(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0091596A1
`Anthony et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Apr. 28, 2005
`
`US 2005009 1596A1
`
`(54)
`
`(75)
`
`GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE FOR
`3-DIMENSIONAL VIEW OF A DATA
`COLLECTION BASED ON AN ATTRIBUTE
`OF THE DATA
`
`Inventors: Colin Ray Anthony, Kirkland, WA
`(US); Stephane St-Michel,
`Woodinville, WA (US); Zeke Book
`Odins-Lucas, Seattle, WA (US);
`Jordan Luther King Schwartz,
`Seattle, WA (US); Richard Malcolm
`Banks, Egham (GB); Marcus Simon
`Howell Harvey, Seattle, WA (US);
`Charles Cummins, Seattle, WA (US);
`Charles W. Stabb, Seattle, WA (US);
`Mark Richard Ligameri, Snohomish,
`WA (US)
`Correspondence Address:
`BANNER & WITCOFF LTD.,
`ATTORNEYS FOR MICROSOFT
`1001 GSTREET, N.W.
`ELEVENTH STREET
`WASHINGTON, DC 20001-4597 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA
`(21) Appl. No.:
`10/691,441
`(22) Filed:
`Oct. 23, 2003
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl." ....................................................... G06F 3/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. ......................... 715/712; 715/713; 715/817;
`715/818; 715/850; 715/825;
`715/810; 715/781; 715/803;
`715/836; 715/839; 715/848
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A three-dimensional (3D) view of a data collection based on
`an attribute is disclosed. A timeline is provided for display
`ing files and folders. The timeline may include a focal group
`that displayS detailed information about its contents to the
`user. Remaining items on the timeline are displayed in leSS
`detail and may be positioned to appear further away from the
`user. A histogram may be provided as part of the View to
`allow the user to more easily navigate the timeline to find a
`desired file or folder.
`
`Pictures & Video
`(e)
`Steweta PC 0 Pictures & Wide
`Menus 6 x to E Print
`&S Play slide show
`& Emailpics and video
`(c) Burn to disc
`Alphotos
`Avices
`
`January
`
`Febua March
`
`
`
`Share this library
`El Order prints online
`fore w
`Events by Date
`Tirneline
`April
`
`ne
`
`Eb ()
`
`May
`
`June
`
`Jul
`
`August
`
`January
`
`
`
`Pictures & Vid.
`
`August
`
`September
`
`October
`
`November
`
`December
`
`APPLE 1007
`
`1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 28, 2005 Sheet 1 of 12
`
`US 2005/0091596 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 28, 2005 Sheet 2 of 12
`
`US 2005/0091596 A1
`
`
`
`My Pictures
`&
`r3939 167529.jpg
`Paint Shop Pro Image i. g
`MOdified: 108/2003 7:58 AM
`Sample.jpg
`Size: 21.9 KB
`Attributes: (normal)
`
`FIG. 2
`PRIOR ART
`
`3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 28, 2005 Sheet 3 of 12
`
`US 2005/009 1596 A1
`
`
`
`QC:WINNTsystem32
`File
`Edit
`Favorites Tools Help
`Toolbars
`W Status Bar
`AddressO ExplorerBar
`Largelcons
`Small Cons
`List
`O Details
`Thumbnails
`
`Arrange icons S
`Line Up Icons
`Oy Iype
`by Size
`Choose Columns...
`S Date
`GO TO
`Auto Arrange
`
`0
`
`FIG 3
`PRIOR ART
`
`4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 28, 2005 Sheet 4 of 12
`
`US 2005/0091596 A1
`
`
`
`5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 28, 2005 Sheet 5 of 12
`
`US 2005/0091596 A1
`
`502
`
`STARTDATE
`
`504
`
`FAR FROMFOCAL POINT NORMAL
`ORFADING STACKS, LITTLE DETAL
`HINTS OFLANDMARKS, NOTASKS,
`ATFOCAL POINTLARGEST STACK,
`GREATESTDETAL MORE
`END DATE
`LANDMARKS, TASKSEXPOSED.
