Automated grouping of image and other user data

• US 20060004685A1
• Filed: 06/30/2004
• Published: 01/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Sihvola, Tuomo, Pyhalammi, Seppo, Haggman, Kai, Soitinaho, Jouni
• Granted Patent: US 7,464,110 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/54 Browsing; Visualisation therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99944 Object-oriented database structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99948 Application of database or data structure, e.g. distributed, multimedia, or image

Abstract

A user selects a data file (e.g., an image file) from an interface (e.g., a thumbnail view). Upon selecting a file from the interface, the contents of that file are presented to the user in an appropriate manner (e.g., providing an enlarged image display). The selected file is also moved to a separate folder. As the contents of additional files are presented to the user, those files are also moved to the separate folder. A new folder is created when the user returns to the interface and selects another file from that interface, or alternatively, upon instruction from the user to create a new folder. The user may then rename or otherwise modify the folder(s).

Claims

1. A method for organizing data files, comprising:

(a) storing a plurality of data files in at least one of a plurality of folders in a memory;

(b) receiving a first user instruction to process a first data file;

(c) creating a first folder within said memory;

(d) storing the first data file in the first folder in response to the first user instruction;

(e) processing the first data file according to the first user instruction;

(f) receiving a second user instruction to process a second data file; and

(g) storing the second data file in the first folder in response to the second user instruction.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of (h) processing the second data file according to the second user instruction.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first user instruction includes at least one of:

selecting the first data file, activating the first data file, presenting the first data file, editing the first data file, listening to the first data file, watching the first data file, rotating the first data file, saving the first data file, deleting the first data file, hiding the first data file, enlarging the first data file, copying the first data file, moving the first data file, opening the first data file, and printing the first data file.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second user instruction includes at least one of:

selecting the second data file, activating the second data file, presenting the second data file, editing the second data file, listening to the second data file, watching the second data file, rotating the second data file, saving the second data file, deleting the second data file, hiding the second data file, enlarging the second data file, copying the second data file, moving the second data file, opening the second data file, and printing the second data file.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of (h) displaying a file selection user interface configured to present information about each of the plurality of data files.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising a step of (i) displaying a second file selection user interface configured to present information about each of the plurality of data files.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of (c) creating a first folder includes automatically creating the first folder in response to at least one of:

(h) displaying the file selection user interface and (b) receiving the first user instruction.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising a step of (i) redisplaying the file selection user interface after the step of storing the first data file, wherein the step of (f) receiving a second user instruction includes receiving a selection of the second data file from the redisplayed file selection user interface.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein:

a server performs steps (a), (d) and (g),

the file selection user interface is displayed on a mobile device capable of wireless communication with the server, and

selection of a data file from said interface generates a presentation of the selected data file on the mobile device.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein:

a server performs steps (a), (d) and (g),

the file selection user interface is displayed on a device capable of communication with the server, and

selection of a data file from said interface generates a presentation of the selected data file on the device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the mobile device is in communication with the server via at least one of:

a short-range wireless connection, a wireless network connection and a wired connection.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the server is a network server.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the server is portable.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the device a mobile communication device

15. The method of claim 5, wherein the plurality of data files are electronic image files, the file selection user interface includes a display of thumbnail images corresponding to the plurality of data files, and processing the first data file includes displaying an enlarged image corresponding to the first data file.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of processing in step (e) includes at least one of:

an audio playback and a visual display of the contents of the first data file.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the first data file and the second data file are selected from a same folder of the plurality of folders.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the first data file and the second data file are selected from different folders of the plurality of folders.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the first user instruction includes selecting the first data file and the second user instruction includes selecting the second data file.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of data files was created with a mobile device communicating data files over a wireless communication network to a server performing steps (a) through (g).

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of data files was stored in a portable device communicating data files to a server performing steps (a) through (g).

