U.S. patent application number 11/034549 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-13 for method for queuing files to be sent to an application.
Invention is credited to Randolph Michael Forlenza, John Paul Kaemmerer.
Application Number | 20060155670 11/034549 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36654441 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060155670 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Forlenza; Randolph Michael ;
et al. |
July 13, 2006 |
Method for queuing files to be sent to an application
Abstract
A method and a computer program product that enable files in a
file directory to be queued or marked prior to "sending" the files
to a common application. A background operating system (OS) is
enhanced by including a set of queue functions/options for
selection when a file is selected within a file directory. Among
these additional functions/options are "Queue It", "Queue Edit",
and "Queue Send To." These queue functions each represent an action
item that may be selected to carry out a specific
function/operation on/with one or more pre-selected (or queued)
files. The "Queue It" function allows the user to mark one or more
file(s) or add the file's location and other parameters to a queue.
When there is at least one file in the queue, the "Queue Edit"
function allows the user to view, sort, and delete files in the
queue. Finally, the "Queue Send To" function triggers the import of
the queued and/or selected files into the selected application.
Inventors: |
Forlenza; Randolph Michael;
(Austin, TX) ; Kaemmerer; John Paul;
(Pflugerville, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DILLON & YUDELL LLP
8911 N. CAPITAL OF TEXAS HWY.,
SUITE 2110
AUSTIN
TX
78759
US
|
Family ID: |
36654441 |
Appl. No.: |
11/034549 |
Filed: |
January 13, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 ;
707/999.001 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0482 20130101;
G06F 9/451 20180201 |
Class at
Publication: |
707/001 |
International
Class: |
G06F 17/30 20060101
G06F017/30 |
Claims
1. In a data processing system, a method comprising: selecting a
first file from within a file directory; associating the first file
with a queue by selecting a first function from a list of available
functions for selected files within the file directory;
subsequently selecting a second file from within the file
directory; sending said second file and said first file to an
application by selecting a single second function from the list of
available functions, wherein the application concurrently imports
both the first file placed within the queue and the second file
subsequently selected.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling user
manipulation of the queue via selection of a third function among
the list of available file-operating functions, said user
manipulation including one or more of sorting files within the
queue and deleting files from the queue.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising providing a selection
of sorting methods responsive to a user selecting a sort feature
during said user manipulation.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first function and second
function are enhancements to an operating system (OS) of the
computer system and are installed within code of the OS post
manufacture of the OS.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein the first function is a Queue It
function, the second function is a "Queue Send To function, and the
third function is a Queue Edit function.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein said selecting said second file
further comprises: opening a second folder/directory different from
the first folder/directory within which the first file is selected;
selecting the second file from the second folder/directory.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: highlighting an
entire folder/directory of files; applying the first function to
the highlighted folder/directory, wherein the first function
individually queues each file within the folder/directory and
sub-folders/sub-directories of the highlighted
folder/directory.
8. The method of claim 1 further comprising: highlighting an entire
folder/directory of files; applying the second function to the
highlighted folder/directory, wherein the second function
individually imports each file within the highlighted
folder/directory into the selected application.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprising: creating a second
queue within which a third file is stored; choosing among the queue
and the second queue when a fourth file is subsequently selected
for queuing; and choosing among the queue and the second queue
prior to activating the second function, wherein only the selected
queue is sent to the selected application; and storing the queue
not selected for later selection when the user next accesses the
file directory.
10. A method comprising: providing a first function that queues
access/identifying data of selected files from a file directory
when the first function is applied to a first file that is
pre-selected; providing a second function that enables all files
within the queue to be imported into a single user-selected
application and opened in the user-selected application; and
providing a third function that enables manipulation of files that
have been queued by the first function.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing said first
function, second function, and third function within a file queuing
utility that may be embedded within code of an OS that enables
selection of files within a file directory.
