Method and system for providing a non-hierarchical file system

Abstract

A graphical user interface (GUI) is used to present various data files and allow a user to interact with the data files. The GUI presents various file identifiers, each file identifier is associated with a data file, and allows the user to interact with the data files by interacting with the file identifiers associated with the data files. Embodiments of the present invention utilize multiple time values, typically the time of creation of the file, the time when the file was accessed by the user, and the time of creation of a particular copy of the file in the file system (also known as the "upload time") to identify a single data file.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention application with application date of July 6, 2015, application number 201580036439.2, and invention name “Graphical User Interface for Non-Hierarchical File System”.

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application claims the benefit of each of co-pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 021,052, filed on July 4, 2014, and co-pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 099,579, filed on January 4, 2015, the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0004] The present invention relates generally to user interfaces and, more particularly, to user interfaces that allow a user to easily select one or more files from a plurality of available files. Background Art

[0005] Traditional methods for organizing digital files are usually hierarchical in nature. Early text-based methods relied on directories, which were sometimes nested within each other. The introduction of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) for file organization brought about the use of icons for representing individual files and folders for organizing these icons. In some cases (not all cases), folders have a one-to-one correspondence with file system directories.

[0006] As more aspects of people's lives become digitized, and as digital footprints and life logs become more popular, these traditional GUI elements no longer work well with timestamps for large data files.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for an improved GUI approach that allows easy selection and manipulation of large numbers of digital files. Summary of the invention

[0008] This Summary is provided to introduce some concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify or exclude key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0009] The data file according to the present invention is composed of file data (i.e., the content of the data file, which is usually generated by a human author) and various attribute data (i.e., various parameters for describing the data file that are independent of the content of the data file). Typical attribute data values ​​include creation time, access time, file size, file author, file version, etc.

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention provide a graphical user interface (GUI) for presenting various data files and allowing a user to interact with the data files. The GUI presents a variety of file identifiers, each file identifier is associated with a data file, and the GUI allows the user to interact with the data files by interacting with the file identifiers associated with the data files.

[0011] In particular, embodiments of the present invention utilize multiple time values ​​to identify a single data file, which are typically the time the file was created, the time the file was accessed by a user, and the time a particular copy of the file in the file system was created (also known as the "upload time"). This trio of time values ​​can be used to organize and display files in chronological order, thereby allowing interaction with the files in a manner that parallels the user's lifestyle and work style. The user can specify additional relevant time values ​​(e.g., the time of the last backup) to be associated with one or more files in the file system.

[0012] These and other features and advantages that characterize the present non-limiting embodiments will become apparent by reading the following detailed description and viewing the associated drawings.It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are illustrative only and are not restrictive of the claimed non-limiting embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0014] Figure 1 An example of an icon representing a file in a user interface according to the present invention is shown;

[0015] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a computer configured to provide a graphical user interface (GUI) according to the present invention;

[0016] Figure 3 Shows the selection Figure 1 Multiple files represented by icons and Figure 1 An interactive user interface for interacting with multiple files represented by icons.

[0017] In the drawings, like reference numerals generally refer to corresponding parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon the principles and concepts of operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The various embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings that form a part of this document and show specific example embodiments. However, the embodiments can be implemented in many different ways, and the embodiments should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure will be complete and complete, and the scope of the embodiments will be fully conveyed to those skilled in the art. The embodiments may be practiced as methods, systems, or devices. Therefore, the embodiments may take the form of hardware implementations, fully software implementations, or implementations that combine software aspects and hardware aspects. Therefore, the following detailed description is not made in a limiting manner.

[0019] References to "one embodiment" or "embodiment" in this specification mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in association with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. The phrase "in one embodiment" appearing in various parts of this specification does not necessarily always refer to the same embodiment.