`510a N
`
`509
`
`V as a
`
`se-2
`(TOPVIEW,
`LOOKING AT
`FOCAL POINT)
`
`
`
`
`
`CLOSETO FOCAL POINTLARGER
`STACKS, SOMEDETAL, SOME
`LANDMARKS, NOTASKS.
`
`FIG. 5
`
`509
`
`FIG. 6
`
`6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 28, 2005 Sheet 6 of 12
`
`US 2005/0091596 A1
`
`602a
`
`
`
`s
`
`& Te Vs
`
`7
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 28, 2005 Sheet 7 of 12
`
`US 2005/0091596 A1
`
`802a
`
`DDDDDD HE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`806
`
`No.
`
`8
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 28, 2005 Sheet 8 of 12
`
`US 2005/0091596 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`C
`908
`910-12 HOUR (-24HOURS
`912
`914
`916
`918
`
`902
`
`904
`906
`LABELFORMAT
`
`INTERVAL
`
`
`
`(MONTH-DAY. MONTH DAY
`
`YEAR-YEAR
`
`
`
`FIG. 9
`
`
`
`9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 28, 2005 Sheet 9 of 12
`
`US 2005/009 1596 A1
`
`
`
`FIG.10a
`
`FIG. 10b
`
`FIG. 10C
`
`10
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 28, 2005 Sheet 10 of 12
`
`US 2005/0091596 A1
`
`1108
`
`1106
`/
`WISBEAREA
`
`START OF TIMELINE
`
`Y
`
`N
`
`START OF
`VISIBLE AREA
`N.
`
`
`
`1112
`: EN5OF
`TIMELINE
`FOCAL POINT-1100
`O-1103
`
`FIG. 11
`
`11
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 28, 2005 Sheet 11 of 12
`
`US 2005/0091596 A1
`
`
`
`(C)
`
`Pictures & Video
`Stevetar PC a Pictures & Video
`Menus () x 6 (S. Print
`ses Play slide show
`a Email pics and video
`O Burn to disc
`
`Share this library
`Order prints online
`more v
`
`Alphotos.
`
`A videos
`
`Events by Date
`
`timelina
`
`more
`
`Filter of:
`
`January
`
`February
`
`Alist
`
`August
`
`September
`
`October
`
`Noyee
`
`December
`
`ill. hdl.l.il.
`
`FIG. 12a
`
`
`
`e timeline demic
`(C)
`Pictures & Video
`Stevetan PC O Pictures & Wideo
`Merius () x 3 E. Print
`(as Play slide show
`a Email pics and video
`5,29 O Burn to disc
`picturs-and-gees
`
`Share this library
`Order prints online
`fore v
`
`AEphotos
`
`At videos
`
`Events by Date
`
`Timeline
`
`more
`
`Filteron:
`
`type any word here
`
`Janufebuary
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`June ful
`
`January
`
`Releavid
`
`August
`
`September
`
`October
`
`FIG. 12b
`
`12
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 28, 2005 Sheet 12 of 12
`
`US 2005/0091596 A1
`
`1300
`
`
`
`1304
`
`1306
`
`1402
`
`FIG. 14
`
`13
`
`

`

`US 2005/0091596 A1
`
`Apr. 28, 2005
`
`GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE FOR
`3-DIMENSIONAL VIEW OF A DATA COLLECTION
`BASED ON AN ATTRIBUTE OF THE DATA
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`0001. The invention relates generally to computer gen
`erated graphical user interfaces. More specifically, the
`invention provides Systems and methods for enabling a user
`to more efficiently view, find and Select a group of objects in
`a graphical user interface.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0002 Current computer systems use graphical user inter
`faces (GUIs) to allow users to effectively utilize the com
`puter System without having to learn a complex command
`language. An innovation of the GUI is the ability to allow
`users to visually organize files, folders and other objects
`more easily through the use of file manager programs Such
`as Windows(R Explorer. As used herein, the term file man
`ager refers to any computer program or aspect of a computer
`program that is used to organize and display files or repre
`Sentations thereof.
`0.003
`Recent innovations in visual technologies such as
`the widespread availability of digital cameras have made the
`graphical capabilities of an operating System more important
`than ever before. Digital photograph images are often Stored
`on the hard drives of personal computers rather than on film
`or photographic paper. Many consumers prefer taking pho
`tographs with digital cameras because it is not necessary to
`develop a roll of film in order to view the photographs.
