Method and system for displaying an expandable tree structure in a data processing system graphical user interface
First Claim
1. A method for display of graphical information on a display screen of a data processing system, the display of graphical information including a plurality of nodes representing a hierarchy, wherein at least some of the nodes include subnodes, comprising the steps of:
- selecting a node to be expanded as the hierarchy is displayed within a primary display window on the display screen;
outputting within the primary display window a first display window in which a set of one or more subnodes associated with the selected node are displayed;
responsive to selecting a first subnode to be expanded as the set of one or more subnodes are displayed within the first display window, outputting within the first display window a second display window in which a set of one or more subnodes of the first subnode are displayed; and
re-positioning at least some of the set of one or more subnodes in the first display window if necessary to accommodate the second display window within the first display window.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system are disclosed for displaying a graphical representation on a display screen of a data processing system in a manner that optimizes screen "real estate" and ease of information viewing. The graphical representation may be a tree hierarchy including a plurality of expandable and collapsible nodes. The method begins as the hierarchy is displayed within a primary display window on the display screen when the user selects a node to be expanded . In response, a first display region is output within the primary display window and includes a set of one or more subnodes associated with the selected node. If a first subnode in the first display region is then selected for expansion, a second display region is then output within the first display region, and the second display region in turn includes a set of one or more subnodes of the first subnode. This generation of new "nested" display regions then continues as the user continues to explore deeper into the tree hierarchy. A given subnode display region may have one or more controls, such as a sizing button or one or more scroll bars, to facilitate display of node information within the region, and preferably each expanded node remains associated with its subnode display region using a guideline. If generation and display of a subnode display region requires additional screen space, one or more of the subnodes in the "parent" display region are re-positioned.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for display of graphical information on a display screen of a data processing system, the display of graphical information including a plurality of nodes representing a hierarchy, wherein at least some of the nodes include subnodes, comprising the steps of:
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selecting a node to be expanded as the hierarchy is displayed within a primary display window on the display screen; outputting within the primary display window a first display window in which a set of one or more subnodes associated with the selected node are displayed; responsive to selecting a first subnode to be expanded as the set of one or more subnodes are displayed within the first display window, outputting within the first display window a second display window in which a set of one or more subnodes of the first subnode are displayed; and re-positioning at least some of the set of one or more subnodes in the first display window if necessary to accommodate the second display window within the first display window. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for display of graphical information on a display screen of a data processing system, the display of graphical information including a plurality of nodes representing a tree hierarchy, wherein at least some of the nodes include subnodes, comprising the steps of:
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selecting a node to be expanded as the tree hierarchy is displayed within a primary display window on the display screen; outputting within the primary display window a first display window in which a set of one or more subnodes associated with the selected node are displayed; displaying a guideline associating the selected node and the first display window; responsive to selecting a first subnode to be expanded as the set of one or more subnodes are displayed within the first display window, outputting within the first display window a second display window in which a set of one or more subnodes of the first subnode are displayed; displaying a guideline associated the selected first subnode and the second display window; and re-positioning at least some of the set of one or more subnodes in the first display window if necessary to accommodate the second display window. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A computer program product within a computer readable media for causing a data processing system to display graphical information on a display screen, the display of graphical information including a plurality of nodes representing a tree hierarchy, wherein at least some of the nodes include subnodes, said computer program product comprising:
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instruction means, responsive to selection of a node to be expanded as the hierarchy is displayed within a primary display window on the display screen, for outputting within the primary display window a first display window in which a set of one or more subnodes associated with the selected node are displayed; instruction means, responsive to selection of a first subnode to be expanded as the set of one or more subnodes are displayed within the first display window, for outputting within the first display window a second display window in which a set of one or more subnodes of the first subnode are displayed; and means, responsive to selection of the first subnode to be expanded, for re-positioning at least some of the set of one or more subnodes in the first display window if necessary to accommodate the second display window. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A data processing system, comprising:
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a processor; an operating system; a display device for display of graphical information on a display screen, the display of graphical information including a plurality of nodes representing a tree hierarchy, wherein at least some of the nodes include subnodes; and a control program run by the operating system for controlling display of the graphical information, the control program comprising; instruction means, responsive to selection of a node to be expanded as the hierarchy is displayed within a primary display window on the display screen, for outputting within the primary display window a first display window in which a set of one or more subnodes associated with the selected node are displayed; instruction means, responsive to selection of a first subnode to be expanded as the set of one or more subnodes are displayed within the first display window, for outputting within the first display window a second display window in which a set of one or more subnodes of the first subnode are displayed; and means, responsive to selection of the first subnode to be expanded, for re-positioning at least some of the set or one or more subnodes in the first display window if necessary to accommodate the second display window within the first display window. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of displaying a tree hierarchy in a window of a display screen in a data processing system, the tree hierarchy defined by a set of expandable and collapsible nodes, comprising the steps of:
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in response to selection of a node to be expanded, generating a first subwindow within the window showing subnodes associated with the selected node; in response to selection of a subnode within the first subwindow, generating a second subwindow nested within the first subwindow and showing subnodes associated with the selected subnode of the first subwindow; in response to selection of a subnode within the second subwindow, generating a third subwindow nested within the second subwindow and showing subnodes associated with the selected subnode of the second subwindow; and
without user input, automatically repositioning at least some of the subnodes if necessary to accommodate a subwindow.
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Specification