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

• US 7,162,488 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2005
• Issued: 01/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Cutsinger, Paul L., McKee, Timothy P., Gusmorino, Paul A., DeVorchik, David G., Wong, Lyon K. F., Moore, Jason, Banks, Richard M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coby; Frantz
• Application Number:
  US11/111,962
• Publication Number:
  US 20060242121A1
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 707/104.1, 707/100, 707/101, 707/102, 707/103.R, 715/500, 715853-855, 715/848
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99944 Object-oriented database structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

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 computer display providing a user interface for searching electronic files stored on or available through a computer system or network, the user interface comprising:

a navigation panel displaying a hierarchical structure of search elements, wherein individual search elements in the hierarchical structure may be expanded, optionally in response to user input, to display child search elements in the hierarchical structure, and wherein the navigation panel is capable of receiving user input directed to multiple search elements located within different parent branches of the hierarchical structure; and

a display panel displaying information relating, at least in part, to search results obtained from searching the electronic files, wherein the search results are determined, at least in part, based on the user input selecting the multiple search elements for a single search received through the navigation panel.

2. A computer display providing a user interface according to claim 1, wherein the individual search elements in the hierarchical structure of the navigation panel remain expanded to display the child elements in the hierarchical structure irrespective of the manner in which the search results are displayed in the display panel.

3. A computer display providing a user interface according to claim 2, wherein the search results in the display panel are displayed, at least in part, in a stacked manner.

4. A computer display providing a user interface according to claim 2, wherein the search results in the display panel are displayed, at least in part, in a grouped manner.

5. A computer display providing a user interface according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the individual search elements in the hierarchical structure are selected from the group consisting of:

property values, list elements, and folders.

6. A computer display providing a user interface according to claim 1, wherein the hierarchical structure of search elements includes, at least in part, plural property values arranged in a hierarchical manner.

7. A computer display providing a user interface according to claim 6, wherein at least some of the plural property values arranged in the hierarchical manner are arranged in a user defined hierarchy.

8. A computer display providing a user interface according to claim 1, wherein user input selecting child search elements in the hierarchical structure of the navigation panel produces corresponding changes in the search results displayed in the display panel.

9. A computer display providing a user interface according to claim 1, wherein user input changing selected search elements in the hierarchical structure of the navigation panel produces corresponding changes in the search results display in the display panel.

10. A method for navigating electronic data stored on or available through a computer system or network, comprising:

providing a navigation panel displaying a hierarchical structure of navigation elements, wherein individual navigation elements in the hierarchical structure may be expanded, optionally in response to user input, to display child navigation elements in the hierarchical structure;

receiving user input, through the navigation panel, selecting multiple navigation elements located within different parent branches of the hierarchical structure for a single search; and

displaying information relating, at least in part, to search results obtained from searching the electronic data, wherein the search results are determined, at least in part, based on the user input received through the navigation panel, wherein the information is displayed on a display device simultaneous with display of the navigation panel.

11. A method according to claim 10, further comprising:

receiving new user input, through the navigation panel, selecting one or more new navigation elements from the hierarchical structure; and

changing the information displayed, at least in part, based on the new navigation element or elements selected, wherein the changed information is displayed on the display device simultaneous with the navigation panel.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the new user input selects a child navigation element in the hierarchical structure from the navigation element initially selected to thereby filter down the information displayed.

13. A method according to claim 10, wherein the search results are displayed, at least in part, in a stacked manner.

14. A method according to claim 10, wherein the search results are displayed, at least in part, in a grouped manner.

15. A method according to claim 10, wherein at least some of the individual navigation elements in the hierarchical structure are selected from the group consisting of:

property values, list elements, and folders.

16. A method according to claim 10, wherein the hierarchical structure of navigation elements includes, at least in part, plural property values arranged in a hierarchical manner.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein at least some of the plural property values arranged in the hierarchical manner are arranged in a user defined hierarchy.

18. A method according to claim 10, wherein the user input through the navigation panel selects a folder navigation element, the displaying step includes displaying any sub-folders in the selected folder navigation element as a stack.

19. A method of displaying information regarding electronic data stored on or available through a computer system or network, comprising:

providing a navigation panel displaying a hierarchical structure of navigation elements, wherein at least some of the individual navigation elements in the hierarchical structure include folder elements;

receiving user input, through the navigation panel, selecting multiple navigation elements located within different parent branches of the hierarchical structure for a single search, wherein the multiple navigation elements include at least one folder element; and

displaying information relating, at least in part, to search results obtained from searching the electronic data, wherein the search results are determined, at least in part, based on the user input received through the navigation panel, wherein the information is displayed simultaneous with display of the navigation panel, and wherein the information is displayed such that any sub-folders provided under the selected folder element are displayed in a stacked manner in the displayed information.

20. A method according to claim 19, further comprising:

receiving new user input, through the navigation panel, selecting one or more new navigation elements from the hierarchical structure; and

changing the information displayed, at least in part, based on the new navigation element or elements selected.