U.S. patent application number 13/464930 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-08 for color labeling in a graphical user interface.
Invention is credited to Imran Chaudhri.
Application Number | 20120284656 13/464930 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43478639 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120284656 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chaudhri; Imran |
November 8, 2012 |
COLOR LABELING IN A GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE
Abstract
A method for providing visual cues to a user of a graphical user
interface (GUI) for a computer system is disclosed. The visual cues
indicate a relationship with an icon having text and/or image
elements. In some embodiments, the method receives a color for
labeling an icon that has a text-element and an image-element. The
method applies the color to a background-region of the text-element
of the icon without applying the color to the image-element. In
some embodiments, the method does not affect the font of the text.
In some embodiments, the method receives a selection of an icon.
The icon has a background-region that has a first color. The method
changes the first color of the background-region to a second color
but retains the first color in a section of the background-region.
In some of these embodiments, the method outlines the section of
the background-region with a third color.
Inventors: |
Chaudhri; Imran; (San
Francisco, CA) |
Family ID: |
43478639 |
Appl. No.: |
13/464930 |
Filed: |
May 4, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12969577 |
Dec 15, 2010 |
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13464930 |
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10875076 |
Jun 22, 2004 |
7873916 |
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12969577 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
715/765 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0481 20130101;
G06F 3/04817 20130101; G06F 3/04842 20130101; G06F 3/0482 20130101;
G06F 3/04812 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/765 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/048 20060101
G06F003/048 |
Claims
1-33. (canceled)
34. A method for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) for a
computing device, the GUI comprising a folder, the method
comprising: displaying a first view of the folder comprising at
least one icon; in response to a selection of a color for labeling
the icon, labeling the icon in the first view by applying the color
to at least a first portion of the icon; receiving an input to
display the folder in a second view that is different from the
first view; and in response to receiving the input, changing the
display of the folder to the second view and labeling the icon in
the second view by applying the color to at least a second portion
of the icon different than the first portion.
35. The method of claim 34, wherein the first view is a column view
and the second view is a list view.
36. The method of claim 34, wherein the first view is a column view
and the second view is an icon view.
37. The method of claim 34, wherein the first view is an icon view
and the second view is a list view.
38. The method of claim 34, wherein the icon comprises a text
element and an image element that is separate from the text
element.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein the first portion of the icon
is a background region of the text element and the second portion
of the icon is a background region of the entire icon.
40. The method of claim 38, wherein the first portion of the icon
is a background region of the text element and the second portion
of the icon is a background region of the image element.
41. The method of claim 38, wherein the first portion of the icon
is a background region of the image element and the second portion
of the icon is a background region of the entire icon.
42. The method of claim 38, wherein the first and second portions
of the icon are background regions of the icon.
43. The method of claim 42, wherein applying the color to the first
and second portions of the icon does not affect the image element
of the icon.
44. The method of claim 42, wherein applying the color to the first
and second portions of the icon does not affect the text element of
the icon.
45. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program
that when executed by at least one processing unit provides a
graphical user interface (GUI), the GUI comprising: a display area
for displaying a set of icons in a first view or a second different
view; a set of selectable items for switching between the first and
second views; a color label tool for (i) receiving a selection of a
color for labeling an icon, (ii) labeling the icon in the first
view by applying the color to at least a first portion of the icon,
and (iii) labeling the icon in the second view by applying the
color to at least a second different portion of the icon.
46. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 45,
wherein the icon comprises a text element and an image element that
is separate from the text element.
47. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 46,
wherein the color is applied to a background region of the text
element in the first view and the color is applied to a background
region of the entire icon in the second view.
48. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 46,
wherein the color is applied to a background region of the text
element in the first view and the color is applied to a background
region of the image element in the second view.
49. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 46,
wherein the color is applied to a background region of the image
element in the first view and the color is applied to a background
region of the entire icon in the second view.
50. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 46,
wherein applying the color to the icon in the first and second
views does not affect the image element of the icon.
51. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 46,
wherein applying the color to the icon in the first and second
views does not affect the text element of the icon.
52. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program
that when executed by at least one processing unit provides a
graphical user interface (GUI) comprising a folder, the program
comprising sets of instructions for: displaying a first view of the
folder comprising at least one icon; in response to a selection of
a color for labeling the icon, labeling the icon in the first view
by applying the color to at least a first portion of the icon;
receiving an input to display the folder in a second view that is
different from the first view; and in response to receiving the
input, changing the display of the folder to the second view and
labeling the icon in the second view by applying the color to at
least a second portion of the icon different than the first
portion.
53. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 52,
wherein the first view is a column view and the second view is a
list view.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention concerns the field of graphical user
interfaces for computer systems. Specifically, the invention is
directed towards methods for providing visual cues and color
labeling in a graphical user interface (GUI).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A computer operating system or application program can
provide different views of a computer system's contents to a user
through a GUI. Three such views in a GUI are an icon view, a list
view, and a column view. In each view, icons are typically used to
represent the computer system's contents. A computer system's
contents are typically organized in a hierarchical "file system" of
nested folders (directories) and files. An icon in the GUI can have
two components, an image component and a text component. The icons
are presented to a user of the GUI in different visual formats in
each view (icon, list, or column view). The different visual
formats are designed to present information in ways that facilitate
understanding and manipulation of their contents. However,
manipulation of the icons and views can alter the icon's appearance
and thus obscure the icon's visual information. Also, the volume of
information presented in each view of a file system can be large
such that a high demand is placed on the attention and
concentration of the user of the GUI.
[0003] As such, there is a need for a method of providing visual
cues for interacting with icons that, for example, represent
folders and files presented in a GUI.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention provides a method for providing visual cues to
a user of a graphical user interface (GUI) for a computer system.
In some embodiments, the method receives a color for labeling an
icon that has a text-element and an image-element. The method
applies the color to a background-region of the text-element of the
icon without applying the color to the image-element. In some
embodiments, the method does not affect the font of the text.
[0005] In some embodiments, the method receives a selection of an
icon. The icon has a background-region that has a first color. The
method changes the first color of the background-region to a second
color but retains the first color in a section of the
background-region. In some of these embodiments, the method
outlines the section of the background-region with a third
color.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The novel features of the invention are set forth in the
appended claims. However, for purpose of explanation, several
embodiments of the invention are set forth in the following
figures.
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a window in a GUI. The window presents an
"icon-view" illustration of icons represented in the GUI.
[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates a window after a folder icon and a
document icon have been color labeled according to some embodiments
of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a window that presents an icon-view
illustration of a folder AppleScript.
[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates a window after selection of an icon for a
Remove Script Menu program.
[0011] FIG. 5 illustrates a window after a button has been selected
and its associated drop-down menu has been opened.
[0012] FIG. 6 illustrates a selection of a color icon representing
the color Green.
[0013] FIG. 7 illustrates application of the color Green to the
text element of an icon for a Remove Script Menu program.
[0014] FIG. 8 illustrates a window of FIG. 1 after a user selects a
color-labeled document icon.
[0015] FIG. 9 illustrates a window of FIG. 1 having a non-white
pane.
[0016] FIG. 10 illustrates a window of FIG. 1 after a user selects
a color-labeled document icon.
[0017] FIG. 11 illustrates a window in a GUI. This window provides
a "list-view" illustration of the contents of a folder.
[0018] FIG. 12 illustrates a window after a document has been
color-labeled according to some embodiments of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 13 illustrates a window after a color-labeled icon has
been selected.
[0020] FIG. 14 shows that a section that retains its color-label
might be a section along the border of the background-region.
[0021] FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment where the label-color of
an icon is no longer visible because the background-region color
changes to a selection-color after it has been selected.
[0022] FIG. 16 illustrates a window in a GUI. This window provides
a "column-view" illustration of a nested file structure in terms of
two nested columns.
[0023] FIG. 17 illustrates a window of FIG. 16 after selection and
opening of a folder in a column of a column-view.
[0024] FIG. 18 illustrates a window after a user has defined a
color label to an icon that represents a document in an open
folder.
[0025] FIG. 19 illustrates a window after a user selects an
icon.
[0026] FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment where a section along the
border of the background-region retains its color-label.
[0027] FIG. 21 illustrates an embodiment where the
background-region of a selected-icon has a color that is different
than this region's label-color, which was illustrated in FIG.
19.
[0028] FIG. 22 illustrates an embodiment where an image element of
an icon is not distorted or deprecated, in accordance with the
present invention.
[0029] FIG. 23 illustrates an embodiment where a label-color and a
selection-color are applied to a text-element without being applied
to an image-element of an icon.
[0030] FIG. 24 illustrates an embodiment a selection-color and
white-outline are applied to an icon that has not been
color-labeled.
[0031] FIG. 25 illustrates an embodiment where selection of an icon
changes the font-color of a text-element to white.
