US7437358B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and systems for managing data
Assignee: Apple Inc
•
Filing: 2005-04-22
•
Granted: 2008-10-14
•
Expires: 2025-04-22
Abstract
Abstract Systems and methods for managing data, such as metadata. In one exemplary method, metadata from files created by several different software applications are captured, and the captured metadata is searched. The type of information in metadata for one type of file differs from the type of information in metadata for another type of file. Other methods are described and data processing systems and machine readable media are also described.
Inventors
- 👤 Yan Arrouye
- 👤 Dominic Giampaolo
- 👤 Bas Ording
- 👤 Gregory Christie
- 👤 Stephen Olivier Lemay
- 👤 Marcel van Os
- 👤 Imran Chaudhri
- 👤 Kevin Tiene
- 👤 Pavel Cisler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:33
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/10; G06F16/14; G06F16/20; G06F16/24; G06F16/245; G06F16/2457; G06F16/24578; G06F16/248; G06F16/30; G06F16/38; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99934; Y10S707/99935; Y10S707/99939; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99943
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 60
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A machine implemented method comprising: displaying an open file window by selecting an open file command from within an application which creates files, wherein the open file window is displayed in response to receiving the selection of the open file command from a menu and wherein the open file window is configured to display files created by the application; displaying a search input field to allow entry of a search query to find a file; receiving a search query and performing a system wide search in a plurality of locations using the search query; displaying a result of the search within the open file window; receiving a selection of a first file in the result of the search; receiving a command to open the first file in the application; displaying, in response to the command to open the first file, content of the first file, within an application window of the application.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A machine implemented method comprising: displaying an open file window by selecting an open file command from within an application which creates files, wherein the open file window is displayed in response to receiving the selection of the open file command from a menu and wherein the open file window is configured to display files created by the application; displaying a search input field to allow entry of a search query to find a file; receiving a search query and performing a system wide search in a plurality of locations using the search query; displaying a result of the search within the open file window; receiving a selection of a first file in the result of the search; receiving a command to open the first file in the application; displaying, in response to the command to open the first file, content of the first file, within an application window of the application.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as in claim 1 further comprising: displaying a location selector within the open file window and receiving a location and displaying files within the location, wherein the search query is used to search files within the location.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 2 , the method further comprising: displaying a button, which when selected, generates the command to open the first file.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 2 wherein the location selector is to receive a user input which specifies the location.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the search input field is displayed in the open file window or another window.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method as in claim 1 further comprising: displaying a location selector within the open file window, the location selector to receive a user input to select a location and to cause a display of files in the location; displaying an open command user interface to receive a selection of a file to be opened from a user.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as in claim 6 further comprising: displaying a cancel command user interface to receive a cancel input from a user to cause the open file procedure to be cancelled.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method as in claim 7 wherein the search input field is displayed within the open file window and wherein the result of the search is displayed as a first view of items which is different from a hierarchical view based on file directory locations of the items.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 8 wherein the first view is a flat list which does not reveal hierarchy within the hierarchical view.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as in claim 8 wherein the search searches through metadata for a plurality of files created by at least one software application, and wherein the type of information in metadata for files of a first type differs from the type of information in metadata for files of a second type.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 10 wherein the search searches also through an indexed content database for content of at least some of the plurality of files.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 11 wherein the indexed content database is updated dynamically in response to changes for the at least some of the plurality of files.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method as in claim 12 wherein the metadata for the plurality of files is stored as a metadata database and wherein at least one importer imports metadata, from files of only predetermined types, into the metadata database and wherein a file system directory maintains a relationship between metadata for a file and the file.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method as in claim 13 wherein the search input field receives the search query to search, using the search query, through both the metadata database and the content and wherein the open file window comprises a plurality of regions and one of the regions displays the result of the search.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as in claim 11 wherein the metadata for the plurality of files is stored as a metadata database and wherein at least one importer imports metadata, from files of a predetermined type, into the metadata database.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as in claim 15 wherein the indexed content database is updated dynamically in response to changes for the at least some of the plurality of files and the first view is a view which does not reveal hierarchy within the hierarchical view.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 8 wherein the search searches through an indexed content database for a plurality of files.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
164 words
A machine readable medium providing instructions which when executed cause a system to perform a method comprising: displaying an open file window by selecting an open file command from within an application which creates files, wherein the open file window is displayed in response to receiving the selection of the open file command from a menu and wherein the open file window is configured to display files created by the application; displaying a search input field to allow entry of a search query to find a file; receiving a search query and performing a system wide search in a plurality of locations using the search query; displaying a result of the search within the open file window; receiving a selection of a first file in the result of the search; receiving a command to open the first file in the application; displaying, in response to the command to open the first file, content of the selected file, within an application window of the application.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
164 words
