User definable pictorial interface for a accessing information in an electronic file system
First Claim
1. A pictorial interface for accessing information in an electronic file system having a display screen and an input device, said interface comprising:
- a) at least one pictorial image displayable on the display screen;
b) user operable means for associating said at least one pictorial image with a first group of files;
c) user operable means for defining a plurality of sub-images as portions of said at least one pictorial image, wherein said means for defining enables a user to select substantially any non-predefined portion of said at least one pictorial image and designate it as a sub-image; and
d) user operable means for associating each of a plurality of the files in the first group of files with individual sub-images of said plurality of sub-images.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pictorial user interface for accessing information in an electronic file system provides a pictorial image which is linked to a file directory and which identifies the file directory. Objects in the pictorial image are icons linked to file objects and an animated character is overlaid on the pictorial image. User input causes movement of the animated character relative to the pictorial image. Input from the user is preferably through a limited input device such as a gamepad controller, a mouse, or by using a limited number of keys on a normal keyboard. Input signals are mapped according to keycode identical command sets, context arguments and selection arguments. Commands that can be invoked by the user include operating system commands, pictorial object commands, and interface utility commands. Using the pictorial object commands, the user can configure the interface so that different pictures and icons are associated with different directories and files. Commands are executed with a prologue animation and an epilogue animation. The prologue animation provides feedback as to the nature of the command being executed. The epilogue animation provides feedback as to the results of the command. Animations may include actions of the animated character or the behaviour of a selected icon, or both. The interface may be applied as an overlay to virtually any operating system.
267 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A pictorial interface for accessing information in an electronic file system having a display screen and an input device, said interface comprising:
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a) at least one pictorial image displayable on the display screen; b) user operable means for associating said at least one pictorial image with a first group of files; c) user operable means for defining a plurality of sub-images as portions of said at least one pictorial image, wherein said means for defining enables a user to select substantially any non-predefined portion of said at least one pictorial image and designate it as a sub-image; and d) user operable means for associating each of a plurality of the files in the first group of files with individual sub-images of said plurality of sub-images. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A pictorial interface for accessing information in an electronic file system having a display screen and an input device, said interface comprising:
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a) at least one pictorial image displayable on the display screen; b) user operable means for creating a group of new files; c) user operable means for associating said at least one pictorial image with said group of new files; d) user operable means for defining a plurality of sub-images relative to said at least one pictorial image, wherein said means for defining enables a user to select substantially any non-predetermined portion of said at least one pictorial image and designate it as a sub-image; e) user operable means for associating each of a plurality of the files in said group of new files with individual sub-images of said plurality of sub-images. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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Specification