Highlighting icons for search results

• US 20060101347A1
• Filed: 11/10/2004
• Published: 05/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Ording, Bas, Christie, Gregory N., Ko, Steve, Tiene, Kevin, Runov, Maxym I.
• Granted Patent: US 8,677,274 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/764
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/10 File systems; File servers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/245 Query processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/248 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9038 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/907 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus

Abstract

The present invention provides a search capability to allow a user to easily locate a preference control, file, folder, control, or other system resource or data item associated with a search result. In one embodiment, a user enters a search term (or a portion thereof) in a search field associated with one or more resource types that may be searched. The user may be presented with a pop-up menu containing a list of likely matches. The user selects the desired preference control from the pop-up menu, and the corresponding preference pane, or other container, containing the selected data item, control, or other resource is displayed. In one aspect, as the user enters the search term (or portion thereof), certain icons are highlighted. Specifically, those icons that represent containers containing matching data items (such as preference panes having controls that match the search term) are highlighted. Different types of highlighting can be used depending on the degree of certainty as to which container is likely to contain the correct match.

Claims

1. In a user interface display including a plurality of items, a method for highlighting icons items corresponding to search results, comprising:

responsive to user input representing at least a portion of a search term, highlighting at least a subset of the items;

wherein each highlighted item represents at least one item having metadata that at least partly matches the at least a portion of a search term.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one highlighted item has a text label that does not match the at least a portion of a search term.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the metadata comprises text.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein each highlighted item represents a container.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

responsive to the user input and concurrently with highlighting the at least a subset of the items, displaying a pop-up menu comprising a list of at least one item having metadata that at least partly matches the at least a portion of a search term;

wherein each item listed in the menu corresponds to an item in at least one container represented by one of the highlighted items.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

receiving user input selecting one of the items from the menu; and

responsive to the user selecting one of the items from the menu, activating the container containing the selected item.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

responsive to the user selecting one of the items from the menu, momentarily altering a visual characteristic of the item representing the container containing the selected item.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein momentarily altering a visual characteristic of the item comprises blinking the item.

10. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

receiving user input activating one of the items; and

responsive to the user activating one of the items, activating an item in the container corresponding to the activated item, wherein the item corresponds to one of the menu items.

11. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

receiving user input selecting one of the items from the menu; and

responsive to the user selecting one of the items from the menu, activating the selected item.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving user input activating one of the items; and

responsive to the user activating one of the items, activating the item corresponding to the activated item.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein each highlighted item represents a preference pane comprising at least one preference control having metadata that at least partly matches the at least a portion of a search term.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein each preference pane is related to a system function, and wherein each preference pane comprises at least one preference control related to the system function.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein highlighting an item comprises performing at least one of:

lightening a first screen area immediately surrounding the item; and

darkening a second screen area surrounding the first screen area;

so that the second screen area is darker than the first screen area.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first screen area is circular in shape.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the plurality of items are displayed within a window, and wherein the second screen area comprises the remainder of the window not including the first screen area.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the second screen area comprises the remainder of the user interface display not including the first screen area.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the difference in brightness between the first and second screen areas is gradated.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein highlighting at least a subset of the items comprises:

highlighting at least one of the items using a first type of highlight; and

highlighting at least one of the items using a second type of highlight that is visually distinctive from the first type of highlight.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the second type of highlight is brighter than the first type of highlight.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein highlighting an item comprises performing at least one of:

lightening a first screen area immediately surrounding the item; and

darkening a second screen area surrounding the first screen area;

so that the second screen area is darker than the first screen area;

and wherein the second type of highlight is brighter than the first type of highlight.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein highlighting an item comprises performing at least one of:

lightening a first screen area immediately surrounding the item;

darkening a second screen area surrounding the first screen area; and

so that the second screen area is darker than the first screen area;

wherein, for the first type of highlight, the difference in brightness between the first and second screen areas is gradated; and

