Patent · US Expired

Computer method and apparatus for previewing files outside of an application program

US6944819B2 · kind B2 · utility

36Cited by
11References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 10, 1997
Grant dateSep 13, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 13, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F9/451
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method and apparatus for previewing images and image file information without opening and running an application in working memory. The previewing of a user-selected file includes a summary of file characteristics and contents including images. The summary synopsizes file information and characteristics such as height, width, length, color type, resolution, compression type used for storing and forming the file, annotation graphics of the file and the like. The preview also provides display of the file images, preferably in a reduced size manner for ease of user previewing. The file preview apparatus and method of the present invention include operating system means coupled to a display assembly for generating display of indications of file characteristics of the user-selected files. The operating system means obtains and enables display of file characteristics indicia, external to and outside of an application program opened and running in the working memory. The display assembly is responsive to the operating system means and provides display of the file characteristics indicia in a manner free of opening an application program in the working memory.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.