12. The method of claim 10, further comprising importing across
multiple folders and directories, wherein files of a first folder
that have been queued by the first function and files of a second
folder that are selected and imported concurrently, and wherein
each file placed within the queue and each currently selected file
are imported into a single user-selected application via a single
application of the second function.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein said first function that queues
access/identifying data of selected files from a file directory,
includes program logic for: retrieving from the file directory one
or more identifying parameters of the selected files from among a
filename, file identification (ID), and file location (or address)
within the file directory; and storing said identifying parameters
within a memory construct, wherein said memory construct is a
queue.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein said first function includes
logic for: marking the selected files as previously selected;
enabling subsequently selected files to be marked as currently
selected when initially selected and as previously selected
following application of the first function to the subsequently
selected files; and wherein a mark displayed by a
previously-selected file is distinguishable from that of a
currently selected file.
15. A computer system comprising: an Operating System (OS); one or
more application programs; a file directory with at least one
folder and at least one file within the one folder; a processor for
executing the application code and OS functions; a file queuing
utility associated with the OS that includes program logic for:
providing a set of queue functions that may be selectably applied
to selected files, said queue functions including a first function
that enables queuing of different files selected and queued at
different times from the same and different folders during
navigation within a file directory, and a second function that
enables sending the different files to an application with a single
operation after the selections are completed.
16. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the queue functions
comprise: a "Queue It" function that enables a first queuing of a
first selected file from a first open folder/directory, then one or
more subsequent queuing of other selected files from one of the
first open folder/directory or another folder/directory available
within the file directory; a "Queue Send To" function that enables
previously queued files along with currently selected files to be
sent to and imported by a selected application, wherein the "Queue
Send To" function sends the files from a closed folder that was
queued as individual files such that the application imports the
individual files from the file directory; and a Queue Edit function
that enables a user to manipulate the files stored within the
queue, said user manipulation including user deletion and sorting
of files within the queue.
17. The computer system of claim 16, wherein the "Queue It"
function further comprises program logic for enabling selection of
an entire closed folder for queuing, wherein selection of a closed
folder queues each file within the closed folder individually
within the queue.
18. A computer program product comprising: a computer readable
medium; and program code on said computer readable medium for
enabling queuing of different files selected from one or more
folders and queued at different times during navigation within a
file directory, and sending the different files to an application
with a single operation after the selections are completed.
19. The computer program product of claim 18, said code comprising
code for implementing one or more of: a "Queue It" function that
enables a first queuing of a first selected file from a first open
folder/directory, then one or more subsequent queuing of other
selected files from one of the first open folder/directory or
another folder/directory available within the file directory; a
"Queue Send To" function that enables previously queued files along
with currently selected files to be sent to and imported by a
selected application; and a "Queue Edit" function that enables a
user to manipulate the files stored within the queue, including
user deletion and sorting of files within the queue.
20. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the "Queue
It" function further comprises program code for: selecting an
entire closed folder for queuing, wherein selection of a closed
folder queues each file within the closed folder individually
within the queue; and sending the files from a closed folder that
was queued as individual files such that the application imports
the individual files from the file directory.
21. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein said program
code further comprises code for providing operating system (OS)
functionality including a graphical user interface for a file
directory with drop down windows displaying the available queue
functions when a file/folder is selected within the file directory.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates generally to computer systems,
and in particular to processing files of a computer system. Still
more particularly, the present invention relates to a method and
system for selecting files to be sent to an application on a
computer system.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] The ability to open files from within file directories is a
function provided within most conventional operating systems (OS).
Microsoft Windows.RTM. operating systems (OS) (a trademark of
Microsoft Corporation), for example, provides a function called
"Send To" within the list of user-selectable functions available
when one or more files is selected (highlighted) within a file
directory. As is known in the art, files that are selected are
displayed with highlighted font compared to other files that are
not selected. The "Send To" function/option permits the user to
import one or more pre-selected files from the file directory to an
application. With Windows OS, this function requires the user to
first select the file and then select an application to import the
file into. Those skilled in the art are familiar with the
functionality and utilization of the "Send To" function.
