U.S. patent application number 11/825141 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-14 for method and system for displaying, locating and browsing data files.
Invention is credited to Carsten Waldeck.
Application Number | 20080040665 11/825141 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39052261 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080040665 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Waldeck; Carsten |
February 14, 2008 |
Method and system for displaying, locating and browsing data
files
Abstract
A computer-implemented user interface is described that includes
a display window displaying data files having a data file
descriptor associated with each data file. The data file descriptor
describe at least a data file size, a data file date, a data file
name and data file type. A slider bar controls the data files
displayed in the display window where movement of the slider bar
displays a greater number of the data files and the data file
descriptors than displayed without movement of the slider bar.
Inventors: |
Waldeck; Carsten; (Seeheim,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MAYER BROWN LLP
P.O. BOX 2828
CHICAGO
IL
60690
US
|
Family ID: |
39052261 |
Appl. No.: |
11/825141 |
Filed: |
July 3, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60818731 |
Jul 6, 2006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
715/277 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0482
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/277 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/14 20060101
G06F003/14 |
Claims
1. A computer-implemented user interface, comprising: a display
window, said display window displaying a plurality of data files,
each of said plurality of data files having associated therewith a
data file descriptor, said data file descriptor describing at least
an attribute of said data file, said attribute being represented by
a graphical image having a comparator to compare the data file to
relative attributes of a second data file; and a control mechanism
controlling said data files displayed in said display window,
wherein activation of said control mechanism changes a number of
said plurality of data files displayed.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
application No. 60/818,731 filed Jul. 6, 2006.
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material to which a claim of copyright protection is made. The
copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by
anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it
appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records,
but reserves all other copyrights whatsoever.
FIELD
[0003] The present invention relates to data storage systems, and
more particularly, to a method and system for displaying, locating
and browsing a large number of data files on display screens.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Continuously increasing memory capacity on storage systems,
(for example computers, digital video recorders, personal device
assistants, smart phones, cellular phones, file management systems,
operating systems and the like) have allowed users to use their
storage systems as the primary location to store many types of data
files. These various storage systems has become a common source for
centrally maintaining all audio, video and photo files for many
users. While this trend has the advantage of centralizing all this
information in one device, it has become increasingly difficult to
(i) view and (ii) locate the many different files now being
stored.
[0005] For viewing data files, conventional computer display
screens (15 inch screens) allow a user to view about 30-60 objects
(files) at a time on one screen without having to scroll down the
screen of the display monitor. For mobile devices or other smaller
screens, the number of objects is even less, in the range of 10-20
objects. In addition, with the current "table views" used in most
computer systems, very limited information describing the file
(date, file size, etc.) can be shown on one screen. So while the
file name, date of creation/modification, file size, file type and
label for each data file may be of interest to a viewer, typically
only one or two of these fields can be seen on a standard display
screen. Some proposed solutions to fit more files on a screen have
been to make the file images smaller and then use a "table lens"
feature to enlarge files as a user scrolls a pointer over that
file. With this table lens solution, however, there are still many
files embedded in sub-files or sub-folders that may not be located
even with a lens view of a higher level of folders.
[0006] For locating data files, a conventional search result or
sort result can end up displaying more files than can be viewed on
a single screen. Also, conventional sort and search tools may not
show all the files that are sub-files of folders contained grouped
files. Thus, while folders may be shown on the screen, many files
deep in the folder may not be shown or located if the search is not
performed properly. In addition, sorting an entire memory of a
device for certain files takes an inconvenient amount of time.
Also, hidden files are too often misplaced. Still further, a user
may not remember the name of the file and therefore the search or
sort terms to locate the files are futile.
SUMMARY
[0007] An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a
computer-implemented user interface that comprises a display window
that displays a plurality of data files. Each of the plurality of
data files has associated therewith a data file descriptor. The
data file descriptor describes at least one of a data file size, a
data file date, a data file name, a data file type and other
metadata. The computer-implemented user interface also includes a
slider bar that controls the data files displayed in the display
window. Movement of the slider bar displays a greater number of the
plurality of data files and the data file descriptors than
displayed without movement of the slider bar.
