Network file management with user determined hierarchical file structures and means for intercepting application program open and save commands for inputting and displaying user inputted descriptions of the location and content of files

• US 5,423,034 A
• Filed: 11/12/1992
• Issued: 06/06/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Engelhard Corporation (BASF SE), Physiotronics Corporation
• Original Assignee: 2010 Software Corporation
• Inventors: Caplan, Sergio D., Schmidt, Robert D., Graves, Aaron, Cohen-Levy, Leon
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Loomis, John C.
• Application Number:
  US07/974,555
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 395/600, 395/700, 395/155, 395/160, 395/161
• 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 707/99939 Privileged access

Abstract

A file directory structure generator and retrieval tool for use in a computer network is disclosed. The computer network comprises an output device, a local memory, a shared memory, and a local processor operating according to an operating system program and an application program. The local memory and the shared memory store files in a directory structure. Each file and level in the directory structure has network access privileges. The file directory structure generator and retrieval tool has a document locator module that maps 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. The document locator module can also change the network access privileges for files and directories without exiting the application program.

Claims

1. In a computer network comprising a processor, a local memory device, a network memory device and a monitor, the processor operating according to an application program and an operating system, a method for saving a file, 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) selecting as a nominated memory either the network memory device or the local memory device depending upon the contents of information about the location at which the file is to be save;

(g) storing the accepted information in a database in the nominated memory device;

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

(i) storing the file in the nominated memory device.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising, after step (f), the steps of:

(a) displaying on the monitor a network access card;

(b) accepting information about a set of access privileges for the file; and

(c) causing the set of network access privileges for the file to be modified by interacting with a server.

3. In a computer network comprising a processor, a local memory device, a network memory device and an output device, the processor operating according to an application program and an operating system, a method for retrieving a file from a nominated 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 output device 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 or the application program;

(f) determining whether the file is stored on the local memory device or the network memory device;

(g) nominating as the nominated memory device the memory device on which the file is stored;

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

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

4. In a computer network comprising a processor, a local memory device, a network memory device and an output device, the processor operating according to an application program and an operating system, a method for retrieving a file from a nominated 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 output device an open card;

(d) accepting as input information about the file independent of operating system conventions;

(e) determining, utilizing the information about the file, whether the file is stored on the local memory device or the network memory device;

(f) nominating as the nominated memory device the memory device on which the file is stored;

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

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

5. In a computer network comprising a processor, a local memory device, a network memory device and an output device, the processor operating according to an application program and an operating system, a method for retrieving a file from a nominated 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 output device 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) determining, utilizing the accepted information, whether the file is stored on the local memory device or the network memory device;

(f) nominating as the nominated memory device the memory device on which the file is stored;

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

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

6. In a computer network comprising a processor, a local memory device, a network memory device and an output device, the processor operating according to an application program and an operating system, a method for saving a file, the method comprising:

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

(b) intercepting control from the application program before the application program requests save information;

(c) displaying on the output device a save card;

(d) accepting, as optional input, information about the file;

(e) accepting information about the 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) selecting as a nominated memory either the network memory device or the local memory device depending upon the location at which the file is to be save;

(g) storing the accepted information in a database in the nominated memory device;

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

(i) storing the file in the nominated memory device according to operating system conventions.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising, after step (f), the steps of:

(a) displaying on the output device a network access card;

(b) accepting information about a set of access privileges for the file; and

(c) causing to be modified the set of network access privileges for the file by interacting with a server.

8. For use on a computer network, the computer network including a server and computer processor capable of executing an application program, the computer processor coupled to the server, the server coupled to a plurality of network storage devices, each network storage device storing a plurality of files in a directory structure, the server comprising a network access program that sets and checks a set of access privileges for each one of the plurality of files, each one of the directories in the directory structure and each network storage device, a method for setting network access privileges comprising the steps of:

intercepting control from the application program without exiting the application program when a predetermined command is communicated to the application program;

thereafter, selecting as an item one of the plurality of files, one of the directories in the directory structure or one of the plurality of network storage devices;

displaying on an output device coupled to the computer processor the item selected and the set of access privileges for the item;

specifying a new set of access privileges for the item; and

causing the network access program of the server to alter the set of access privileges for the item.