[0020] The following description of some parts is presented in accordance with the symbolic representation of the operation of the non-transient signal stored in the computer memory. These descriptions and representations are the means by which the technical personnel in the field of data processing use to most effectively convey the content of their research to other technical personnel in the field. These operations usually require physical manipulation of physical quantities. Although not necessary, usually, these quantities adopt the form of electrical signals, magnetic signals or optical signals that can be stored, transmitted, combined, compared and manipulated. Sometimes for convenience, mainly for general reasons, these signals are referred to as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, etc. In addition, sometimes also for convenience, the specific arrangement of the steps that need to be physically manipulated on physical quantities without losing universality is referred to as a module or code device.

[0021] However, all of these and similar terms will be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically noted otherwise in the following discussion, it should be recognized that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as "processing" or "computing" or "calculating" or "determining" or "displaying" refer to the actions and processes of a computer system or similar electronic computing device to manipulate and transform data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within a computer system memory or register or other such information storage, transmission or display device.

[0022] Certain aspects of the present invention include processing steps and instructions that can be implemented in software, firmware or hardware, and when implemented in software, can be downloaded to reside and run on different platforms used by various operating systems.

[0023] The present invention also relates to a device for performing each operation herein. The device can be built specifically for the desired purpose, or it can include a general-purpose computer that is selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored on the computer. Such a computer program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, such as but not limited to: any type of disk (including magnetic disk, optical disk, CD-ROM, magneto-optical disk), read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), EPROM, EEPROM, magnetic card or optical card, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any type of medium suitable for storing electrical instructions, all of which are coupled to a computer system bus. In addition, the computer mentioned in this specification can include a single processor or can be an architecture designed with multiple processors in order to increase computing power.

[0024] The processing presented herein and display are not inherently related to any particular computer or other equipment. Various general purpose systems can also be used together with the program according to the teaching of this paper, or it is convenient to build more special equipment to perform the required method step confirmation. According to the following description, the required structure for various these systems will be demonstrated. In addition, the present invention is not described with reference to any specific programming language. It will be appreciated that various programming languages ​​can be used to implement the teaching of the present invention described herein, and any reference to specific languages ​​below is provided for the disclosure of the implementation of the present invention and the best mode.

[0025] Additionally, the language used in this specification is primarily selected for readability and instructional purposes, and is not selected to delineate or limit the inventive subject matter. Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is intended to be illustrative rather than limiting of the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

[0026] Figure 1 An example of a file identifier 100 associated with a data file in an embodiment of the user interface of the present invention is shown. In various embodiments, the file identifier 100 may have various components, but will typically include at least an icon 104 and at least one indicator.

[0027] Icon 104 can take various forms. For example, it can be a graphic indicating the contents of the associated data file (e.g., a stylized document of a vocabulary processing file), or it can be a thumbnail representation of the actual contents of the data file (e.g., a reduced or low-resolution version of an image file). In other embodiments discussed in more detail below, icon 104 can be an actual editable pane that allows a user to edit and interact with the contents of a data file (e.g., edit the text of a vocabulary processing document).

[0028] The at least one indicator may be any of a variety of indicators, but will typically be associated with a graphical representation of the indicator located near the perimeter of the icon 104. Figure 1 As shown, typical indicators include a file version indicator 108, an icon name indicator 110, an associated keyword indicator 112, a time value indicator 116, an associated file indicator 120, a miscellaneous attribute indicator 124, and a user name indicator 128. However, one of ordinary skill will appreciate that a file identifier 100 according to the present invention need not include graphical representations of all of these types of indicators; one or more indicators may suffice.

[0029] In general, indicators provide a display of file attributes and a way for a user to edit the displayed attributes and / or a way for a user to create new attributes. For example, as discussed below, an associated file indicator 120 may specify a file associated with the file represented by file identifier 100. Some embodiments may automatically generate a blank indicator for a new value when, for example, a user manipulates a cursor near file identifier 100; in some embodiments a user may manually create a new blank indicator by selecting a plus sign or other icon near multiple existing indicators.