A machine readable medium providing instructions which when executed cause a system to perform a method comprising: displaying an open file window by selecting an open file command from within an application which creates files, wherein the open file window is displayed in response to receiving the selection of the open file command from a menu and wherein the open file window is configured to display files created by the application; displaying a search input field to allow entry of a search query to find a file; receiving a search query and performing a system wide search in a plurality of locations using the search query; displaying a result of the search within the open file window; receiving a selection of a first file in the result of the search; receiving a command to open the first file in the application; displaying, in response to the command to open the first file, content of the selected file, within an application window of the application.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
A medium as in claim 18 , the method further comprising: displaying a location selector within the open file window and receiving a location and displaying files within the location, wherein the search query is used to search files within the location.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
A medium as in claim 19 wherein the search input field is displayed in the open file window or another window.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
A medium as in claim 19 , the method further comprising: displaying a button, which when selected, generates the command to open the first file.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
A medium as in claim 19 wherein the location selector is to receive a user input which specifies the location.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
61 words
A medium as in claim 18 , the method further comprising: displaying a location selector within the open file window, the location selector to receive a user input to select a location and to cause a display of files in the location; displaying an open command user interface to receive a selection of a file to be opened from a user.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
A medium as in claim 23 , the method further comprising: displaying a cancel command user interface to receive a cancel input from a user to cause the open file procedure to be cancelled.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
48 words
A medium as in claim 24 wherein the search input field is displayed within the open file window and wherein the result of the search is displayed as a first view of items which is different from a hierarchical view based on file directory locations of the items.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
A medium as in claim 25 wherein the first view is a flat list which does not reveal hierarchy within the hierarchical view.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
52 words
A medium as in claim 25 wherein the search searches through metadata for a plurality of files created by at least one software application, and wherein the type of information in metadata for files of a first type differs from the type of information in metadata for files of a second type.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
A medium as in claim 27 wherein the search searches also through an indexed content database for content of at least some of the plurality of files.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
A medium as in claim 28 wherein the indexed content database is updated dynamically in response to changes for the at least some of the plurality of files.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
55 words
A medium as in claim 29 wherein the metadata for the plurality of files is stored as a metadata database and wherein at least one importer imports metadata, from files of only predetermined types, into the metadata database and wherein a file system directory maintains a relationship between metadata for a file and the file.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
51 words
A medium as in claim 30 wherein the search input field receives the search query to search, using the search query, through both the metadata database and the content and wherein the open file window comprises a plurality of regions and one of the regions displays the result of the search.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
38 words
A medium as in claim 28 wherein the metadata for the plurality of files is stored as a metadata database and wherein at least one importer imports metadata, from files of a predetermined type, into the metadata database.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
44 words
A medium as in claim 32 wherein the indexed content database is updated dynamically in response to changes for the at least some of the plurality of files and the first view is a view which does not reveal hierarchy within the hierarchical view.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
A medium as in claim 25 wherein the search searches through an indexed content database for a plurality of files.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
169 words
A machine readable medium providing instructions which when executed cause a system to perform a method comprising: displaying an open file window by selecting an open file command from within an application which creates files, wherein the open file window is displayed in response to receiving the selection of the open file command from a menu and wherein the open file window is configured to display files created by the application; displaying a search input field in the open file window to allow entry of a search query to find a file; receiving a search query, from the search input field, and performing a system wide search in a plurality of locations using the search query; displaying a result of the search; receiving a selection of a first file in the result of the search; receiving a command to open the first file in the application; displaying, in response to the command to open the first file, content of the selected file, within an application window of the application.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
169 words
A machine readable medium providing instructions which when executed cause a system to perform a method comprising: displaying an open file window by selecting an open file command from within an application which creates files, wherein the open file window is displayed in response to receiving the selection of the open file command from a menu and wherein the open file window is configured to display files created by the application; displaying a search input field in the open file window to allow entry of a search query to find a file; receiving a search query, from the search input field, and performing a system wide search in a plurality of locations using the search query; displaying a result of the search; receiving a selection of a first file in the result of the search; receiving a command to open the first file in the application; displaying, in response to the command to open the first file, content of the selected file, within an application window of the application.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
61 words
A medium as in claim 35 , the method further comprising: displaying a location selector within the open file window, the location selector to receive a user input to select a location and to cause a display of files in the location; displaying an open command user interface to receive a selection of a file to be opened from a user.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
34 words
A medium as in claim 36 , the method further comprising: displaying a cancel command user interface to receive a cancel input from a user to cause the open file procedure to be cancelled.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
49 words
A medium as in claim 37 wherein the result of the search is displayed within the open file window and wherein the result of the search is displayed as a first view of items which is different from a hierarchical view based on file directory locations of the items.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
A medium as in claim 38 wherein the first view is a flat list which does not reveal hierarchy within the hierarchical view.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
52 words
A medium as in claim 38 wherein the search searches through metadata for a plurality of files created by at least one software application, and wherein the type of information in metadata for files of a first type differs from the type of information in metadata for files of a second type.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
27 words
A medium as in claim 40 wherein the search searches also through an indexed content database for content of at least some of the plurality of files.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