[0032] FIG. 26 illustrates a computer system and computer readable
medium with which some embodiments of the present invention are
implemented.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] In the following description, numerous details are set forth
for purposes of explanation. However, one of ordinary skill in the
art will realize that the invention may be practiced without the
use of these specific details. In other instances, well-known
structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order not
to obscure the description of the invention with unnecessary
detail.
I. DEFINITIONS
[0034] A graphical user interface ("GUI") is an interface of a
computer system that allows users to interact with the computer
system through images and text. A GUI allows users of the computer
system to interact with the computer system in an intuitive
graphical manner. Instead of learning and writing complex command
languages, users can perform many operations by simply interacting
with the visual components of a GUI, which are often easy to
understand. A GUI often includes a cursor pointer, icons, desktop,
windows, etc. The cursor pointer (the "cursor") is a pointer that a
user can move across the GUI through the operation of a cursor
controller, such as a mouse, a trackpad, trackball, etc. A user can
use the cursor to select objects in the GUI. For instance, the user
can select an object by directing the cursor to the object and
performing a click operation (e.g., through a button of the cursor
controller).
[0035] Icons are examples of selectable objects in a GUI. Icons are
used to represent folders, files, commands, etc. in the GUI. An
icon can be represented by a text element, an image element, or
both text and image elements in the GUI. The desktop refers to the
contents on a display screen below any windows. A window is an area
on the display screen that displays its own file, message,
application, etc. independently of other windows that are displayed
on the display screen.
[0036] A color, as used herein, can be any color of the visible
light spectrum. A Macintosh computer, for example, can output to a
display, millions of colors and can output thousands of different
shades of gray. As used in this application, two colors are
different colors when they are two different colors in the spectrum
of visible light, or are two different shades of the same
color.
[0037] A file, as used herein, is an elemental data object within a
file system. A file can contain various types of data. For example,
a file can contain executable data as part of an application
program or as part of the operating system. A file may also contain
data that was created by an application. A file created by an
application may also be referred to as a document. Thus, a user of
a computer system GUI may open an application by selecting and
opening an executable file that runs an application, such as a
word-processor. Then the user may operate the word-processor to
create a document file.
[0038] A folder, as used herein, is an icon that represents a
directory in a hierarchical file system. A folder can contain other
folders or files. The hierarchy of a file system is created when
folders are nested inside other folders.
[0039] A volume, as used herein, is a logical partition on a single
computer storage device or across several computer storage devices.
For example, a volume can be comprised of a single hard disk. As
another example, a volume can be comprised of a redundant array of
independent disks (RAID). A volume is typically used to store the
folders and files of a hierarchical file system.
II. OVERVIEW
[0040] The invention provides a method for providing visual cues
related to the selection and color-labeling of icons in a GUI. In
some embodiments, the method receives a color for labeling an icon
that has a text-element and an image-element. The method applies
the color to a background-region of the text-element of the icon
without applying the color to the image-element. In some
embodiments, the method does not affect the font of the text. In
some embodiments, the background-region has a shape and the color
is applied to the shape.
[0041] In some embodiments, the method receives a selection of an
icon. The icon has a background-region that has a first color. The
method changes the first color of the background-region to a second
color but retains the first color in a section of the
background-region. In some of these embodiments, the method
outlines the section of the background-region with a third
color.
[0042] Some embodiments of the invention may be implemented in a
computer operating system that presents different views of a file
system to aid in comprehension of the data presented. Three such
views are an icon view, a list view, and a column view. In some
embodiments, the icon-view presents the contents of a folder or
volume in terms of a number of freestanding icons that can be moved
around the window. In the icon-view, icons are presented with both
their image and text elements. For icons with only one element,
that element is presented in the GUI. Icon-view is useful for
viewing the image element of the icon, as the image element is
presented in its largest form in icon-view. Icon-view is also
useful for file and folder manipulation such as a drag-and-drop
operation, as the icon is large and easily selected using a cursor
controller.
[0043] In some embodiments, the list-view presents the contents of
a folder as a set of icons in a single-column format. List-view is
useful for displaying the detailed information about objects in the
file system. List-view is often used to view several icons
representing objects in the file system in a sorted and ordered
single-column list. Icons in list-view can be shown with their
graphic elements reduced in size or without their graphic elements
to enhance comprehension of the detailed information presented.
[0044] Column-view is similar to list view, except that column view
can be used to show multiple nested objects at once in several
columns side-by-side. For example, the contents of a folder in a
first column can be shown in a second column to the right of the
first column. The contents of a folder in the second column can be
shown in a third column to the right of the second column, and so
forth. By placing several columns containing nested objects from
left to right in a single window of the GUI, column view can be
used to show the nested structure of a hierarchical file
system.