[0030] The indicators also provide a way for the user to interact with and control the display of the various file identifiers 100. For example, file identifiers 100 that are grouped and sorted according to a time attribute can be displayed according to that particular file attribute, such as in ascending or descending order, by selecting an indicator associated with the attribute of interest. The displayed information elements can form a matrix that presents how information associated with the attribute associated with the selected indicator changes over time.

[0031] Depending on the number of indicators and the space available on the screen for each file identifier 100, the indicators may be displayed in a single column, dual columns, or multiple columns, etc. When the content of an indicator is too large to be displayed within the indicator, an abbreviated version of the content may be displayed and selecting the indicator will cause the full version of the content to be displayed in, for example, a pane or balloon.

[0032] The file version indicator 108 is used to track different versions of a data file. For example, a user can create a new file version by selecting a file identifier 100 associated with an existing version of a data file and then copying the existing version using a "copy and paste" operation. A new file identifier 100' that shares the attributes of the existing file identifier 100 will be created as a file version indicator 108 that shares the attributes of the existing file identifier 100 but has an increased version number. In another embodiment, a user can create a new file version by directly selecting and changing the value of the file version indicator 108. The presence of the file version indicator 108 and the associated file version attributes allows files that meet a specific file version to be searched and displayed.

[0033] Icon name indicator 110 allows identification and display of files whose icons 104 have the same icon name. Text may be entered or edited in the icon name indicator by the user. In some embodiments, the icon name may be the same as the name of the associated data file associated with the displayed icon, and changing one may change the other, and vice versa.

[0034] The keyword indicators 112 allow files to be identified and displayed using text labels (which may be associated with a particular keyword indicator 112, 112', etc.) Text may be entered or edited in the keyword indicators 112. Individual keyword indicators 112 may be distinguished by their position or perhaps an additional identifier (e.g., "first," "second," etc.).

[0035] The keyword indicators 112 allow for selective searching and display of specific files. A user may, for example, request that files having a specific keyword in any keyword indicator 112 or having a specific keyword in a specific keyword indicator 112, 112' (e.g., a keyword contained exclusively in a "second" keyword indicator 112') be displayed. Files having matching keywords in a specific keyword indicator 112 may be displayed according to their chronological order as described below or in any other desired order.

[0036] The number of keyword indicators 112 associated with each file identifier 100 may be any number, and additional keyword indicators 112 may be added manually or automatically as needed. For example, inputting text into a keyword indicator 112 may result in the creation, display and / or placement of another keyword indicator 112'.

[0037] The time value indicators 116 may be associated with various file time attributes (e.g., upload time, creation time, access time, etc. as discussed above). In contrast to the keyword indicators 112, the values ​​in the time value indicators 116 are generally automatically set by an embodiment and are not directly editable by a user, although the values ​​associated with individual time value indicators 116 may be changed indirectly by a user, such as when the user copies or edits a file.

[0038] In some embodiments, the time value indicator 116 is associated with the file version indicator 108 so that each new version of the associated data file (e.g., a data file created by saving an edited version of a file) is associated with a new set of time values ​​related to the creation, editing, etc. of the new version. Restoring a file to an earlier version will also result in automatic restoration of the associated time attributes and time value indicators 116. A user interacting with the associated data file will be able to view the various time attributes associated with each version of the file as exposed by the time value indicators 116.

[0039] In other embodiments, each time value indicator 116 has its own version, so that each local or remote access to the file updates the access time associated with the access time value indicator and increases the version number of the access time value indicator 116; each creation of a new version of the file updates the upload time associated with the upload time value indicator and increases the version number of the upload time value indicator 116, and so on.

[0040] As described above, additional time value indicators 116 may be added to the file identifier 100 to enable user interaction, display, and sorting to utilize other time attributes associated with the file.

[0041] The associated file indicator 120 is used to display references to other data files that are associated in some way with the data file represented by the file identifier 100. The data file can be associated with the data file represented by the file identifier 100 by, for example, dragging the file identifier 100' of the file to be associated so that it contacts the file identifier 100. In another embodiment, the associated file can be specified by, for example, selecting the associated file indicator 120 and entering a URL that specifies the file for association. Other associated file indicators 120 may include hyperlinks or other associations included with the data file represented by the file identifier 100. The associated file indicator 120 may be represented as an icon related to the associated file.

