Save preview representation of files being created

Abstract

In a graphical user interface environment, a request to save a file may result in a display of a location or view in which the file is to be saved, and may include a preview indicia representing the to-be-saved file. The user may interact with the preview indicia to edit the new file's metadata by repositioning the indicia in a different view, and/or the system may automatically update the preview indicia's location in response to the user editing displayed metadata properties for the new file. The preview indicia may have a distinct appearance, and may persist to show the user how the new file can be located after the save process is performed.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to the field of computer software. More particularly, the application relates to a system and method for providing an improved user interface when creating and editing documents. The application also relates to graphical user interface elements as used in the process of creating files on a computer system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Seeing is believing. Computers and computing devices have penetrated all aspects of our lives, and this is due in large part to the industry's concerted efforts at making these devices easy to use and understand. One of the key advances in this area has been the graphical user interface (GUI). Before such interfaces, computer users were forced to learn how to interact with computers though a command line interface. Such interfaces were notorious for strict syntax requirements that made them difficult to learn and use, but the GUI changed that. Today, users are accustomed to visualizing data files and computer resources as visual representations, such as indicia, and seeing those representations makes it easier for users to understand what they are doing and believe that they are doing it right.

As computing systems become more and more sophisticated, the GUI will be used to convey more and more information. Users have come to depend on the GUI to tell them all they need to know about their system and its files. However, current GUI offerings fall short of providing sufficient information.

One area in which current GUIs fall short deals with the way files are represented during the file creation process. FIG. 2 shows an example of a Save File dialog 201 used in the MICROSOFT WINDOWS® operating system (MICROSOFT WINDOWS®, XP®, EXCEL®, POWERPOINT® and WORD® used herein are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation, Redmond Wash.). The dialog 201 has a graphic area 202 in which indicia 203 may appear showing the user the files and/or folders that are on the system. This information will tell the user where there file will be saved, and may include data fields 204 to allow the user to enter data concerning the file to be saved.

The user viewing the dialog 201 assumes that, at the completion of the save process, the new file will appear in the area 202 the next time that particular view is entered. However, this is merely an assumption, and the system does not offer the user any confirmation as to how the new file will appear the next time view area 202 is opened. The user is offered no visual confirmation as to where the new file will go, or how it will appear the next time an area 202 is opened.

Furthermore, users have come to depend on the visual organization of the various indicia 203 to help them locate files, but for the new file that is being saved, the user cannot view any such organization until after the file is saved. That may be too late; particularly if the user misunderstood the location information presented in dialog 201 during the save process. Perhaps the user assumed that the new file would be placed at the top level of the area 202, when in actuality the file is saved within one of the folders represented by indicia 203 because one was inadvertently highlighted as the user pressed “Save.” To find the missing file, the user would have to hunt for it, navigating through several folders to find it again.

The lack of feedback during the save process creates problems for the user, and ultimately makes the system more difficult to use than it should be. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved approach to guide the user through the process of file creation; one that can help make sure that there are no misunderstandings between the system and the user with respect to how the new file can be found again.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention may meet one or more of the above needs, and overcome one or more deficiencies in the prior art, by providing a system and method in which the user is given a preview representation of a file that is about to be created.

The preview may appear as part of a save file dialog, and may show an indicia corresponding to the new to-be-created file, and may show how the new file may be visually represented in the GUI after the save is performed.

The preview may exhibit certain behaviors, such as having a unique appearance, always appearing as a first element, to be easily noticed by the user. Users may also interact with the preview to manage the file and/or edit its properties even before the file is saved.

The preview may also intelligently guide the user through the save process by, for example, refusing to allow the user to save the file to an invalid location, or automatically populating metadata fields based on user navigation through the GUI.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features of the applicants' system are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computing-system environment suitable for use in implementing one or more features described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a prior art Save As dialog used for saving files.

FIG. 3 depicts an example GUI view containing a preview representation of a file that is about to be created on the system.

FIG. 4 depicts another example GUI view containing a preview representation of a file that is about to be created on the system.

FIG. 5 depicts two additional examples of GUI views containing a preview representation of a file that is about to be created on the system.

FIG. 6 depicts an example Save File dialog offering a preview representation of a file that is about to be created on the system.

FIGS. 7A-B depict an example process for implementing a preview representation of a files that is about to be created on the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and method for providing an improved user experience when creating files by offering users a preview representation of a file that is about to be created on a system. An exemplary operating environment for the present invention is described below.

Referring to the drawings in general and initially to FIG. 1 in particular, wherein like reference numerals identify like components in the various figures, an exemplary operating environment is shown and designated generally as operating environment 100. The computing system environment 100 is only one example of a suitable computing environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of the invention. Neither should the computing environment 100 be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated in the exemplary operating environment 100.