[0008] In a further embodiment, the computer-implemented user
interface comprises a display window that displays a plurality of
data files where each of the plurality of data files has a data
file descriptor that comprises a data file size. The data file size
is represented by a graphical image that comprises a graphical
image size in proportion to the size of the data file.
[0009] In a still further embodiment of the present invention, a
computer-implemented user interface is described that comprises a
display window displaying a plurality of data files where each of
the plurality of data files comprises a data file descriptor
comprising a data file date. The data file date is represented by a
graphical image placed along a chronological timeline relative to
the data file date of each of the other plurality of data
files.
[0010] In a still further embodiment of the present invention, a
computer-implemented user interface is disclosed that comprises a
display window displaying a plurality of data files. Each of the
plurality of data files comprising a data file descriptor,
comprising a data file size, a data file date, a data file name and
a data file type. Each of these data file descriptors are displayed
in the display window.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] A more complex appreciation of the invention and many of the
advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes
better understood by references to the detailed description when
considered in connection with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a user interface
display window of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a front view of a user interface display window in
a further embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a front view of a user interface display window in
a further embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a block diagram view of a computer system
implementing the user interface of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a front view of a user interface display window in
a further embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a front view of a user interface display window in
a further embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a front view of a user interface display window in
a further embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a front view of a user interface display window in
a further embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a front view of a user interface display window in
a further embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a front view of a user interface display window
in a further embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a front view of a user interface display window
in a further embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 12 is a front view of a user interface display window
in a further embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 13 is a front view of a user interface display window
in a further embodiment of the present invention; and
[0025] FIG. 14 is a front view of a user interface display window
in a further embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Overview
[0026] Embodiments of the present invention are described below as
relating to user interfaces implemented on a computer system or
other data systems that are implemented in software, firmware,
logic circuits or other processor-implemented methodology. Some
portions of the detailed descriptions which follow are described in
terms of procedures, steps, logic blocks, processing, and other
symbolic representations of operations on data bits that can be
performed on computer memory. These descriptions and
representations are used by those skilled in the data processing
arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to
others skilled in the art. A procedure, computer executed step,
logic block, process, etc., is here, and generally, understood to
be a self-consistent sequence of steps or instructions leading to a
desired result. The steps are those requiring physical
manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not
necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical (digital
or analog equivalent) or magnetic signals capable of being stored,
transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated in a
computer system. It has proven convenient at times, principally for
reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as data, bits,
values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the
like.
[0027] All of these and similar terms are to be associated with the
appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels
applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise
as apparent from the following description, it is appreciated that
throughout the present invention, descriptions utilizing terms such
as "indexing" or "processing" or "computing" or "translating" or
"calculating" or "determining" or "scrolling" or "displaying" or
"recognizing" or "generating" or "selecting" or "displaying" or the
like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or
similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and
transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities
within the computer system's registers and memories into other data
similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer
system memories or registers or other such information storage,
transmission or display devices.
[0028] While the primary embodiment described herein is in a
computer system environment, it is understood that other
embodiments may include the system and method of the present
invention. In one embodiment, the user interface of the present
invention may be used on any data management system where data
files must be viewed or located. In alternative embodiments, the
user interface of the present invention may be implemented in any
display for any data device, including, for example, digital video
recorders, personal device assistants, smart phones, cellular
phones, file management systems, operating systems and the like.
Further embodiments include methodologies for using the user
interface and systems incorporating the user interface.
Display Window With Slider Bar and Data File Descriptors
[0029] FIG. 1 is a front view of a display window in an embodiment
of the present invention. The display window 10 can be displayed on
any display screen that displays data files, for example on a
computer display screen. The display screen may be part of any
computer system, handheld device (for example, a cellular phone,
smart phone, personal digital assistant, or any combination
thereof). In addition, the display window 10 can be viewed on any
type of data storage device including any digital video recorder,
television screen, or other television receiver that is capable of
data storage. The display window 10 may be shown on any type of
display screen including a LCD, CRT, portable device screen,
television, cellular phone screen or other screen that displays
data files. The display window 10 contains folders 15 and data
files 20 shown below the folders 15. Associated with each data file
20 is a data file descriptor 25 that takes the form of a dot or
bubble in this embodiment. It is understood that in alternative
embodiments, the data file descriptors 25 may take the form of any
graphical or other type of image to represent the data files 20.