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the portable device is one of:

a digital camera, a digital video recorder, an audio player/recorder, a mobile communication device, a camera phone, a cellular phone and a personal digital assistant.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the server is portable.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the server is a network server.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the first and second user instructions are communicated from the portable device to the server.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein the server is communicating presentations of the first and second data files to one of:

a television display, a computer monitor and a video projector.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein the server is communicating presentations of the first and second data files to the portable device.

30. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of data files is stored in a server performing steps (a) through (g).

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the server is one of:

a set-top box, a personal video recorder and a personal computer.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the server is portable.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the server is one of:

a digital camera;

a digital video recorder, an audio player/recorder, a mobile communication device, a camera phone, a cellular phone and a personal digital assistant.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein the server is a network server.

35. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of data files is stored in a portable device performing steps (a) through (g).

36. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of (h) naming the first folder.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising a step of (i) automatically generating a prompt for user entry of a name for the first folder.

38. The method of claim 36, further comprising a step of (i) automatically generating a name for the first folder based on metadata information associated with the stored data files.

39. The method of claim 1, wherein the data files are data folders, the data folders configured to store data files and data folders.

16. The method of step 1, further comprising steps of:

(h) receiving a signal to discontinue storage of data files in the first folder;

(i) creating a second folder in response to the signal to discontinue storage of data files in the first folder; and

(j) storing a next selected data file in the second folder.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the signal to discontinue storage includes a signal to display a file selection user interface.

40. A machine-readable medium having machine-executable instructions for performing steps comprising:

(a) storing a plurality of user data files in a first folder in a memory;

(b) receiving a selection of a first user data file of the plurality of user data files;

(c) creating a second folder within said memory;

(d) storing the first user data file in the second folder in response to the selection of step (b);

(e) receiving a user instruction to present a second user data file of the plurality; and

(f) storing the second user data file in the second folder in response to the instruction of step (e).

41. The machine-readable medium of claim 40, wherein each user data file includes at least one of:

an audio recording and an electronic image.

42. The machine-readable medium of claim 40, further comprising a step of (g) displaying a file selection user interface presenting information about each of the plurality of user data files, wherein selection of a user data file from said interface generates a presentation of the selected user data file, said presentation comprising at least one of:

an audio playback and a visual display of the contents of the selected user data file.

43. The machine-readable medium of claim 42, wherein the selection of step (b) is received from the file selection user interface.

44. The machine-readable medium of claim 42, wherein step (c) includes automatically creating the second folder in response to at least one of:

the displaying of the file selection user interface in step (g) and the receiving of the selection of the first user data file in step (b).

45. The machine-readable medium of claim 42, further comprising steps of:

(h) redisplaying the file selection user interface;

(i) receiving a selection of a third user data file of the plurality of user data files from the file selection user interface;

(j) automatically creating a third folder in response to the selection of the third user data file of step (i); and

(k) automatically placing the third user data file in the third folder.

46. The machine-readable medium of claim 45, further comprising a step of (I) automatically discontinuing storage of user data files in the second folder upon a first redisplay of the file selection user interface following step (b).

47. The machine-readable medium of claim 42, wherein:

the plurality of user data files are electronic image files,

the file selection user interface includes a display of thumbnail images corresponding to the plurality of user data files, and

the presentation of the selected user data file includes display of an enlarged image corresponding to the selected user data file.

48. The machine-readable medium of claim 42, wherein the file selection user interface is not displayed during a time beginning at the presentation generated by selection of the first user data file and ending at the storing in step (f).

49. The machine-readable medium of claim 48, further comprising steps of:

(h) receiving an instruction to delete the second user data file from the second folder;

(i) deleting the second user data file from the second folder;

(j) automatically displaying a third user data file of the plurality of user data files; and

(k) storing the third user data file in the second folder, wherein the file selection user interface is not displayed during a time beginning at the presentation generated by selection of the first user data file and ending at the automatic storing of the third user data file in the second folder.

50. The machine-readable medium of claim 42, further comprising a step of (h) redisplaying the file selection user interface after the storing in step (d), wherein step (e) includes receiving a selection of the second user data file from the redisplayed file selection user interface.