`Rather, the photographic images need only be downloaded
`from the camera onto a personal computer hard disk where
`they are stored in Some picture file format (e.g.jpg, .tif, gif,
`and the like) and can be viewed and manipulated through the
`GUI using various application programs that either come
`preinstalled on the operating System or are value-added
`software products (e.g., DIGITAL IMAGE PRO, by
`Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.) that a user
`installs on top of the operating System (hereinafter OS).
`0004 AS hard disk space becomes less expensive, users
`are able to Store increasing numbers of photographic images
`(and other types of computer image files) on the hard drive
`of their computers. Because of the increased number of
`images, it has become more difficult for users to manage and
`organize the graphics files that contain the images. For
`example, in a folder with hundreds of picture files it can be
`difficult to find a particular image file. This is especially the
`case where the filename is not indicative of the contents of
`the picture file.
`0005 One way that users attempt to organize their picture
`files is by renaming them in Such as way as to indicate the
`contents of the image contained in them. This method has
`certain drawbackS. First, where a user has hundreds or even
`thousands of photographs, he or she must take the time to
`rename each and every file to describe the contents of the
`picture or photograph it contains. This renaming proceSS
`involves viewing each file to understand its contents and
`then typing a new name for the file. For hundreds or
`thousands of pictures, this method is impractical because it
`could take hours or even dayS.
`0006 A technique that has been employed in the prior art
`to enable users to more easily navigate, organize and view
`
`picture files is the use of a “thumbnail” view, illustrated in
`FIG. 2. A thumbnail typically refers to a representation of
`the contents of a file encapsulated in an icon or other image
`of a size Smaller than the original image Size that is dis
`played in a file listing environment. Although the use of
`thumbnails provides the user with a visual indication of the
`contents of each file, in a folder that contains many files, it
`may still be difficult to locate a desired file.
`0007. Other techniques have been used to more effec
`tively allow the user to organize, locate and access picture
`files in a folder. For example, Some known file managers
`allow the user to designate an ordering property that allows
`them to place the items in a file or folder in Some particular
`sorted order, illustrated in FIG. 3. For example, a user could
`configure the file manager to Sort the files in a folder by
`date/time So that they are listed in chronological order. The
`user could also configure the file manager to Sort the files in
`alphabetical order by file name or file type. When the user
`configures the file manager is this way, the entire content of
`the folder are ordered in a two-dimensional array based on
`the Selected Sorting criterion.
`0008 Although these techniques are useful in organizing
`Smaller grouping of files and folders, as the number of files
`increases, these techniques become leSS and less effective.
`Thus, there is a need for an improved way to organize and
`display files that overcomes these and other limitations
`found in the prior art.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0009. The following presents a simplified summary of the
`invention in order to provide a basic understanding of Some
`aspects of the invention. This Summary is not an extensive
`overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key
`or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the Scope
`of the invention. The following Summary merely presents
`Some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a
`prelude to the more detailed description provided below.
`0010. To overcome limitations in the prior art described
`above, and to overcome other limitations that will be appar
`ent upon reading and understanding the present Specifica
`tion, aspects of the present invention are directed to a
`computer-implemented method for displaying items on a
`GUI.
`0011. According to an aspect of the present invention, the
`items are first placed in Some logical order using an attribute
`shared by each of the items. The items are then divided into
`groups based on an interval that is either Selected by the user
`or determined by the System based on Some algorithm. One
`of the groups is designated as a focal group, and is displayed
`at a primary point of focus in the GUI. The remaining groups
`are displayed on either Side of the focal group based on their
`ordering.
`0012 Another aspect of the invention provides for the
`items to be displayed in a three-dimensional appearing
`graphical environment Such that the remaining groups
`appear to be leSS prominent to the user than the focal group.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0013 A more complete understanding of the present
`invention and the advantages thereof may be acquired by
`referring to the following description in consideration of the
`
`14
`
`

`

`US 2005/0091596 A1
`
`Apr. 28, 2005
`
`accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers
`indicate like features, and wherein:
`0.014
`FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an exem
`plary general-purpose computing environment that may be
`used to implement various aspects of the present invention.