wherein, for the second type of highlight, the difference in brightness between the first and second screen areas is gradated less gradually than the difference in brightness for the first type of highlight.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein highlighting an item comprises performing at least one of:

lightening a first screen area immediately surrounding the item;

darkening a second screen area surrounding the first screen area; and

so that the second screen area is darker than the first screen area;

wherein, for the first type of highlight, the difference in brightness between the first and second screen areas is gradated; and

wherein, for the second type of highlight, the difference in brightness between the first and second screen areas is not gradated.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein highlighting at least a subset of the items comprises, responsive to a determination that the metadata of an item better matches the user input than does the metadata of other items, performing at least one of:

highlighting at least one item not representing the item having the better matching metadata using a first type of highlight; and

highlighting the item representing the item having the better matching metadata using a second type of highlight that is visually distinctive from the first type of highlight.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein highlighting at least a subset of the items comprises:

responsive to a determination that at least two of the items match the user input, highlighting the items representing the matching items using a first type of highlight; and

responsive to a determination that only one of the items at least partly matches the user input, highlighting the item representing the matching item using a second type of highlight.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein the user input comprises keystrokes representing a text string.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein each highlighted item represents at least one directory containing at least one file having metadata that at least partly matches the at least a portion of a search term.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein each highlighted item represents a directory that contains at least one file having a title that at least partly matches the at least a portion of a search term.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein at least one file has body text, and wherein each highlighted item represents a directory that contains at least one file having body text that at least partly matches the at least a portion of a search term.

31. The method of claim 1, wherein the items are user-activatable.

32. The method of claim 1, wherein the highlighted items are user-activatable and the non-highlighted items are not user-activatable.

91. The method of claim 1, wherein each item comprises an.

9. The method of 5, further comprising:

receiving user input activating one of the items; and

responsive to the user activating one of the items, activating the container corresponding to the activated item.

33. In a user interface display including a plurality of items, a method for highlighting items corresponding to search results, comprising:

receiving user input representing at least a portion of a search term;

responsive to receiving user input representing a search command, highlighting at least a subset of the items based on the user input;

wherein each highlighted item represents at least one item having metadata that at least partly matches the at least a portion of a search term.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the user input representing a search command comprises activation of an Enter key.

35. In a user interface display including a plurality of items, a method for highlighting items corresponding to search results, comprising:

receiving user input representing at least a portion of a search term;

responsive to a pause in the user input exceeding a predetermined length, highlighting at least a subset of the items based on the user input;

wherein each highlighted item represents at least one item having metadata that at least partly matches the at least a portion of a search term.

36. In a user interface display including a plurality of items, a method for highlighting items corresponding to search results, comprising:

receiving user input comprising at least one keystroke, the user input representing an initial portion of a search term; and

responsive to the user input, highlighting at least a subset of the items, wherein each highlighted item represents an item having metadata that at least partly matches the initial portion of the search term;

receiving additional user input comprising at least one keystroke, the user input representing an additional portion of the search term;

responsive to the additional user input, updating the highlighting of the at least a subset of the items, so that each highlighted item represents an item having metadata that at least partly matches the initial portion of the search term combined with the additional portion of the search term.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein items having metadata that at least partly matches the initial portion of the search terms are highlighted using a first type of highlight, and wherein items having metadata that at least partly matches the initial portion of the search term combined with the additional portion of the search term are highlighted using a second type of highlight that is distinct from the first type of highlight.

38. In a user interface display including a plurality of items, each item representing a container, a method for highlighting items corresponding to search results, comprising:

receiving user input representing at least a portion of a search term; and

responsive to the user input;

displaying a pop-up menu comprising a list of items having text that at least partly matches the at least a portion of a search term, wherein each item listed in the menu corresponds to an item in at least one container represented by one of items; and

concurrently highlighting at least a subset of the items using a first type of highlight, wherein each highlighted item represents a container that contains an item having text that at least partly matches an item in the menu;

responsive to a trigger event;

highlighting an item in the pop-up menu; and

concurrently highlighting an item using a second type of highlight that is visually distinctive from the first type of highlight, wherein the highlighted item represents a container that contains an item having text that at least partly matches the highlighted item in the menu.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the trigger event comprises the user input representing a complete word that at least partly matches text in one of the menu items, and wherein highlighting the item in the pop-up menu comprises highlighting the item having the matching text.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the trigger event comprises user navigation of a movable highlight to a menu item, and wherein highlighting the item in the pop-up menu comprises highlighting the item to which the user has navigated.

