Non-computer interface to a database and digital library

• US 6,489,979 B1
• Filed: 10/30/1998
• Issued: 12/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Kauffmann, Steven Victor, Belknap, William Russell
• Primary Examiner(s): Cabeca, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): THAI, CUONG T
• Application Number:
  US09/182,879
• Time in Patent Office: 1,495 Days
• Field of Search: 345/145, 345/157, 345/160, 345/327, 345/352, 345/353, 345/357, 345/329, 707/10, 707/501, 709/201, 709/203, 709/217, 709/219
• US Class Current: 715/854
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2428 Query predicate definition using graphical user interfaces, including menus and forms G06F16/2423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/95 Retrieval from the web
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6227 where protection concerns the structure of data, e.g. records, types, queries
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4314 for fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4332 by placing content in organized collections, e.g. local EPG data repository interfaces, Database management systems or updating for information retrieval G06F16/23; details of retrieval of video data and associated meta data in video database G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4627 Rights management associated to the content security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08

Abstract

A non-computer interface to a storage system includes a set top box (STB) or interface unit connected to a storage system for storing information to be accessed by a user. The storage system can be a database, such as a relational database having a plurality of tables, or a digital library system, for storing information to be accessed by the user. Also stored in the storage system are navigation information or rules for controlling a user'"'"'s navigation of the database. A user interacts with the storage system through the STB, sending navigation commands to the storage system via the STB. The navigation commands available to a user are generated by combining the navigation rules with the user'"'"'s access privileges. The user can send navigation commands via a remote controller which sends cursor control commands to the STB. Alternatively, the user can send navigation commands via a virtual reality interface.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a storage unit, comprising:

accessing a first portion of the storage unit;

presenting first navigation information from the first portion of the storage unit;

sending a navigation command to the storage unit relating to the presented first navigation information to access a second portion of the storage unit;

receiving second navigation information from the storage unit, wherein the first and second navigation information are based on the first and second accessed portions of the storage unit, respectively, and an access privilege; and

prior to presenting the first navigation information, transmitting information regarding a user requesting access to the storage unit,

wherein the received first navigation information includes only navigation information resulting from comparing the transmitted user information with an object embedded in the storage unit, the embedded object containing the first navigation information.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the embedded object includes another embedded object.

3. A computer program product for browsing information in a storage unit, the computer program product including a computer-readable medium, comprising:

first computer-readable code for presenting first navigation information from an accessed first portion of the storage unit;

second computer-readable code for sending a navigation command to the storage unit based on the displayed first navigation information to access a second portion of the storage unit;

third computer-readable code for receiving second navigation information from the storage unit, wherein the first and second navigation information are based on the first and second accessed portions of the storage unit, respectively, and an access privilege; and

fourth computer-readable code for transmitting information regarding a user requesting access to the storage unit prior to the first computer-readable code causing presentation of the first navigation information,

wherein the received first navigation information includes only navigation information resulting from comparing the transmitted user information with an object embedded in the storage unit, the embedded object containing the first navigation information.

4. The program product according to claim 3, wherein the storage unit is a database.

5. The program product according to claim 3, wherein the storage unit is a digital library.