51. The machine-readable medium of claim 50, further comprising steps of:

(i) receiving an instruction to present a third user data file of the plurality of user data files; and

(j) storing the third user data file in the second folder in response to the instruction of step (i), wherein the file selection user interface is not displayed during a time beginning at the file presentation generated by selection of the second user data file and ending at the automatic storing of the third user data file in the second folder.

52. The machine-readable medium of claim 42, further comprising steps of:

(h) closing the second folder;

(i) reopening the second folder;

(j) receiving a selection of a third user data file of the plurality of user data files from the file selection user interface; and

(k) storing the third user data file in the reopened second folder in response to the selection of step (j).

53. The machine-readable medium of claim 42, wherein:

a server performs steps (a), (d) and (f),

the file selection user interface is displayed on a mobile device capable of wireless communication with the server, and

selection of a user data file from said interface generates the presentation of the selected user data file on the mobile device.

54. The machine-readable medium of claim 53, wherein the mobile device is in communication with the server via at least one of:

a short-range wireless connection, a wireless network connection and a wired connection.

55. The machine-readable medium of claim 40, wherein the plurality of user data files was created with a mobile device communicating user data files over a wireless communication network to a server performing steps (a) through (f).

56. The machine-readable medium of claim 40, further comprising a step of (g) deleting the first and second user data files from the first folder in response to the selection received in step (b) and the user instruction received in step (e), respectively.

57. The machine-readable medium of claim 40, further comprising a step of (g) renaming the second folder.

58. The machine-readable medium of claim 57, further comprising a step of (h) automatically generating a prompt for user entry of a name for the second folder.

59. A server for storing user data files, the server comprising:

a memory;

a communications interface through which user data files stored on a mobile device may be transferred to the memory; and

a processor configured to perform steps comprising;

(a) storing a plurality of user data files in a first folder in the memory,

(b) receiving a selection of a first user data file of the plurality of user data files,

(c) creating a second folder within said memory,

(d) storing the first user data file in the second folder in response to the selection of step (b),

(e) receiving a user instruction to present a second user data file of the plurality, and

(f) storing the second user data file in the second folder in response to the instruction of step (e).

60. The server of claim 59, wherein the user data files include at least one of an audio recording and an electronic image.

61. The server of claim 59, wherein the processor further comprises a step of (g) displaying a file selection user interface presenting information about each of the plurality of user data files, wherein selection of a user data file from said interface generates a presentation of a selected user data file, said presentation comprising at least one of:

an audio playback and a visual display of the contents of the selected user data file.

62. The server of claim 61, wherein the selection of step (b) is received from the file selection user interface.

63. The server of claim 61, wherein step (c) includes automatically creating the second folder in response to at least one of:

the displaying of the user interface in step (g) and the receiving of a selection in step (b).

64. The server of claim 61, wherein the processor is further configured to perform steps of:

(h) redisplaying the file selection user interface,

(i) receiving a selection of a third user data file of the plurality of user data from the file selection user interface,

(j) automatically creating a third folder in response to the selection of step (i), and

(k) placing the third user data file in the third folder.

65. The server of claim 64, wherein the processor is further configured to perform a step of (I) automatically discontinuing storage of user data files in the second folder upon a first redisplay of the file selection user interface following step (b).

66. The server of claim 61, wherein:

the plurality of user data files are electronic image files,

the file selection user interface includes a display of thumbnail images corresponding to the plurality of user data files, and

the presentation of the selected user data file includes display of an enlarged image corresponding to the selected user data file.

67. The server of claim 61, wherein the file selection user interface is not displayed during a time beginning at the presentation generated by selection of the first user data file and ending at the storing in step (f).

68. The server of claim 67, wherein the processor is further configured to perform steps of:

(h) receiving an instruction to delete the second user data file from the second folder,

(i) deleting the second user data file from the second folder,

(j) displaying a third user data file of the plurality of user data files, and

(k) storing the third user data file in the second folder, wherein the file selection user interface is not displayed during a time beginning at the presentation generated by selection of the first user data file and ending at the automatic storing of the third user data file in the second folder.

