Systems, methods, and user interfaces for storing, searching, navigating, and retrieving electronic information

• US 20060242122A1
• Filed: 04/22/2005
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: McKee, Timothy P., Miner, Patrice L., DeVorchik, David G., Wong, Lyon K. F.
• Application Number:
  US11/112,010
• Publication Number:
  US 20060242122A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/148 File search processing

Abstract

Computer system navigation tools provide “links” to various different files, lists, folders, and/or other storage elements and allow users to organize files, e.g., by hierarchical properties, lists, auto lists, folders, and the like. Such systems and methods allow users to assign properties to a file (optionally in a hierarchical manner), to change assigned properties, to search, view, and retrieve information based on the assigned properties, and the like.

Claims

1. A method of searching electronic data, comprising:

selecting a first search parameter from a hierarchical structure including plural search elements;

selecting a second search parameter from the hierarchical structure;

determining whether the first search parameter is located within the same element set in the hierarchical structure as the second search parameter; and

displaying search results indicating a union of electronic files meeting the first search parameter or the second search parameter when the first search parameter is determined to be located within the same element set in the hierarchical structure as the second search parameter.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the hierarchical structure of plural search elements includes plural properties arranged in a hierarchical manner, and wherein the first search parameter includes a first property value included within the plural properties.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the second search parameter includes a second property value included within the plural properties.

4. A method according to claim 2, wherein the hierarchical structure of plural search elements further includes plural folder elements arranged in a hierarchical manner, and wherein the second search parameter includes a first folder element.

5. A method according to claim 2, wherein the hierarchical structure of plural search elements further includes plural list elements arranged in a hierarchical manner, and wherein the second search parameter includes a first list element.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein at least some of the plural list elements are list elements automatically generated by the computer system.

7. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

determining a scope for the search.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the scope of the search is defined, at least in part, based on the hierarchical structure.

9. A method of searching electronic data, comprising:

selecting a first search parameter from a hierarchical structure including plural search elements;

selecting a second search parameter from the hierarchical structure;

determining whether the first search parameter is located within the same element set in the hierarchical structure as the second search parameter; and

displaying search results indicating an intersection of electronic files meeting the first search parameter and the second search parameter when the first search parameter is determined to be located outside the element set in the hierarchical structure of the second search parameter.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the hierarchical structure of plural search elements includes plural properties arranged in a hierarchical manner, and wherein the first search parameter includes a first property value included within the plural properties.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the second search parameter includes a second property value included within the plural properties.

12. A method according to claim 10, wherein the hierarchical structure of plural search elements further includes plural folder elements arranged in a hierarchical manner, and wherein the second search parameter includes a first folder element.

13. A method according to claim 10, wherein the hierarchical structure of plural search elements further includes plural list elements arranged in a hierarchical manner, and wherein the second search parameter includes a first list element.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein at least some of the plural list elements are list elements automatically generated by the computer system.

15. A method according to claim 9, further comprising:

determining a scope for the search.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the scope of the search is defined, at least in part, based on the hierarchical structure.

17. A method of searching electronic data, comprising:

selecting a first search parameter from a hierarchical structure including plural search elements;

selecting a second search parameter from the hierarchical structure;

determining whether the first search parameter is located within the same element set in the hierarchical structure as the second search parameter;

displaying search results indicating a union of electronic files meeting the first search parameter or the second search parameter when the first search parameter is determined to be located within the same element set in the hierarchical structure as the second search parameter; and

displaying search results indicating an intersection of electronic files meeting the first search parameter and the second search parameter when the first search parameter is determined to be located outside the element set in the hierarchical structure of the second search parameter.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the hierarchical structure of plural search elements includes plural properties arranged in a hierarchical manner, and wherein the first search parameter includes a first property value included within the plural properties.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the second search parameter includes a second property value included within the plural properties.

20. A method according to claim 17, further comprising:

determining a scope for the search, wherein the scope of the search is defined, at least in part, based on the hierarchical structure.