Scenario specialization of file browser

• US 20060242585A1
• Filed: 04/22/2005
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Chalivendra, Sasanka, Tamanaha, Eli Y., Cutsinger, Paul, Van Dok, Cornelis K., Tubbs, Kenneth M., De Vorchik, David G., Gusmorino, Paul, Wong, Lyon K. F.
• Granted Patent: US 8,522,154 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/744
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/168 Details of user interfaces specifically adapted to file systems, e.g. browsing and visualisation, 2d or 3d GUIs query results presentation G06F16/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance

Abstract

In a graphical user interface environment, a situational-specific browser may be used to provide contextually appropriate levels of information for files whose information is to be displayed. As different views of files are to be displayed, the browser may dynamically adjust its configuration to display different types of information, features and/or command options. Different views may be predefined, or new views may be dynamically created in response to user navigation.

Claims

1. A method for browsing files, comprising the steps of:

receiving a user request to view files meeting one or more criteria in a browser;

identifying a plurality of files that meet said criteria;

selecting one of a plurality of predefined browsers based on results of said step of identifying; and

displaying said selected browser with information regarding said plurality of files.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of predefined browsers includes distinct browsers for use in listing files of different predetermined file types.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of predefined browsers offer different display characteristics.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said plurality of predefined browsers offer different available user commands as said different display characteristics.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein said plurality of predefined browsers offer different display areas as said different display characteristics.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said different display areas differ in size.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said one or more criteria includes a plurality of criteria, said one of said plurality of predefined browsers corresponds to said criteria, and said step of selecting further comprises the step of selecting a different one of said plurality of predefined browsers, said different one of said plurality of predefined browsers corresponding to a subset of said plurality of criteria.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of selecting further comprises the step of reordering a sequence of property values of said selected browser based on said step of identifying.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said step of reordering a sequence of property values includes the removal or addition of one or more properties to be displayed in said selected browser.

10. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a data structure comprising:

a first template defining a first browser view to be used by a file browser when browsing files of a first file type; and

a second template defining a second browser view to be used by said file browser when browsing files of a second file type.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein said first file type includes files belonging to a first project.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein said first file type is a music file type.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, further comprising computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of:

receiving a user request to view files meeting one or more criteria in a browser;

identifying a plurality of files that meet said criteria;

selecting one of a plurality of predefined browsers based on results of said step of identifying; and

displaying said selected browser with information regarding said plurality of files.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein said plurality of predefined browsers offer different display characteristics.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein said plurality of predefined browsers offer different available user commands as said different display characteristics.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein said plurality of predefined browsers offer different display areas as said different display characteristics.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein said different display areas differ in size.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein said plurality of predefined browsers includes distinct browsers for use in listing files of different predetermined file types.