[0005] FIGS. 2A and 2B provide two Windows graphical user
interfaces (GUIs) illustrating the selection of "Send To" function
for a pre-selected file within the file directory. As shown,
directory GUI 200 includes a file area 206 within which a file 210
("example") is pre-selected by a user of directory GUI 200 (e.g.,
by an action such as right clicking on the mouse with the cursor
over the file). Directory GUI 200 also includes task list 202 and
directory list 204, which may also contain files that are
individually selectable when the user opens the particular
directory.
[0006] As indicated by FIG. 2A, Lotus Word application has been
selected for importing the "Example" file 210. Once the user
completes his/her selection of Example file 210, the user then
right clicks on the graphical pointing device (e.g., mouse or some
other selection mechanism), to open up an options window 212 with a
list of functions that may be performed on/with the Example file
210. Within the FIG. 2A illustration, the "Send To" function has
been selected by the user to apply to the previously selected file
210. This selection triggers the opening of an application list 214
which includes each of the available applications to which the
Example file 210 may be sent.
[0007] FIG. 2B illustrates what occurs once this application is
selected for Example file 210 to be sent to. The OS activates/opens
the Lotus Word application (if that application was not already
opened on the computer system). Then, Example file 210 is imported
into Lotus Word and opened in the application GUI 220. Application
GUI 220 shows Example file 210 opened in Lotus Word application on
the computer system and the file contents displayed within content
area 222 of Lotus Word's application GUI 220.
[0008] Several limitations exist with the above-described
conventional implementation of the "Send To" function. First, with
the conventional implementation, the "Send To" function only
applies to files selected from a currently-opened single directory
folder. That is, there is currently no way for a user to select a
first file from a first folder and then open another folder and
select a second file without loosing the selection of the first
file, although both files are to be sent to the same application.
Conventional application requires the user make two separate
accesses to the file directory, open the specific folder, select
the file within the folder and send it to the application. These
steps are then required to be repeated for the next file.
[0009] Second, with the conventional implementation, grouping more
than one file to send to an application with a single "Send To"
operation requires the user to hold down either the Control key (to
select individual files, including non-sequential ones) or the
Shift key (to select a series of consecutive files) and then right
click on one of the highlighted files before choosing "Send To"
from the options window. The user thus has to remember the correct
combination of key strokes and mouse interactions to enable this
selection of a set of files for importing.
[0010] Third, with conventional implementation, there is no way for
a user to open/import all files in a single subdirectory/folder by
right clicking on the particular subdirectory. With some
conventional methods, a right click on a subdirectory followed by
selection of an application from the "Send To" function has the
effect of opening the application without importing the files.
Users are currently unable to select and open all the files in a
directory and folders and sub-directories within the directory by
using the "Sending To" function. For example, when a computer
system has directories of code that have to be viewed or edited in
an application, the current "Send To" does not provide a quick or
convenient import mechanism for the multiple directories.
[0011] The present invention thus recognizes that it would be
desirable to provide a more efficient method for handling importing
files from a file directory. The invention further recognizes that
providing an enhanced OS that does not include the above
limitations would be a welcomed improvement. These and other
benefits are provided by the invention described herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Disclosed are a method and a computer program product that
enable files in a file directory to be queued prior to "sending"
the files to a common application. A background operating system
(OS) is enhanced by including a set of queue functions/options for
selection when a file is selected within a file directory. Among
these additional functions/options are "Queue It", "Queue Edit",
and "Queue Send To." These queue functions each represent an action
item that may be selected to carry out a specific function (or
operation) on/with one or more pre-selected (i.e., marked or
queued) files.
[0013] Depending on the implementation, the "Queue It" function
allows the user to either (1) mark one or more files as previously
selected or (2) add the one or more file(s) to a queue created in
memory. With the former implementation, marked files retain their
highlighted view without the user having to depress the CTRL or
shift keys when selecting another file. Also, the user may later
return to a marked file and un-select that marked file by clicking
on the file and selecting an un-queue/delete from queue command.
