Method and apparatus providing a graphical user interface for representing and navigating hierarchical networks
US6628304B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 9, 1998 |
| Grant date | Sep 30, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 9, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L41/22
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided which present hierarchical data to a user via a graphical user interface. A preferred embodiment represents hierarchical data related to a computer network and is provided to a user as part of a network management software application. In the interface, hierarchical data is represented by nodes, beginning with one or more top nodes and extending into lower hierarchical levels by the display of child nodes, child's child nodes, and so forth. The arrangement of nodes on the graphical user interface is such that scaling portrays the various hierarchical levels, and nodes do not spatially interfere with one another. Navigation through the hierarchical data is provided by allowing the user to select any visible node, at which point a zoom-in or zoom-out view to the selected node as a centrally located node on the interface is performed. Child nodes at lower hierarchical levels that were not visible before selection are then made visible up to a predetermined number of levels within the hierarchy. A map is provided on the interface which allows a user to graphically comprehend the present location of all nodes displayed on the interface in relation to …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.