[0045] Some embodiments of the invention that apply color-labeling
to icons presented inan icon-view, a list-view, and column-view
illustrations are described below.
III. ICON-VIEW
[0046] FIG. 1 illustrates a window 100 in a GUI. Window 100
presents an "icon-view" illustration 105 of four icons, two of
which represent folders 178 and 179, and two of which represent
documents 180 and 181. An icon-view illustration presents the
contents of a folder or volume in terms of a number of freestanding
icons that can be moved around the window.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 1, each of the four icons in window 100
contains an image element and a text element. For instance, the
document icon 115 contains image element 110 and text element 120.
Also, as shown by the icon 115, the text element of certain icons
might appear on more than one line. In the icon-view illustration
of FIG. 1, no icon has been color-labeled.
[0048] FIG. 2 illustrates the window 100 after folder icon 235 and
document icon 115 have been color labeled according to some
embodiments of the invention. Specifically, in this figure, a first
color has been applied to a background region 225 that surrounds
the text element 120 of the document icon 115 without encompassing
the image element 110 of this icon. Also, a second color has been
applied to a background region 245 that surrounds the text element
240 of the folder icon 235 without encompassing the image element
230 of this icon. As shown in FIG. 2, the color-labeling of the
text element does not distort the color of the font of the text
element in some embodiments. Also, as shown in this figure, some
embodiments define the colored background regions to have rounded
ends to improve their visual appeal. This rounding is even extended
to a background region that encompasses multiple lines of text, as
illustrated by the color label applied to the text element 120 of
the icon 115
[0049] FIGS. 3-7 illustrate one manner of applying a color label to
an icon in some embodiments of the invention. Specifically, FIG. 3
illustrates a window 300 that presents an icon-view illustration
305 of a folder AppleScript. This folder contains five icons, one
of which is the icon for a program Remove Script Menu. As shown in
FIG. 3 the window 300 includes three buttons 310, 320, and 330,
which respectively allow the user to select an icon-view
illustration, a list view illustration, and a column-view
illustration. This window also includes a button 340, which, as
further described below, opens a drop down menu that contains
several color label selections.
[0050] FIG. 4 illustrates the window 300 after the selection of the
icon of the Remove Script Menu program. Next, FIG. 5 illustrates
the window 300 after the button 340 has been selected and its
associated drop-down menu 545 has been opened. As shown in this
figure, the drop-down menu 545 includes a section 550 that includes
several color icons 555, where each icon represents a different
color. FIG. 6 then illustrates the selection of the color icon 660
representing the color Green. Finally, FIG. 7 illustrates the
application of the color Green to the text element 720 of the icon
for the program Remove Script Menu. (As the figures are in black
and white, FIG. 7 illustrates the color Green in terms of a shade
of the color gray.)
[0051] FIG. 8 illustrates the window 100 of FIG. 1 after the
color-labeled document icon 115 has been selected by a user. The
selection of icon 115 changes the color of most of the
background-region 890 of the icon 115, without distorting either
the image element 110 or the text element 120 of the icon 115. (In
this figure, a set of diagonal dashed lines is used to show the
color that is used to illustrate the selection of the icon
115.)
[0052] According to some embodiments of the invention, a section
895 along the background-region 890 retains its original color
label to provide a visual clue to the user as to the color label of
the selected icon 115. One of ordinary skill will realize that the
section 895 can have other shapes in other embodiments. For
instance, in some embodiments, this section might be a small
geometrical shape on one of the sides of the text element 120 of
the icon. Alternatively, when the icon has been selected, some
embodiments might not display any portion of the color label of an
icon that is displayed in the icon view. In other embodiments of
the invention, the color label of an icon and its selection is
indicated only using the text element of the icon. These
embodiments are advantageous when an icon has no image element, or
the icon is displayed without its image element.
[0053] In additional embodiments of the invention, as shown in FIG.
8, a selection-border 855 surrounds the image element of icon 115.
The selection-border 855 can be used to convey to the user that the
icon 115 has been selected. The selection-border 855 can be applied
to surround only the image element of icon 115, which can be
advantageous when icon 115 has no text element.
[0054] In the examples illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, the color of the
background pane of window 100 is white. In some embodiments, a
window in the GUI can have a non-white pane color. FIGS. 9-10
illustrate an example of performing the invention's color labeling
on icons in a window that has a non-white pane color.