This command only un-selects the file from the list of files marked
for later importing to an application via the "Queue Send to"
option.
[0014] In the latter implementation, the file name and address link
are added to the queue rather than the actual file), in one
embodiment. When there is at least one file in the queue, the
"Queue Edit" function allows the user to view, sort, and delete
files in the queue. Finally, the "Queue Send To" function triggers
the import of the queued and/or selected files into the selected
application. All three functions are provided when the user right
clicks on a file or folder within the file directory. However, in
one embodiment, the "Queue Edit" function may only appear as an
option when there is at least one file in the queue. In another
embodiment, all three queue functions are always displayed in the
list of options but the "Queue Edit" function is ghosted (i.e., not
available for selection) when there are no files queued.
[0015] When there is at least one file in the queue, "Queue Edit"
is provided as a selectable option, and if selected, a window is
displayed with a list of the file(s) in the queue, and the user is
allowed to scroll through and manipulate the list (e.g., delete
individual file(s) from the queue and/or sort the list of files).
Sorting the list of files may be completed via a separate sort
window, which enables user selection of one of multiple provided
types of sorting. Once the user is finished editing or sorting the
list and exits the Queue Edit window, the user's changes are
retained/stored within the queue.
[0016] The user pre-selects a file, group of files, or
folder/directory of files and then the user has the option of
queuing the files in a single queue that is to be sent to an
application. The user queues the file(s) by selecting the "Queue
It" function. This function places the name and address link of the
file(s) in a temporary storage area or in computer system memory.
The user then has the option of opening another folder and
selecting additional files to add to the queue. When additional
files are added to the queue and the user is ready to send the
associated files to an application, the user selects the "Queue
Send To" function.
[0017] Selection of the "Queue Send To" function opens a list of
available applications to which the selected and queued (or marked)
files may be sent. Once an application is selected, all of the
selected files and files within the created file queue are opened
in the application GUI of the selected application, and the user is
able to manipulate the files and/or the content of the files.
"Queue Send To" operates similarly to "Send To" when no files have
been queued or marked, i.e., only the currently selected files are
sent to the application. However, both selected files and queued
(or marked) files are sent to the application when there are files
in the queue (or marked files) prior to selecting the "Queue Send
To" function.
[0018] In one implementation, multiple queues may be created and
the user is required to choose among the available queues to store
the selected file(s)' name(s) and address link(s). The queues may
be provided unique names or identifiers (IDs), and the user may
select specific files to be stored within the specific queue. Thus,
a first file may be stored in a first file queue and then another
file may be stored in a second file queue before the first file
queue is sent to an application. In this embodiment also, a second
queue may be temporarily maintained in the file directory even when
a user selects Queue Send To for another queue. When the user later
accesses the file directory again, the second queue is still
available for storage of additional files or for sending to another
application.
[0019] The above as well as additional objectives, functions, and
advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the
following detailed written description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use,
further objects, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by
reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative
embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the main components
of a computer within which the various embodiments of the present
invention may advantageously be implemented;
[0022] FIG. 2A is a graphical user interface (GUI) illustrating the
Send To function within a file directory in accordance with the
prior art;
[0023] FIG. 2B is an application GUI opened following the Send To
selection in a file directory of FIG. 2A;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a file directory GUI with a list of available
functions/options for a selected file that includes the queue
functions, according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 4A provides the file directory GUI with the "Queue It"
function selected to reveal multiple queues that may individually
be selected to queue a file in accordance with one embodiment of
the invention;
[0026] FIG. 4B illustrates the file directory GUI with the Queue
Edit function selected to provide a list of the files within the
queue for user manipulation, in accordance with one embodiment of
the invention;
[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates the file directory GUI with the Queue
Send To option selected to display the list of available
applications, according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating the process by which a
user utilizes the various queue functions within the file directory
GUI, according to one embodiment of the invention; and
[0029] FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the processing by the
background operating system when a user selects one of the queue
functions within the file directory according to one embodiment of
the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT
[0030] The present invention provides a method and a computer
program product that enable files in a file directory to be queued
prior to "sending" the files to a common application. A background
operating system (OS) is enhanced by including a set of queue
functions/options for selection when a file is selected within a
file directory. Among these additional functions/options are "Queue
It", "Queue Edit", and "Queue Send To." These queue functions each
represent an action item that may be selected to carry out a
specific function (or operation) on/with one or more pre-selected
(i.e., marked or queued) files.
