Method, system, and graphic user interface for file system navigation

• US 20010004260A1
• Filed: 12/13/2000
• Published: 06/21/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Burow, Hans-Peter, Taxhet, Stefan, Hoger, Lutz, Bauer, Mathias
• Application Number:
  US09/738,456
• Publication Number:
  US 20010004260A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/418
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus

Abstract

A graphic user interface for entering a new file directory on a computer uses a single file navigation dialogue window that displays a user selectable list of predetermined default directories, user-defined directories, and previously used directories. The user uses a single action to navigate among the directories listed in the single file navigation window.

Claims

1. A method of entering a new file directory on a computer comprising:

displaying a file navigation icon;

displaying a file navigation dialogue window in response to a selection of said file navigation icon, wherein said file navigation dialogue window comprises a plurality of sections, and further wherein each section includes a different directory category, and each section includes at least one directory in the category; and

displaying contents of a directory in response to selection of the directory in said file navigation window.

2. The method of

claim 1

where said plurality of sections comprises:

a first section comprising a list of predefined default directories;

a second section comprising at least one user selected directory; and

a third section comprising a last used directory.

3. The method of

claim 2

, wherein the predefined default directories contain a document templates directory.

4. The method of

claim 2

, wherein style and content of the file navigation dialogue window are independent of the current document context.

5. The method of

claim 2

, wherein the last used directory contains a latest used directories of the present computer or network session.

6. The method of

claim 2

, wherein the list of user-defined directories includes a shared user directory accessible to a plurality of users.

7. A method of entering a new file directory on a computer comprising:

displaying a file open window including a file navigation icon wherein contents of a first directory are displayed in said file open window;

displaying a file navigation dialogue window in response to a selection of said file navigation icon, wherein said file navigation dialogue window comprises a plurality of sections, and further wherein each section includes a different directory category, and each section includes at least one directory in the category; and

displaying contents of a second directory, selected in said file navigation window, in said file open window where there is no predefined hierarchical relationship between said first directory and said second directory.

8. The method of

claim 7

wherein said plurality of sections comprises:

a first section comprising a list of predefined default directories;

a second section comprising at least one user selected directory; and

a third section comprising a last used directory.

9. The method of

claim 8

, wherein the predefined default directories contain a document templates directory.

10. The method of

claim 8

, wherein style and content of the file navigation dialogue window are independent of the current document context.

11. The method of

claim 8

, wherein the last used directory contains the latest used directories of the present computer or network session.

12. The method of

claim 8

, wherein the list of user-defined directories includes a shared user directory accessible to a plurality of users.

13. A computer graphic user interface comprising:

a file open window further comprising;

a directory content window; and

a file navigation icon wherein upon a first action on said file navigation icon, contents of a directory are displayed in said directory content window; and

upon a second action on said file navigation icon, a file navigation dialogue window is displayed.

14. The computer graphic user interface of

claim 13

wherein said file navigation dialogue window further comprises:

a first section comprising a list of predefined default directories;

a second section comprising at least one user selected directory; and

a third section comprising a last used directory.

15. The computer graphic user interface of

claim 14

, wherein the predefined default directories contain document templates directory.

16. The computer graphic user interface of

claim 14

, wherein style and content of the file navigation dialogue window are independent of the current document context.

17. The computer graphic user interface of

claim 14

, wherein the last used directory contains the latest used directories of the present computer or network session.

18. The computer graphic user interface of

claim 14

, wherein the list of user-defined directories includes a shared user directory accessible to a plurality of users.

19. A computer program product for entering a new file directory having program code adapted for:

displaying a file navigation icon;

displaying a file navigation dialogue window in response to a selection of said file navigation icon, wherein said file navigation dialogue window comprises a plurality of sections, and further wherein each section includes a different directory category, and each section includes at least one directory in the category; and

displaying contents of a directory in response to selection of the directory in said file navigation window.

20. The computer program product of

claim 19

wherein said plurality of sections comprises:

a first section comprising a list of predefined default directories;

a second section comprising at least one user selected directory; and

a third section comprising a last used directory.

21. A computer program product for entering a new file directory having program code adapted for:

displaying a file open window including a file navigation icon wherein contents of a first directory are displayed in said file open window;

displaying a file navigation dialogue window in response to a selection of said file navigation icon, wherein said file navigation dialogue window comprises a plurality of sections, and further wherein each section includes a different directory category, and each section includes at least one directory in the category; and

displaying contents of a second directory, selected in said file navigation window, in said file open window where there is no required predefined relationship between a storage location of said contents of said first directory and a storage location of said contents of said second directory.

22. The computer program product of

claim 21

wherein said plurality of sections comprises:

a first section comprising a list of predefined default directories;

a second section comprising at least one user selected directory; and

a third section comprising a last used directory.

23. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a memory coupled to said processor, and storing a method of entering a new file directory wherein upon execution of said method on said processor, said method comprises;

displaying a file navigation icon;

displaying a file navigation dialogue window in response to a selection of said file navigation icon, wherein said file navigation dialogue window comprises a plurality of sections, and further wherein each section includes a different directory category, and each section includes at least one directory in the category; and

displaying contents of a directory in response to selection of the directory in said file navigation window.

24. The apparatus of

claim 23

wherein said plurality of sections comprises:

a first section comprising a list of predefined default directories;

a second section comprising at least one user selected directory; and

a third section comprising a last used directory.