The features described herein may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the features may be practiced with a variety of computer-system configurations, including hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable-consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. They may also be practiced in distributed-computing environments where tasks are performed by remote-processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed-computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer-storage media including memory storage devices.

With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary system 100 includes a general purpose computing device in the form of a computer 110 including a processing unit 120, a system memory 130, and a system bus 121 that couples various system components including the system memory 130 to the processing unit 120. If desired, any of the elements described herein may be implemented as standalone elements (e.g., a single processing unit), or as multiple elements working in concert (e.g., multiple processing units).

Computer 110 typically includes a variety of computer-readable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media may comprise computer-storage media and communication media. Examples of computer-storage media include, but are not limited to, Random Access Memory (RAM); Read-Only Memory (ROM); Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM); flash memory or other memory technology; CD-ROM, digital versatile discs (DVD) or other optical or holographic disc storage; magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices; or any other medium that can be used to store desired information and be accessed by computer 110. The system memory 130 includes computer-storage media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as ROM 131 and RAM 132. A Basic Input/Output System 133 (BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within computer 110 (such as during start-up) is typically stored in ROM 131. RAM 132 typically contains data and/or program modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presently being operated on by processing unit 120. By way of example, and not limitation, FIG. 1 illustrates operating system 134, application programs 135, other program modules 136, and program data 137.

The computer 110 may also include other removable/nonremovable, volatile/nonvolatile computer-storage media. By way of example only, FIG. 1 illustrates a hard disk drive 141 that reads from or writes to nonremovable, nonvolatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive 151 that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk 152, and an optical disc drive 155 that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile optical disc 156 such as a CD-ROM or other optical media. Other removable/nonremovable, volatile/nonvolatile computer-storage media that can be used in the exemplary operating environment include, but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory units, digital versatile disks, digital video tape, solid state RAM, solid state ROM, and the like. The hard disk drive 141 is typically connected to the system bus 121 through a nonremovable memory interface such as interface 140. Magnetic disk drive 151 and optical disc drive 155 are typically connected to the system bus 121 by a removable memory interface, such as interface 150.

The drives and their associated computer-storage media discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 1 provide storage of computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for computer 110. For example, hard disk drive 141 is illustrated as storing operating system 144, application programs 145, other program modules 146, and program data 147. Note that these components can either be the same as or different from operating system 134, application programs 135, other program modules 136, and program data 137. Typically, the operating system, application programs and the like that are stored in RAM are portions of the corresponding systems, programs, or data read from hard disk drive 141, the portions varying in size and scope depending on the functions desired. Operating system 144, application programs 145, other program modules 146, and program data 147 are given different numbers here to illustrate that, at a minimum, they can be different copies. A user may enter commands and information into the computer 110 through input devices such as a keyboard 162; pointing device 161, commonly referred to as a mouse, trackball or touch pad; a wireless-input-reception component 163; or a wireless source such as a remote control. Other input devices (not shown) may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit 120 through a user-input interface 160 that is coupled to the system bus 121 but may be connected by other interface and bus structures, such as a parallel port, game port, IEEE 1394 port, or a universal serial bus (USB), or infrared (IR) bus.

A display device 191 is also connected to the system bus 121 via an interface, such as a video interface 190. Display device 191 can be any device to display the output of computer 110 not limited to a monitor, an LCD screen, a Thin Film Transistor (TFT) screen, a flat-panel display, a conventional television, or screen projector. In addition to the display device 191, computers may also include other peripheral output devices such as speakers 197 and printer 196, which may be connected through an output peripheral interface 195.

The computer 110 may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer 180. The remote computer 180 may be a personal computer, and typically includes many or all of the elements described above relative to the computer 110, although only a memory storage device 181 has been illustrated in FIG. 1. The logical connections depicted in FIG. 1 include a local-area network (LAN) 171 and a wide-area network (WAN) 173 but may also include other networks, such as connections to a metropolitan-area network (MAN), intranet, or the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 110 may be connected to the LAN 171 through a network interface or adapter 170. When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 110 may include a modem 172 or other means for establishing communications over the WAN 173, such as the Internet. The modem 172, which may be internal or external, may be connected to the system bus 121 via the network interface 170, or other appropriate mechanism. Modem 172 could be a cable modem, DSL modem, or other broadband device. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 110, or portions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device. By way of example, and not limitation, FIG. 1 illustrates remote application programs 185 as residing on memory device 181. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers may be used.

