Data processing method to provide a generalized link from a reference point in an on-line book to an arbitrary multimedia object which can be dynamically updated

Patent 5367621 Issued on November 22, 1994. Estimated Expiration Date:

November 22, 2011. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

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Inventors

Application

No. 755709 filed on 09/06/1991

US Classes:

715/501.1, Hypermedia710/1, INPUT/OUTPUT DATA PROCESSING715/511, Version management715/515Compound document

Examiners

Primary: Herndon, Heather R.
Assistant: Feild, Joseph H.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Hoel; John E., Duffield; Edward H.

Foreign Patent References

4157962 EP. 08/12/1990
8811925 JP. 05/12/1989

International Class

G06F 015/62

Abstract

A generalized link is provided in a data processing system to enable referencing from a point within an organized hierarchy of an on-line softcopy text, to an arbitrary multimedia object. The multimedia object may be represented by data which is also contained within the softcopy book or alternately which may be separate from the book as a separate file or a separate data base. This enables an author at the time of writing the softcopy book, to specify specific multimedia hardware and software support for the display of multimedia presentations accompanying the text in the book. Provision is made for the author to specify alternate forms of multimedia presentation, where a particular specified multimedia apparatus or supporting software is not present at a workstation. An improved method for dynamically updating a softcopy book to a new edition is also disclosed.

Other References

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