[0031] When there is at least one file in the queue, the "Queue
Edit" function allows the user to view, sort, and delete files in
the queue. Finally, the "Queue Send To" function triggers the
import of the queued and/or selected files into the selected
application. All three functions are provided when the user right
clicks on a file or folder within the file directory. However, in
one embodiment, the "Queue Edit" function may only appear as an
option when there is at least one file in the queue. In another
embodiment, all three queue functions are always displayed in the
list of options but the "Queue Edit" function is ghosted (i.e., not
available for selection) when there are no files queued.
[0032] Depending on the implementation, the "Queue It" function
generally allows the user to either (1) mark one or more files as
previously selected or (2) add the one or more file(s) to a queue
created in memory. With the former implementation, marked files
retain their highlighted view without the user having to depress
the CTRL or shift keys when selecting another file. The highlight
may be a different shade or color from the normal highlighted view
of a selected file. Also, the user may later return to a marked
file and un-select that marked file by clicking on the file and
selecting a "remove from queue" command. This command only
un-selects the file from the list of files previously marked for
later importing to an application via the "Queue Send to"
function.
[0033] In the latter implementation, the concept of queuing refers
to placing the file or parameters associated with the file in a
temporary memory construct referred to as a queue. The particular
parameters utilized may be one (or a combination) of the file name,
some other unique file identification (ID), and an
address/location/link for the file. Thus, the file name and/or ID
and/or address/location/link are added to the queue rather than the
actual file), in one embodiment. The address/location/link may be
tied to the name and/or ID and not actually displayed during the
"Queue Edit" function described below.
[0034] The invention contemplates that, for certain embodiments,
the actual file may be placed in the queue to enable more direct
and faster opening of the file in the application, copying the file
provides a redundant solution and may lead to a bog down of memory
when multiple files or folders or files are queued at one time. For
ease of description of the invention, references to placing the
file in the queue, etc. are understood to refer to either
embodiment without limitations imposed thereon. Further, the
implementation in which the files are marked is discussed only
where necessary to distinguish that feature/operation from one
specifically related to the queuing of the file parameters.
[0035] With reference now to the figures, and in particular to FIG.
1, there is illustrated an exemplary computer system within which
the functions of the invention may advantageously be implemented.
Computer system 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 102
connected to memory 104 and Input/Output Channel Controller (I/OCC)
110 via a system bus 101. Connected to I/OCC 110 are several input
and output devices of which mouse 112, keyboard, 114 and monitor
116 are illustrated.
[0036] Illustrated within memory 104 are operating system (OS) 106
and application program 108. Operating system 106 provides most of
the functionality required for opening a file directory GUI, which
is displayed on monitor 116 and accessible to a user of the
computer system 100 by mouse 112 and keyboard 114. Other means of
interacting with file directory GUI may be provided in alternative
implementations. Further, while computer system 100 is illustrated
with specific hardware and software components, the invention is
applicable to any type of computer system configuration so long as
the background OS includes the enhanced file queuing options
described herein. No structural or functional limitations are
implied by the specific configuration and description thereof
within the present specification.
[0037] For purposes of illustration, OS 106 is a Window's based
operating system, such as Windows XP.RTM., which is a trademark of
Microsoft Corp. The functions of the invention are, however,
applicable to any operating system that supports the enhanced
queuing/marking functionality beyond the conventional selection of
files and associated use of the Send To function. Thus, for
example, the invention may also be implemented within a Linux-based
operating system.
