Scaling icons for representing files
First Claim
1. A method for displaying an icon representing an underlying item on a user interface, comprising the steps of:
- receiving an indication from a user of an icon size to use for the interface;
determining, based on said icon size, whether a suitable imaging icon is available for the underlying item, where the imaging icon displays contents of the item in visual form, and displaying said imaging icon if it is available;
when said step of determining determines that no suitable imaging icon is available, determining, based on said icon size, whether a suitable detail icon is available, wherein the detail icon includes a visual feature that depends on a characteristic of the item, but does not display contents of the item in visual form, and displaying said detail icon if it is available; and
when said steps of determining determine that no suitable imaging icon is available and no suitable detail icon is available, displaying a generic icon for said item.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system are provided for displaying icons in accordance with user preferences. The method includes providing a user with a size selection mechanism for selecting an icon size from a range of sizes. The method additionally includes searching a set of stored resources related to the underlying file and generating the icon in the selected size based upon the stored resources. The method may additionally include selecting an icon type including one of an image icon, a detail icon and a generic icon based on at least one of the user'"'"'s size selection and the represented file. Furthermore, the icon display system of the invention positions labels and overlays in the vicinity of the icon based upon the selected size of the icon.
150 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for displaying an icon representing an underlying item on a user interface, comprising the steps of:
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receiving an indication from a user of an icon size to use for the interface;
determining, based on said icon size, whether a suitable imaging icon is available for the underlying item, where the imaging icon displays contents of the item in visual form, and displaying said imaging icon if it is available;
when said step of determining determines that no suitable imaging icon is available, determining, based on said icon size, whether a suitable detail icon is available, wherein the detail icon includes a visual feature that depends on a characteristic of the item, but does not display contents of the item in visual form, and displaying said detail icon if it is available; and
when said steps of determining determine that no suitable imaging icon is available and no suitable detail icon is available, displaying a generic icon for said item. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. One or more computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions for performing the following steps:
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receiving a user indication of an icon size for a user interface;
employing a three-tier selection process to identify an icon for representing an underlying item in said user interface, the selection process first considering imaging icons that display contents of the underlying item;
second considering detail icons that do not display the item'"'"'s contents, but whose appearance varies depending on a characteristic of the item; and
third considering generic icons; and
generating an icon for representing said item based on results of said three-tier selection process. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. One or more computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions for performing the following steps:
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receiving a user indication of an icon size for a user interface;
employing a three-tier selection process to identify an icon for representing an underlying item in said user interface, the selection process first considering imaging icons that display contents of the underlying item;
second considering detail icons that do not display the item'"'"'s contents, but whose appearance varies depending on a characteristic of the item; and
third considering generic icons; and
generating an icon for representing said item based on results of said three-tier selection process, wherein said step of generating further includes a step of dynamically scaling an image for said icon in accordance with said icon size.
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Specification