Sun Microsystems, Inc.

David M Bristor

Graham Hamilton

Brian T Lewis

Lynn Monsanto

Anant Kartik Mithal

A history mechanism is provided in which user data, which represents signals generated by a user, are stored for subsequent recall and regeneration in a history database in one of two or more categories associated with two or more respective component symbols of the user data. For example, in one embodiment, user data includes alphabetic symbols and a respective category is formed for each letter of the alphabet. User data is parsed into components and stored in the history database in each category corresponding to the initial letter of each component of the user data since the initial letter of each component of the user data is prominent. The user recalls and regenerates the user data by selecting a category corresponding to a letter of the alphabet which is the initial letter of any component of the user data. The user then selects the previously generated user data from a list of previously generated user data classified under the selected category. By classifying previously generated user data based on the content of the user data, e.g., prominent symbols of the user data, previously generated user data is stored in a organizational structure without intervention by the user and independently of the user's particular subjective perspective of the user data being classified. By classifying the user data redundantly according to each of one or more components of the user data, reliance on any single component of the user data being particularly memorable or unique is avoided.

Automatically generated content-based history mechanism

Apparatus, methods, and computer program products that disclose an entity chooser (similar to a file chooser) that uniformly presents heterogeneous entities accessed through different access methods. The invention allows a computer user to select, using a single interface, an entity from a collection of entities representing accessible information. For example, the invention can simultaneously and uniformly present entities located on a filesystem along with entities found on a network to the user for selection.

Method and apparatus for a unified chooser for heterogeneous entities

Data elements which can be combined to define a state are defined by respective attributes of an attribute set. An attribute includes an identifier, a data type, an accessor, and procedures for storing and retrieving values of the data element. A context includes at most one value for each attribute of an attribute set. Different contexts can have different respective values for the same attribute. Since an attribute includes a data type and procedures for storing and retrieving values of the attribute, type checking error detection mechanisms of the computer instruction language in which the attributes are implemented remain in effect. In addition, attribute values are stored in an ordered structure, e.g., an ordered list, in each context and the location within the ordered structure at which an attribute value corresponding to a particular attribute is stored in the particular attribute. As a result, attribute values are accessed within contexts in a particularly efficient manner. Attribute sets are extensible at run time such that attributes can be added to an attribute list during execution of a computer process in which the attribute set is implemented.

Method and apparatus for information state management

A system for providing a user or agent control over functions defined by an object in a target application. The object is a new type of object called a controllable object, which publishes its functions and for use by a control application. When the target application execution is commenced, it generates predefined controllable objects, and then execution of the control application is commenced. The control application obtains a handle on the controllable object, and then is able to set any of a number of predefined values in the controllable object, such as individual variables or parameters, ranges of values, a list of choices from which the user can select, and others. In this way, the user can manipulate, test and optimize the target application even during its execution, by virtue of the pre-programmed controllable object functions. With a standard data structure for the data items involved and a standard controllable object set of functions, a generic control program can be used to interact with any new target application utilizing the standards, and the target application and control program do not need any other information about one another in advance, providing portable test interaction with any target application using a single control application.

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Menlo Park, CA, United States of America

David M Bristor