Other internal components of the computer 110 are possible, but not shown. For example, various expansion cards such as television-tuner cards and network-interface cards may be incorporated within a computer 110.

When the computer 110 is turned on or reset, the BIOS 133, which is stored in ROM 131, instructs the processing unit 120 to load the operating system, or necessary portion thereof, from the hard disk drive 141 into the RAM 132. Once the copied portion of the operating system, designated as operating system 144, is loaded into RAM 132, the processing unit 120 executes the operating-system code and causes the visual elements associated with the user interface of the operating system 134 to be displayed on the display device 191. Typically, when an application program 145 is opened by a user, the program code and relevant data are read from the hard disk drive 141 and the necessary portions are copied into RAM 132, the copied portion represented herein by reference numeral 135.

As previously mentioned, the features described herein may be described in the general context of computer-useable instructions. Computer-useable instructions include functions, procedures, schemas, routines, code segments, and modules useable by one or more computers or other devices. The computer-useable instructions form an interface to allow a computer to react according to a source of input. The instructions cooperate with other code segments to initiate a variety of tasks in response to data received in conjunction with the source of the received data.

FIG. 2 has already been addressed above, and depicts a Save As file dialog used in the MICROSOFT WINDOWS XP™ operating system.

FIG. 3 depicts an example view 301 that may be found in a GUI when saving a file, such as in area 202 of the dialog in FIG. 2. In view 301, various indicia 302 are shown depicting files that exist according to the criteria used to generate the view 301. Such criteria may be varied depending on user preference. For example, a view 301 may be generated to display the contents of a given folder on the system. Alternatively, view 301 may display all files of a given file type (e.g., MICROSOFT EXCEL™ Worksheet is shown in the FIG. 3 example). View 301 may also result from combinations of criteria. For example, the view 301 may be a view of all worksheets that belong to a certain user, or to a certain project, or that are stored in a certain folder. Possible criteria are near limitless, and include, in addition to the ones already listed above, file size, creation date, edit date, project, owner, memory location, user, file name, etc.

View 301 may depict a preview representation 303, or ghost, representing the file that is about to be saved on the system, where the ghost shows the user where the new file will appear in the GUI should the save operation be performed, and identifies the location or view in which the new file will be found if saved. In the FIG. 3 example, the file has not been given a name yet, so it bears a label of “Untitled.” The ghost 303 may have a distinct appearance to indicate that it represents a file that is not yet technically a stored file on the system. The distinction in appearance may be a transparency or opacity setting, color, font, highlight, or any other way of offering a different appearance. To help ensure that the user does not lose track of the ghost 303 as the user navigates through different views (e.g., selecting a different folder in which to store the file), the ghost 303 may be configured to always appear in a predetermined location in the view. For example, and as shown in FIG. 3, the ghost 303 may be configured to appear as the first indicia shown. The difference in appearance may correspond to changes that occur when a file is selected. For example, the ghost 303 may be selected by default, and its indicia may have whatever appearance is used in the system to denote selected objects (e.g., may be the same distinction discussed above).

The ghost 303 may be treated as any other indicia in the view 301. Users may select, highlight, modify, drag and drop, etc. the ghost 303 as they would any other indicia. FIG. 4 depicts an example of the FIG. 3 view 301, in which an indicia 401 representing an existing file on the system has been selected by the user. That is, indicia 401 may be given a distinct appearance as well, and may be given an appearance that is distinct from the ghost 303. However, the ghost may include additional functionality not associated with the indicia 401 for files that already exist. For example, ghost 303 may be associated with a unique context menu of functions and options that are applicable to files that aren't already saved.

Ghosts are not limited to GUIs and views in which large indicia are used. To the contrary, they may appear in other types of views as well, such as a listing as shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, ghosts 501 give the user a preview representation of a file that is about to be saved (in the example, the file has been named “Accounts Receivable”).

The ghost may be incorporated into the GUI for a system file panel or common file dialog, such as the Save File dialog 601 shown in FIG. 6, which may be shared by a plurality of applications on the system. In the dialog/panel 601, ghost 602 may appear to provide the preview representation of how the new file will appear once it is saved. In this example, three views 603, 604, 605 are shown, where one view 603 contains indicia for MICROSOFT EXCEL® worksheet files, one view 604 contains indicia for MICROSOFT POWERPOINT® presentation files, and one view 605 contains indicia for MICROSOFT WORD® documents. The ghost 602 appears in the first view 603 because the file is presently set to be saved as a MICROSOFT EXCEL® worksheet. This setting is shown in the metadata portion 606 of the display, which may display a set of metadata (e.g., author, file type, etc.) for the file that is about to be saved.

The user can interact with the ghost 602 to change the metadata of the file that is about to be saved. The user may drag and drop the ghost 602 onto different views to change the new file's properties to match those of the new view in which the ghost 602 is dropped. For example, if a file type is to be changed, by clicking and dragging the ghost 602 from the worksheet view 603 to the presentation view 604, the system may automatically update the metadata 606 to reflect that the new file will be of type “presentation” instead of type “worksheet.” Similarly, other changes in metadata may be made by moving the indicia. For example, if one view corresponds to items having a first priority, and a second view corresponds to items having a second priority, moving the indicia from the first to the second may change the document's priority level to match the second view.

Changes made to the metadata may also be automatically reflected in the ghost 602. For example, should the user enter in a different file name or type in metadata 606, the ghost 602 may automatically change and/or reposition itself to reflect the new metadata, changing the title to the new name, and repositioning itself into the correct view based on the new file type (e.g., into view 604 if the user changes the type to a presentation). As another example, if a view shows a first priority, and the priority is changed in the metadata, the indicia may be moved to a different view showing documents having the new priority. In some instances, this may cause the ghost to completely disappear from the user's current screen, if the ghost 602 is repositioned to a view or location that is not currently displayed on the screen.

The Save File dialog may also include a Save button 607 and cancel button 608 for performing or aborting the save process.

FIGS. 7A and 7B depict an example process that may occur when a file is to be created on a computing system. In step 701, the request to initiate the saving of a new file is received, and the ghost preview may be generated, as discussed above, to reflect how the current saved file would appear if the file were saved using the current metadata. The new file may be automatically populated with metadata by the application requesting the save. The display may also include a display of editable metadata, and may also include a preview thumbnail image of the file.

In step 702, the system may check to determine whether the user has changed the current view to cause the new file to conform to the properties of the new view. Changing the view may simply refer to navigating through a display space, or changing the criteria of a given display, and may be done by entering different criteria (e.g., requesting to view files of type *.wav) and/or GUI navigation (e.g., dragging and dropping the ghost into a new view, or just clicking on a folder indicia to enter the folder). For example, if the user requests to see a different view of files, such as files of a different type, a different location, a different project, etc., as discussed above, then the process may proceed to step 703 to determine whether the new view represents a valid save location (physical location or logical location) for the file. For example, the user might not have privileges for saving files to certain locations, or to certain views, or the file to be saved is incompatible with the other files in the new view (e.g., the user has changed views to a spreadsheet view, and the new file is an incompatible image file). As another example, ghosts from a common file dialog might be prohibited from being moved to a location outside of the dialog. Changing views does not necessarily always result in changing the new file's properties. In some instances, the user may have simply changed views to view different files, with no desire to update the properties of the new file to match those of the changed view. For example, the user may have simply wanted to see what other documents exist for a particular priority, without necessarily changing the priority of the file being saved. If no such updating of the properties is desired when the view is changed, the process may move from step 702 to step 706.

If the new location is invalid, the system may move to step 704 and take steps to alert the user that an invalid location has been selected. For example, the preview ghost may simply disappear from the view. Furthermore, a message may be provided to the user. If this occurs, the system may simply remain in this state until the user selects a different view representing a valid location for the file. Alternatively, the user may abort the process by, for example, pressing a Cancel button 608.

If the new view is a valid location, the system may move to step 705 and carry the change through. This may involve a step of relocating the preview ghost so that it appears in the new view. The file's metadata may also be automatically updated to reflect the metadata required (if any) of the newly-selected view. For example, if the user chooses a new view of all files in a given project, then the “Project” metadata property may be revised to reflect the new project.

In step 706, the system may check to determine whether the user has requested that the new file replace an existing file. This may be done by, for example, dragging and dropping the ghost preview indicia onto an indicia of an existing file. If this occurs, in step 707 measures may be taken to retain the original set of metadata properties, for example, by saving them to memory. The displayed metadata properties may be replaced by the properties of the file to be replaced, to reflect the fact that the new file will assume the same properties as the file it is replacing. Saving the original properties may be helpful should the user change his/her mind about the replacement. Of course, dragging-and-dropping onto an existing file is not always required, and in those instances where such functionality is not desired, step 706 may be skipped.

In step 708, the system may wait to see if the user executes the save process (for example, by pressing a Save button 607). If the user executes the save process, then the new file replaces the old in step 709. The previous properties retained in step 707 may be discarded.