[0042] In other embodiments, an association between files may be created by “dragging and dropping” a representation of a file (e.g., another file identifier) ​​into contact with the file identifier 100. Once this is done, the association may be explicitly indicated in the associated data file and / or one or more associated file indicators 120.

[0043] Selection of an associated file indicator 120 may result in display of a preview of the contents of the file represented by the associated file indicator 120. For example, the preview displayed may be a file identifier 100' of the file represented by the associated file indicator 120 when the associated file is associated with the GUI of the present invention as opposed to a file existing on a computer connected via a wide area network, such as the Internet.

[0044] The miscellaneous attribute indicator 124 provides a way to create and interact with various arbitrary file attributes, including not only conventional file attribute tags (author, file type, file size, file dimensions, file duration, file length, etc.), but also social and e-commerce related file attribute tags (data indicators, project indicators, social indicators (e.g., Facebook "likes"), sales indicators (e.g., product price), etc.). For example, a user can specify a related file on a social network using a URL in the miscellaneous attribute indicator 124, and the miscellaneous attribute indicator 124 can track, for example, the number of likes the related file has received from social network users or the number of views the file has received.

[0045] The user name indicator 128 provides a way to identify and display files belonging to different users. In some embodiments, the user name indicator 128 may also include an indicator showing the sharing status associated with the relevant data file, for example, "N" represents a private file, "P" represents a publicly available file, "S" represents a file selectively shared with a specific user or user group, etc.

[0046] Figure 2 is a block diagram of an example system for providing a GUI according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a processor 200 is in communication with a memory 204 and a display 208.

[0047] In various embodiments, processor 200 can take various forms. Example processors suitable for use with the present invention include microprocessors that process x86 instruction sets or microprocessors that implement ARM compatible architectures. Memory 204 includes any form of volatile or non-volatile memory suitable for storing data files, icons, data defining various attributes, etc. In particular, memory 204 will typically store one or more databases containing records associated with file identifiers and data files discussed herein. Display 208 is suitable for displaying computer-generated graphics to end users, such as CRT displays or LCD displays.

[0048] In operation, processor 200 reads data from memory 204 and writes data to memory 204 when a user interacts with a graphic displayed on display 208. In particular, memory 204 can organize data associated with various displayed file identifiers and associated data files in a structured database or an unstructured database. For example, each data file and its associated file system attributes can be stored as rows in a table. Subsequently, each row can be associated with one or more tables, each of which is associated with one or more indicators and their associated data. When a user adds additional keywords to a particular file identifier, the associated database table can be expanded to add additional rows to accommodate these added keywords. The same is true for associations, time values, attributes, etc. When, for example, a file is edited, a similar operation can be performed on the time attribute-a table associated with the row defining the file can add new rows to accommodate the editing time, etc.

[0049] Figure 3 One embodiment of an application user interface that allows a user to interact with a plurality of presented files using file identifiers according to the current interface is shown.

[0050] In this embodiment, the display is divided into two portions: a control portion having various user interface elements capable of controlling which file identifiers are displayed, and a display portion in which the file identifiers are displayed according to parameters specified by the user using the user interface elements of the control portion.

[0051] In this embodiment, the control portion includes a time range selector 300, keyword search bars 304, 308; a time search bar 312; and a text search bar 316. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that the identification and arrangement of particular search bars is arbitrary, and in some embodiments, may be controlled by a user, who may choose to hide some or all of the bars to facilitate display of file identifiers, or may add additional bars to facilitate display of files having properties that match specified search parameters.