[0055] Specifically, FIG. 9 illustrates the window 100 having a
non-white pane. The window 100 presents an icon-view illustration
105 with this non-white pane. The text elements of two icons are
color-labeled, text element 120 and text element 240. No icons are
selected in FIG. 9.
[0056] FIG. 10 illustrates the window 100 of FIG. 1 after the
color-labeled document icon 115 has been selected by a user. The
selection of icon 115 changes the color of most of the
background-region 890 of the icon 115, without distorting either
the image element 110 or the text element 120 of the icon 115. (In
this figure, a set of diagonal dashed lines is used to show the
color that is used to illustrate the selection of the icon
115.)
[0057] According to some embodiments of the invention, a section
895 along the background-region 890 retains its original color
label to provide a visual clue to the user as to the color label of
the selected icon 115. One of ordinary skill will realize that the
section 895 can have other shapes in other embodiments. For
instance, in some embodiments, this section might be a small
geometrical shape on one of the sides of the text element 120 of
the icon. Alternatively, when the icon has been selected, some
embodiments might not display any portion of the color label of an
icon that is displayed in the icon view. In other embodiments of
the invention, the color label of an icon and icon selection are
indicated using only the text element of the icon. These
embodiments are advantageous when an icon has no image element, or
the icon is displayed without its image element.
[0058] Also shown in FIG. 10, when the background of window 100 is
not white, a white-outline 1085 along the section 895 can be used
to draw the user's attention to the selected icon 115, and to
further delineate the label-color of section 895 from the pane
color of window 100.
[0059] In additional embodiments of the invention, as shown in FIG.
10, the selection-border 855 surrounds the image element of icon
115. The selection-border 855 can be used to convey to the user
that the icon 115 has been selected. The selection-border 855 can
be applied to surround only the image element of icon 115, which
can be advantageous when icon 115 has no text element.
[0060] When the pane of window 100 is not white, a white-outline
1065 can be applied to surround the selection-border 855, according
to some embodiments of the present invention. White-outline 1065
draws the user's attention to the selected icon 115 and offsets the
selection-border 855 from the window 100.
IV. LIST-VIEW
[0061] FIG. 11 illustrates a window 1100 in a GUI. This window
provides a "list-view" illustration 1105 of the contents of a
folder 1175. In some embodiments, a list-view illustration presents
the contents of a folder as a set of icons in a single-column
format. For instance, in the example illustrated in FIG. 11, the
list-view illustration 1105 presents four icons, two of which
represent folders 178 and 179, and two of which represent documents
180 and 181. Each of the four icons in list-view illustration 1105
includes an image element and a text element. For example, the icon
1115 for the document 181 includes an image element 1110 and a text
element 1120. In list-view illustration 1105, no folder or document
has been selected or labeled.
[0062] FIG. 12 illustrates the window 1100 after a document has
been labeled according to some embodiments of the invention. In
FIG. 12, a color label has been applied to a background region 1240
that surrounds document icon 1115. As shown in FIG. 12, the
color-label does not distort either the image element 1110 or the
text element 1120 of the document icon 1115, according to the
present invention.
[0063] FIG. 13 illustrates the window 1100 after the color-labeled
icon 1115 has been selected. The selection of icon 1115 changes the
color of most of the background-region 1240 of the icon 1115,
without distorting either the image element 1110 or the text
element 1120 of the icon 1115.
[0064] According to some embodiments of the invention, a section
1350 of the background-region 1240 retains its original color label
to provide a visual clue to the user as to the color label of the
selected icon 1115. In the example illustration in FIG. 13, the
section 1350 is a small circle to the left of the icon 1115. The
section 1350, however, can have other shapes in other embodiments.
For instance, as shown in FIG. 14, the section 1350 might be a
section along the border of the background-region. In other
embodiments, this section that retains its color label could be in
the shape of a triangle or a square, for example.
[0065] Alternatively, when the icon has been selected, some
embodiments might not display any portion of the color label of an
icon that is displayed in the list view. FIG. 15 illustrates an
example of such an approach. Specifically, for some embodiments,
this figure illustrates the icon 1115 after it has been selected.
As shown in this figure, the background-region 1240 of the icon
1115 has a color (represented by diagonal dash lines) that is
different than this region's label color, which was illustrated in
FIG. 12. As shown in FIG. 15, the color that is used to highlight
the selection of the icon 1115 does not distort either the image
element 1110 or the text element 1120 of icon 1115.
[0066] Various permutations of the examples described above would
be apparent to one of ordinary skill. For instance, the shape that
retains the label-color can be of various sizes and shapes that
appear at various locations relative to the corresponding icon.
