Search Folder Condition Display via Metadata Field Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional GUIs for file systems face inefficiencies in displaying search conditions for search folders, leading to long folder names and increased display area sizes, which negatively impact display efficiency when handling numerous files and folders.
Innovation Solution
An information-processing apparatus and method that determines if a folder is a search folder and, if so, displays search conditions in specific meta data fields, allowing for efficient listing and management of search criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If search conditions are presented as the folder name of the search folder, then the search conditions are clearly presented to the user, but the folder name becomes long and the display area size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display of search conditions by presenting them in separate meta data fields rather than as a single long folder name. Each search condition is displayed in its own field (e.g., file name, date, type), which divides the information into manageable units that fit within standard display areas without requiring expansion.
2Ease of operation
If search conditions are expressed in a character string format which is easy for the user to recognize, then the user can easily understand the search conditions, but the character string becomes long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by displaying search conditions in specific meta data fields that correspond to their type. File name conditions are displayed in the file name field, date conditions in the date field, and type conditions in the type field. This localized display maintains ease of recognition while avoiding long character strings by utilizing the natural structure of the meta data fields.
3Loss of information
If one folder name becomes long, then the search conditions are fully displayed, but the sizes of display areas of fields that display the folder names and file names are increased accordingly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the meta data fields serve multiple functions: they display both the actual meta data values and the search conditions simultaneously. The same field that displays a file's creation date also displays the search condition applied to that date field. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate display areas for search conditions, maintaining standard display area sizes while fully presenting search information.
Data Source
AI summary
An information-processing apparatus which can display search conditions of search folders in an easy-to-see state in a list display of files/folders is provided. The information-processing apparatus has a file system that searches a file/folder which matches a search condition, and can generate and manage a search folder used to store meta data of files/folders obtained by that search, and includes a function of displaying a list of meta data of files/folders. This information-processing apparatus checks if a folder to be displayed in the list is a search folder. As a result of checking, if the folder to be displayed in the list is a search folder, the apparatus displays search conditions in fields of meta data items for which the search conditions of the search folder are set, in place of, for example, meta data.