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Method for locating and displaying information in a pointer-based computer system

  • US 5,764,818 A
  • Filed: 01/05/1993
  • Issued: 06/09/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of controlling a display screen for searching the contents of a memory device associated with a pointer-based computer system and displaying the search results on the display screen associated with the computer system, the computer system having a processor and a plurality of applications, at least one of which is running on the processor, wherein the contents of the memory device include a plurality of searchable application files that are each associated with at least one of the plurality of applications and each capable of containing a plurality of records, the method comprising the steps of:

  • a) receiving a find command;

    b) displaying a find dialog box on the display screen;

    c) receiving a search string selection input by interaction of a pointer with the display screen, and displaying the search string in the find dialog box;

    d) determining whether a global search mode or a local search mode has been selected by interaction of the pointer with the display screen;

    e) executing the selected search, wherein,when the local search mode is selected, a search is made through the contents of each record in an application file that is associated with an application program that is currently running on the processor, andwhen the global search mode is selected, a search is made through each of the searchable applications and a list is made of the the application files searched and the number of records within each application file that contain the search string; and

    (f) displaying at least a portion of the search results on the display screen.

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