28 words
A medium as in claim 41 wherein the indexed content database is updated dynamically in response to changes for the at least some of the plurality of files.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
55 words
A medium as in claim 42 wherein the metadata for the plurality of files is stored as a metadata database and wherein at least one importer imports metadata, from files of only predetermined types, into the metadata database and wherein a file system directory maintains a relationship between metadata for a file and the file.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
51 words
A medium as in claim 43 wherein the search input field receives the search query to search, using the search query, through both the metadata database and the content and wherein the open file window comprises a plurality of regions and one of the regions displays the result of the search.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
38 words
A medium as in claim 41 wherein the metadata for the plurality of files is stored as a metadata database and wherein at least one importer imports metadata, from files of a predetermined type, into the metadata database.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
44 words
A medium as in claim 45 wherein the indexed content database is updated dynamically in response to changes for the at least some of the plurality of files and the first view is a view which does not reveal hierarchy within the hierarchical view.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
20 words
A medium as in claim 38 wherein the search searches through an indexed content database for a plurality of files.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
215 words
A data processing system comprising: a display device; a user input device; a memory; a processor coupled to the display device and to the user input device and to the memory, the memory to store a plurality of files, and wherein the processor is configured to display an open file window by selecting an open file command from within an application which creates files and wherein the open file window is displayed in response to receiving the selection of the open file command from a menu and wherein the open file window is configured to display files created by the application and to display a search input field in the open file window to allow entry of a search query to find a file and to receive a search query, from the search input field, and to perform a system wide search in a plurality of locations using the search query and to display a result of the search and receive, in the open file window, a selection of a first file in the result of the search and receive a command to open the first file in the application and to display, in response to the command to open the first file, content of the selected file, within an application window of the application.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
215 words
A data processing system comprising: a display device; a user input device; a memory; a processor coupled to the display device and to the user input device and to the memory, the memory to store a plurality of files, and wherein the processor is configured to display an open file window by selecting an open file command from within an application which creates files and wherein the open file window is displayed in response to receiving the selection of the open file command from a menu and wherein the open file window is configured to display files created by the application and to display a search input field in the open file window to allow entry of a search query to find a file and to receive a search query, from the search input field, and to perform a system wide search in a plurality of locations using the search query and to display a result of the search and receive, in the open file window, a selection of a first file in the result of the search and receive a command to open the first file in the application and to display, in response to the command to open the first file, content of the selected file, within an application window of the application.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
43 words
A data processing system as in claim 48 wherein the memory is to store metadata for the plurality of files and is to store a content database for the plurality of files and the search is through the metadata and the content database.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
35 words
A data processing system as in claim 49 wherein the type of information in metadata for files of a first type differs from the type of information in metadata for files of a second type.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
37 words
A data processing system as in claim 50 wherein the result of the search is displayed as a first view of items which is different from a hierarchical view based on file directory locations of the items.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
215 words
A data processing system comprising: a display device; a user input device; a memory; a processor coupled to the display device and to the user input device and to the memory, the memory to store a plurality of files, and wherein the processor is configured to display an open file window by selecting an open file command from within an application which creates files and wherein the open file window is displayed in response to receiving the selection of the open file command from a menu and wherein the open file window is configured to display files created by the application and to display a search input field to allow entry of a search query to find a file and to receive a search query, from the search input field, and to perform a system wide search in a plurality of locations using the search query and to display a result of the search within the open file window and receive, in the open file window, a selection of a first file in the result of the search and receive a command to open the first file in the application and to display, in response to the command to open the first file, content of the selected file, within an application window of the application.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
215 words
A data processing system comprising: a display device; a user input device; a memory; a processor coupled to the display device and to the user input device and to the memory, the memory to store a plurality of files, and wherein the processor is configured to display an open file window by selecting an open file command from within an application which creates files and wherein the open file window is displayed in response to receiving the selection of the open file command from a menu and wherein the open file window is configured to display files created by the application and to display a search input field to allow entry of a search query to find a file and to receive a search query, from the search input field, and to perform a system wide search in a plurality of locations using the search query and to display a result of the search within the open file window and receive, in the open file window, a selection of a first file in the result of the search and receive a command to open the first file in the application and to display, in response to the command to open the first file, content of the selected file, within an application window of the application.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
43 words
A data processing system as in claim 52 wherein the memory is to store metadata for the plurality of files and is to store a content database for the plurality of files and the search is through the metadata and the content database.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
35 words
A data processing system as in claim 53 wherein the type of information in metadata for files of a first type differs from the type of information in metadata for files of a second type.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
37 words
A data processing system as in claim 54 wherein the result of the search is displayed as a first view of items which is different from a hierarchical view based on file directory locations of the items.
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2011-10-14 | 2012-04-14 | 2012-10-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2015-10-14 | 2016-04-14 | 2016-10-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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