[0038] Turning now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated an exemplary
file directory GUI enhanced with queue functions. File directory
GUI 300 displays a task list 302 of file specific functions and a
directory list 304 of available directories on the user's computer
system. Each directory within directory list 304 may include one or
more files (or sub-directories or folders of files) that may be
selected by a user for queuing/marking and/or sending to an
application. File directory GUI 300 also includes an address bar
308 that shows the path of the current directory opened for user
selection of files therein.
[0039] Finally, file directory GUI 300 includes file space 306 that
displays the available files within a current open directory. As
shown, file space 306 includes "Example" file 310. When the user
right clicks on Example file 310, an options list 312 opens within
file space 306. As shown, in addition to the standard available
options, options list 312 includes three queue functions/options,
namely, Queue It, Queue Edit, and Queue Send To. The specific
functionality associated with each of the queue functions is now
described.
[0040] The "Queue It" function allows the user to add one or more
file(s) to a queue. (Marking the file is one method of implementing
the "Queue It" functionality of the invention and is not a separate
option in the described embodiment). When there is at least one
file in the queue, the "Queue Edit" function allows the user to
view, sort, and delete files in the queue. Finally, the "Queue Send
To" function triggers the import of the queued and/or selected
files into the selected application. All three functions are
provided when the user right clicks on a file or folder within the
file directory. However, in one embodiment, the "Queue Edit"
function may only appear as an option when there is at least one
file in the queue. In another embodiment, all three queue functions
are always displayed in the list of options but the "Queue Edit"
function is ghosted (i.e., not available for selection) when there
are no files queued.
[0041] The user pre-selects a file, group of files, and/or
folder/directory of files and then the user has the option of
queuing the files in a single queue that is to be sent to an
application. The user queues the file(s) by selecting the "Queue
It" function. This function places the name and
address/location/link of the file(s) in the computer memory (or
other temporary storage area). When the files are marked (rather
than queued), only the locations of the marked files are maintained
in memory for reference by the "Send To" program module. With
either implementation, the user then has the option of opening
another folder and selecting additional files to add to the queue.
When additional files are added to the queue and the user is ready
to send the associated files to an application, the user selects
the "Queue Send To" function.
[0042] When there is at least one file in the queue, "Queue Edit"
is provided as a selectable option, and if selected, a window is
displayed with a list of the file(s) in the queue, and the user is
allowed to scroll through and manipulate the list (e.g., delete
individual file(s) from the queue and/or sort the list of files).
When the delete option is chosen, the file is deleted from the
queue. When the sort option is chosen, the available sort options
are displayed within a sort window. These sort options may include
"move up" and "move down" or "go to top", for example. Once the
user is finished editing or sorting the list and exits the Queue
Edit window, the user's changes are retained/stored within the
queue.
[0043] In one embodiment, a separate sort window is opened when the
user right clicks on a file within the displayed list from queue
edit. Sorting the list of files is then completed via this separate
sort window, which enables user selection of one of the multiple
types of sorting provided.
[0044] In a next embodiment (in which the files are marked), the
user places the mouse pointer on a marked file and right clicks to
open a drop down lists of options, including the sort and delete
options. This provides the mechanism by which the user may choose
to delete or sort the file.
[0045] Selection of the "Queue Send To" function opens a list of
available applications to which the selected and queued (or marked)
files may be sent. Once an application is selected, all of the
selected files and files within the created file queue are opened
in the application GUI of the selected application, and the user is
able to manipulate the files and/or the content of the files.
"Queue Send To" operates similarly to "Send To" when no files have
been queued or marked, i.e., only the currently selected files are
sent to the application. However, both selected files and queued
(or marked) files are sent to the application when there are files
in the queue (or marked files) prior to selecting the "Queue Send
To" function.
[0046] In one implementation, multiple queues may be created and
the user is required to choose among the available queues to store
the selected file(s)' name(s) and address link(s). The queues may
be provided unique names or identifiers (IDs), and the user may
select specific files to be stored within the specific queue. Thus,
a first file may be stored in a first file queue and then another
file may be stored in a second file queue before the first file
queue is sent to an application. In this embodiment also, a second
queue may be temporarily maintained in the file directory even when
a user selects Queue Send To for another queue. When the user later
accesses the file directory again, the second queue is still
available for storage of additional files or for sending to another
application.
