Pictorial interface for accessing information in an electronic file system

• US 6,278,455 B1
• Filed: 12/13/1999
• Issued: 08/21/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation, Picture Patents LLC
• Original Assignee: Michelle Baker
• Inventors: Baker, Michelle
• Primary Examiner(s): dela Torre, Crescelle N.
• Application Number:
  US09/459,934
• Time in Patent Office: 617 Days
• Field of Search: 345/348, 345/349, 345/350, 345/351, 345/346, 345/356, 345/357, 345/335, 345/977, 345/968, 345/302, 345/113, 345/115, 345/121, 345/473, 345/435
• US Class Current: 715/716
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/10 File systems; File servers
• 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

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.

Claims

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) means for associating said at least one pictorial image with a first group of files;

c) means for defining a plurality of sub-images as portions of said at least one pictorial image, wherein said means for defining enables selection of substantially any non-predefined portion of said at least one pictorial image and designation of it as a sub-image; and

d) 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.

2. A pictorial interface according to claim 1, wherein:

at least some of said plurality of sub-images are non-rectangular.

3. A pictorial interface according to claim 1, wherein:

said means for associating at least some of the files in the first group of files with individual sub-images of said plurality of sub-images includes cursor means to define corners of a rectangle circumscribing the sub-image to be associated with a file.

4. A pictorial interface according to claim 3, wherein:

said means for associating at least some of the files in the first group of files with individual sub-images of said plurality of sub-images includes masking means for masking portions of the rectangle circumscribing the sub-image to produce a non-rectangular icon.

5. A pictorial interface according to claim 1, further comprising:

e) means for associating at least one of the sub-images of said plurality of sub-images with a second group of files.

6. 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) means for creating a group of new files;

c) means for associating said at least one pictorial image with said group of new files;

d) means for defining a plurality of sub-images relative to said at least one pictorial image, wherein said means for defining enables selection of substantially any non-predetermined portion of said at least one pictorial image and designation of it as a sub-image;

e) 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.

7. A pictorial interface according to claim 6, further comprising:

f) means for animating at least some of said plurality of sub-images.

8. 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, said pictorial image containing a plurality of sub-images;

b) means for associating at least some of the files in the first group of files with individual sub-images of said plurality of sub-images;

c) an animated character image displayable on the display screen, said animated character image being overlaid on said pictorial image and being capable of a plurality of animated actions; and

d) means for moving said animated character image relative to said pictorial image in response to user input.

9. A pictorial interface according to claim 8, further comprising:

e) means for scrolling said at least one pictorial image in response to movement of said animated character image.

10. A pictorial interface according to claim 8, further comprising:

e) means for generating a transition animation of said animated character image, said transition animation starting with a last frame of one of said plurality of animated actions and ending with a first frame of another of said plurality of animated actions.

11. 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) means for defining a region of said pictorial image as a sub-image; and

c) means for associating at least one of the files in the file system with said sub-image, wherein

said means for defining a region includes means for automatically generating and compiling program code containing a subimage definition and association, said program code providing access to said at least one of the files when said program code is run.