Moreover, the background-region of the text element can also have
various sizes and geometric properties. For instance, the
background-region can have rounded or squared ends. Further, the
background-region can apply to either the text element or the image
element of the icon, or both, depending on the current view
settings.
V. COLUMN-VIEW
[0067] A "column-view" illustration presents a nested file
structure in terms of a set of nested columns. Each of these
columns in some embodiments presents a list of the contents of a
folder in the nested file system. When a folder is "opened," some
embodiments (1) show the contents of that folder in the next column
to the right of the column containing the opened folder, and (2)
color a background region that surrounds the opened folder to
indicate that its contents are shown in the next column. In some
embodiments, the color that is used to highlight the selection of a
folder does not distort either the image element or the text
element of this folder's icon.
[0068] In such a column-view illustration, some embodiments allow a
user to specify different color labels to the folders and files
(including documents) displayed in this illustration. Different
embodiments of the invention apply the color label differently to a
folder or a file. Some embodiments apply the color label to a
region that encompasses just the text element of an icon of the
folder or the file, other embodiments apply it to a region that
encompasses just the image element of the icon, and yet other
embodiments apply it to a region that encompasses both the text and
image elements of the icon. In some embodiments, the color that is
used to label a folder or file does not distort either the image
element or the text element of the icon of the folder or file.
[0069] FIGS. 16-19 illustrate an example of applying color labels
in a column-view illustration of a nested file structure.
Specifically, FIG. 16 illustrates a window 1600 in a GUI. This
window provides a "column-view" illustration 1605 of a nested file
structure in terms of two nested columns 1610 and 1620. Four icons
are listed in column 1610. Two of these icons represent folders
1671 and 1672, while the other two represent documents 1673 and
1674.
[0070] The column 1620 illustrates the contents of the folder 1672
in the column 1610. As shown in FIG. 16, the background region 1640
that surrounds the folder 1672 has a particular color (shown by
cross-hatched diagonal lines) in order to indicate that its
contents are shown in the next column 1620. As shown in this
figure, the color that is used to highlight the selection of the
folder 1672 does not distort either the image element or the text
element of this folder's icon. As shown in FIG. 16, the column 1620
illustrates that the folder 1672 has three icons that respectively
represent one folder, 1175, and two documents 1676 and 1677. In
FIG. 16, no icon illustrated in window 1600 has been color labeled
by a user.
[0071] FIG. 17 illustrates the window 1600 after the selection and
opening of the folder 1175 in the column 1620. As shown in this
figure, this selection leads to (1) the coloring of a background
region 1740 that surrounds the folder 1175 to indicate its opening,
and (2) the presentation of a third column 1730 in the column-view
illustration 1605. The third column 1730 illustrates that the
folder 1720 contains four icons, which represent two folders 178
and 179, and two documents 180 and 181. In FIG. 16, no icon
illustrated in window 1600 has been color labeled by a user.
[0072] FIG. 18 illustrates the window 1600 after a user has defined
a color label to an icon 1815 that represents the document 181 in
the folder 1175. This figure illustrates the color label in terms
of a solid shade. As indicated by this solid shade, the color label
is applied to a background region 1840 that surrounds just the text
element of icon 1815. Other embodiments, however, might apply the
color label to a region that encompasses the entire icon, or just
the image element of the icon 1815.
[0073] FIG. 19 illustrates the window 1600 after a user selects the
icon 1815. The selection of icon 1815 changes the color of most of
a background-region 1840 that encompasses the icon 1815, without
distorting either the image element or the text element of icon
1815.
[0074] According to some embodiments of the invention, a section
1950 of the background-region 1840 retains its original color label
to provide a visual clue to the user as to the color label of the
selected icon 1815. In the example illustration in FIG. 19, the
section 1950 is a small circle to the right of the icon 1815. The
section 1950, however, can have other shapes in other embodiments.
For instance, as shown in the FIG. 20, the section that retains its
color label might be a section along the border of the
background-region. In other embodiments, section 1950 could be in
the shape of a triangle or a square, for example.
[0075] Alternatively, when the icon has been selected, some
embodiments might not display any portion of the color label of an
icon that is displayed in the list view. FIG. 21 illustrates an
example of such an approach. Specifically, for some embodiments,
this figure illustrates the icon 1815 after it has been selected.
As shown in FIG. 21, the background region 1840 of the icon 1815
has a color (represented by diagonal dash lines) that is different
than this region's label color, which was illustrated in FIG. 18.
As shown in FIG. 21, the color that is used to highlight the
selection of the icon 1815 does not distort either the image
element or the text element of icon 1815.
