Computer system and method of displaying hypertext documents with internal hypertext link definitions

• US 6,585,776 B1
• Filed: 11/10/1999
• Issued: 07/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Day, Paul R., Bates, Cary L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Herndon, Heather R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUYNH, CONG LAC T
• Application Number:
  US09/438,080
• Time in Patent Office: 1,329 Days
• Field of Search: 707/501.1, 707/513, 707/514, 345/473, 345/786, 345/787, 715/501.1, 715/513, 715/514
• US Class Current: 715/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/748 Hypervideo linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object in the context of video distribution systems H04N21/858
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04855 Interaction with scrollbars
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99932 Access augmentation or optimizing

Abstract

A computer system and method display internal and external hypertext link definitions in different representations to simplify a user'"'"'s recognition of the external/internal status of each hypertext link definition in a document. Additional information, such as the direction from an internal hypertext link definition to the location in the document pointed to by that definition, and/or the absolute or relative position of the location pointed to by an internal hypertext link definition, may also be displayed. Moreover, a computer system and method may also display the position of the location pointed to by an internal hypertext link definition on a scroll bar such that location information about a particular document is centralized within a common user interface component.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of displaying a hypertext document on a computer display, the hypertext document including an internal hypertext link definition located at a first predetermined location in the hypertext document and linked to a second predetermined location therein, the method comprising:

(a) determining that the internal hypertext link definition is for an internal hypertext link;

(b) determining at least one of a position of the second predetermined location in the hypertext document and a direction from the first predetermined location to the second predetermined location;

(c) displaying the internal hypertext link definition on the computer display; and

(d) in response to determining that the internal hypertext link definition is for an internal hypertext link and determining the at least one of the position and the direction, indicating in association with the internal hypertext link definition the internal status of the internal hypertext link definition to distinguish the internal hypertext link definition from an external hypertext link definition, wherein the internal status further indicates the at least one of the position of the second predetermined location and the direction from the first predetermined location to the second predetermined location.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the hypertext document is a first hypertext document, the first hypertext document further including an external hypertext link definition linked to a second hypertext document, wherein the method further comprises displaying the external hypertext link definition on the computer display in a first representation, and wherein indicating the internal status of the internal hypertext link definition includes displaying the internal hypertext link definition in a second representation that is visually distinct from the first representation to thereby simplify recognition of an external/internal status of each hypertext link definition.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising scanning the first hypertext document for internal hypertext link definitions.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the first and second representations have visually distinct display characteristics selected from the group consisting of colors, fonts, styles, and combinations thereof.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein one of the first and second representations includes an icon.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the second representation includes the icon, the icon further indicating a direction from the internal hypertext link definition to the predetermined location in the first hypertext document.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the second representation includes the icon, the icon further indicating a position of the predetermined location in the first hypertext document.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein one of the first and second representations is animated.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein displaying the internal hypertext link definition includes selectively displaying the internal hypertext link definition only in response to user selection of an internal link enable mode.

10. The method of claim 2, further comprising setting the second representation to that of surrounding text in response to user selection of an internal link disable mode.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the position is a relative position from the internal hypertext link definition to the predetermined location in the hypertext document.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the position is an absolute position of the predetermined location in the hypertext document.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying at least a portion of the hypertext document in a window, the window including a scroll bar, wherein indicating the position includes displaying an indicator on the scroll bar.

14. A computer system configured to display a hypertext document, the hypertext document including an internal hypertext link definition located at a first predetermined location in the hypertext document and linked to a second predetermined location in the hypertext document, the computer system comprising:

(a) a computer display; and

(b) a processor, coupled to the computer display, the processor configured to display the internal hypertext link definition on the computer display, and, in response to determining that the internal hypertext link definition is for an internal hypertext link and determining at least one of a position of the second predetermined location in the hypertext document and a direction from the first predetermined location to the second predetermined location, to indicate in association with the internal hypertext link definition the internal status of the internal hypertext link definition to distinguish the internal hypertext link definition from an external hypertext link definition, wherein the internal status further indicates the at least one of the position of the second predetermined location and the direction from the first predetermined location to the second predetermined location.

