Method and apparatus for dynamically grouping objects
First Claim
1. In a graphical user interface for displaying a plurality of objects, each object having a set of attributes, a method for automatically grouping the plurality of objects into at least one set, the method comprising the steps of:
- obtaining a logic rule for grouping objects into at least one set of objects according to a value of at least one of said attributes;
monitoring the plurality of objects;
signaling a change when an attribute of an object of the plurality of objects changes;
applying the logic rule to the object whose attribute has changed, for placing the object whose attribute has changed, into the group of the at least one set;
repeating the applying step each time a change is signalled;
associating each of said at least one set of objects with a container;
representing each of said at least one set of objects with the associated container.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a graphical user interface, a method for automatically subdividing the objects and for grouping the objects into folders or container objects and for representing these folders instead of the associated objects. The grouping is based on one or more of the attributes of the objects, e.g. the object name, the size, the last update. The grouping is particularly useful when many objects are to be represented and it would be difficult to handle all the objects and to display them on the desktop. Nested groups can be created inside other groups when needed.
68 Citations
10 Claims
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1. In a graphical user interface for displaying a plurality of objects, each object having a set of attributes, a method for automatically grouping the plurality of objects into at least one set, the method comprising the steps of:
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obtaining a logic rule for grouping objects into at least one set of objects according to a value of at least one of said attributes; monitoring the plurality of objects; signaling a change when an attribute of an object of the plurality of objects changes; applying the logic rule to the object whose attribute has changed, for placing the object whose attribute has changed, into the group of the at least one set; repeating the applying step each time a change is signalled; associating each of said at least one set of objects with a container; representing each of said at least one set of objects with the associated container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. Method for automatically managing a group of objects, each object having a set of attributes, for display of the objects in a computer graphical user interface comprising the steps of:
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obtaining a description of a kind of objects to which automatic grouping is to be applied; obtaining a logic rule for grouping objects to which automatic grouping is to be applied into at least one set of objects according to a value of at least one of said attributes; monitoring objects to which automatic grouping is to be applied; signaling a change when an attribute of an object to which automatic grouping is to be applied, changes; applying the logic rule to the object whose attribute has changed for placing the object whose attribute has changed into a subgroup set of objects of the group of objects being managed; repeating the applying step each time a change is signalled. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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Specification