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US Patent 5544360 - Method for accessing computer files and data, using linked categories assigned to each data file record on entry of the data file record

US Patent Issued on August 6, 1996
Estimated Patent Expiration Date: Icon_subject February 3, 2015Estimated 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.
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Abstract

A computer filing system for accessing files and data according to user-designated criteria. The system allows the user to define a virtually unlimited number of hybrid folders by describing, using terms of their own selection, the file contents of those files which are to belong to particular hybrid folders. Such hybrid folders can be implemented on top of, and used in addition to, the normal hierarchical structured directory, or they may replace such normal structures entirely. The inventive computer file control system could therefore be used as the basis of a new computer operating system. In the process of search and retrieval, the invention ensures in two ways that the user defines a filter which will always find at least one file. The user is not required to type the key words to search but instead chooses the words from pick lists, making mistyping impossible. As the user builds the search filter definition, categories which would find no data are automatically excluded as pick list possibilities.

Other References

  • Van Kir., "Lotus, Traveling Software Tackle DOS File Management Problems", Apr. 1989, V2R4 p. 35(2) PC-Computing
  • PC Tools DOS & Shell/File Manager, 1991, pp. 33-35, (Version 7 For DOS) Central Point Software Inc
  • Central Point Software Inc. PC Tools Data Recovery And Systems Utilties, 1991, pp. 95-97 (Ver. 7 For DOS)
  • Thought Pattern Handbook, By Bananafish Software, Inc., 1991 San Francisco, C

Inventors

Assignee

Application

No. 384379 filed on 02/03/1995

US Classes:

707/1DATABASE OR FILE ACCESSING

Examiners

Primary: Black, Thomas G.
Assistant: Choules, Jack M.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

US Patent References

5047918, File management system
Issued on: 09/10/1991
Inventor: Schwartz, et al.
5115504, Information management system
Issued on: 05/19/1992
Inventor: Belove, et al.
5162992, Vector relational characteristical object
Issued on: 11/10/1992
Inventor: Williams
5201047, Attribute-based classification and retrieval system
Issued on: 04/06/1993
Inventor: Maki, et al.
5201048, High speed computer system for search and retrieval of data within text and record oriented files
Issued on: 04/06/1993
Inventor: Coulter, et al.
5204947, Application independent (open) hypermedia enablement services
Issued on: 04/20/1993
Inventor: Bernstein, et al.
5206949, Database search and record retrieval system which continuously displays category names during scrolling and selection of individually displayed search terms
Issued on: 04/27/1993
Inventor: Cochran, et al.
5276867Digital data storage system with improved data migration
Issued on: 01/04/1994
Inventor: Kenley, et al.

International Class

G06F 017/30

Comments

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by clast on 09/24/2009 11:07 AM
So someone works out progammimg steps to make the well established methodology of manual cross reference systems such as the library reference card, journalist card file and G2 Intellignce reference file systems and they get a patent. I Will never cease to be amazed by the hubris of the tech community that thinks they deserve a patent for figuring out how to translate what we do with our heads and papaer into code, and the foolishness of our patent reviewers that believe the line of BS that because it is Technology it must be different and new.
 
 
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