[0052] The time range selector 300 receives a relevant time range from a user and searches for files having time attributes that fall within the specified range, thereby displaying the file identifiers of the matched files to the user in the display portion. In some embodiments, the time range can be closed, i.e., both a start time or date and an end time or date are specified. In other embodiments, the time range can be open, i.e., one of a start time / date or an end time / date is specified. In some embodiments, the time range selector 300 allows the user to specify the relevant time attributes to be searched (e.g., creation time, access time, upload time, etc.); in other embodiments, all time attributes are searched.

[0053] The keyword search bars 304, 308 allow for display of files that have been tagged with various relevant keywords using keyword indicators. In the embodiment shown, the keyword search bars are "position specific" in that each keyword indicator has its own ordinal value, i.e., the first keyword indicator 112, the second keyword indicator 112', the third keyword indicator 112", etc., and the first keyword search bar 304 only searches for tags contained in the first keyword indicator 112, the second keyword search bar 308 only searches for tags contained in the second keyword indicator 112', etc. In other embodiments, the keyword search bars are not "position specific", i.e., keywords specified in the search bar will match keywords in any keyword indicator. In some embodiments, an additional graphical user interface can be selected to change the behavior of one or more or all of the keyword search bars, i.e., to switch the behavior of the relevant keyword search bars from "position specific" to non-"position specific".

[0054] The keyword search bars 304, 308 may receive text entered by an end user, or each keyword search bar may be pre-populated with tags selected from a set of tags associated with each data file, e.g., the keyword search bar 304 is populated with the most popular tags in the first keyword indicator 112. Multiple keyword search bars 304, 308 may be selected to narrow the displayed set of file identifiers corresponding to those data files that match all of the specified keywords, either conjointly (i.e., only files that each have all of the specified keywords) or separately (i.e., files that each have any of the multiple specified keywords). As shown, each keyword search bar may select multiple tags, again causing display of file identifiers corresponding to those data files that match the specified tags either conjointly or separately.

[0055] The time search bar 312 allows the user to specify a time value for a particular data file. Each time search bar 312 can receive a specified time value or range and then limit the displayed file identifiers to files whose time fields have values ​​that match the specified time value. In some embodiments, the time search bar 312 or additional user interface elements can allow the user to specify a specific time field that must match the specified time value (e.g., creation time, access time, upload time, etc.). Matching files are generally displayed in ascending or descending order.

[0056] The text search bar 316 receives text from a user and searches for one or more of file names, file attributes, and file contents that match the received text, thereby displaying file identifiers of matching files to the user in the display portion.

[0057] Each of the search fields may be used separately or in combination, for example, specifying fields with specific keyword tags, specific upload times, containing specific text phrases, falling within a specific time range, and the like.

[0058] The display portion organizes and displays the associated file identifiers that specify the criteria specified by the user in the control portion. In particular, the file identifiers are organized and displayed along an axis associated with a particular associated time column. For example, specifying a value or range for creation time will result in one or more file identifiers organized by creation time being displayed along, for example, a horizontal or vertical line. Specifying a value or range for access time will result in the file identifiers of matching files being organized by access time being displayed along, for example, a horizontal or vertical line.

[0059] If the user does not specify a time value or time range, the user interface may default to displaying the file identifiers along an axis according to, for example, upload time. The file identifiers displayed along the axis may be scrolled in a manner known in the art, thereby allowing the user to peruse various data files. In some embodiments, the axis button 320 allows the user to specify which time attribute (access time, creation time, upload time, etc.) is used to display the file identifiers in a default orientation.

[0060] In some embodiments, additional user interface elements allow the user to limit the displayed file identifiers to, for example, data files having a particular creator (such as the current user of the interface), data files having a particular sharing status (private, public, shared, etc.), data files having a particular file name, data files having a particular name associated with an identifier icon, and the like.

[0061] In the illustrated embodiment, the displayed file identifier 100 retains the above combination Figure 1For example, a keyword indicator 112 associated with a particular file identifier 100 displays text tags and related data files associated with that file identifier 100, and also allows a user to specify additional text tags to be associated with that file identifier 100 and files.

