Array of documents with past, present and future portions thereof

• US 9,262,381 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Issued: 02/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 9224-5489 Quebec Inc., Maya-Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: 9224-5489 Quebec Inc.
• Inventors: Audet, Mathieu
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Tuyetlien T
• Assistant Examiner(s): Posigian, David S
• Application Number:
  US13/799,154
• Publication Number:
  US 20130290897A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,070 Days
• Field of Search: 715/835
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/34 Browsing; Visualisation therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/904 Browsing; Visualisation therefor for navigating the web G06F16/954; browsing optimisation for the web G06F16/957
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/93 Document management systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04815 Interaction with a metaphor-based environment or interaction object displayed as three-dimensional, e.g. changing the user viewpoint with respect to the environment or object
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/103 Formatting, i.e. changing of presentation of documents automatic justification G06F40/189; automatic line break hyphenation G06F40/191
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting

Abstract

A method, apparatus practicing the method, a system and an interface for displaying an array of computer-readable files having time portions thereof is described. The time portions are configured to display computer-readable files associated with respective time periods to order the computer-readable files along a timeline. The time portions being configured to define at least one of a past portion adapted to display computer-readable files associated with a time before a present time, a present portion adapted to display computer-readable files associated with the present time, and a future portion adapted to display computer-readable files associated with a time past the present time.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor of a computer system, provide a method of displaying an array of user-selectable icons including a plurality of time portions thereof, the method comprising:

(a) displaying the array of user-selectable icons, each user-selectable icon having a first attribute related to time and a second attribute associated with a selected commonality among the displayed user-selectable icons, wherein each respective user-selectable icon of the array of user-selectable icons is grouped into one of three different displayed portions of the array based on the first attribute of the respective user-selectable icon, the three different displayed portions comprising

(i) a past portion adapted to display one or more user-selectable icons, generally associated with a past term interaction, grouped therein, wherein the first attribute of each such user-selectable icon is associated with a past time relative to a temporal reference point adapted to locate the past portion along a timeline;

(ii) a present portion adjacent to the past portion and adapted to display one or more user-selectable icons, generally associated with a short term interaction, grouped therein, wherein the first attribute of each such user-selectable icon is associated with a present time relative to the temporal reference point adapted to locate the present portion along the timeline; and

(iii) a future portion adjacent to the present portion and adapted to display one or more user-selectable icons, generally associated with an expected future interaction, grouped therein, wherein the first attribute of each such user-selectable icon is associated with a future time relative to the temporal reference point adapted to locate the future portion along the timeline;

(b) wherein, when each respective portion of the three portions of the array comprises at least one user-selectable icon, the displaying of the array of user-selectable icons comprises, for each respective portion,

(i) displaying one or more user-selectable icons of the respective portion; and

(ii) when not all user-selectable icons of the respective portion are being displayed, changing the user-selectable icons of the respective portion that are being displayed in response to user input received via a navigation tool;

(iii) wherein the changing of user-selectable icons displayed in a portion of the array does not change any user-selectable icon displayed in each of the other two portions of the array,

(c) wherein the three different displayed portions of the array are disposed in a substantially linear arrangement along a common axis of the timeline.

2. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the changing of the user-selectable icons of a portion that are being displayed is in response to scrolling by a user.

3. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the past portion is distinguished from the present portion along the timeline with a first mark and wherein the present portion is distinguished from the future portion along the timeline with a second mark.

4. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 3, wherein the marks are movable such that the respective areas of display of the three portions are adjustable.

5. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein, when each respective portion of the three portions of the array comprises at least one user-selectable icon associated with a document.

6. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein, when each respective portion of the three portions of the array comprises at least one user-selectable icon, each respective portion of the three portions of the array comprises an axis along which one or more displayed user-selectable icons are positioned, the three axes being adapted to be shared with another array of user-selectable icons located in spaced parallel relation to each other.

7. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the displaying of the array of user-selectable icons is adapted to collectively display another array of user-selectable icons orthogonally located in respect with the array of user-selectable icons on a basis of a common user-selectable icon.

8. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein at least one of the portions is configured to display an identifier for indicating that at least one user-selectable icon into that portion is not being displayed.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the method provided by the computer-executable instructions when executed by the processor of the computer system further comprises

(a) displaying a second array of user-selectable icons, each user-selectable icon of the second array having a third attribute related to time and a fourth attribute associated with a selected commonality among the displayed user-selectable icons, wherein each respective user-selectable icon of the second array of user-selectable icons is grouped into one of three different displayed portions of the second array based on the third attribute of the respective user-selectable icon, the three different displayed portions of the second array comprising

(i) a past portion adapted to display one or more user-selectable icons, generally associated with a past term interaction, of the second array grouped therein, wherein the third attribute of each such user-selectable icon is associated with a past time relative to a temporal reference point of the second array adapted to locate the past portion along a second timeline;

(ii) a present portion adjacent to the past portion and adapted to display one or more user-selectable icons, generally associated with a short term interaction, of the second array grouped therein, wherein the third attribute of each such user-selectable icon is associated with a present time relative to the temporal reference point of the second array adapted to locate the present portion along the second timeline; and

(iii) a future portion adjacent to the present portion and adapted to display one or more user-selectable icons, generally associated with an expected future interaction, of the second array grouped therein, wherein the third attribute of each such user-selectable icon is associated with a future time relative to the temporal reference point of the second array adapted to locate the future portion along the second timeline;

(b) wherein, when each respective portion of the three portions of the second array comprises at least one user-selectable icon, the displaying of the array of user-selectable element comprises, for each respective portion of the second array,

(i) displaying one or more user-selectable icons of the respective portion of the second array; and

(ii) when not all user-selectable icons of the respective portion of the second array are being displayed, changing in response to user input received via a navigation tool the user-selectable icons of the respective portion of the second array that are being displayed;

(iii) wherein the changing of user-selectable icons displayed in a portion of the second array does not change any user-selectable icon displayed in each of the other two portions of the second array,

(c) wherein the three different displayed portions of the array are disposed in a substantially linear arrangement along a common axis of the second timeline.

10. A computerized system configured to display an array of user-selectable icons comprising:

(a) a processing unit configured to execute computer-executable instructions; and

(b) a display configured to display, in accordance with the computer-executable instructions when executed by the processing unit, the array of user-selectable icons each having a first attribute related to time and a second attribute associated with a selected commonality among the displayed user-selectable icons;

(c) wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by the processing unit, provide a method of displaying the array of user-selectable icons comprising,

(i) grouping each respective user-selectable icon of the array into one of three different displayed portions of the array based on the first attribute of the respective user-selectable icons, the three different displayed portions comprising

(A) a past portion adapted to display one or more user-selectable icons, generally associated with a past term interaction, grouped therein, wherein the first attribute of each such user-selectable icon is associated with a past time relative to a temporal reference point adapted to locate the past portion along a timeline;

(B) a present portion adjacent to the past portion and adapted to display one or more user-selectable icons, generally associated with a short term interaction, grouped therein, wherein the first attribute of each such user-selectable icon is associated with a present time relative to the temporal reference point adapted to locate the present portion along the timeline; and

(C) a future portion adjacent to the present portion and adapted to display one or more user-selectable icons, generally associated with an expected future interaction, grouped therein, wherein the first attribute of each such user-selectable icon is associated with a future time relative to the temporal reference point adapted to locate the future portion along the timeline;

(ii) wherein, when each respective portion of the three portions of the array comprises at least one user-selectable icon, the displaying of the array of user-selectable icons further comprises, for each respective portion,

(A) displaying one or more user-selectable icons of the respective portion; and

(B) when not all user-selectable icons of the respective portion are being displayed, changing the user-selectable icons of the respective portion that are being displayed in response to user input received via a navigation tool;

(C) wherein the changing of user-selectable icons displayed in a portion of the array does not change any user-selectable icons displayed in each of the other two portions of the array,

(iii) wherein the three different displayed portions of the array are disposed in a substantially linear arrangement along a common axis of the timeline.

11. The computerized system of claim 10, wherein the changing of the user-selectable icons of a portion that are being displayed is in response to scrolling by a user.

12. The computerized system of claim 10, wherein the past portion is distinguished from the present portion along the timeline with a first mark and wherein the present portion is distinguished from the future portion along the timeline with a second mark.

13. The computerized system of claim 12, wherein the marks are movable such that the respective areas of display of the three portions are adjustable.

14. The computerized system of claim 10, wherein, when each respective portion of the three portions of the array comprises at least one user-selectable icon associated with a document.

15. The computerized system of claim 10, wherein, when each respective portion of the three portions of the array comprises at least one user-selectable icon, each respective portion of the three portions of the array comprises an axis along which one or more displayed user-selectable icons are positioned, the three axes being adapted to be shared with another array of user-selectable icons located in spaced parallel relation to each other.