If the user decides not to execute the replacement process, such as by selecting the ghost again, then the process may turn to step 710, in which the ghost may be displayed in its previous state. The original metadata properties saved in step 707 may be used to repopulate the metadata fields of the ghost preview. Alternatively, the new file may retain the properties of the file that was previously to be overwritten. This alternative may make it easy for users to duplicate an entire set of metadata properties without entering each one separately. For example, the properties of the item that was (but is no longer) to be replaced may be retained as a “stamp” or new default set of properties that may be applied in the future to new saved files.

In step 711, a check may be made to determine whether the user has edited a metadata property value using, for example, a metadata display area 606. If the user has edited the metadata, the system may automatically move the ghost preview in step 712 to a new location commensurate with the new property and, if necessary, update the appearance of the ghost preview to reflect the new metadata property (e.g., selecting a different indicia if the file type has changed, or revising the file name under the indicia).

In step 713, the system may check to determine whether the user has requested to execute the save, such as by pressing the Save button 607. If the user has requested the save operation, then the new file is saved in step 714, and the ghost preview is dismissed (the new file now appears as a normal indicia).

If the user has not yet finalized the save, a check may be made in step 715 to determine whether the user has aborted the save operation by, for example, pressing Cancel button 608. If the user has canceled the save operation, the ghost may be removed in step 716. The ghost's property data may also be deleted from the system.

Alternative embodiments and implementations of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon review of the specification, including the drawing figures. For example, the various steps in the described processes may be rearranged, modified, and/or deleted as desired to implement a selected subset of features described herein. Additionally, in the above, references to certain features being found in one or more “aspects” or “embodiments” of “the present invention” are made simply to illustrate various concepts that may be advantageously used alone or in combination with other concepts, and should not be read to imply that there is only one inventive concept disclosed herein, or that all of the described features are required in any of the claims that follow. Rather, each of the following claims stands as its own distinct invention, and should not be read as having any limitations beyond those recited.

Claims

1. A method for saving files on a computer system, comprising the steps of: receiving a request to save a new file on a computer system;based on the request to save the new file, triggering a display of a system file panel for saving a file, said system file panel showing one or more indicia representing files that are already saved to a prospective location on the system and showing at least one preview indicia representing a file that is not saved to the prospective location on the system, wherein the at least one preview indicia and the one or more indicia representing files that are already saved to the prospective location on the system have different appearances in order to indicate the at least one preview indicia represents a file that has not yet been saved to the prospective location on the system;receiving a request to change one or more properties of the new file, wherein the one or more properties comprise metadata including file type;changing the at least one preview indicia to reflect the request to change the one or more properties of the new file; andchanging the one or more properties of the new file if the new file is saved.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said difference in appearance includes a difference in opacity.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said system file panel displays a view of indicia for files that meet predetermined criteria associated with said view.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said new file is provided with initial metadata values, and said preview indicia is displayed in a view whose criteria are satisfied by said initial metadata values.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of moving said preview indicia from said view to a different view, said different view having different criteria, and automatically revising said metadata to correspond with the different criteria of the different view.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of changing one or more of said metadata values in response to a user request, and automatically revising said preview indicia to reflect the change in metadata values.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said revising of said preview indicia includes repositioning said indicia to a different view having criteria that are satisfied by the changed metadata values.

8. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of receiving a user request to replace an existing file with said new file, revising said metadata values to reflect metadata values of said existing file, and retaining said initial metadata values.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of receiving a user request to abort said replacement, and reverting said revised metadata values back to said initial metadata values.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said user request is entered by dragging said preview indicia and dropping said preview indicia onto an indicia representing said existing file.

11. The method of claim 4, wherein said initial metadata values are supplied by an application requesting said system file panel.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of removing said preview from said display in response to said user requesting a view representing an invalid location for saving said file.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said location is a result of a query.

14. One or more computer-storage memory having computer-executable instructions for performing the following steps: receiving a request to save a new file on a computer system; anddisplaying a system file panel for saving a file, said system file panel including one or more indicia representing files that are already saved on the system, and at least one preview indicia representing a file that is not already saved on the system, wherein the at least one preview indicia is shown in a manner indicating how the corresponding file would appear when saved on the system relative to other files already saved on the system;displaying the at least one preview indicia with an appearance distinct from the one or more indicia to indicate the file has not yet been stored on the computer system;receiving a request to change one or more properties of the new file, wherein the one or more properties comprise metadata including user name;changing the at least one preview indicia to reflect the request to change one or more properties of the new file; andchanging the one or more properties of the new file if the new file is saved.

15. The computer-storage memory of claim 14, further comprising computer-executable instructions for performing the following steps: including a plurality of views in said system file panel, each of said views having criteria and including indicia representing files meeting said criteria; andrevising metadata for said new file in response to a user moving said preview indicia from a first view to a second view.