Each of the data file descriptors 25 has a data file size that
corresponds directly to the size of the data file 20. Thus, for
example, the larger the data file 20, the larger the physical size
of the data file descriptor 25 (i.e. a larger bubble in this
embodiment). In addition to showing the size of the data file 20 by
the size of the data file descriptor 25, the creation/modification
date of the data file 20 is represented by the location of the data
file descriptor 25 along a chronological timeline 30. That is, as
the data descriptor 25 is created/modified, that date is placed
along the chronological timeline 30 (along an x-axis) relative to
the creation/modification date of the other data descriptors 25. In
this way, a viewer that reviews the display window 10 can see from
viewing all of the data descriptors 25 which data descriptor has
the earlier or later creation/modification date. A benefit of this
embodiment of the present invention is the simplicity of being able
to view a substantial amount of information on the single display
window 10. By simply viewing the data descriptors 25, a viewer can
view the relative creation/modification date and the data file size
immediately. In addition, a viewer can also tell the data file name
since the data files 20 are listed in alphabetical order, in one
embodiment. In this way, one view of the display window can give a
substantial amount of information concerning the data files 20 that
a viewer is looking at. It is very helpful to have these various
data descriptors 25 associated with the data files 20 since a
viewer may not remember any particular one of the data descriptors
25, for any one particular data file 20, but using the data file
size 25, the data file date, the chronological timeline 30 or a
data file name (alphabetically), a viewer may be able to locate the
data file 20 quickly. While this embodiment uses the y-axis
(alphabetical order) for the file name, the x-axis for the
creation/modification date and the size of the graphical image of
the data descriptor, it is understood that any visual parameters
(e.g. color, shape, textures, etc.) may be used to represent any
data file. In an alternative embodiment, the metadata, as is known
in the art, associated with a file can also be represented by a
data descriptor. A benefit of this embodiment of the present
invention is that all the data files and the data file descriptors
can be shown in one view that includes the folder hierarchy. That
is, all the folders, sub-folders and data files can be viewed all
at the same time with the data descriptors. This provides the
advantage of viewing the entire hierarchical structure of the data
files along with the data file descriptors that enables quick and
easy locating and browsing of the data files.
[0030] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the
hierarchical structure of the data files may be temporarily
"flattened" to remove all sub-folders under the primary folder and
only reveal the actual data files themselves. In this embodiment, a
viewer can activate this flatten feature by clicking a button or
pressing certain key strokes on a keyboard to activate the flatten
feature. In one embodiment, the viewer holds the COMMAND key on a
keyboard down and then presses the cursor over the file folder
arrow located next to a file folder. The file folder arrow will
then be shown as an "empty" arrow with no color within the arrow,
in this embodiment. Other embodiments may display any type of
symbol to signify that this flatten feature is activated. After
activation, the file folder selected will only show the data files
under that folder (including, in one embodiment, all the data files
in subfolders under that folder), removing all the sub-folders
under that file folder. This has the advantage of allowing the
viewer to quickly locate the data files located deep within a
folder and sub-folders that would take continuous opening of
sub-folders to locate.
[0031] Also shown in FIG. 1 is a table lens 35 that expands the
files as a mouse cursor moves over the files to enable the files to
be read. In one embodiment, the table lens 35 may be enlarged by
setting the width of the table lens so that a viewer can see
several enlarged data files. The table lens 35 is synchronized with
the data descriptors 25 so that as the table lens 35 scrolls over a
data file, the data file label is enlarged and distance between
data files is increased to allow for easier viewing of data files.
