BROWSING OR SEARCHING USER INTERFACES AND OTHER ASPECTS

• US 20090307615A1
• Filed: 08/11/2008
• Published: 12/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Robert, Julien, Jalon, Julien, Carlhian, Alexandre
• Granted Patent: US 8,762,887 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/763
• 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 3/0483 Interaction with page-structured environments, e.g. book metaphor

Abstract

User interfaces for browsing and/or searching are described. In some embodiments, the metadata of a file includes a field having an indicator to indicate whether a preview of the content of the file is available. If the preview is available, then a plug-in associated with the creator application of the file is executed to present the preview within the icon. Furthermore, if the preview is interactive according to the metadata, then various user interface control may be generated to allow users to manipulate the presentation of the preview. Other embodiments are also described, and computer readable media and apparatuses are also described.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

in response to a request from a client application, a background process requesting icon data of an icon from a plug-in, the icon representing a file;

the background process receiving the icon data from the plug-in, the icon data including one or more decorations of the icon and image metadata indicative of whether a preview of content of the file is available; and

forwarding the icon data to the client application.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the file includes a document, and the preview comprises a pageable display of the document within the icon.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the file includes a video, and the preview comprises playing the video within the icon.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the file includes an image, and the preview comprises a zoomable display of the image within the icon.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more decorations include a foldover at a corner of the icon.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the client application includes a hierarchical file system (HFS) management application.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the client application includes a search application.

8. A computer readable medium storing executable program instructions which when executed by a data processing system cause the data processing system to perform a method comprising:

in response to a request from a client application, a background process requesting icon data of an icon from a plug-in, the icon representing a file;

the background process receiving the icon data from the plug-in, the icon data including one or more decorations of the icon and image metadata indicative of whether a preview of content of the file is available; and

forwarding the icon data to the client application.

9. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the file includes a document, and the preview comprises a pageable display of the document within the icon.

10. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the file includes a video, and the preview comprises playing the video within the icon.

11. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the file includes an image, and the preview comprises a zoomable display of the image within the icon.

12. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the one or more decorations include a foldover at a corner of the icon.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the client application includes a hierarchical file system (HFS) management application.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the client application includes a search application.

15. An apparatus comprising:

means for requesting icon data of an icon from a plug-in in response to a request from a client application, the icon representing a file;

means for receiving the icon data from the plug-in, the icon data including one or more decorations of the icon and image metadata indicative of whether a preview of content of the file is available; and

means for forwarding the icon data to the client application.

16. A computer implemented method comprising:

in response to a request from a user, interrogating a background process for icon data of an icon, the icon representing a file;

receiving the icon data from the background process, the icon data including one or more decorations of the icon and metadata; and

analyzing the metadata to determine if an interactive preview of content of the file is available

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

generating the icon with the one or more decorations in a graphical user interface (GUI) using the icon data; and

presenting the interactive preview of the content of the file within the icon if the image metadata indicates that the interactive preview is available.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the file includes a document, and the method further comprises:

generating user interface control to allow users to page through the document.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the file includes a video, and the method further comprises:

generating user interface control to play the video; and

playing the video within the decorated icon in response to a user actuating the user interface control.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the GUI is associated with a hierarchical file system (HFS).

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the GUI is associated with a search application.

22. A computer readable medium storing executable program instructions which when executed by a data processing system cause the data processing system to perform a method comprising:

in response to a request from a user, interrogating a background process for icon data of an icon, the icon representing a file;

receiving the icon data from the background process, the icon data including one or more decorations of the icon and metadata; and

analyzing the metadata to determine if an interactive preview of content of the file is available

23. The computer readable medium of claim 22, further comprising:

generating the icon with the one or more decorations in a graphical user interface (GUI) using the icon data; and

presenting the interactive preview of the content of the file within the icon if the image metadata indicates that the interactive preview is available.

24. The computer readable medium of claim 23, wherein the file includes a document, and the method further comprises:

generating user interface control to allow users to page through the document.

25. The computer readable medium of claim 23, wherein the file includes a video, and the method further comprises:

generating user interface control to play the video; and

playing the video within the decorated icon in response to a user actuating the user interface control.

26. The computer readable medium of claim 23, wherein the GUI is associated with a hierarchical file system (HFS).

27. The computer readable medium of claim 23, wherein the GUI is associated with a search application.