[0076] Various permutations of the examples described above would
be apparent to one of ordinary skill. For instance, the shape that
retains the label-color can be of various sizes and shapes that
appear at various locations relative to the corresponding icon.
Moreover, the background-region of the text element can also have
various sizes and geometric properties. For instance, the
background-region can have rounded or squared ends. Further, the
background-region can apply to either the text-element or the
image-element of the icon, or both, depending on the current view
settings.
[0077] Many of the embodiments described above in relation to
color-labeling are also applicable to the present invention's
methods for providing to a user visual cues during icon-selection.
For example, none of the figures show either the image or text
element of the icon being deprecated whether the icon is
color-labeled, selected, or opened. Specifically, FIG. 22
illustrates an embodiment where an image element of an icon is not
distorted or deprecated, in accordance with the present invention.
In FIG. 22, the image-element of the icon 115 is represented by a
square containing grid-line shading. The gridline shading in FIG.
22 is used to emphasize this aspect of the present invention. As
shown by the section 895 and background-region 890, icon 115 in
FIG. 22 is both color-labeled and selected, however, the integrity
of the visual information contained in the elements of icon 115, is
preserved according to the present invention. Similarly, as shown
in FIG. 20, the elements of the icons in window 1600 are preserved
whether the icons are color-labeled, selected, or opened. The icons
in FIG. 20 are represented as un-shaded rectangles to emphasize
this feature of the present invention.
[0078] Also in accordance with the present invention, the
selection-color and label-color may simply not be applied to either
the text or the image element of an icon to avoid any deprecation
of that element. For instance, FIG. 23 illustrates an embodiment
where a label-color and a selection-color are applied to a
text-element without being applied to an image-element of an icon.
This embodiment is also useful where only one element of an icon is
present in the GUI.
[0079] The present invention's method for providing visual cues to
a user during icon-selection is applicable to an icon regardless of
whether the icon has been color-labeled. FIG. 24 illustrates an
embodiment where a selection-color and white-outline are applied to
an icon 115 that has not been color-labeled. The selection-color
and white-outline are applicable to either the icon's text or image
element, or both, in accordance with the present invention.
[0080] During color-labeling of an icon, the text-element's font
may or may not be altered to improve readability or enhance the
visual cue stimulus. Likewise, during icon-selection, the
text-element's font may be altered. FIG. 25 illustrates an
embodiment where selection of an icon 115 changes the font-color of
a text-element 120 to white. However, one of ordinary skill will
recognize that this color can be any color of the spectrum. As
shown in FIG. 25, for example, the color can be chosen to match
white-outline 1085 or to offset a dark selection-color in
background-region 890.
VI. COMPUTER SYSTEM
[0081] FIG. 26 presents a computer system with which one embodiment
of the invention is implemented. Computer system 2600 includes a
bus 2605, a processor 2610, a system memory 2615, a read-only
memory 2620, a permanent storage device 2625, input devices 2630,
and output devices 2635. The bus 2605 collectively represents all
system, peripheral, and chipset buses that communicatively connect
the numerous internal devices of the computer system 2600. For
instance, the bus 2605 communicatively connects the processor 2610
with the read-only memory 2620, the system memory 2615, and the
permanent storage device 2625.
[0082] From these various memory units, the processor 2610
retrieves instructions to execute and data to process in order to
execute the processes of the invention. The read-only-memory (ROM)
2620 stores static data and instructions that are needed by the
processor 2610 and other modules of the computer system.
[0083] The permanent storage device 2625, on the other hand, is a
read-and-write memory device. This device is a non-volatile memory
unit that stores instruction and data even when the computer system
2600 is off. Some embodiments of the invention use a mass-storage
device (such as a magnetic or optical disk and its corresponding
disk drive) as the permanent storage device 2625.
[0084] Other embodiments use a removable storage device (such as a
floppy disk or Zip.RTM. disk, and its corresponding disk drive) as
the permanent storage device. Like the permanent storage device
2625, the system memory 2615 is a read-and-write memory device.
However, unlike storage device 2625, the system memory is a
volatile read-and-write memory, such as a random access memory. The
system memory stores some of the instructions and data that the
processor needs at runtime. In some embodiments, the invention's
processes are stored in the system memory 2615, the permanent
storage device 2625, and/or the read-only memory 2620.
[0085] The bus 2605 also connects to the input and output devices
2630 and 2635. The input devices enable the user to communicate
information and select commands to the computer system. The input
devices 2630 include alphanumeric keyboards and cursor-controllers.
