Document Stream Operating System

Abstract

A document stream operating system and method is disclosed in which: (1) documents are stored in one or more chronologically ordered streams; (2) the location and nature of file storage is transparent to the user; (3) information is organized as needed instead of at the time the document is created; (4) sophisticated logic is provided for summarizing a large group of related documents at the time a user wants a concise overview; and (5) archiving is automatic. The documents can include text, pictures, animations, software programs or any other type of data.

1 . A computer program for organizing one or more data units, comprising:
 means for receiving one or more of the data units, each data unit associated with one or more chronological indicators; and   means for linking each of the data units according to the chronological indicators to generate one or more streams of data units.   
   
   
       2 . The computer program of  claim 1 , wherein the chronological indicators comprise past, present, and future times. 
   
   
       3 . The computer program of  claim 1 , further comprising means for displaying the streams, wherein respective indicia representing the data units are displayed. 
   
   
       4 . The computer program of  claim 1 , wherein each data unit includes textual data, video data, audio data and/or multimedia data. 
   
   
       5 . The computer program of  claim 1 , wherein the means for displaying the streams further comprises means for displaying selected segments of the streams corresponding to selected intervals of time. 
   
   
       6 . The computer program of  claim 1 , wherein the means for receiving further comprises means for receiving data units from the Word Wide Web. 
   
   
       7 . The computer program of  claim 1 , wherein said means for receiving further comprises means for receiving data units from a client computer. 
   
   
       8 . A method of organizing one or more data units, comprising the steps of:
 receiving one or more data units, each data unit associated with one or more chronological indicators; and   linking each of the data units according to the chronological indicators to generate one or more streams of data units.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the chronological indicators comprise past, present, and future times. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of displaying the streams, wherein respective indicia represent each data unit. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein each data units includes textual data, video data, audio data and/or multimedia data. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein step of displaying the streams further comprises:
 a) receiving from a user one or more values indicative of one or more selected segments of the streams corresponding to one or more selected intervals of time, and   b) displaying the segments of the streams corresponding to the selected intervals of time.