`0.015
`FIG. 2 illustrates prior art file management pro
`gram that allows a thumbnail view of files.
`0016 FIG. 3 illustrates a prior art file management
`program that allows the user to specify an ordering property
`for the contents of the active file folder.
`0017 FIG. 4 illustrates an illustrative embodiment of the
`present invention.
`0.018
`FIG. 5 illustrates a top-level schematic of various
`aspects of the present invention according to an illustrative
`embodiment.
`0.019
`FIG. 6 illustrates another schematic showing a top
`view of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
`0020 FIG. 7 illustrates a close up screenshot of a focal
`group with a view according to an illustrative embodiment
`of the present invention.
`0021 FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate the handling of large and
`Small focal groups according to an illustrative embodiment
`of the present invention.
`0022 FIG. 9 illustrates a chart with calculations that may
`be used in practicing aspects the present invention according
`to an illustrative embodiment.
`0023 FIGS. 10a, 10b and 10c illustrate a focal group
`transition according to an illustrative embodiment of the
`present invention.
`0024 FIG. 11 a focal group situated near one end of a
`timeline according to an illustrative embodiment of the
`present invention.
`0025 FIGS. 12a and 12b illustrate calling out a non
`focal group without changing the focal group according to
`an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
`0.026
`FIG. 13 illustrates a view of a histogram according
`to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
`0.027
`FIG. 14 illustrates a partial view of the histogram
`in FIG. 13 according to an illustrative embodiment of the
`invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`0028. In the following description of the various embodi
`ments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings,
`which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of
`illustration various embodiments in which the invention
`may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodi
`ments may be utilized and Structural and functional modi
`fications may be made without departing from the Scope of
`the present invention.
`0029. The present invention provides methods and sys
`tems that allow computer users to more easily organize, find
`and access files. By providing a graphical user interface that
`utilizes an organizing principle that is simple for users to
`
`understand and at the same time giving a rich Visual expe
`rience, the invention improves significantly on known file
`management techniques.
`Illustrative Operating Environment
`0030)
`0031
`FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a suitable com
`puting system environment 100 in which one or more
`aspects of the invention may be implemented. The comput
`ing system environment 100 is only one example of a
`Suitable computing environment and is not intended to
`Suggest any limitation as to the Scope of use or functionality
`of the invention. Neither should the computing environment
`100 be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement
`relating to any one or combination of components illustrated
`in the exemplary operating environment 100.
`0032. The invention is operational with numerous other
`general purpose or Special purpose computing System envi
`ronments or configurations. Examples of well known com
`puting Systems, environments, and/or configurations that
`may be suitable for use with the invention include, but are
`not limited to, personal computers, Server computers, hand
`held or laptop devices, multiprocessor Systems, micropro
`ceSSor-based Systems, Set top boxes, programmable con
`Sumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe
`computers, distributed computing environments that include
`any of the above Systems or devices, and the like.
`0033. The invention may be described in the general
`context of computer-executable instructions, Such as pro
`gram modules, being executed by a computer. Generally,
`program modules include routines, programs, objects, com
`ponents, data Structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or
`implement particular abstract data types. The invention may
`also be practiced in distributed computing environments
`where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that
`are linked through a communications network. In a distrib
`uted computing environment, program modules may be
`located in both local and remote computer Storage media
`including memory Storage devices.
`0034). With reference to FIG. 1, an illustrative system for
`implementing the invention includes a general purpose
`computing device in the form of a computer 110. Compo
`nents of computer 110 may include, but are not limited to,
`a processing unit 120, a System memory 130, and a System
`buS 121 that couples various System components including
`the System memory to the processing unit 120. The System
`bus 121 may be any of several types of bus structures
`including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral
`bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architec
`tures. By way of example, and not limitation, Such archi
`tectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus,
`Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA
`(EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards Association
`(VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnect
`(PCI) bus also known as Mezzanine bus.
