초록 ▼

A method, system, and data structure for storing information in a computer system memory using a directed acyclic graph structure having related data nodes. Any node can "own" other nodes in hierarchical relationships. Data is stored in a file structure with (1) a heap for storing chunks or nodes of

A method, system, and data structure for storing information in a computer system memory using a directed acyclic graph structure having related data nodes. Any node can "own" other nodes in hierarchical relationships. Data is stored in a file structure with (1) a heap for storing chunks or nodes of data in memory locations, and (2) an index containing information about the relationships between nodes. Each node is referenced and accessed by information stored in the index. Each ownership relationship between nodes is referenced uniquely by the triple consisting of the identification of the parent node, the identification of the child node and a child identification value. The inclusion of a child identification value in the triple allows a node to be a child of another node a multiplicity of times. The index is a table of entries, one entry for each node. Each entry contains the identifier of the node and, if there are relationships with other nodes, a list of one or more references to child nodes. A data file constructed in accordance with the invention allows hierarchical data structures, multiple use of the same data, and cross-ownership of data, resulting in more efficient usage of memory.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for storing and presenting information in a computer system, comprising the steps of:creating a plurality of data nodes defining frame data playable or displayable on a user interface;storing instances of data nodes in a data file in a computer memory;linking the

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for storing and presenting information in a computer system, comprising the steps of:creating a plurality of data nodes defining frame data playable or displayable on a user interface;storing instances of data nodes in a data file in a computer memory;linking the stored instances of the data nodes in a directed acyclic graph structure defining a plurality of parent and child objects in which each child object is linked to a plurality of parent objects; anddisplaying or playing the frame data on the user interface such that the stored instance of each child object is displayed or played in association with more than one parent object.