Method and apparatus for modification of network link histories

• US 6,012,093 A
• Filed: 06/13/1997
• Issued: 01/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: McBrearty, Gerald Francis, Shieh, Johnny Meng-Han, Maddalozzo, John Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rinehart, Mark H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thompson, Marc D
• Application Number:
  US08/874,809
• Time in Patent Office: 935 Days
• Field of Search: 707/103, 707/104, 707/501, 707/500, 707/513, 707/200, 395/200.33, 395/200.53, 395/200.54, 709/203, 709/223, 709/224
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing

Abstract

A method and implementing system 101, are provided in which a computer system is arranged for connection 210 to a network system such as the Internet. A user of the computer system may selectively display 401 a listing of network data path and site history files from previous network sessions, and select one or more items from the list for modification 407, 409, 411. The user may then modify the current history file by creating 411, 701 a new current history file. A new current history file may also be modified by exchanging 407, 501 or appending 409, 601 the selected and modified selected items with the current history file to create a new current history file. The newly created history file then includes data paths and/or portions thereof, which were successfully used in previous network sessions.

Claims

1. A method for modifying history files in a computer system in which the computer system is selectively arranged for interaction with remote sites through a network system, and wherein the computer system is enabled during network connection sessions to automatically provide a history listing of all remote site locations visited during each of said network connection sessions, said method comprising:

displaying a selection screen, said selection screen including at least one history listing, said selection screen being arranged to prompt a user to choose a selected plurality of groups of said remote site locations from said history listing of remote site locations; and

combining said selected groups of said remote site locations in accordance with a user-selected modification option to provide a new history listing including said combined selected groups of said remote site locations.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said selection screen includes a plurality of history listings saved from prior network connection sessions, and whereas at least one of said selected groups of said remote site locations comprises an entire one of said history listings.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1 and further including saving said history listings including said new history listing in non-volatile memory.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1 and after said modifying, said method further including:

displaying said new history file to the user on a current history screen.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said network system includes remote site locations on an Internet system.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said network is accessible through wireless communication links.

7. A storage medium including machine readable indicia, said storage medium being selectively coupled to a reading device, said reading device being selectively coupled to processing circuitry within a computer system, said reading device being selectively operable to read said machine readable indicia and provide program signals representative thereof, said computer system being further selectively arranged for interaction with remote sites through a network system, and wherein the computer system is enabled during network connection sessions to automatically provide a history listing of all remote site locations visited during each of said network connection sessions, said program signals being selectively operable to accomplish the steps of:

displaying a selection screen, said selection screen including at least one history listing, said selection screen being arranged to prompt a user to choose a selected plurality of groups of said remote site locations from said history listing of remote site locations; and

combining said selected groups of said remote site locations in accordance with a user-selected modification option to provide a new history listing including said combined selected groups of said remote site locations.

8. The storage medium as set forth in claim 7 wherein said selection screen includes a plurality of history listings saved from prior network connection sessions, and whereas at least one of said selected groups of said remote site locations comprises an entire one of said history listings.

9. The storage medium as set forth in claim 7 and further including saving said history listings including said new history listing in non-volatile memory.

10. The storage medium as set forth in claim 7 and after said modifying, said program signals being further effective for:

displaying said new history file to the user on a current history screen.

11. The storage medium as set forth in claim 7 wherein said network system includes remote site locations on an Internet system.

12. The storage medium as set forth in claim 7 wherein said network is accessible through wireless communication links.

13. A computer system comprising:

a processing device;

a memory unit; and

a bus connecting said processing device and said memory unit, said processing device being selectively operable for executing a program from said memory for modifying history files in said computer system, said computer system being selectively arranged for interaction with remote sites through a network system, and wherein said computer system is enabled during network connection sessions to automatically provide a history listing of all remote site locations visited during each of said network connection sessions, said program being selectively operable for;

displaying a selection screen, said selection screen including at least one history listing, said selection screen being arranged to prompt a user to choose a selected plurality of groups of said remote site locations from said history listing of remote site locations; and

combining said selected groups of said remote site locations in accordance with a user-selected modification option to provide a new history listing including said combined selected groups of said remote site locations.