Superset file browser
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsChristopher P. Thorman, Michael V. Stein
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A superset file browser permits a user to view, in a single display, the superset (i.e., the set union) of file objects from two or more designated file system locations (i.e., directories) on one or more computer systems (local or remote). The uniqueness, or overlap, of file objects between the different designated locations is indicated graphically—typically through the use of different colors and/or icons, alphanumeric labels, popup text, ToolTip text or a combination of these techniques. A superset file browser also permits one-to-many and many-to-many distribution, collection and synchronization operations on the displayed file objects.
Claims76
A file browser method, comprising:
- designating a plurality of file system locations, wherein each file system location is associated with zero or more file objects;
- and
- displaying a superset of the file objects associated with each of the designated file system locations in a single display on a display unit.
A computer readable storage device comprising instructions for causing a computer to permit a user to:
- designate a plurality of file system locations, wherein each file system location is associated with zero or more file objects;
- and
- display the superset of the file objects associated with each of the file system locations in a single display.
A computer system, comprising:
- a central processing unit;
- a memory operatively coupled to the central processing unit;
- a computer network connection operatively coupled to the central processing unit;
- a display unit operatively coupled to the central processing unit and the memory;
- and
- a storage device, operatively coupled to the central processing unit and the memory, said storage device having instructions stored thereon for causing the central processing unit to:
- display, on the display unit, a file-browser application,
- designate a plurality of file system locations, wherein each file system location is associated with zero or more file objects, and
- display, in the file-browser application, a superset of the file objects associated with each of the file system locations.
In a computer network of a type including at least two devices, wherein each device presents a file system, each of said file systems comprising one or more locations, each of said one or more locations associated with zero or more file system objects, a method for displaying a superset of file system objects, comprising:
- specifying a file system location on each of the at least two devices;
- and
- displaying the set union of the file system objects located at each of the specified file system locations.
A computer readable program storage device comprising instructions stored therein for causing a computer to:
- specify a file system location on each of at least two computers;
- and
- display the set union of file system objects located at each of the specified file system locations.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.