41. The method of claim 38, wherein the trigger event comprises a determination that one item in the pop-up menu represents a better match than all other items in the pop-up menu, and wherein highlighting the item in the pop-up menu comprises highlighting the item representing the better match.

42. In a user interface display including a plurality of items, each item representing a container that contains items having primary text, at least a subset of the items having alternative text, a method for highlighting items corresponding to search results, comprising:

receiving user input representing at least a portion of a search term; and

responsive to the user input, highlighting at least a subset of the items;

wherein each highlighted item represents a container that contains items having at least one of primary or alternative text that at least partly matches the at least a portion of a search term;

and wherein at least one highlighted item has a text label that does not match the at least a portion of a search term.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein for at least one item, the alternative text represents alternative terminology for the item.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein for at least one item, the alternative text represents a misspelling of the primary text.

45. The method of claim 42, wherein for at least one item, the alternative text represents an alternative spelling of the primary text.

46. A method of highlighting an item on a display screen, comprising performing at least one of:

lightening a first screen area immediately surrounding the item; and

darkening a second screen area surrounding the first screen area;

so that the second screen area is darker than the first screen area.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the first screen area is circular in shape.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein the item is displayed within a window on the display screen, and wherein the second screen area comprises the remainder of the window not including the first screen area.

49. The method of claim 46, wherein the second screen area comprises the remainder of the display screen not including the first screen area.

50. The method of claim 46, wherein the difference in brightness between the first and second screen areas is gradated.

92. The method of claim 46, wherein each item comprises an icon.

51. A method of highlighting at least two items on a display screen, comprising:

performing at least one of;

lightening a first screen area immediately surrounding a first item and a second screen area immediately surrounding a second item; and

darkening at least some other portion of the display screen; and

so that the at least some other portion of the display screen is darker than the first and second screen areas.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein the at least some other portion of the display screen surrounds the first and second screen areas.

53. The method of claim 51, wherein the first screen area is darker than the second screen area.

54. The method of claim 51, wherein:

the difference in brightness between the first and third screen areas is gradated; and

the difference in brightness between the second and third screen areas is gradated less gradually than the difference in brightness between the first and third screen areas.

55. The method of claim 51, wherein:

the difference in brightness between the first and third screen areas is gradated; and

the difference in brightness between the second and third screen areas is not gradated.

56. In a user interface display including a plurality of items, each item representing a preference pane, each preference pane comprising at least one system preference control having text, a method for highlighting items corresponding to search results, comprising:

receiving user input representing at least a portion of a search term; and

responsive to the user input matching the text for at least one system preference control, highlighting at least one item representing a preference pane having a preference control whose text matches the user input.

57. The method of claim 56, further comprising:

responsive to the user input matching text associated with a help function, highlighting an item representing a help function.

58. The method of claim 56, further comprising:

responsive to the user input matching text for at least one application preference control, highlighting at least one item representing at least one of;

the application;

the application preference control;

or

a preference pane corresponding to the application.

59. The method of claim 56, further comprising:

responsive to the user input matching text associated with a help function, highlighting an item representing a help function; and

responsive to the user input matching text for at least one application preference control, highlighting at least one item representing at least one of;

the application;

the application preference control;

or

a preference pane corresponding to the application.

