save command is selected before a user can enter information on a save user interface of the application program;

(b) displaying on the monitor a save card;

(c) accepting information about the file on the save card;

(d) accepting information about a location at which the file is to be saved in a form independent of the form required by the operating system or the application program;

(e) determining a filename for the file according to operating system conventions;

(f) storing the accepted information about the file and the filename together in a database in the memory device; and

(g) causing the file to be stored in the memory device according to the filename.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of accepting information about the file on the save card comprises accepting a user defined name for the file that is independent of operating system conventions.

23. In a computer system comprising a processor, a memory device and a monitor, the processor operating according to an application program and an operating system, a computer-implemented method for retrieving a file saved in a location in the memory device, the file having an operating system filename, the computer-implemented method comprising:

(a) maintaining a database to map a location at which the file is saved in a form independent of the form required by the operating system or the application program to an operating system filename;

(b) intercepting control from the application program whenever an open command is selected by a user before the user can enter information on an open user interface of the application program;

(c) displaying an open card on the monitor;

(d) accepting information about the file on the open card;

(e) accepting on the open card information about the location at which the file is saved in a form independent of the form required by the operating system or the application program;

(f) accessing, utilizing the information about the location at which the file is saved in a form independent of the form required by the operating system or application program, the database to retrieve the operating system filename; and

(g) causing the file to be retrieved from the memory device utilizing the operating system filename.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the step of accepting information about the file on the open card comprises accepting a user defined name for the file that is independent of operating system filename conventions.

25. In a computer system comprising a processor, a memory device and a monitor, the processor operating according to an application program and an operating system, a computer-implemented method for retrieving a file from the memory device, the file having an operating system filename, the computer-implemented method comprising:

(a) maintaining a database to map information about the file to an operating system filename for the file;

(b) intercepting control from the application program whenever an open command is selected by a user before the user can enter information on an open user interface of the application program;

(c) displaying an open card on the monitor;

(d) accepting information about the file on the open card, the information accepted in a form independent of operating system conventions and application program conventions;

(e) retrieving from the database, using the accepted information as a search parameter, the operating system filename for the file; and

(f) causing, utilizing the operating system filename, the file to be retrieved from the memory device.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the step of accepting information about the file on the open card comprises accepting a user defined name for the file that is independent of operating system filename conventions.

27. In a computer system comprising a processor, a memory device and a monitor, the processor operating according to an application program and an operating system, a computer-implemented method for retrieving a file saved in a location in the memory device, the file having an operating system filename, the computer-implemented method comprising:

(a) intercepting control from the application program whenever an open command is selected by a user before the user can enter information under application program control about the file;

(b) displaying on the monitor an open card;

(c) accepting on the open card information about the location at which the file is saved in a form independent of the form required by the operating system or the application program;

(d) retrieving the operating system filename from a database in the memory device using information stored in the database relating to the location at which the file is saved; and

(e) causing the file to be retrieved from the memory device utilizing the operating system filename.

28. In a computer system comprising a processor, a memory device and a monitor, the processor operating according to an application program and an operating system, a computer-implemented method for saving a file in and retrieving the file from the memory device, the computer-implemented method comprising:

(a) intercepting control from the application program whenever a save command is selected before a user can enter information on a save user interface of the application program;

(b) displaying a save card on the monitor;

(c) accepting information about the file on the save card;

(d) accepting information about a location at which the file is to be saved in a form independent of the form required by the operating system or the application program;

(e) determining a filename according to operating system conventions for the file;

(f) storing the accepted information about the file and the filename together in a database in the memory device;

(g) causing the file to be stored in the memory device;

(h) returning control to the application program;

(i) intercepting control from the application program whenever an open command is selected before the user can enter information on an open user interface of the application program;

(j) displaying an open card on the monitor;

(k) accepting information about the file on the open card;

(l) retrieving, using the accepted information as a search parameter, the operating system filename for the file from the database; and

(m) causing the file to be retrieved from the memory device.