Mark J Stern

US Patent:

56690053, Sep 16, 1997

Filed:

Oct 11, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/538942

Inventors:

David Curbow - Sunnyvale CA
David Canfield Smith - Saratoga CA
Kurt Piersol - Soquel CA
Mark Ludwig Stern - Cupertino CA

Assignee:

Apple Computer, Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G06F 1730
G06F 1721

US Classification:

395777

Abstract:

A document-centered user interface architecture for a computer system employs parts as the fundamental building blocks of all documents. All data is stored in the system as a part, which is comprised of contents and an associated editor. The contents and the functionality of the editor are available to the user wherever the part is located, whether in a document, on a desktop or in a folder. Parts function as containers for other parts, thereby facilitating the compilation and editing of multimedia or compound documents. When material from one part is inserted into another part, the computer system automatically determines whether the added material is incorporated into the intrinsic contents of the receiving part or embedded as a separately identifiable part.