User interface for a file system shell
US7769794B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
- Jason F. Moore
- Giampiero M. Sierra
- Richard Banks
- Lyon Wong
- Relja Ivanovic
- Paul Gusmorino
- Tyler K. Beam
- Timothy P. McKee
- Jeffrey C. Belt
- David G. De Vorchik
- Chris Guzak
- Aidan N. Low
- Kenneth M. Tubbs
- Colin R. Anthony
- Sasanka Chalivendra
- Marieke I. Watson
- Gerald Paul Joyce
- Alex D. Wade
- Benjamin A. Betz
- Ahsan S. Kabir
- Donna B. Andrews
- Patrice L. Miner
- Paul Cutsinger
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 22, 2005 |
| Grant date | Aug 3, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 22, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F16/168
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A file system shell is provided. One aspect of the shell provides virtual folders which expose regular files and folders to users in different views based on their metadata instead of the actual physical underlying file system structure on the disk. Users are able to work with the virtual folders through direct manipulation (e.g., clicking and dragging, copying, pasting, etc.). Filters are provided for narrowing down sets of items. Quick links are provided which can be clicked on to generate useful views of the sets of items. Libraries are provided which consist of large groups of usable types of items that can be associated together, along with functions and tools related to the items. A virtual address bar is provided which comprises a plurality of segments, each segment corresponding to a filter for selecting content. A shell browser is provided with which users can readily identify an item based on the metadata associated with that item. An object previewer in a shell browser is provided which is configured to display a plurality of items representing multiple item types.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.