Stack icons representing multiple objects
First Claim
1. Computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed, perform method for visually representing a plurality of computer data objects with a stack icon on a display, the method comprising the steps of:
- a computing device identifying a first plurality of computer data objects to be visually represented by a stack icon;
determining whether all of the identified objects share at least one of a location in a library, and a file type as a common characteristic, and if said identified objects share a common characteristic, selecting a representative thumbnail image for said common characteristic comprising one of;
a default image, a property-based image, and a thumbnail icon image, wherein the property-based image is a default image that includes a numeric designator for indicating a number of items represented by the stack icon, and wherein a default image is selected when a property-based image or a thumbnail icon image is not available;
said computing device generating a stack icon to represent said first plurality of computer data objects, said stack icon having a second plurality of distinct elements corresponding to said first plurality of computer data objects, and having a topmost element that includes said representative thumbnail image for said common characteristic.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The features described herein are directed to a method and system for use in a computing environment for representing files stored in stacks by using a stack icon. The stack icon may include multiple thumbnail images as top elements, and may use common characteristics among the files to define the appearance of the stack. The system may also use metadata or file characteristics (e.g., time of last edit, size, etc.) to identify one file for top representation in the stack icon. The system may additionally include an empty stack icon, a generic stack icon, property based icons, and custom thumbnail icons.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. Computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed, perform method for visually representing a plurality of computer data objects with a stack icon on a display, the method comprising the steps of:
-
a computing device identifying a first plurality of computer data objects to be visually represented by a stack icon; determining whether all of the identified objects share at least one of a location in a library, and a file type as a common characteristic, and if said identified objects share a common characteristic, selecting a representative thumbnail image for said common characteristic comprising one of;
a default image, a property-based image, and a thumbnail icon image, wherein the property-based image is a default image that includes a numeric designator for indicating a number of items represented by the stack icon, and wherein a default image is selected when a property-based image or a thumbnail icon image is not available;said computing device generating a stack icon to represent said first plurality of computer data objects, said stack icon having a second plurality of distinct elements corresponding to said first plurality of computer data objects, and having a topmost element that includes said representative thumbnail image for said common characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
10. A system for visually representing a plurality of computer data objects with a stack icon on a computer display, the system comprising:
-
an identifying component that identifies a first plurality of computer data objects to be visually represented by said stack icon; a selection component that selects a representative image for a common characteristic of said first plurality of computer data objects comprising one of;
a default image, a property-based image, and a thumbnail image, wherein the property-based image is a default image that includes one or more of a numeric designator that indicates a number of items represented by the stack icon and a file-type overlay that indicates a file type of at least one of the computer data objects in the first plurality, and wherein a default image is selected when a property-based image and a thumbnail image are not available;a generating component that generates a stack icon to represent said first plurality of computer data objects, said stack icon having a second plurality of distinct elements corresponding to said first plurality of computer data objects; and a displaying component that displays said stack icon on a computer display, wherein said stack icon includes, as a topmost element in the stack, said representative thumbnail image for said common characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method for visually representing a plurality of computer data objects with a stack icon on a display, the method comprising the steps of:
-
receiving a request from a user to display a stack icon; identifying a first plurality of computer data objects to be visually represented by the stack icon; determining whether all of the identified objects share at least one of a location in a library, and a file type as a common characteristic; determining a total number of computer data objects in said first plurality of computer data objects to be represented by the stack icon; selecting a representative image for said common characteristic comprising one of;
a default icon image, a property-based icon image, and a thumbnail icon image, wherein the default icon image is a generic image that depicts the file type of at least one of the represented computer data objects, the property-based icon image is a default icon image with additional features including a numeric designator for indicating a number of items represented by the stack icon, and a file type overlay for indicating a file type of one or more computer data objects represented by the stack icon, wherein the file type overlay is positioned within a bounding rectangle about said property based icon image, and the thumbnail icon image displays at least a thumbnail image of one or more image or video files represented by the stack icon, and wherein a default icon is selected when a property-based icon image or a thumbnail icon image is not available;selecting a default icon image as a representative image, where the first plurality of computer data objects are determined not to have a common characteristic; and generating a stack icon to represent said first plurality of computer data objects, said stack icon having a second plurality of distinct elements corresponding to said first plurality of computer data objects, and having a topmost element that includes said representative image for said common characteristic, wherein the second plurality of elements are displayed rotated with respect to each other beneath the topmost element. - View Dependent Claims (16, 20)
-
Specification