[0047] Operation of the various queue functions is now described
with reference to the flow charts presented as FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG.
6 illustrates the user interaction with the queue functions, while
FIG. 7 illustrates the OS processing of the user selections. The
process of FIG. 6 begins at block 602, which illustrates the user
opening the file directory GUI 300 to display the available files
and folders for selection. Then, as shown at block 604, the user
selects a file or multiple files, or folders/directories or
subdirectories of files. According to one embodiment of the
invention, selection of a user of a top-level directory, places all
files within that directory, including files in any sub-directories
and/or folders associated with the top-level directory, into the
queue. This top-down association of file also applies to the
implementation in which the files are marked.
[0048] Following the file selection, the user right clicks on the
mouse (or other selection mechanism with drivers that support
similar functions as a mouse right click) to open options list 312,
as provided at block 606. The user next determines at block 608
whether the selected file is to be queued (or marked). Assuming the
file is not to be queued, a next determination is made at block 610
whether the file is to be opened. If the file is not to be opened
or queued (i.e., stored in a queue) or marked, then the user may
select another function/option from the options list, as indicated
at block 612, and then the process ends at block 628.
[0049] Returning to block 608, if the file is to be queued (or
marked), the user selects the "Queue It" option as shown at block
620. This selection places the selected file (or file parameters)
into a queue. A new queue is created if the file is the first one
selected to be queued and/or there is no existing queue. In the
embodiment in which multiple queues may be created concurrently,
selecting the "Queue It" option provides a list of the available
queues for storing the selected file (or file parameters). This
option requires that the various queues be created at some point
during the queuing process. FIG. 4A illustrates file directory GUI
300 with the Queue It option selected to reveal a queue window 330
with multiple queues for user selection.
[0050] The user is able to continue placing more files in the queue
and may select the files from any folder or the desktop. Also, in
one embodiment, the user may select an entire folder of files. That
is, the user is able to select a folder (i.e., not just a single
file but the directory/folder holding one or more files) at a time.
When the user then right clicks on the mouse and chooses "Queue
It", each file and/or each file in any subdirectory of the folder
is individually placed in the queue.
[0051] Following the queuing of the selected file, a determination
is made at block 622 whether the user wishes to review or edit the
queued list. If the user desires to edit or review the list of
queued files, the user selects the "Queue Edit" option from the
options list at block 624. As described above, in one embodiment,
the "Queue Edit" function is provided only when at least one file
has been queued. Thus, when the user right clicks the mouse on a
queued file or the desktop, the "Queue Edit" options also shows up
along with the "Queue It" function. If there is at least one file
in the queue, when the user right clicks on a file, desktop, or
folder, the "Queue Edit" function also shows up in the options
list. Selecting "Queue Edit" will then display all the files in the
queue and enable the user to scroll down to the bottom of the list.
In the illustrative embodiment, several user-manipulation buttons
are located at the bottom of the list.
[0052] As described above, however, rather than provide
user-manipulation buttons, an alternative embodiment provides the
delete and sort options by the user selecting one of the files
within the list and right clicking on the mouse. This opens a
window with the delete and sort options available for the selected
file.
[0053] As illustrated by FIG. 4B, selection of the Queue Edit
option opens a drop-down list 440 within which the files that have
been queue and listed. Also provided within drop-down list 440, are
selectable edit options, including delete button 442, sort button
or 444, and accept button 446. These buttons enable user
manipulation the list. In one embodiment, when "Sort" button is
depressed, a pop-up list of sort types is provided and the user may
choose from among the various sorts. Other manipulation of files in
a queue maybe provided in other embodiments, and the invention is
not limited to "Delete" or "Sort." Using these buttons, the user is
able to sort, delete, or edit the list of queued files, as shown at
block 626.