A slider bar 40 is shown on the right side of the display window in
this embodiment. A slider bar is a feature of the user interface in
display window 10 that allows the data files 20 and corresponding
data descriptors 25 to be condensed into the display window 10 in
order to view more files in the same sized display window 10. The
slider bar 40 is therefore able to control the data files displayed
in the display window 10. It is understood that while the slider
bar is shown as having a vertical movement along the display window
10, other embodiments may have a slider bar in any configuration
where the movement or other use (for example, pressing a button or
otherwise movement of a feature on the display window 10) would
display a greater number of the data files 20 than when the slider
bar 40 is not moved or activated. The slider bar 40, in this
embodiment, may move in a vertical direction where movement in one
direction will place more data files on the display window 10 and
the movement in another direction will show fewer data files 20 in
the display window 10, but allow those data files 20 to be viewed
in a larger size. The table lens 35 would have a greater use when
the slider bar is moved in a direction to show more data files 20
in the display window 10. A search button 45 (also called a
"filter") shown on the display window 10 may be pressed by a mouse
or other activation device in order for a filter (also called a
"drawer") window (FIG. 2) to be displayed.
[0032] It is understood that the display window and all of the
features shown as part of the display windows are generated using
conventional software applications, for example, C, C++, Visual
Basic, Java or other programming languages. This software may be
run on a variety of operating system platforms including the
MacIntosh platform of Apple Computer, Inc., the Windows platform of
Microsoft Corporation, the Palm operating system of Palm, Inc., or
any other operating system for any computer, handheld device, PDA
or television, or television-related device.
[0033] In operation, a viewer that is browsing or searching for a
file would open the file folder of, for example, "FilmeF828" shown
as element 50. Here it is seen that element 50 has 122 (element 55)
files within that folder. Those 122 files in the folder are viewed
by looking at the data descriptors 25 showing the relative data
file size and along the chronological timeline 30. This way, a
viewer looking for a file, for example, a file beginning with the
letter "M" would look to the middle of that file knowing that the
file is listed alphabetically. In an alternative embodiment, a
small alphabetical index can be provided. If a viewer does not know
the file name, the user may know the relative size of the file and
may look for a larger or smaller data descriptor 25 to locate the
file. Alternatively, if the viewer does not know the file name or
the file size, the viewer may know the date in which the file was
created or modified and may therefore look for a file along the
chronological timeline 30. It is understood that a viewer many
times does not "know" for certainty the particular creation date,
file size or other data descriptor. However, the viewer can use the
data descriptor and location along the chronological timeline to
use a combination of these data descriptors to browse the data
files more efficiently. With all of these data descriptors
available to a viewer in one single view, the benefit of the
embodiment of the present invention is apparent in that a viewer
may quickly browse or locate a data file.
Locating A Data File
[0034] FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the user
interface display window of the present invention. In FIG. 2, a
display window 100 is shown with the data files 20 and the data
descriptors 25 shown. In this view, a search button 45 has been
pressed resulting in a search window 110 displayed from the display
window 100. In the filter window 110, a viewer may search for files
in the filter box 115 by typing in the full name (or partial name)
of the data file being searched. The search function of this
embodiment is a real-time search function in that, unlike prior art
systems where the search terms are searched throughout the entire
memory taking a long amount of time until all the memory is
searched, the search filer 110 immediately shows the results of
each search even as each letter or character is entered into the
search window 115. Thus, for example, if a movie titled "Ballet" is
searched, the viewer begins by typing "ba" and immediately all
files that begin with "ba" or have "ba" in the file name are shown.
One benefit of the filtering function is that the visualization on
the screen remains the same after filtering, except that the data
files that have been filtered are removed. Unlike prior art systems
that merely provide the search result without providing the
hierarchy of the data file, the embodiment of the present invention
preserves the hierarchy. A viewer conducting a search using the
embodiment of the present invention will have the display window
maintain the hierarchy of the data files, but have the filter
remove those files that are not within the searched terms. Another
difference are the features that the search filter can search in
different search modes, including a (1) universal mode that has the
computer search all data files, (2) a selection mode that has the
computer search a selected (e.g. highlighted) subset of data files,
and (3) a visible search that has the computer search those data
files that are visible in the display window. In this manner, the
viewer has significant control of the files to be searched. This
real-time feature enables quick access to files.
