Systems, methods, and user interfaces for storing, searching, navigating, and retrieving electronic information

• US 8,195,646 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2005
• Issued: 06/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Evans, Christopher A., Parlin, David R., Moore, Jason F., Wong, Lyon K. F., Ivanovic, Relja B., Williams, Samuel Thomas, Dart, Scott E., Hoefnagels, Stephan, McKee, Timothy P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Badawi, Sherief
• Application Number:
  US11/111,989
• Publication Number:
  US 20060242164A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,601 Days
• Field of Search: 707/762, 707/828, 707/627, 707/803, 707/767, 707/999.102, 707/716, 707/713, 707/705
• US Class Current: 707/716
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/14 Details of searching files based on file metadata
• 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

Abstract

Computer system navigation tools provide “links” to various different files, lists, folders, and/or other storage elements and allow users to organize files, e.g., by hierarchical properties, lists, auto lists, folders, and the like. Such systems and methods allow users to assign properties to a file (optionally in a hierarchical manner), to change assigned properties, to search, view, and retrieve information based on the assigned properties, and the like.

Claims

1. A method for storing electronic data, comprising:

creating an electronic file including electronic data for storage on a computer-readable medium;

receiving input data indicating a first property value of a plurality of property values to be included as part of the electronic file, wherein the first property value is associated with a first flat path string and a second flat path string, each flat path string identifying a distinct hierarchical path through a first hierarchy to the first property value within the structure of the plurality of property values within the first electronic file, and wherein the first flat path string and the second flat path string each comprise a listing of property values indicating metadata of the electronic file;

storing the electronic file consistent with an association of the first flat path string and the second flat path string within a second hierarchy that is separate from the first hierarchy;

receiving a user query that, when performed, would return a reference to the first flat path string and the second flat path string, each flat path string associated with the first property value within the electronic file and identified within the second hierarchy;

retrieving, from the second hierarchy, a single reference to a flat path string associated with the electronic file and not providing repeated representations of flat path strings associated with the electronic file; and

returning the single reference to the first flat path string associated with the first property value, wherein the single reference is from the second hierarchy in response to receiving the user query.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the input data indicating the first property value includes data in the format:

parent property value-delimiter-child property value.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the input data indicating the first property value includes data in the format:

parent property value-delimiter-child property value-delimiter-grandchild property value.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein:

a third flat path string identifies a third hierarchical path to a second property value within the structure of the plurality of property values within the first electronic file, and

wherein storing the electronic file is consistent with an association of the third flat path string with the first flat path string and the second flat path string.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the input data indicating the first property value includes data in the format:

child property value-delimiter-parent property value.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the input data indicating the first property value includes data in the format:

child property value-delimiter-parent property value-delimiter-grandparent property value.

7. A method for processing electronic data, comprising:

receiving data on a computer system or network indicating a hierarchical structure of a plurality of property values of an electronic file, each property value organized in the hierarchical structure by at least one flat path string identifying a unique path to a property value indicating metadata of the electronic file, wherein each flat path string is identified within a second hierarchy that is separate from the hierarchical structure, and wherein each flat path string comprises a listing of property value names for metadata of the electronic file;

receiving user input indicating a new property value to be included at a user desired location in the hierarchical structure;

based on the user desired location determining whether the new property value requires a new flat path string;

adding the new flat path string to the second hierarchy;

returning a reference to the new flat path from the second hierarchy to display the new property value within the first hierarchy;

receiving user input indicating a search query, wherein the search query includes a selection of a first search property comprising a first property value in the hierarchical structure, the first property value associated with a first flat path string and a second flat path string;

determining an electronic file stored on or available through a computer system or network meets the search query, wherein the electronic file determined to meet the search query includes the first search property; and

retrieving a single reference to a flat path string associated with the electronic file and not providing repeated representations of flat path strings associated with the electronic file.

8. A method for processing electronic data, comprising:

receiving data on a computer system or network indicating a hierarchical structure of a plurality of property values of an electronic file, each property value organized in the hierarchical structure by at least one flat path string identifying a unique path to a property value indicating metadata of the electronic file, wherein each flat path string is identified within a second hierarchy that is separate from the hierarchical structure, and wherein each flat path string comprises a listing of property value names for metadata of the electronic file;

receiving user input indicating a new property value to be included at a user desired location in the hierarchical structure;

based on the user desired location determining whether the new property value requires a new flat path string;

adding the new flat path string to the second hierarchy;

returning a reference to the new flat path from the second hierarchy to display the new property value within the first hierarchy;

receiving user input indicating a search query, wherein the search query includes selection of a first search property including a first property value in the hierarchical structure the first property value associated with a first flat path string and a second flat path string;

determining an electronic file stored on or available through a computer system or network meets the search query, wherein the electronic file determined to meet the search query includes the first search property stored therein or associated therewith; and

retrieving a single reference to a flat path string associated with the electronic file and not providing repeated representations of flat path strings associated with the electronic file.