Grouped Icon System for Persistent Multi-File Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Icon-based graphical user interfaces (GUIs) are inefficient for executing common commands on large collections of icons, as they lack persistent selection and require repetitive processes for multiple icon selection, making administrative tasks cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A 'grouped icon' system that aggregates multiple data files under a single icon, allowing persistent selection and enabling commands to be applied uniformly to all linked files, with mechanisms for adding or removing files and special treatment of individual files within the group.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If operators use traditional icon-based GUIs to manage multiple data files, then they can interact with individual files, but they must repeatedly perform selection processes and cannot maintain persistent selections, making administrative tasks cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual file icons into a single grouped icon that represents a collection of data files. This merging allows operators to manage multiple files through one unified interface, eliminating the need for repeated individual selection processes and enabling persistent selection of all files in the group simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The grouped icon serves multiple functions: it represents individual files within the group, maintains persistent selection of all member files, and enables bulk operations across all files. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by providing both individual file accessibility and efficient group management in a single interface element.
2Adaptability or versatility
If operators select multiple icons using CTRL+click method, then they can select individual files, but the selection has no persistence and must be redone from scratch, increasing administrative expense
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically maintaining and updating the grouped icon selection state. When files are added to or removed from the group, the selection is persistently maintained without requiring operator intervention to re-select, thereby preserving flexibility while eliminating repetitive selection actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The grouped icon creates a virtual copy or representation of multiple individual file selections. Instead of requiring operators to manually select each file individually, the grouped icon serves as a persistent selection container that automatically represents the state of all member files, improving productivity while maintaining selection flexibility.
3Ease of operation
If operators manage files individually in traditional GUIs, then they can access each file, but they cannot efficiently execute common commands on large collections of icons, reducing operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual file management operations into a single grouped icon interface. This allows operators to execute common commands (such as copy, move, delete, or open) on all files in the group simultaneously through a single action, dramatically improving productivity while preserving the ability to access individual files within the group when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
An icon-driven computer system collects a plurality of data files under a common graphical icon. Commands entered into the computer system with respect to the icon may be interpreted as a command to repeat the same action on each of the data files linked to the icon. Related commands provide for simple maintenance of the grouped icon—by adding files to or removing files from the icon—and selection of one data file from within the group for special treatment. In this regard, the grouped icon represents a selection of multiple data files wherein the selection has persistence and may be revised over time.