[0035] In operation, a viewer activates the filter window 110 by
pressing a mouse or equivalent activation key to the search button
45. When the filter window 110 is opened, the viewer may then type
in the first few letters of the desired search word. At this time,
the data files that have these letters in their file name are
generated in real-time. There are a number of benefits with this
filter window. First, the results are generated in real-time,
quicker than prior art systems that take more time for the memory
of the storage system to locate. Second, the filtering does not
destroy the file structures (hierarchy) when filtering. That is, in
prior filter methods, the computer system would list a table of
search results without showing the hierarchical structure of the
data file. In the embodiment of the present invention, the search
result maintains the hierarchical structure in the result. This
provides a consistent view of the data files in their order. While
the filter window 110 provides the search capability, the display
window is also shown on the screen that provides full visualization
of the files being searched in real-time. Third, the display screen
has an automatic size correction feature that automatically
enlarges data files depending on the number of files generated by
the search. Should a search result in a large number of data files,
the size of the files are smaller on the display screen and is
shown real-time so a viewer can see the search result as it occurs.
The data files are enlarged to fit the screen (in one embodiment,
up to an 11 point font) when there is enough space in the display
window to show the search result. As the number of search results
increase, the size of each data file is automatically decreased.
When a desired maximum size is reached (e.g. 11 point font), the
data file sizes will no longer be increased. When the filter window
is closed, the display window will return to the slider bar setting
and the data files will be shown in their previous state.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a front view of an embodiment of the user
interface display window of the present invention. In FIG. 3, a
display window 200 shows once again the data files 20 with data
descriptors 25 scattered throughout the display window 200. In this
embodiment, the data files 20 are shown in a pure table view,
rather than a "tree" view where folders are shown with files within
the folders.
[0037] FIG. 5 is a front view of a user interface display window in
a further embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5,
additional features of the display window 500 are shown. A shortcut
button is shown in the display window 500 that allows a viewer to
view previous searches performed and saved. These saved searches
that are viewed when the shortcut button is activated show not only
the data files, but the data descriptors, such as the data file
size representations and the chronological timeline. Also shown in
FIG. 5 is a transparent scroll bar 510. The transparent scroll bar
510 gives a visual representation of all the files to view in the
display window 500, with the current view shown having a
highlighted portion 515. The embodiment of FIG. 5 further allows a
viewer to select certain data descriptors, such as a group of data
file size images or a portion of the chronological time line. By
selecting these groups or portions, a viewer is able to view the
data file and data file descriptors for those groups or portions
selected.
[0038] FIGS. 6-14 are front views of further embodiments of a user
interface display window of the present invention.
Computer System
[0039] FIG. 4 is a block diagram view of an embodiment of a
computer system used in conjunction with the inkjet printing system
of the present invention.
[0040] The computer system 400 is, in one embodiment, the host
system of the present invention. The computer system 400 includes a
processor 405 for executing program instructions stored in a memory
410. In some embodiments, processor 405 includes a single
microprocessor, while in others, processor 405 includes a plurality
of microprocessors to define a multi-processor system. The memory
410 stores instructions and data for execution by processor 405,
including instructions and data for performing the methods
described above. Depending on the extent of software implementation
in computer system 400, the memory 410 stores executable code when
in operation (e.g., the high-level code). The memory 410 includes,
for example, banks of read-only memory (ROM), dynamic random access
memory (DRAM) as well as high-speed cache memory. Still in FIG. 4,
within computer system 400, an operating system comprises program
instruction sequences that provide services for accessing,
communicating with, and controlling auction server computer system
400. The operating system provides a software platform upon which
application programs may execute, in a manner readily understood by
those skilled in the art. The computer system 300 further comprises
one or more applications having program instruction sequences for
providing a reward for displaying content over a data network.
Further in FIG. 4, the computer system 400 incorporates any
combination of additional devices. These include, but are not
limited to, a mass storage device 415, one or more peripheral
devices 420, an audio means 425, one or more input devices 430, one
or more portable storage medium drives 435, a graphics subsystem
440, a display 445, and one or more output devices 450. The various
components are connected via an appropriate bus 455 as known by
those skilled in the art. In alternative embodiments, the
components are connected through other communications media known
in the art. In one example, processor 405 and memory 410 are
connected via a local microprocessor bus; while mass storage device
415, peripheral devices 420, portable storage medium drives 435,
and graphics subsystem 440 are connected via one or more
input/output buses.