15. The computer system of claim 14, wherein the hypertext document is a first hypertext document further including an external hypertext link definition linked to a second hypertext document, and wherein the processor is further configured to respectively display the external and internal hypertext link definitions in first and second visually distinct representations to thereby simplify recognition of an external/internal status of each hypertext link definition.

16. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to scan the first hypertext document for internal hypertext link definitions.

17. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the first and second representations have visually distinct display characteristics selected from the group consisting of colors, fonts, styles, and combinations thereof.

18. The computer system of claim 15, wherein one of the first and second representations includes an icon.

19. The computer system of claim 15, wherein one of the first and second representations is animated.

20. A program product, comprising:

(a) a program configured to perform a method of displaying a hypertext document on a computer display, the hypertext document including an internal hypertext link definition located at a first predetermined location in the hypertext document and linked to a second predetermined location in the hypertext document, the method comprising;

(1) displaying the internal hypertext link definition on the computer display; and

(2) in response to determining that the internal hypertext link definition is for an internal hypertext link and determining at least one of a position of the second predetermined location in the hypertext document and a direction from the first predetermined location to the second predetermined location, indicating in association with the internal hypertext link definition the internal status of the internal hypertext link definition to distinguish the internal hypertext link.

21. The program product of claim 20, wherein the signal bearing media comprises a recordable type media.

22. The program product of claim 20, wherein the signal bearing media comprises transmission type media.

23. A computer-implemented method of displaying a hypertext document on a computer display, the hypertext document including an internal hypertext link definition located at a first predetermined location in the hypertext document and linked to a second predetermined location in the hypertext document, the method comprising:

(a) determining that the internal hypertext link definition is for an internal hypertext link;

(b) determining a direction from the first predetermined location to the second predetermined location; and

(c) displaying the hypertext document on the computer display, including, in response to determining that the internal hypertext link definition is for an internal hypertext link and determining the direction, indicating the direction from the first predetermined location to the second predetermined location on the computer display.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising displaying the internal hypertext link definition on the computer display, wherein indicating the direction from the first predetermined location to the second predetermined location includes displaying an icon associated with the internal hypertext link definition.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the icon includes an arrow pointing in the direction of the second predetermined location.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the second predetermined location is located at one of the top and bottom of the hypertext document, wherein displaying the hypertext document further includes separately indicating that the second predetermined location is disposed at the one of the top and bottom of the hypertext document.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein indicating the direction from the first predetermined location to the second predetermined location includes indicating a position of the second predetermined location in the hypertext document.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein indicating the position of the second predetermined location in the hypertext document is the sole indication of the direction from the first predetermined location to the second predetermined location.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein indicating the direction from the first predetermined location to the second predetermined location includes displaying the internal hypertext link definition on the computer display in one of first and second colors respectively associated with first and second directions.

30. A computer system configured to display a hypertext document, the hypertext document including an internal hypertext link definition located at a first predetermined location in the hypertext document and linked to a second predetermined location in the hypertext document, the computer system comprising:

(a) a computer display; and

(b) a processor, coupled to the computer display, the processor configured to display the hypertext document with the internal hypertext link definition; and

to indicate on the computer display a direction from the first predetermined location to the second predetermined location in response to determining the direction and determining that the internal hypertext link definition is for an internal hypertext link.

31. The computer system of claim 30, wherein the processor is further configured to display the internal hypertext link definition on the computer display, and to indicate the direction from the first predetermined location to the second predetermined location by displaying an icon associated with the internal hypertext link definition.

32. The computer system of claim 30, wherein the icon includes an arrow pointing in the direction of the second predetermined location.

33. The computer system of claim 30, wherein the second predetermined location is located at one of the top and bottom of the hypertext document, wherein the processor is configured to display the hypertext document by separately indicating that the second predetermined location is disposed at the one of the top and bottom of the hypertext document.

34. The computer system of claim 30, wherein the processor is configured to indicate the direction from the first predetermined location to the second predetermined location by indicating a position of the second predetermined location in the hypertext document.