9. In a local area network comprising a processor, a local memory device, a network memory device, a database and an output device, the processor operating according to an application program and an operating system, a method for retrieving a file from a nominated 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 output device 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 application program;

(f) determining, utilizing the information accepted at steps (d) and (e), whether the file is stored on the local memory device or the network memory device;

(g) nominating as the nominated memory device the memory device on which the file is stored;

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

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

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the database is stored on the nominated memory device.

11. In a local area network comprising a computer processor, a local memory device, a network memory device, a database and an output device, the computer processor operating according to an application program and an operating system, a method for retrieving a file from a nominated 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 output device 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 application program;

(e) determining, utilizing the accepted information, whether the file is stored on the local memory device or the network memory device;

(f) nominating as the nominated memory device the memory device on which the file is stored;

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

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

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the database is stored on the nominated memory device.

13. A file directory and retrieval system for use in a computer network, the computer network comprising an output device, a local memory, a shared memory, and a local processor operating according to an operating system program and an application program, the local memory and the shared memory storing files in a directory structure having levels, each file and level in the directory structure having network access privileges, the local memory and shared memory comprising the highest level of the directory structure, 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 program;

means for changing the network access privileges of files and directories without exiting the application program;

means, operating in the background of the application program and intercepting control of the local 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 program to issue a command to open the file; and

means, operating in the background of the application program and intercepting control of the local 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 for causing the operating system program to issue a command to save the file in the directory structure.

14. The file directory and retrieval system of claim 13 further comprising means for creating, moving and deleting files and directories without exiting the application program.

15. The file directory and retrieval system of claim 13 further comprising means for controllably displaying a graphical representation on the output device of the real world hierarchical file structure.

16. The file directory and retrieval system of claim 13 further comprising a network processor coupled to the local processor, the network processor interacting with the means for changing the network access privileges to cause a set of access bits to be modified.

17. A file directory and retrieval system for use in a computer network, the computer network comprising an output device, a local memory, a shared memory, and a local processor operating according to an operating system and an application program, the local memory and the shared memory storing files in a directory structure having levels, the directory structure organized according to conventions of the operating system, each file and level in the directory structure having network access privileges, the local memory and shared memory comprising the highest level of the directory structure, 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 changing the network access privileges for files and directories without exiting the application program; and

means, operating in the background of the application program and intercepting control of the local 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, for 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 file to be opened.

18. The file directory and retrieval system of claim 17 further comprising means for creating, moving and deleting directories without exiting the application program.

19. The file directory and retrieval system of claim 17 further comprising means for controllably displaying a graphical representation on the output device of the real world hierarchical file structure.

20. The file directory and retrieval system of claim 17 further comprising a network processor coupled to the local processor, the network processor interacting with the means for changing the network access privileges to cause a set of access bits to be modified.

21. A file directory system for use in a computer network, the computer network comprising an output device, a local memory, a shared memory, and a local processor operating according to an operating system and an application program, the local memory and the shared memory storing files in a directory structure having levels, the directory structure organized according to conventions of the operating system, each file and level in the directory structure having network access privileges, the local memory and shared memory comprising the highest level of the directory structure, 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 changing the network access privileges for files and directories without exiting the application program; and

means, operating in the background of the application program and intercepting control of the local 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 file in the real world hierarchical file structure, for 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 file to be saved in the directory structure.

22. The file directory system of claim 21 further comprising means for creating, moving and deleting directories without exiting the application program.

23. The file directory system of claim 21 further comprising means for controllably displaying a graphical representation on the output device of the real world hierarchical file structure.

24. The file directory system of claim 21 further comprising a network processor coupled to the local processor, the network processor interacting with the means for changing the network access privileges to cause a set of access bits to be modified.