`0035 Computer 10 typically includes a variety of com
`puter readable media. Computer readable media can be any
`available media that can be accessed by computer 110 and
`includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and
`non-removable media. By way of example, and not limita
`tion, computer readable media may comprise computer
`Storage media and communication media. Computer Storage
`media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and
`
`15
`
`

`

`US 2005/0091596 A1
`
`Apr. 28, 2005
`
`non-removable media implemented in any method or tech
`nology for Storage of information Such as computer readable
`instructions, data Structures, program modules or other data.
`Computer Storage media includes, but is not limited to,
`RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory
`technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other
`optical disk Storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape,
`magnetic disk Storage or other magnetic Storage devices, or
`any other medium which can be used to Store the desired
`information and which can accessed by computer 110.
`Communication media typically embodies computer read
`able instructions, data Structures, program modules or other
`data in a modulated data Signal Such as a carrier wave or
`other transport mechanism and includes any information
`delivery media. The term "modulated data Signal” means a
`Signal that has one or more of its characteristics Set or
`changed in Such a manner as to encode, information in the
`Signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communi
`cation media includes wired media Such as a wired network
`or direct-wired connection, and wireleSS media Such as
`acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireleSS media. Combina
`tions of the any of the above should also be included within
`the Scope of computer readable media.
`0.036 The system memory 130 includes computer stor
`age media in the form of Volatile and/or nonvolatile memory
`such as read only memory (ROM) 131 and random access
`memory (RAM) 132. A basic input/output system 133
`(BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer
`information between elements within computer 110, Such as
`during start-up, is typically stored in ROM 131. RAM 132
`typically contains data and/or program modules that are
`immediately accessible to and/or presently being operated
`on by processing unit 120. By way of example, and not
`limitation, FIG. 1 illustrates operating System 134, applica
`tion programs 135, other program modules 136, and pro
`gram data 137.
`0037. The computer 110 may also include other remov
`able/non-removable, Volatile/nonvolatile computer Storage
`media. By way of example only, FIG. 1 illustrates a hard
`disk drive 141 that reads from or writes to non-removable,
`nonvolatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive 151 that
`reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile magnetic
`disk 152, and an optical disk drive 155 that reads from or
`writes to a removable, nonvolatile optical disk 156 Such as
`a CD ROM or other optical media. Other removable/non
`removable, Volatile/nonvolatile computer Storage media that
`can be used in the exemplary operating environment
`include, but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash
`memory cards, digital versatile disks, digital Video tape,
`Solid state RAM, Solid state ROM, and the like. The hard
`disk drive 141 is typically connected to the system bus 121
`through an non-removable memory interface Such as inter
`face 140, and magnetic disk drive 151 and optical disk drive
`155 are typically connected to the system bus 121 by a
`removable memory interface, such as interface 150.
`0.038. The drives and their associated computer storage
`media discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 1, provide
`Storage of computer readable instructions, data Structures,
`program modules and other data for the computer 110. In
`FIG. 1, for example, hard disk drive 141 is illustrated as
`Storing operating System 144, application programs 145,
`other program modules 146, and program data 147. Note
`that these components can either be the same as or different
`
`from operating System 134, application programs 135, other
`program modules 136, and program data 137. Operating
`System 144, application programs 145, other program mod
`ules 146, and program data 147 are given different numbers
`here to illustrate that, at a minimum, they are different
`copies. A user may enter commands and information into the
`computer 110 through input devices such as a keyboard 162
`and pointing device 161, commonly referred to as a mouse,
`trackball or touch pad. Other input devices (not shown) may
`include a microphone, joystick, game pad, Satellite dish,
`Scanner, or the like. These and other input devices are often
`connected to the processing unit 120 through a user input
`interface 160 that is coupled to the system bus, but may be
`connected by other interface and bus structures, Such as a
`parallel port, game port or a universal Serial bus (USB). A
`monitor 191 or other type of display device is also connected
`to the System buS 121 via an interface, Such as a video
`interface 190. Computer 110 may also include a digitizer
`192 for use in conjunction with monitor 191 to allow a user
`to provide input using a stylus input device 193. In addition
`to the monitor, computerS may also include other peripheral
`output devices such as speakers 197 and printer 196, which
`may be connected through an output peripheral interface
`195.