69. The server of claim 61, wherein the processor is further configured to perform a step of (h) redisplaying the file selection user interface after the automatic storing in step (d), wherein step (e) comprises receiving a selection of the second user data file from the redisplayed file selection user interface.

70. The server of claim 69, wherein the processor is further configured to perform steps of:

(i) receiving an instruction to present a third user data file of the plurality of user data files, and

(j) storing the third user data file in the second folder in response to the instruction of step (i), wherein the file selection user interface is not displayed during a time beginning at the file presentation generated by selection of the second user data file and ending at the automatic storing of the third user data file in the second folder.

71. The server of claim 61, wherein the processor is further configured to perform steps of:

(h) closing the second folder,

(i) reopening the second folder,

(j) receiving a selection of a third user data file of the plurality of user data from the file selection user interface, and

(k) storing the third user data file in the reopened second folder in response to the selection of step (j).

72. The server of claim 61, wherein the processor is further configured to perform steps of:

(h) transmitting the file selection user interface for display on a mobile device capable of wireless communication with the server, and

(i) in response to selection of a user data file from said interface displayed on the mobile device, transmitting the selected user data file to said mobile device for presentation on the mobile device.

73. The server of claim 72, wherein the server is in communication with the mobile device via at least one of:

a short-range wireless connection, a wireless network connection and a wired connection.

74. The server of claim 59, wherein the plurality of user data files was created with a mobile device and communicated to the server through the communications interface.

75. The server of claim 59, wherein the processor is further configured to perform steps of (g) deleting the first and second user data files from the first folder in response to the selection received in step (b) and the instruction received in step (e), respectively.

76. The server of claim 59, wherein the processor is further configured to perform a step of (g) renaming the second folder.

77. The server of claim 76, wherein the processor is further configured to perform a step of (h) automatically generating a prompt for user entry of a name for the second folder.

78. A network server for organizing data files, the network server comprising:

a memory;

a communications interface through which data files stored on a device may be transferred to the memory; and

a processor configured to perform steps comprising;

(a) storing a plurality of data files in the memory,

(b) displaying a file selection user interface presenting information about each of the plurality of data files,

(c) receiving a selection of a first data file of the plurality of data files,

(d) receiving a user instruction to process the first data file, and

(e) processing the first data file in response to the instruction of step (d).

79. The network server of claim 78, wherein the step of processing includes transmitting the first data file to a display external to the network server.

80. A system for organizing image files, comprising:

a wireless mobile device, including;

a digital camera,

a memory for storing image files for images captured with the digital camera, and

a communication interface with a wireless communication network for transmission of image files stored in the memory; and

a server, including;

a server communications interface through which image files are received from the wireless mobile device via the wireless communication network,

a server memory for storing image files received through the server communications interface, and

a processor configured to perform steps comprising;

(a) displaying a file selection user interface presenting thumbnail images for each of a plurality of image files stored in the server memory, wherein selection of a thumbnail from said interface generates a display of an enlarged image corresponding to the selected thumbnail,

(b) receiving from the file selection user interface a selection of a first thumbnail corresponding to a first image file of the plurality,

(c) creating a first file folder based upon the selection received in step (b),

(d) storing the first image file in the first file folder based on the selection received in step (b),

(e) deleting the first image file from another folder based on the selection received in step (b),

(f) receiving an instruction to generate, without an intervening redisplay of the file selection user interface, a display of an enlarged image corresponding to a second image file of the plurality,

(g) storing the second image file in the first folder and deleting the second image file from another folder based on the instruction received in step (f),

(h) redisplaying the file selection user interface,

(i) receiving from the file selection user interface a selection of a third thumbnail corresponding to a third image file of the plurality,

(j) storing the third image file in the first file folder based on the selection received in step (i),

(k) opening a second folder having image files stored therein,

(l) receiving a selection of a fourth image file of the plurality from the file selection user interface, and

(m) storing the fourth image file in the second folder based on the selection received in step (l).