Michael J Dolan

US Patent:

59632089, Oct 5, 1999

Filed:

Jul 14, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/115459

Inventors:

Michael Dolan - Alpine CA
Edwin Basart - Los Altos CA

Assignee:

Michael A. Dolan - Alpine CA

International Classification:

G06F 300

US Classification:

345357

Abstract:

A multi-protocol network client in which a single, integrated user-interface is provided for accessing information according to a number of network access protocols. The accessed information is represented in a hierarchical graph which provides an intuitive and convenient navigation tool for both the experienced and the novice user. The user accesses information according to a particular network access protocol by merely selecting a graphical representation of an item the user wishes to access from the hierarchical graph. Information pertaining to the particular item whose representation is selected by the user is retrieved and used to determine the network access protocol according to which the item is accessed. As an item is retrieved from the network, links contained within the item are parsed from the item and added to the hierarchical graph. In particular, links which are embedded in the substantive information of an item, as is the case with HTML documents, are parsed from the item and added to the hierarchical graph.

US Patent:

58017020, Sep 1, 1998

Filed:

Mar 9, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/401183

Inventors:

Michael A. Dolan - Alpine CA
Edwin J. Basart - Cupertino CA

Assignee:

TerraByte Technology - Alpine CA

International Classification:

G06F 300

US Classification:

345357

Abstract:

A multi-protocol network client in which a single, integrated user-interface is provided for accessing information according to a number of network access protocols. The accessed information is represented in a hierarchical graph which provides an intuitive and convenient navigation tool for both the experienced and the novice user. The user accesses information according to a particular network access protocol by merely selecting a graphical representation of an item the user wishes to access from the hierarchical graph. Information pertaining to the particular item whose representation is selected by the user is retrieved and used to determine the network access protocol according to which the item is accessed. As an item is retrieved from the network, links contained within the item are parsed from the item and added to the hierarchical graph. In particular, links which are embedded in the substantive information of an item, as is the case with HTML documents, are parsed from the item and added to the hierarchical graph.