35. The computer system of claim 34, wherein the indication of the position of the second predetermined location in the hypertext document is the sole indication of the direction from the first predetermined location to the second predetermined location.

36. The computer system of claim 30, wherein the processor is configured to indicate the direction from the first predetermined location to the second predetermined location by displaying the internal hypertext link definition on the computer display in one of first and second colors respectively associated with first and second directions.

37. A program product, comprising:

(a) a program configured to perform a method of displaying a hypertext document on a computer display, the hypertext document including an internal hypertext link definition located at a first predetermined location in the hypertext document and linked to a second predetermined location in the hypertext document, the method comprising;

(1) determining a direction from the first predetermined location to the second predetermined location; and

(2) displaying the hypertext document on the computer display, including, in response to determining that the internal hypertext link definition is for an internal hypertext link and determining the direction, indicating the direction from the first predetermined location to the second predetermined location on the computer display, and

(b) a signal bearing media bearing the program.

38. A computer-implemented method of displaying a hypertext document on a computer display, the hypertext document including an internal hypertext link definition linked to a predetermined location in the hypertext document, the method comprising:

(a) determining that the internal hypertext link definition is for an internal hypertext link;

(b) determining a position of the predetermined location in the hypertext document; and

(c) displaying the hypertext document and the internal hypertext link definition on the computer display, including, in response to determining that the internal hypertext link definition is for an internal hypertext link and determining the position, indicating in association with the internal hypertext link the internal status of the internal hypertext link definition, the internal status additionally indicating the position of the predetermined location on the computer display.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the position is a relative position from the internal hypertext link definition to the predetermined location in the hypertext document.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the position is an absolute position of the predetermined location in the hypertext document.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein indicating the position includes displaying the internal hypertext link definition in first and second colors such that a boundary between the first and second colors indicates the position of the predetermined location.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein indicating the position includes:

(a) displaying a graphical depiction of the hypertext document; and

(b) displaying on the graphical depiction a link extending from an absolute position of the internal hypertext link definition in the graphical depiction to an absolute position of the predetermined location in the graphical depiction.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein displaying the graphical depiction of the hypertext document includes displaying the graphical depiction in a separate container from the hypertext document.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the separate container is a pop-up window.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein the separate container is a panel.

46. The method of claim 40, wherein indicating the position includes displaying a numeric position indicator.

47. The method of claim 38, further comprising displaying an arrow icon on the computer display that indicates a direction from the internal hypertext link definition to the predetermined location, wherein indicating the position includes controlling a display characteristic of the arrow icon to indicate the position, the display characteristic selected from the group consisting of color, size, and combinations thereof.

48. The method of claim 38, further comprising displaying at least a portion of the hypertext document in a window, the window including a scroll bar, wherein indicating the position includes displaying an indicator on the scroll bar.

49. The method of claim 38, further comprising indicating the position only in response to user input placing focus on the internal hypertext link definition.

50. A computer system configured to display a hypertext document, the hypertext document including an internal hypertext link definition linked to a predetermined location in the hypertext document, the computer system comprising:

(a) a computer display, and

(b) a processor, coupled to the computer display, the processor configured to display the hypertext document and the internal hypertext link definition; and

, in response to determining that the internal hypertext link definition is for an internal hypertext link and determining a position of the predetermined location in the hypertext document, to indicate in association with the internal hypertext link definition an internal status of the internal hypertext link definition, the internal status additionally indicating the position of the predetermined location in the hypertext document.

51. The computer system of claim 50, wherein the position is a relative position from the internal hypertext link definition to the predetermined location in the hypertext document.

52. The computer system of claim 50, wherein the position is an absolute position of the predetermined location in the hypertext document.

53. The computer system of claim 52, wherein the processor is configured to indicate the position by displaying the internal hypertext link definition in first and second colors such that a boundary between the first and second colors indicates the position of the predetermined location.

54. The computer system of claim 52, wherein the processor is configured to indicate the position by:

(a) displaying a graphical depiction of the hypertext document; and

(b) displaying on the graphical depiction a link extending from an absolute position of the internal hypertext link definition in the graphical depiction to an absolute position of the predetermined location in the graphical depiction.

