Customizing a file open dialog using a namespace extension to allow searching
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for modifying a File Open dialog to enable searching for a file, comprising:
- writing a namespace extension to organize a file system into a tree-structured hierarchy of files and folders;
building a customized shell view within a File Open dialog box based on the namespace extension by implementing a Component Object Model (COM) interface to display or perform an operation on contents of said customized shell via a user input device;
providing a channel of communication between a view object and said File Open dialog via a second COM interface;
providing a channel of communication between said File Open dialog and said customized shell view via a third COM interface;
hosting a Shell browser via a fourth COM interface;
receiving a user search input within the customized File Open dialog box;
searching for a file indicated by the user search input; and
displaying at least one search result within the customized File Open dialog box via a user output device.
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Abstract
Methods and systems for method for modifying a File Open dialog to enable searching for a file. The method includes writing a namespace extension. Next a custom view is built within the File Open dialog box using the namespace extension. The custom view allows a user input a keyword or phrase within the customized File Open dialog box. Searching then occurs for the file indicated by the user search input using the Desktop Search. The search results are then displayed the within the File Open dialog box.
13 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for modifying a File Open dialog to enable searching for a file, comprising:
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writing a namespace extension to organize a file system into a tree-structured hierarchy of files and folders; building a customized shell view within a File Open dialog box based on the namespace extension by implementing a Component Object Model (COM) interface to display or perform an operation on contents of said customized shell via a user input device; providing a channel of communication between a view object and said File Open dialog via a second COM interface; providing a channel of communication between said File Open dialog and said customized shell view via a third COM interface; hosting a Shell browser via a fourth COM interface; receiving a user search input within the customized File Open dialog box; searching for a file indicated by the user search input; and displaying at least one search result within the customized File Open dialog box via a user output device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A customized File Open dialog system, comprising:
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a general purpose computing system which includes computer storage media and communication media; a system memory component; a search engine that is operative to generate a list of search results from a user search input, wherein said list of search results are obtained from searching one of said system memory component and an interconnected computer network; a browser which is capable of scanning contents of said system memory component and said interconnected computer network; a component for building a customized shell view within a File Open dialog box based on the namespace extension by implementing a Component Object Model (COM) interface to display or perform an operation on contents of said customized shell via a user input device; a second COM interface which is operative to provide a channel of communication between a view object and said File Open dialog; a third COM interface which is operative to provide a channel of communication between said File Open dialog and said customized shell view; and a fourth COM interface which is operative to host a Shell browser; a search location toolbar designator; show toolbar designator that is operative to select a type of file from said list of search results; a preview pane that is operative to display contents of a user specified file from said list of search results; a filename pane that is operative to display a pathname of said user specified file; and
an open toolbar designator that is operative to display said user specified file contents within its appropriate application. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. One or more computer-readable storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed, cause a computing device to perform a method of modifying a File Open dialog to enable searching for a file, the method comprising:
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writing a namespace extension to organize a file system into a tree-structured hierarchy of files and folders; building a customized shell view within a File Open dialog box based on the namespace extension by implementing a Component Object Model (COM) interface to display or perform an operation on contents of said customized shell via a user input device; providing a channel of communication between a view object and said File Open dialog via a second COM interface; providing a channel of communication between said File Open dialog and said customized shell view via a third COM interface; hosting a Shell browser via a fourth COM interface; receiving a user search input within the customized File Open dialog box; searching for a file indicated by the user search input; and displaying at least one search result within the customized File Open dialog box. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification