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US Patent 7346850 - System and method for iconic software environment management
US Patent Issued on March 18, 2008
Estimated Patent Expiration Date:
June 8, 2021Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
Estimated Patent Expiration Date:
June 8, 2021Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.AbstractA method and system for storing, navigating and accessing files within an operating system through the use of a graphical thumbnail representing the video display of the active document within the active application, and organized chronologically by the most recent file ‘captured’. Filenames, application names and thumbnail filenames are stored in an indexed file. The indexed file can consist of every document and application used during a session or categorically defined by project or tasks or personal preference. This also stores the application name and path eliminating the need to remember which application last edited the file and where the application is located. | InventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 09878009 filed on 06/08/2001US Classes:715/763, Graphical or iconic based (e.g., visual program)715/765Customizing multiple diverse workspace objectsField of Search715/748, User interactive multicomputer data transfer (e.g., file transfer)715/780, Entry field (e.g., text entry field)715/750, Multiple users on a single workstation715/840, Using button array715/835, Selectable iconic array715/860, Selection emphasis715/786, Scroll tool (e.g., scroll bar)715/854, Navigation within structure715/700, OPERATOR INTERFACE (E.G., GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE)715/737, User navigation between devices715/735, Configuration715/743, Access rights to interactive controls715/744, Interface customization or adaption (e.g., client server)715/761, Plural adjacent interactive display devices715/763, Graphical or iconic based (e.g., visual program)715/764, On-screen workspace or object715/765Customizing multiple diverse workspace objectsExaminersPrimary: Nguyen, Cao (Kevin)Attorney, Agent or FirmUS Patent References5375200, Method and system for graphic interaction between data and applications within a data processing systemIssued on: 12/20/1994 Inventor: Dugan, et al.5479599, Computer console with group ICON control Issued on: 12/26/1995 Inventor: Rockwell, et al.5581760, Method and system for referring to and binding to objects using identifier objects Issued on: 12/03/1996 Inventor: Atkinson, et al.5675752, Interactive applications generator for an interactive presentation environment Issued on: 10/07/1997 Inventor: Scott, et al.5682536, Method and system for referring to and binding to objects using identifier objects Issued on: 10/28/1997 Inventor: Atkinson, et al.5689703, Method and system for referring to and binding to objects using identifier objects Issued on: 11/18/1997 Inventor: Atkinson, et al.5717877, Object-oriented data access framework system Issued on: 02/10/1998 Inventor: Orton, et al.5751286, Image query system and method Issued on: 05/12/1998 Inventor: Barber, et al.5911139, Visual image database search engine which allows for different schema Issued on: 06/08/1999 Inventor: Jain, et al.5973692, System for the capture and indexing of graphical representations of files, information sources and the like Issued on: 10/26/1999 Inventor: Knowlton, et al.6002401, User definable pictorial interface for accessing information in an electronic file system Issued on: 12/14/1999 Inventor: Baker6026433, Method of creating and editing a web site in a client-server environment using customizable web site templates Issued on: 02/15/2000 Inventor: D'Arlach, et al.6052750Home audio/video network for generating default control parameters for devices coupled to the network, and replacing updated control parameters therewith Issued on: 04/18/2000 Inventor: Lea International ClassesG06F 13/00G06F 15/00 |
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| by usa_is_a_joke | on 01/09/2009 12:40 PM | Thank you! |
Just one sentence: "...invention also provides an improved method and system for storing iconic interfaces to files and documents on the mass storage devices." Where "SYSTEM" means what? Is that a superset of methods? Why is "method" singular, then? "Iconic INTERFACE"? You mean iconic REPRESENTATION, right? Now, that was patented by xerox in the seventeenth century. "files AND documents"? So a document is NOT a file, then? Sloppy, vague definitions so they can claim copyright on just about anything computing: On SYSTEMS with INTERFACES and FILES...
| by opifex | on 12/30/2008 07:05 PM | Thank you! |
Having reviewed the details of the patent, I must agree that there were never any grounds to issue a patent for this idea... I implemented a very similar scheme in Windows-based control system user interfaces as early as 1996 and there were already existing examples previous to that year. I think that the first icon to "extraction/capture/display" scheme I saw was either by Simrad or Cegelec.
| by Anonymous | on 12/29/2008 09:08 AM | Thank you! |
This is the problem with a patent this is simple and obvious application of technolgy and does not fit the requirments of a patent. The patent office apparently does not have the skills or the time necessary to determine if a patent is legit or not. Second it appears this company never developed the technology just got a patent and waited for someone to impliment it.
| by snacky | on 12/28/2008 05:01 AM | Thank you! |
Hmm. I just read through the patent, and I can't tell if the claim reads on the current use we see these days. The patent is based on very old software --- Windows 3.1 and 95-era environments. A lot of the descriptions and charts don't seem to apply anymore to existing systems.
| by Jimmy S. | on 12/27/2008 05:21 PM | Thank you! |
Prior art alert: I personally (re)implemented a 'preview' feature for AutoCAD in 1997 while I was working for Autodesk. That implementation comprised many of the featured claimed here. Furthermore, I was re-writing a feature that had been in that application for some number of years prior to 1997.. I have little doubt that there are many other cases of prior art out there. This patent is in no way novel. It is also fairly obvious feature to anyone working in the field.
| by John D. | on 12/27/2008 01:53 PM | Thank you! |
By the way, isn't this site using the same technology to display the image above? Hmm...
| by Steve | on 12/27/2008 01:32 PM | Thank you! |
Umm... HELLO!!! Anyone ever heard of Prior Art???? Hello, hasn't anyone used Adobe or Corel Graphics suite products? When you had multiple files open, This (as far back as windows95) in Corel Paint / Draw, the individual files were tumbnailed in the workspace and they showed the contents of the file. Clicking the file icon activated that file for editing / action by the user. There is an SGI IRIX GUI option that enabled this functionality as well. I think the old NeXT boxes from the '80s also did this. There's no way this patent should stand up. Does anyone even read these things? Do the patent clerks processing this application not have any background in IT?
| by Anonymous | on 12/27/2008 12:44 PM | Thank you! |
Patent organisations become more and more questionable as a whole. Their goal to protect rights of inventors reverts more and more rapid. Instead they're slowing down everything and eleminiate developments.
| by Anonymous | on 12/27/2008 08:40 AM | Thank you! |
Patent Office SHOULD NOT have allowed this Patent, due to the fact it is for an item that is currently in everyday life for anyone that uses a computer. A few years ago the Patent Office allowed a Sub Shop in NH to get a patent on the "Steak Bomb", after getting the patent they started suing every sandwich shop that used the phrase "STEAK BOMB". These Lawyers that have been allowing this to happen need to be investigated for there actions and made accountable.
| by Anonymous | on 12/27/2008 02:58 AM | Thank you! |
See also US Patent 5,751,287 (filed 11/6/1995), background information section of US Patents 6,028,603 and 6,097,389 (filed 10/24/1997), US Patent 6,237,011 (10/8/1997), and US Patent 6,272,484 (filed 5/27/1998). The examiner overlooked quite a bit of prior art in the patent record, let alone a variety of operating systems (Xerox Dandylions, Apple Lisa) and other software that predate the indicated patent application. Also, Cohen, Harvey A., "Access and Retrieval From Image Database Using Image Thumbnails", International Symposium on Signal Processing and its Applications, ISSPA, Gold Coast, Australia, Aug. 25-30, 1996. pp 427-428.