55. The computer system of claim 52, wherein the processor is configured to indicate the position by displaying a numeric position indicator.

56. The computer system of claim 50, wherein the processor is configured to display an arrow icon on the computer display that indicates a direction from the internal hypertext link definition to the predetermined location, and wherein the processor is configured to indicate the position by controlling a display characteristic of the arrow icon to indicate the position, the display characteristic selected from the group consisting of color, size, and combinations thereof.

57. The computer system of claim 50, wherein the processor is configured to display at least a portion of the hypertext document in a window, the window including a scroll bar, and wherein the processor is configured to indicate the position by displaying an indicator on the scroll bar.

58. A program product, comprising:

(a) a program configured to perform a method of displaying a hypertext document on a computer display, the hypertext document including an internal hypertext link definition linked to a predetermined location in the hypertext document, the method comprising;

(1) determining a position of the predetermined location in the hypertext document; and

(2) displaying the hypertext document and the internal hypertext link definition on the computer display, including, in response to determining that the internal hypertext link definition is for an internal hypertext link and determining the position, indicating in association with the internal hypertext link the internal status of the internal hypertext link definition, the internal status additionally indicating the position of the predetermined location on the computer display, and

(b) a signal bearing media bearing the program.

59. A computer-implemented method of displaying a hypertext document on a computer display, the hypertext document including an internal hypertext link definition linked to a predetermined location in the hypertext document, the method comprising:

(a) determining that the internal hypertext link definition is for an internal hypertext link;

(b) determining a position of the predetermined location in the hypertext document;

(c) displaying a window on the computer display, the window displaying at least a portion of the hypertext document, and the window including a scroll bar configured to display selected portions of the hypertext document in the window in response to user input, the scroll bar including a slider, and

(d) in response to determining that the internal hypertext link definition is for an internal hypertext link and determining the position, indicating on the scroll bar, and other than with the slider, the internal status of the internal hypertext link definition, the internal status additionally indicating the position of the predetermined location in the hypertext document.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein indicating the position includes displaying an indicator at a position on the scroll bar that corresponds to the absolute position of the predetermined location in the hypertext document.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein the indicator includes a horizontal line.

62. The method of claim 59, further comprising indicating the position only in response to user input placing focus on the internal hypertext link definition.

63. A computer system configured to display a hypertext document, the hypertext document including an internal hypertext link definition linked to a predetermined location in the hypertext document, the computer system comprising:

(a) a computer display; and

(b) a processor, coupled to the computer display, the processor configured to determine that the internal hypertext link definition is for an internal hypertext link, to determine a position of the predetermined location in the hypertext document, to display at least a portion of the hypertext document in a window, and, in response to determining that the internal hypertext link definition is for an internal hypertext link and determining the position, to indicate on a scroll bar for the window, and other than with a slider on the scroll bar, the internal status of the internal hypertext link definition, the internal status additionally indicating the position of the predetermined location in the hypertext document.

64. The computer system of claim 63, wherein the processor is configured to display an indicator at a position on the scroll bar that corresponds to the absolute position of the predetermined location in the hypertext document.

65. The computer system of claim 64, wherein the indicator includes a horizontal line.

66. The computer system of claim 63, wherein the processor indicates the position only in response to user input placing focus on the internal hypertext link definition.

67. A program product, comprising:

(a) a program configured to perform a method of displaying a hypertext document on a computer display, the hypertext document including an internal hypertext link definition linked to a predetermined location in the hypertext document, the method comprising;

(1) determining that the internal hypertext link definition is for an internal hypertext link;

(2) determining a position of the predetermined location in the hypertext document;

(3) displaying a window on the computer display, the window displaying at least a portion of the hypertext document, and the window including a scroll bar configured to display selected portions of the hypertext document in the window in response to user input, the scroll bar including a slider; and

(4) in response to determining that the internal hypertext link definition is for an internal hypertext link and determining the position, indicating on the scroll bar, and other than with the slider, the internal status of the internal hypertext link definition, the internal status additionally indicating the position of the predetermined location in the hypertext document; and

(b) a signal bearing media bearing the program.