The output devices 2635 display images generated by the computer
system. For instance, these devices display IC design layouts. The
output devices include printers and display devices, such as
cathode ray tubes (CRT) or liquid crystal displays (LCD).
[0086] Finally, as shown in FIG. 26, bus 2605 also couples computer
2600 to a network 2665 through a network adapter (not shown). In
this manner, the computer can be a part of a network of computers
(such as a local area network ("LAN"), a wide area network ("WAN"),
or an Intranet) or a network of networks (such as the
Internet).
[0087] Any or all of the components of computer system 2600 may be
used in conjunction with the invention. However, one of ordinary
skill in the art would appreciate that any other system
configuration may also be used in conjunction with the present
invention.
VII. ADVANTAGES
[0088] The different visual formats of the icon, list, and column
views are designed to present information in ways that facilitate
understanding and manipulation of their contents. However,
manipulation of the icons and views can alter the icon's appearance
and thus obscure the icon's visual information. Also, the volume of
information presented in each view of a file system can be large
such that a high demand is placed on the attention and
concentration of the user of the GUI. However, the present
invention provides a method of providing visual cues that assist a
user interacting with icons in a GUI. Some advantages of the
present invention are described below.
[0089] To increase organization and reduce errors, a user can
organize folders and documents using a color-coded labeling system.
For example, a folder bearing a certain importance could be
associated with the color red. Related documents with the same
level of importance could also be associated with the color red. In
this manner, a user could manually organize folders and documents.
Also, an application or operating system service could
automatically provide the organization by, for example, grouping
any documents associated with the color red into the folder
associated with the color red. Similarly, a variety of system
processes could be automated to perform tasks on files and folders
that have been labeled in this manner. For instance, a system
backup could be performed on all of the folders and documents with
a certain color label.
[0090] Another advantage of a color-coded labeling system is that
it provides visual cues to the user similar to the manner in which
an icon's image element provides additional information and cues to
the user. Thus, iconographic and color-label information
supplements or provides an alternative to the information available
to a user from an icon's text element. The text element typically
names a folder or document represented by the icon. Previously,
however, use of a color-coded labeling system in conjunction with
graphical icons could interfere with the icon's visual information
by altering the appearance of the icon or deprecating the icon. The
present invention, however, provides visual cues that enhance
rather than deprecate or interfere with an icon's visual
information presented in a GUI. The present invention preserves an
icon's visual information by presenting the additional color-label
information in a manner that does not distort either the text or
the graphic elements of the icon. For example, some of the methods
described herein apply color to shapes that surround the icon
rather than coloring the icon directly. Another method of
preserving the visual contents of an icon could be to layer the
icon (text and graphic) opaquely over the label and selection
colors. The label and selection colors can, in turn, be layered
opaquely over the background color such as the color of the window
pane. As would be apparent to one of ordinary skill, this layering
may not require 100% opacity. The layering of different colors in a
GUI may be performed at various opacities and blends to achieve a
multitude of desired effects using the text and image elements of
icons in conjunction with color combinations.
[0091] Additionally, there may be instances in a GUI where the only
visual information available to a user is in the form of an icon's
text element, and the icon has no image element. Similarly, an icon
can have a text element but no image element. For example, in a
column or list view of folders and documents, an icon may have a
text element but may not have a corresponding image element, or the
corresponding image element, if any, may be diminished in size such
that its visual information is not conveyed to the user. However,
the present invention can be applied to either the text or image
element of an icon. Thus, the present invention conveys visual cues
for icons without a corresponding text or image element, and for
diminished or impaired icons such as folder and document icons in
column or list view.
[0092] Cursor controllers, such as a computer mouse, are used to
interact with icons of a GUI. For example, a user may activate a
selection button of the cursor controller to select an icon in the
GUI. Typically, when an icon is selected in the GUI, its appearance
is altered to show that it is currently selected. This alteration
of appearance can be, for example, a change in the color of the
icon using the GUI's "highlight" color. However, a change in the
color of an icon can obscure or interfere with the color label
applied to the icon or with the visual integrity of the icon
itself. The present invention provides a method of providing visual
cues that retains and continues to convey an icon's color label and
visual information when the icon is selected and thereby
highlighted.
[0093] While the invention has been described with reference to
numerous specific details, one of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize that the invention can be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. For
instance, some embodiments have been described with reference to an
operating system but the graphical user interface teachings of the
present invention may be used in any application. One of ordinary
skill in the art would understand that the invention is not to be
limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather is to be
defined by the appended claims.
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