`0039 The computer 110 may operate in a networked
`environment using logical connections to one or more
`remote computers, Such as a remote computer 180. The
`remote computer 180 may be a personal computer, a Server,
`a router, a network PC, a peer device or other common
`network node, and typically includes many or all of the
`elements described above relative to the computer 110,
`although only a memory Storage device 181 has been
`illustrated in FIG. 1. The logical connections depicted in
`FIG. 1 include a local area network (LAN) 171 and a wide
`area network (WAN) 173, but may also include other
`networkS. Such networking environments are commonplace
`in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets and
`the Internet.
`0040. When used in a LAN networking environment, the
`computer 110 is connected to the LAN 171 through a
`network interface or adapter 170. When used in a WAN
`networking environment, the computer 110 typically
`includes a modem 172 or other means for establishing
`communications over the WAN 173, Such as the Internet.
`The modem 172, which may be internal or external, may be
`connected to the System buS 121 via the user input interface
`160, or other appropriate mechanism. In a networked envi
`ronment, program modules depicted relative to the computer
`110, or portions thereof, may be stored in the remote
`memory Storage device. By way of example, and not limi
`tation, FIG. 1 illustrates remote application programs 185 as
`residing on memory device 181. It will be appreciated that
`the network connections shown are exemplary and other
`means of establishing a communications link between the
`computerS may be used.
`0041) Description of Illustrative Embodiments
`0042 Generally, all items stored in an operating system
`have certain properties (e.g. a time attribute) ascribed to
`them. The term “item” is herein defined as a visual repre
`Sentation of a file, folder, Virtual folder, or any other data
`object that may be Stored in an operating System and/or file
`System, for example, icons, thumbnails, and the like. The
`
`16
`
`

`

`US 2005/0091596 A1
`
`Apr. 28, 2005
`
`items in the file System and/or operating System may be
`Stored on any desirable Storage location on computer 110.
`For example, the items may be stored on hard drive 141, or
`on removable non-volatile magnetic disk 152, or on optical
`disk 156, or even possibly on remote computer 180 accessed
`over local area network 171 or wide area network 173.
`Attributes or properties of items include attributes or prop
`erties of the files, folders, or virtual folders, etc., that they
`represent and may further include aspects of the Visual
`representation itself. For example, item properties may
`include, but are not limited to, name, file size, date of
`creation, modified date, author, title, read-only, archived,
`hidden, personal, type, and the like. Any item property may
`be used as an ordering attribute according to various aspects
`of the present invention. AS used herein, the term “ordering
`attribute” refers to the attribute around which data is prima
`rily Sorted or organized at a given time. For example, a user
`may wish to group items by item type, or author, or Some
`other attribute. In one embodiment of the present invention,
`the ordering attribute may be based on time, thus arranging
`the items chronologically, e.g., by using a date of creation or
`date of edit attribute as the ordering attribute. Items may be
`grouped in chronological order in a logical timeline in Such
`a way as to allow a user to easily navigate and locate items.
`The items may then be presented to the user in a way that
`reflects this timeline. Such a presentation to the user is
`herein referred to herein as a “dynamic timeline view.” An
`illustrative embodiment of a dynamic timeline view is
`shown in FIG. 4. It will be appreciated by those of skill in
`the art that other attributes may be used as the ordering
`attribute to Sort and present data according to various aspects
`of the invention, and that a dynamic timeline View is merely
`an illustrative example for descriptive purposes.
`0.043 A dynamic timeline view allows a user to view a set
`of items arranged chronologically and presented in a GUI
`environment. The GUI may take many forms. In one
`embodiment, three dimensional (3D) graphics technology
`may be used to provide the dynamic timeline view in a 3D
`environment. The 3D environment may be implemented
`utilizing graphics technology such as DirectX(R), Direct3D(R),
`OpenGL(R), GDI, a media integration layer, or Some other
`presentation platform as is known in the art. In Some
`embodiments, 3D objects (which contain 3D properties)
`may be utilized to provide the 3D effect, while in other
`embodiments, graphics tools could be used to produce icons
`in a two dimensional (2D) environment that appear 3D but
`do not have 3D properties.