[0062] Selecting display icon 104 may result in the display of file identifiers with matching thumbnails. This provides a convenient way to display all versions of a particular file or a particular file and any copies thereof. In other embodiments, selecting icon 104 may result in the display of one or more additional icons 104' associated with a data file having the same name as the data file associated with selected icon 104.

[0063] In addition, the displayed file identifiers 100 provide double functionality as user interface elements. For example, selection of the time value indicator 116 may cause the file identifiers to be organized according to that time attribute, much like selection of the axis button 320; the axis button 320 may be dimmed or changed in state, indicating the equivalence of the two operations. Selection of the keyword indicator 112 may cause file identifiers with matching keyword tags to be displayed along the time axis, similar to the keyword search bars 304, 308; again, equivalent user interface elements may be dimmed or changed in state, indicating the equivalence of these operations. Various user interface elements and indicators 108-124 may be used simultaneously.

[0064] Selecting the file version indicator 108 on a particular file identifier 100 may result in display of one or more file identifiers associated with different data files but having the same version number. As discussed above, these file identifiers 100 may be further restricted based on time, keyword tags, file name, etc.

[0065] Similar operation is performed for the other components of the file identifier 100. Selection of the user name indicator 128 results in display of the file identifiers 100 for data files owned by that user. Selection of the miscellaneous attribute indicator 124 results in display of the file identifiers 100 for data files having that attribute.

[0066] As discussed above, all of these selection features in both the control portion and the individual file identifiers may be used in combination to display file identifiers for various related sets and subsets.

[0067] Because embodiments of the present invention utilize time values ​​to uniquely identify file identifiers (i.e., typically a trio of upload time, creation time, and access time as described above), selection of a file version indicator 108 on a particular file identifier 100 in conjunction with one or more time value indicators 116 may result in display of one or more file identifiers 100 associated with various versions of the associated data file.

[0068] The data files represented in the GUI of the present invention can be manipulated in a manner known in the art in conjunction with conventional user interfaces. For example, creating a new data file will generally result in creating a new file identifier with an icon suitable for the file type and one or more blank attribute indicators. Creating a new data file based on an existing data file will generally result in creating a new file identifier that shares an icon and one or more attribute indicators with the file identifier of the existing data file, etc. Attribute indicators and file attributes can be completed by the user selecting expected values ​​from various templates or by re-entering values ​​using a keyboard, mouse, etc.

[0069] The embodiments of the present disclosure are described above with reference to the block diagrams and / or operation schematics of the methods, systems and computer program products according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, for example. The functions / behaviors recorded in the boxes may not be performed in the order shown in any flow chart. For example, depending on the functions / behaviors involved, two boxes shown in succession may actually be performed substantially simultaneously or the two boxes may sometimes be performed in reverse order. In addition, not all boxes shown in any flow chart need to be performed and / or executed. For example, if a given flow chart has five boxes containing functions / behaviors, there may be a situation where only three boxes in the five boxes are performed and / or executed. In this example, any three of the five boxes may be performed or executed.

[0070] The description and illustration of one or more embodiments provided in this application are not intended to limit or restrict the scope of the claimed disclosure in any way. The embodiments, examples and details provided in this application are considered to be sufficient to convey ownership and enable others to carry out and use the best mode of the claimed embodiment. The claimed embodiment should not be interpreted as being limited to any embodiment, example or detail provided in this application. Whether in combination with showing and describing or separately showing and describing, various features (features of structure and features of method) are intended to be selectively included or omitted to produce an embodiment with a specific feature set. By providing the description and illustration of this application, those skilled in the art can envision variations, modifications and alternative embodiments that fall within the spirit of the wider aspects of the general inventive concept embodied in this application, and it does not depart from the wider scope of the claimed embodiment.