[0054] Turning now to decision block 610, if the selected file is
to be opened (i.e., the user wants to send the current file(s) and
all of the previously queued filed to an application), the user
right clicks on the desktop (within the file space), and selects
"Queue Send To", as shown at block 614. An application list is
provided, and the user selects an application from the list to
import and open the selected and/or marked or queued files, as
shown at block 616. The queued files are then opened within the
selected application, and the user is able to interact with the
files (or contents of the files) via the application, as shown at
block 618.
[0055] When multiple files are pre-selected and/or marked or queued
and imported into the same application via the "Queue Send To"
function, one file is placed on top of the application GUI. The
other files are hidden, minimized, or tiled behind the current
window. These other files may be brought to the top of the display
area by selecting the Window Menu Item within the main file control
options at top of the application GUI, as done with certain OSes or
application. The process then ends at block 628.
[0056] FIG. 5 illustrates the selection of the "Queue Send To"
function. As shown, this selection opens up drop down applications
list 525, listing available applications for selection. In the
illustrative embodiment, the Lotus Word application is selected. As
with the conventional Send To option, this selection opens up the
Lotus Word application with the display of selected files. However,
unlike the conventional implementation, the display of files may
comprise files that were queued from more than one directory or
folder with the "Queue It" function. The single "Queue Send To"
function sends all the files in the queue (and selected or marked)
to the selected application. Thus, the function enables files from
different folders or directories to be imported into the selected
application during a single user access within the file directory
GUI.
[0057] The OS-side operation illustrated by FIG. 7 begins at block
702 at which the user first selects one or more files (or folders)
and then clicks on the "Queue It" option. A determination is made
at block 704 whether a single file has been selected for queuing.
When only a single file or files within a single directory folder
have been selected for queuing, the queue is updated with the
selected files as indicated at block 706. However, when the
selection is of an entire closed folder (i.e., not just files
displayed within the opened folder/directory), the individual files
are retrieved from the closed folder and sub-folders therein (via a
background process not visible to the user) and sent to the queue,
as shown at block 708. A determination is made at block 710,
whether the "Queue Edit" function has been selected. If not, a next
determination is made at block 711, whether the "Queue Send To"
function has been selected. If the "Queue Edit" function is
selected, the list of files within the queue is displayed to the
user for user manipulation/editing of the list, as provided at
block 712.
[0058] Returning to block 711, when the "Queue Send To" function is
selected, a drop-down applications list is provided to the user at
block 714. The user-selected application is then activated, if
already opened, or opened, if not already opened, and the files
within the queue are imported and opened within the application, as
shown at block 716. The process then ends at block 718.
[0059] Specific coding is required to enable the operating system
to support the above-described functionality provided by the queue
functions. The invention contemplates providing this coding as a
separate file queuing or marking utility. This file queuing utility
may be made available to users of existing operating systems. The
file queuing utility may be provided as an update (or patch) to the
operating system. Additionally, the file queuing utility may be
packaged separately from the operating system and sold or
distributed as a separate, licensed, add-on component.
[0060] As a final matter, it is important that while an
illustrative embodiment of the present invention has been, and will
continue to be, described in the context of a fully functional
computer system with installed management software, those skilled
in the art will appreciate that the software aspects of an
illustrative embodiment of the present invention are capable of
being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and
that an illustrative embodiment of the present invention applies
equally regardless of the particular type of signal bearing media
used to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of signal
bearing media include recordable type media such as floppy disks,
hard disk drives, CD ROMs, and transmission type media such as
digital and analogue communication links.
[0061] While the invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form
and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention. For example, while the invention
describes user manipulation and interaction by right clicking on a
pointing device, certain functions may be provided/implemented via
control keys (on a keyboard). Thus, a user may utilized a set of
pre-established control keys to select files/subdirectories within
a first directory and then open a second directory from which
additional files/subdirectories are selected using the control
keys. The files and/or subdirectories of both first and second
directories selected with the control keys may then be opened with
(i.e., sent to) the same application.
* * * * *