60. In a user interface display including a plurality of items, each item representing a preference pane, each preference pane comprising at least one system preference control having text, a method for highlighting items corresponding to search results, comprising:

receiving user input representing at least a portion of a search term; and

responsive to the user input matching the text for at least one system preference control, highlighting at least one item representing a preference pane having a preference control whose text matches the user input;

responsive to the user input not matching the text for at least one system preference control;

responsive to the user input matching text associated with a help function, highlighting an item representing a help function; and

responsive to the user input matching text for at least one application preference control, highlighting at least one item representing at least one of;

the application;

the application preference control;

or

a preference pane corresponding to the application.

61. In a user interface display including a plurality of on-screen items, each on-screen item, a method for highlighting on-screen items corresponding to search results, comprising:

receiving user input representing at least a portion of a search term; and

responsive to the user input, highlighting at least a subset of the on-screen items;

wherein each highlighted on-screen item represents a container that contains at least one contained item having text that at least partly matches the at least a portion of a search term;

and wherein at least one highlighted on-screen item has a text label that does not match the at least a portion of a search term.

62. In a user interface display including a plurality of items, a method for highlighting items corresponding to search results, comprising:

receiving user input representing at least a portion of a search term; and

responsive to the user input, highlighting at least a subset of the items;

wherein each highlighted item represents a container that contains at least one item having text that at least partly matches the at least a portion of a search term;

and wherein at least one highlighted item has a text label that does not match the at least a portion of a search term.

63. In a user interface display including a plurality of icons a method for highlighting icons corresponding to search results, comprising:

responsive to user input representing at least a portion of a search term, highlighting at least a subset of the icons;

wherein each highlighted icon has metadata that at least partly matches the at least a portion of a search term.

64. In a user interface display including a plurality of items, a method for highlighting onscreen items corresponding to search results, comprising:

responsive to user input representing at least a portion of a search term, the user input at least partially matching metadata associated with an item, highlighting at least one onscreen item representing a container that contains the item.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein the container comprises a preference pane and the item comprises a preference control.

66. The method of claim 64, wherein the at least one onscreen item comprises at least one item.

67. A computer program product for highlighting items corresponding to search results in a user interface display including a plurality of items, the computer program product comprising:

a computer-readable medium; and

computer program code, encoded on the medium, for;

responsive to user input representing at least a portion of a search term, highlighting at least a subset of the items;

wherein each highlighted item represents at least one item having metadata that at least partly matches the at least a portion of a search term.

68. The computer program product of claim 67, wherein at least one highlighted item has a text label that does not match the at least a portion of a search term.

69. The computer program product of claim 67, wherein the metadata comprises text.

70. The computer program product of claim 67, wherein each highlighted item represents a container.

71. The computer program product of claim 67, wherein the computer program code for highlighting at least a subset of the items comprises computer program code for:

highlighting at least one of the items using a first type of highlight; and

highlighting at least one of the items using a second type of highlight that is visually distinctive from the first type of highlight.

93. The computer program product of claim 67, wherein each item comprises an icon.

72. A computer program product for highlighting items corresponding to search results in a user interface display including a plurality of items, the computer program product comprising:

a computer-readable medium; and

computer program code, encoded on the medium, for;

receiving user input comprising at least one keystroke, the user input representing an initial portion of a search term; and

responsive to the user input, highlighting at least a subset of the items, wherein each highlighted item represents an item having metadata that at least partly matches the initial portion of the search term;

receiving additional user input comprising at least one keystroke, the user input representing an additional portion of the search term;

responsive to the additional user input, updating the highlighting of the at least a subset of the items, so that each highlighted item represents an item having metadata that at least partly matches the initial portion of the search term combined with the additional portion of the search term.

73. A computer program product for highlighting an item on a display screen, comprising:

a computer-readable medium; and

computer program code, encoded on the medium, for performing at least one of;

lightening a first screen area immediately surrounding the item; and

darkening a second screen area surrounding the first screen area;

so that the second screen area is darker than the first screen area.

74. A computer program product for highlighting items corresponding to search results in a user interface display including a plurality of items, the computer program product comprising:

a computer-readable medium; and

computer program code, encoded on the medium, for;

responsive to user input representing at least a portion of a search term, highlighting at least a subset of the items;

wherein each highlighted item has metadata that at least partly matches the at least a portion of a search term.