[0041] Continuing in FIG. 4, mass storage device 415 is implemented
as fixed and/or removable medium, for example, as a magnetic,
optical, or magneto-optical disk drive. The drive is preferably a
non-volatile storage device for storing data and instructions for
use by processor 405. In some embodiments, mass storage device 415
stores client and server information, code for carrying out methods
in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention, and
computer instructions for processor 405. In other embodiments,
computer instructions for performing methods in accordance with
exemplary embodiments of the invention also are stored in processor
405. The computer instructions are programmed in a suitable
language such as Java, C, Visual or C++. In FIG. 4, the portable
storage medium drive 435, in some embodiments, operates in
conjunction with a portable non-volatile storage medium, such as a
floppy disk, CD-ROM, or other computer-readable medium, to input
and output data and code to and from the computer system 400. In
some embodiments, methods performed in accordance with exemplary
embodiments of the invention are implemented using computer
instructions that are stored on such a portable medium and input to
the computer system 400 via portable storage medium drive 435. In
FIG. 4, the peripheral devices 420 include any type of computer
support device, such as an input/output (I/O) interface, to add
functionality to computer system 400. The peripheral devices also
include input devices to provide a portion of a user interface and
may include an alphanumeric keypad or a pointing device such as a
mouse, a trackball, a stylus, or cursor direction keys. The I/O
interface comprises conventional circuitry for controlling input
devices and performing particular signal conversions upon I/O data.
The I/O interface may include, for example, a keyboard controller,
a serial port controller, and/or digital signal processing
circuitry. In FIG. 4, the graphics subsystem 440 and the display
345 provide output alternatives of the system. The graphics
subsystem 440 and display 445 include conventional circuitry for
operating upon and outputting data to be displayed, where such
circuitry preferably includes a graphics processor, a frame buffer,
and display driving circuitry. The display 445 may include a
cathode ray tube (CRT) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), or
other suitable devices. The display 445 preferably can display at
least 253 colors. The graphics subsystem 340 receives textual and
graphical information and processes the information for output to
the display 445. In one embodiment, the display would be used to
display the GUI of FIG. 4. A video card in the computer system 300
also comprises a part of graphics subsystem 340 and also preferably
supports at least 253 colors. For optimal results in viewing
digital images, the user should use a video card and monitor that
can display the True Color (24 bit color) setting. This setting
enables the user to view digital images with photographic image
quality.
[0042] In FIG. 4, audio means 425 preferably includes a sound card
that receives audio signals from a peripheral microphone. In
addition, audio means 425 may include a processor for processing
sound. The signals can be processed by the processor in audio means
425 of computer system 400 and passed to other devices as, for
example, streaming audio signals. In some embodiments, programs for
performing methods in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the
invention are embodied as computer program products. These
generally include a storage medium or medium having instructions
stored thereon used to program a computer to perform the methods
described above. Examples of suitable storage medium or media
include any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks,
DVDs, CD ROMs, magnetic optical disks, RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs,
magnetic or optical cards, hard disk, flash card, smart card, and
other medium. Stored on one or more of the computer readable
medium, the program includes software for controlling both the
hardware of a general purpose or specialized computer or
microprocessor. This software also enables the computer or
microprocessor to interact with a human or other mechanism
utilizing the results of exemplary embodiments of the invention.
Such software includes, but is not limited to, device drivers,
operating systems and user applications. Preferably, such computer
readable medium further include software for performing the methods
described above. In certain other embodiments, a program for
performing an exemplary method of the invention or an aspect
thereof is situated on a carrier wave such as an electronic signal
transferred over a data network. Suitable networks include the
Internet, a frame relay network, an ATM network, a wide area
network (WAN), or a local area network (LAN). Those skilled in the
art will recognize that merely transferring the program over the
network, rather than executing the program on a computer system or
other device, does not avoid the scope of the invention. It will be
understood that the above-described apparatus and method are merely
illustrative of applications of the principles of this invention
and many other embodiments and modifications may be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in
the claims.
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