Reexamination Certificate
1997-07-21
2001-01-30
Sax, Steven (Department: 2773)
C345S215000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179487
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates in general to a graphical user interface, and in particular, to a graphical user interface which associates specific artwork with a data processing application.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
As computers have developed to provide greater capabilities at greater speeds, the techniques for interacting with computers have also become much simpler. For example, icons provide pictorial representations of functions which may be executed by a computer and which allow a user to easily access a function with a simple click of a mouse or a stroke of a keyboard key. Icons, while providing an understandable interface, do not typically provide unique information associated only with an application or object to which it corresponds. For example, an icon which corresponds to a word processing application is the same for all documents created using that word processing application.
This limitation is especially apparent in compact disc (CD) player applications. In such applications, a compact disc (CD) may be inserted within a CD device of a data processing system and then played using a CD player application. After insertion of the CD, a CD player application within the data processing system then accesses a unique identifier stored on the compact disc itself. Such prior art systems then allow an external user to input a name of the compact disc and the name of individual tracts on the compact discs so that they are associated with a unique identifer. This information is kept in a private data file which is accessed only by the CD player application. An example of such a function is found in the Windows '95™ CD player application marketed by Microsoft Inc.
While the prior art CD system provides a user interface having a name which is easily recognizable, a same visual indicator for the compact disc and the compact disc player application is provided. Therefore, a need exists for an identification methodology and system for implementing that methodology which allow an external user to easily recognize compact discs that have been accessed by a compact disc player application, without the need for actually accessing the compact disc player application.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The previously mentioned needs are fulfilled with the present invention. Accordingly, there is provided, in a first form, a data processing system. The data processing system includes a central processing unit for executing a first data processing application and for creating a sub-director having a plurality of folders in response to the first data processing application. A first one of the plurality of folders stores a data set corresponding to a first object accessed by the first data processing application. The data processing system also includes a display device for displaying the first one of the plurality of folders in the data set corresponding to the first object, wherein the data set corresponds to a first characteristic of the first object.
Additionally, there is provided, in a second form, a method for operating a data processing system. The method includes the steps of executing a first data processing application using a central processing unit and creating a sub-directory having a plurality of folders in response to the first data processing application. The method also includes the steps of storing set corresponding to a first object accessed by the first data processing application in a first one of the plurality of folders and displaying the first one of the plurality of folders and the data set corresponding to the first object using a display device. The data set corresponds to a first characteristic of the first object.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5396340 (1995-03-01), Ishii et al.
patent: 5611066 (1997-03-01), Keele et al.
patent: 5880388 (1999-03-01), Kajiyama et al.
patent: 5884298 (1999-03-01), Smith, III et al.
Bardon Didier Daniel Claude
Berry Richard Edmond
Martin Shirley Lynn
Morgan Scott Anthony
Mullaly John Martin
Emile, Esq. Volel
International Business Machines Corp.
Sax Steven
Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C.
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