75. A computer program product for highlighting onscreen items corresponding to search results, the computer program product comprising:

a computer-readable medium; and

computer program code, encoded on the medium, for;

responsive to user input representing at least a portion of a search term, the user input at least partially matching metadata associated with an item, highlighting at least one onscreen item representing a container that contains the item.

76. The computer program product of claim 75, wherein the container comprises a preference pane and the item comprises a preference control.

77. The computer program product of claim 75, wherein the at least one onscreen item comprises at least one item.

78. A system for highlighting items corresponding to search results, comprising:

an input device, for receiving user input representing at least a portion of a search term;

a processor, coupled to the input device, for processing the user input; and

a display device, coupled to the processor, for displaying a user interface comprising a plurality of items, and for highlighting at least a subset of the items;

wherein each highlighted item represents at least one item having metadata that at least partly matches the at least a portion of a search term.

79. The system of claim 78, wherein at least one highlighted item has a text label that does not match the at least a portion of a search term.

80. The system of claim 78, wherein the metadata comprises text.

81. The system of claim 78, wherein each highlighted item represents a container.

82. The system of claim 78, wherein the display device:

highlights at least one of the items using a first type of highlight; and

highlights at least one of the items using a second type of highlight that is visually distinctive from the first type of highlight.

94. The system of claim 78, wherein each item comprises an icon.

83. A system for highlighting icons items corresponding to search results, comprising:

an input device, for receiving user input comprising at least one keystroke, the user input representing an initial portion of a search term; and

a processor, coupled to the input device, for processing the user input; and

a display device, coupled to the processor, for displaying a user interface including a plurality of items, and for responsive to the user input, highlighting at least a subset of the items, wherein each highlighted item represents an item having metadata that at least partly matches the initial portion of the search term;

wherein, responsive to the input device receiving additional user input comprising at least one keystroke, the user input representing an additional portion of the search term, the display device updates the highlighting of the at least a subset of the items, so that each highlighted item represents an item having metadata that at least partly matches the initial portion of the search term combined with the additional portion of the search term.

84. A system for highlighting an item on a display screen, comprising:

a processor, for displaying a user interface comprising at least one item; and

a display device, coupled to the processor, for performing at least one of;

lightening a first screen area immediately surrounding at least one item;

and darkening a second screen area surrounding the first screen area;

so that the second screen area is darker than the first screen area.

85. A system for highlighting items corresponding to search results, comprising:

an input device, for receiving user input representing at least a portion of a search term;

a processor, coupled to the input device, for processing the user input; and

a display device, coupled to the processor, for displaying a user interface comprising a plurality of items, and for, responsive to user input representing at least a portion of a search term, highlighting at least a subset of the items;

wherein each highlighted item has metadata that at least partly matches the at least a portion of a search term.

86. A system for highlighting onscreen items corresponding to search results, comprising:

an input device, for receiving user input representing at least a portion of a search term;

a processor, coupled to the input device, for processing the user input; and

a display device, coupled to the processor, for displaying a user interface comprising a plurality of items, and for, responsive to user input representing at least a portion of a search term, the user input at least partially matching metadata associated with an item, highlighting at least one onscreen item representing a container that contains the item.

87. The system of claim 86, wherein the container comprises a preference pane and the item comprises a preference control.

88. The system of claim 86, wherein the at least one onscreen item comprises at least one item.

89. A user interface for highlighting items corresponding to search results, comprising:

a display area comprising a plurality of items, wherein, responsive to user input representing at least a portion of a search term, at least a subset of the items are highlighted;

wherein each highlighted item represents at least one item having metadata that at least partly matches the at least a portion of a search term.

95. The user interface of claim 89, wherein each item comprises an icon.

90. A user interface for highlighting an item on a display screen, comprising:

a first screen area immediately surrounding at least one item; and

a second screen area surrounding the first screen area;

wherein the second screen area is darker than the first screen area.