Claims

1. A method for providing a file system, the method comprising: receiving, at the interface, a first data file for storage in the computing environment; as well as determining, using a processor executing instructions stored on a memory, a first vector associated with the first data file, wherein the first vector is unique to the first data file and includes a plurality of time values ​​associated with the first data file, and The new version of the first data file has another vector different from the first vector, wherein the another vector includes multiple time values ​​related to the new version and is unique to the new version.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The first vector includes a first time value, a second time value, and a third time value.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: At least one of the first time value, the second time value, and the third time value is selected from the group consisting of an upload time of the first data file, a creation time of the first data file, and an access time of the first data file.

4. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: displaying the first data file as a first icon on a user interface to allow user interaction with the first data file; displaying a first selectable indicator associated with the first time value near a perimeter of the first icon; displaying a second selectable indicator associated with the second time value near the periphery of the first icon; as well as A third selectable indicator associated with the third time value is displayed adjacent to the first icon.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: Using the processor, the first data file is associated with a second vector, the second vector including additional time values.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising: On the user interface, a fourth selectable indicator associated with the second vector is displayed near a periphery of the first icon.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving, at the interface, a second data file for storage in the computing environment; Using the processor, a second vector associated with the second data file is determined, wherein the second vector is unique to the second data file and includes a plurality of time values ​​associated with the second data file.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising: displaying the first data file as a first icon on a user interface to allow user interaction with the first data file; displaying the second data file as a second icon on the user interface to allow user interaction with the second data file; as well as The first icon and the second icon are arranged on the user interface based on at least one time value associated with the first data file and at least one time value associated with the second data file.

9. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The second time value is a user-defined time value, and the method further comprises: receiving a user interaction with the second time value; updating the second time value based on the user interaction; and The updated second time value is stored in the computing environment.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving a selection of a first vector, wherein the first vector has a first time value, and At least one icon associated with the data file having the first time value is displayed.

11. A file system, comprising: an interface for receiving at least a first data file for storage in a computing environment; a processor that executes instructions stored in the memory and is configured to determine a first vector associated with the first data file, wherein the first vector is unique to the first data file and includes a plurality of time values ​​associated with the first data file, and The new version of the first data file has another vector different from the first vector, wherein the another vector includes multiple time values ​​related to the new version and is unique to the new version.

12. The file system according to claim 11, wherein: The first vector includes a first time value, a second time value, and a third time value.

13. The file system according to claim 12, wherein: At least one of the first time value, the second time value, and the third time value is selected from the group consisting of an upload time of the first data file, a creation time of the first data file, and an access time of the first data file.

14. The file system according to claim 12, further comprising a user interface configured to: displaying the first data file as a first icon to allow user interaction with the first data file; displaying a first selectable indicator associated with the first time value near a perimeter of the first icon; displaying a second selectable indicator associated with the second time value near the periphery of the first icon; as well as A third selectable indicator associated with the third time value is displayed adjacent to the first icon.

15. The file system according to claim 14, wherein: The processor is further configured to associate the first data file with at least a second vector, the second vector comprising an additional time value.

16. The file system according to claim 15, wherein: The user interface is further configured to display a fourth selectable indicator associated with the second vector near a perimeter of the first icon.

17. The file system according to claim 14, wherein: The interface is further configured to receive a second data file for storage in the computing environment, and the processor is further configured to determine a second vector associated with the second data file, the second vector being unique to the second data file and comprising a plurality of time values ​​associated with the second data file.

18. The file system according to claim 17, wherein: The user interface is further configured to: displaying the first data file as a first icon to allow user interaction with the first data file; displaying the second data file as a second icon to allow user interaction with the second data file; as well as The first icon and the second icon are arranged based on at least one time value associated with the first data file and at least one time value associated with the second data file.

19. The file system according to claim 12, wherein: The second time value is a user-defined time value, and the processor is further configured to: receiving a user interaction with the second time value; updating the second time value based on the user interaction; and The updated second time value is stored in the single server environment.

20. The file system according to claim 11, wherein: The processor is further configured to: receiving a selection of a first vector, wherein the first vector has a first time value, and At least one icon associated with the data file having the first time value is displayed.

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