25. A file directory and retrieval system for use in a computer network, the computer network comprising an output device, a local memory, a shared memory, and a local processor operating according to an operating system and an application program, the local memory and the shared memory storing files in a directory structure having levels, the directory structure organized according to conventions of the operating system, the local memory and shared memory comprising the highest level of the directory structure, the file directory and retrieval system comprising:

computer-implemented 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;

computer-implemented means for changing network access privileges for directories without exiting the application program;

computer-implemented means, operating in the background of the application program and intercepting control of the local 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 and for causing the file to be opened; and

computer-implemented means, operating in the background of the application program and intercepting control of the local 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 and for causing the file to be saved.

26. The file directory and retrieval system of claim 25 further comprising means for creating, moving and deleting directories without exiting the application program.

27. The file directory and retrieval system of claim 25 further comprising means for controllably displaying a graphical representation on the output device of the real world hierarchical file structure.

28. A computer network to store and retrieve files in a systematic manner, each file stored in a local storage device or in one of a plurality of network storage devices, the files arranged on each storage device in a directory structure, the computer network comprising:

a network database that stores information about each file stored on the network storage devices, the information comprising user input details about the contents of each file and the position of each file in directory structure of the respective storage device;

a local database that stores information about each file stored on the local storage device, the information comprising user input details about the contents of each file and the position of each file in directory structure of the local storage device;

means for inputting information about each file utilizing a graphical user interface comprising hierarchically arranged icons that represent the directory structure;

means for storing a file on a storage device; and

means for retrieving the file stored on a storage device utilizing said graphical user interface.

29. A network access interface controller operateable on a computer processor, the computer processor capable of executing an application program, the computer processor coupled to a server, the server coupled to a plurality of network storage devices, each network storage device storing a plurality of files in a directory structure, the server comprising a network access program that sets and checks a set of access privileges for each one of the plurality of files, each one of the directories in the directory structure and each network storage device, the network access interface controller comprising:

means for intercepting control from the application program without exiting the application program when a predetermined command is received by the application program;

means for selecting as an item one of the plurality of files, one of the directories in the directory structure or one of the plurality of network storage devices;

means for displaying on an output device coupled to the computer processor the item selected and the set of access privileges for the item;

means for specifying a new set of access privileges for the item; and

means for causing the network access program of the server to alter the set of access privileges for the item.

30. The network access interface controller of claim 29 wherein the set of access privileges comprises supervisor rights, read rights, write rights, modify rights, create rights, erase rights, access rights, and file rights.

31. The network access interface controller of claim 30 further comprising means, when a file, a directory or a network storage device is added to the directory structure, for giving a network supervisor, read rights, write rights, modify rights, create rights, erase rights, access rights, supervisor rights and file rights.

32. The network access interface controller of claim 30 further comprising means, when a file or a directory is added to the directory structure, for giving a creating user read rights, write rights, modify rights, create rights, erase rights, access rights, and file rights.

33. The network access interface controller of claim 29 wherein the means for causing the network access program of the server to alter the set of access privileges for the item further comprises means for altering a trustee rights mask.

34. A network access interface controller operateable on a computer processor, the computer processor capable of executing an application program, the computer processor coupled to a server, the server coupled to a plurality of network storage devices, each network storage device storing a plurality of files in a directory structure, the server comprising a network access program that sets and checks a set of access privileges for each one of the plurality of files, each one of the directories in the directory structure and each network storage device, the network access interface controller comprising:

means for intercepting control from the application program without exiting the application program when a predetermined command is communicated to the application program;

means, utilizing a graphical user interface comprising hierarchically arranged icons, for selecting as an item one of the plurality of files, one of the directories in the directory structure or one of the plurality of network storage devices;

means for displaying on an output device coupled to the computer processor the item selected and the set of access privileges for the item;

means for specifying a new set of access privileges for the item; and

means for causing the network access program of the server to alter the set of access privileges for the item.