`0044 Aspects of the present invention allow a user to
`freely navigate documents, files, or other data objects in a
`chronological manner, and allow the user to change the point
`of focus to an arbitrary location on a timeline. Based on the
`number of items in a set on which the user is focused (e.g.,
`the number of photographs taken in August 2003), the
`System may adjust the dynamic timeline view in order to
`provide an improved browsing experience. In adjusting the
`dynamic timeline view, a Series of animating Steps may be
`used to enhance the richness of the user experience. FIG. 5
`illustrates a top view Schematic of a 3D dynamic timeline
`view interface. A timeline 500 has a start date 502 and an end
`date 504. The timeline 500 may include various time inter
`vals (e.g., days, months, years, etc., not called out in FIG.
`5). According to an aspect of the invention, the point of view
`of the GUI may be based on a conceptual camera 506
`pointed at the time interval containing the files or objects on
`
`which the user wishes to focus. This time range is called the
`focal point 508 or focal point interval. The focal point 508
`may represent a point in time or an interval of time on the
`timeline 500. Items that are within the time range covered by
`the focal point are collectively called the focal group 509.
`Items in the focal group 509 are typically presented to the
`user in greater detail than is shown for items in other time
`intervals on the timeline 500. Items in other time intervals on
`timeline 500 are grouped together in non-focal groups 510.
`Some non-focal groups 510 may be located close in time to
`the focal point 509. Referring again to FIG. 5, a first
`non-focal group 510a is shown on the time line 500 in a
`position relatively near the focal point 508. Items in this
`group may be shown with Some detail, but possibly less than
`the level of detail provided for those items in the focal group
`509. Another non-focal group 510b is shown that is posi
`tioned farther away on the timeline 500 relative to the focal
`point 508. Items in non-focal groups relatively farther from
`the focal group 509 may be shown with very little detail, and
`may be smaller relative to the items in both those non-focal
`groups 510a that are closer in time to the focal point 508, as
`well as the focal group 509 itself. The Smaller appearance
`may be produced automatically when a 3D rendering tech
`nology is used, or may be Simulated in 2D by drawing the
`items Smaller.
`0045) Focal Group
`0046 FIG. 6 illustrates a presentation of items in a focal
`group and various non-focal groups in accordance with one
`or more aspects of the present invention. A focal group 509
`may be made up of an array of focal group icons 606a (the
`numbered rectangular boxes) that represent items in the
`focal group 509. These icons may be traditional icons,
`thumbnail icons, 3D thumbnail icons, or any other GUI
`representation of items as is known in the art. While fifteen
`focal group icons 606a are illustrated in FIG. 6, if a
`sixteenth item were added to the focal group 509, it would
`be depicted as a sixteenth icon 606a inside of the focal group
`509. Icons 606a in the focal group 509 may be presented as
`folders or as Single items.
`0047. If an icon is a folder, double clicking on the folder
`will open the folder in a new dynamic timeline view (or
`other ordered view according to the present invention) to
`show the items Stored in it. It can be appreciated by one of
`skill in the art that in addition to folders, items may be stored
`in other logical groupings Such as Virtual folders or StackS.
`If an icon 606a in the focal group 509 represents a file,
`double-clicking the file will cause the System to attempt to
`open the file.
`0048. The GUI according to the present invention pre
`sents the icons 606a numbered 1-15 representing items in
`the focal group 509 to appear closer to the user than items
`not in the focal group, as is illustrated in FIG. 6. Above the
`focal group may be a focal group header 602a that provides
`information regarding the contents of the focal group. In one
`embodiment, the focal group header 602a may have a label
`604a and may be the width of the largest row in the focal
`group 509. In another embodiment of the present invention,
`the focal group header 602a may be Smaller or larger than
`the width of the largest or in the focal group 509.
`0049. The label 604a located in the focal group header
`602a may depend on the ordering principle. The label 604a
`may include the Starting point for the focal group interval
`
`17
`
`

`

`US 2005/0091596 A1
`
`Apr. 28, 2005
`
`range on the left Side and the end point for the focal group
`interval range on the right.