Frederick C Mitchell

US Patent:

6628304, Sep 30, 2003

Filed:

Dec 9, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/208554

Inventors:

Frederick H. Mitchell - Nashua NH
David K. Bainbridge - Acton MA

Assignee:

Cisco Technology, Inc. - San Jose CA

International Classification:

G09G 500

US Classification:

345734, 345735, 345736

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, childs 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 their position within the overall hierarchy.

US Patent:

8185824, May 22, 2012

Filed:

Jul 23, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/880853

Inventors:

Frederick H. Mitchell - Nashua NH, US
David K. Bainbridge - Acton MA, US

Assignee:

Cisco Technology, Inc. - San Jose CA

International Classification:

G06F 15/177

US Classification:

715734, 715735, 715736, 715853

Abstract:

A method and apparatus are provided which present hierarchical data to a user via a graphical user interface. 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.