16. The computerized system of claim 10, wherein the displaying of the array of user-selectable icons is adapted to collectively display another array of user-selectable icons orthogonally located in respect with the array of user-selectable icons on a basis of a common icon.

17. The computerized system of claim 10, wherein at least one of the portions is configured to display an identifier for indicating that at least one user-selectable icons into that portion is not being displayed.

18. The computerized system of claim 10, wherein the displaying further comprises,

(a) displaying a second array of user-selectable icons, each user-selectable icon of the second array having a third attribute related to time and a fourth attribute associated with a selected commonality among the displayed user-selectable icons, wherein each respective user-selectable icon of the second array of user-selectable icons is grouped into one of three different displayed portions of the second array based on the third attribute of the respective user-selectable icon, the three different displayed portions of the second array comprising

(i) a past portion adapted to display one or more user-selectable icon of the second array grouped therein, wherein the third attribute of each such user-selectable icon is associated with a past time relative to a temporal reference point of the second array adapted to locate the past portion along a second timeline;

(ii) a present portion adjacent to the past portion and adapted to display one or more user-selectable icons, generally associated with a short term interaction, of the second array grouped therein, wherein the third attribute of each such user-selectable icon is associated with a present time relative to the temporal reference point of the second array adapted to locate the present portion along the second timeline; and

(iii) a future portion adjacent to the present portion and adapted to display one or more user-selectable icons, generally associated with an expected future interaction, of the second array grouped therein, wherein the third attribute of each such user-selectable icon is associated with a future time relative to the temporal reference point of the second array adapted to locate the future portion along the second timeline;

(b) wherein, when each respective portion of the three portions of the second array comprises at least one user-selectable icon, the displaying of the array of user-selectable icons comprises, for each respective portion of the second array,

(i) displaying one or more user-selectable icons of the respective portion of the second array; and

(ii) when not all user-selectable elements of the respective portion of the second array are being displayed, changing in response to user input received via a navigation tool the user-selectable icons of the respective portion of the second array that are being displayed;

(iii) wherein the changing of user-selectable icons displayed in a portion of the second array does not change any user-selectable icon displayed in each of the other two portions of the second array,

(c) wherein the three different displayed portions of the array are disposed in a substantially linear arrangement along a common axis of the second timeline.

19. A method of electronically displaying for view by a user an array of user-selectable icons each having a first attribute related to time and a second attribute associated with a selected commonality among the displayed user-selectable icons, the method comprising:

(a) displaying the array of user-selectable icons on an electronic display, including grouping each respective user-selectable icon of the array of user-selectable icons into one of three different displayed portions of the array based on the first attribute of the respective user-selectable icon, the three different displayed portions comprising,

(i) a past portion adapted to display one or more user-selectable icons, generally associated with a past term interaction, grouped therein, wherein the first attribute of each such user-selectable icon is associated with a past time relative to a temporal reference point adapted to locate the past portion along a timeline;

(ii) a present portion adjacent to the past portion and adapted to display one or more user-selectable icons, generally associated with a short term interaction, grouped therein, wherein the first attribute of each such user-selectable icon is associated with a present time relative to the temporal reference point adapted to locate the present portion along the timeline; and

(iii) a future portion adjacent to the present portion and adapted to display one or more user-selectable icons, generally associated with an expected future interaction, grouped therein, wherein the first attribute of each such user-selectable icon is associated with a future time relative to the temporal reference point adapted to locate the future portion along the timeline;

(b) wherein, when each respective portion of the three portions of the array comprises at least one user-selectable icon, the displaying of the array of user-selectable element comprises for each respective portion,

(i) displaying one or more user-selectable icons of the respective portion; and

(ii) when not all user-selectable icons of the respective portion are being displayed, changing the user-selectable icons of the respective portion that are being displayed in response to user input received via a navigation tool;

(iii) wherein the changing of user-selectable icons displayed in a portion of the array does not change any user-selectable icon displayed in each of the other two portions of the array;

(c) wherein the three different displayed portions of the array are disposed in a substantially linear arrangement along a common axis of the timeline

(d) wherein the method is performed by a processor executing computer-executable instructions.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the displaying of the array of user-selectable icons is adapted to collectively display another array of user-selectable icons orthogonally located in respect with the array of user-selectable icons on a basis of a common icon.