Data-Centric File Interface for Parallel Tool Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The traditional 2D window model for interacting with computer file systems is application-centric, requiring users to launch separate applications to manipulate files, which limits data processing capabilities and user flexibility, especially for novice users who lack knowledge about software applications' data processing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A data-centric interface that visualizes files as objects, allowing users to activate data elements and display relevant tool interfaces from multiple programs, enabling intuitive data manipulation without serial application launching, by using visualizer and tool interface identification lookup tables to determine and display suitable tool actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the traditional 2D window model with application-centric interface is used, then users can access files through familiar applications, but users must launch separate applications to manipulate files and cannot process data in parallel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple application interfaces into a single unified interface that displays tool interfaces from multiple programs simultaneously. Instead of requiring users to launch separate applications to access different tool actions, the system combines the capabilities of multiple applications (image viewer, photo editor, graphics editor, etc.) into one integrated interface where all tool actions are accessible at once through a common file representation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal interface that can handle multiple data types and provide access to multiple applications through a single unified mechanism. The interface is designed to work with different file types (images, audio, video, documents) and automatically displays relevant tool interfaces from various applications based on the selected file, making the system multi-functional without requiring users to know which specific application to launch.
2Ease of operation
If the default application association model is used, then the OS automatically launches the default application for the selected data type, but the user has no flexibility to choose other applications that might provide better processing capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic interface that adapts its display based on the selected file type and automatically updates to show relevant tool interfaces from multiple applications. The interface is not static but dynamically adjusts to present the most appropriate tool actions for the currently selected file, while still allowing users to access all available applications through the unified interface. This dynamic behavior provides both automatic adaptation and user flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a unified interface as an intermediary layer between the user and multiple applications. This intermediary automatically manages the complexity of selecting which application to use by presenting all relevant tool interfaces in one place, mediating between the user's intent and the multiple available applications without requiring the user to make explicit application selection decisions.
3Loss of information
If users need to find the most suitable tool action for a particular purpose, then users can discover available applications, but users must launch every application and explore through multiple tool interfaces to determine which provides the most suitable capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by automatically displaying all relevant tool interfaces from multiple applications as soon as a file is selected, before the user needs to make any decisions about which tool action to use. Instead of requiring users to sequentially launch applications to discover available tools, the system pre-presents all relevant tool actions in the unified interface, allowing users to immediately see and compare all available capabilities without time-consuming exploration.
4Reliability
If the application-centric model is used, then each application has exclusive control of the data until closed, but multiple applications cannot process the same data in parallel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data access model by allowing multiple applications to access and process the same file data simultaneously through the unified interface, rather than requiring exclusive control by a single application. The file representation is divided into accessible components that can be manipulated by different tool interfaces from different applications at the same time, enabling parallel processing while maintaining data integrity through the coordinated management of the unified interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus provides a user an interface for a file system. In one example, the method and apparatus displays the file as a visualized object, e.g., a graphical representation of the file as a real life object, receives selection of visualized objects and activates data elements represented by the visualized objects. The visualization of the file may be determined based on visualizer identification information associated with the file. For the activated data elements, the method and apparatus displays tool interfaces, in combination with the visualized objects. The tool interfaces may be selectively displayed for the activated data element base on tool identification information associated with a data type of the data element. Furthermore, the method and apparatus can process the activated data elements using the selected tool actions from different programs.