Abstract: A novel system that facilitates monitoring and/or updating data contained within a plurality of network devices. The system includes a file system user interface (UI) that can render a unified representation of the content across multiple stores corresponding to a plurality of disparate network devices. The UI facilitates searching and/or browsing content of a plurality of disparate devices via a single unified experience. Another feature of the invention is that it allows for sharing and/or synchronizing without the use of conventional folders. The invention provides for a metadata-centric view of user content (e.g., files) wherein files can be grouped by type, date, author, etc., without regard to the physical location of the content. Additionally, the invention separates or distinguishes (e.g., decouples) the synchronization of metadata (e.g., author, modification date) from the synchronization of the corresponding data files.

Abstract: A data organization system that utilizes graphical interaction to effect Boolean queries. The subject invention provides for interactive graphical mechanisms that shield users from the semantics of the Boolean logic (e.g., “AND”, “OR”, “NOT”). These mechanisms facilitate the generation of Boolean queries via graphical selection and/or manipulation using iconic query objects. These objects can be interactively selected and/or manipulated by a user via any pointing device in order to create “AND”, “OR” and “NOT” Boolean expressions.

Abstract: A data repository monitoring system that utilizes queries to generate notifications in response to the identification of new and changed content. The system includes a monitoring component that monitors a plurality of disparate repositories in order to identify the receipt of new or modified content. The monitoring component includes a query component(s) that identifies metadata of imported content. The query can be generated and communicated to the monitoring component via a graphical user interface. A notification component is also provided to generate a prompt upon the receipt of incoming content as identified by the query component. The invention employs a centralized store (e.g., change queue) that maintains metadata corresponding to imported (e.g., new) metadata.

Abstract: A data enhancement system that facilitates attaching annotations to dynamic data items and collections. The system employs the concepts of view and item to associate an annotation to a dynamic collection and/or item prior to rendering (e.g., via a graphical user interface) such collection and/or item. A user interface can be provided to facilitate creation and attachment of the annotations (e.g., textual, graphical). A schema can facilitate associating appropriate annotations with a dynamic collection. A display system can be employed to render the annotations to a user.

Abstract: A data organization system that facilitates altering a structure of an item (e.g., query result set, file system directory view, list, folder) in a data storage component. The system includes an operation selection component that converts a manipulation request (e.g., high-level) into a collection management (e.g., low level) operator thus shielding a user from the semantics associated with containment topology and structure. The conversion of the data manipulation request into the collection management operator is effected via a mapping component that maps the collection management operator to a low-level collection management operator based upon a type or containment topology. Accordingly, the low-level management operator modifies the structure of the item and/or file system.

Abstract: An improved technique of querying a data store by widening the query using a series of queries that follow relations between items. Initial auxiliary queries are used to find metadata property values (rather than the actual items) that are then used in the subsequent queries. The initial queries employ one or more property values to find a related item. In response thereto, an action menu is presented for the item that facilitates widening the search for all other items with the same selected property value. The user can be presented with several choices depending on which property is used for query widening.

Abstract: A data organization system that utilizes associations, pointers and/or links in connection with novel container types is provided. A “list” is a container of items, like a folder, but is different in that a file or other data component can be accessed via multiple lists (whereas an item must appear in exactly one folder). Additionally, lists can be arranged in an arbitrarily complex graph of relationships. The items in a list can be chosen arbitrarily by the user (or by a software program) and need not have any properties in common. A “dynamic list” is a collection of file identifiers that can be built and maintained automatically by the system. The backbone of a dynamic list is a query. In operation, the system can execute a query against the file store or other data store to create or modify the list. Accordingly, associations that reference the resulting files are added to or modified in the dynamic list.

Abstract: A data system user interface that can employ different data collection renderers (e.g., views) based on an attribute of the content of a view-set (e.g., list, folder, directory) is provided. In accordance with aspects of the subject invention, views that are suitable to present certain types of content can be automatically selected. This automatic selection can employ the use of more specialized, optimized views based on the content of the view-set. The contents of the view-set can be analyzed and matched against an extensible set of view selection rules. It will be understood that, although the custom view can have a completely different visual appearance from the standard, default and/or generic view, the subject invention enables custom views to run within the same window as the standard view.

Abstract: A file system user interface (UI) which facilitates selecting groups of files and automatically persisting the selection to a data store is provided. A UI preview pane can provide a dynamic list preview as the items are selected. More particularly, as the user builds a multiple selection of files, the dynamic list preview pane can display a visual depiction (e.g., stack). As the user selects each additional document, the stack grows taller and can show, as its top page, a representation of the most-recently selected document. At any point, the user can click on the list preview and the system will create a new collection object that holds or refers to all the selected items. This collection can be automatically persisted into the local store and given a default name that the user can later change.

Abstract: A metadata management architecture. The architecture includes a property component that lists one or more properties related to a file, and a viewing component that present files having one or more of the related properties. A synchronization component provides immediate synchronization between property editing fields of the property component and a view in the property-based browser component, providing both instantaneous feedback on property changes and an ability to manipulate properties graphically. Thus, a change in the property pane is immediately reflected in the view component, and a change in the view component is immediately reflected in the property pane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method to facilitate rendering of a collection of display items in a computationally efficient manner. In one aspect, a system for rendering a display is provided. The system includes a drawing component that determines visible items to display and a logic component that selectively defers layout of the visible items in a just-in-time manner. The logic component determines complexity of the visible items in order to defer the layout. This can include associating a flag with the visible items, wherein if the flag can be set true for complex items and the flag set false for non-complex items. The complexity can be determined by a threshold number of subcomponents or children objects that are associated with the visible items.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method to facilitate rendering of a collection of display items such as a collection of document sheets appearing under a singular display icon or object. In one aspect, a system is provided for displaying item collection previews. The system includes at least one display object having metadata tags that describe two or more data items in a collection of data items. A control component selectively animates a presentation of the items based in part on the metadata tags and detected user activities. When a display object is selected, users can scroll through pages or items in a stack, whereby transitional displays can be provided during scrolling operations.

Abstract: A user interface system and method of displaying lists of information using a squeezed/semi-collapsed state of the group that shows, for example, a portion of the group (e.g., only the first few items of the group) is provided. The squeezed/semi-collapsed state takes up less room on the screen than an open state but gives the user more information about the group than the closed state, allowing more groups to be visible simultaneously while still providing detailed information about the contents of the group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology for automatic clusterization and display of data items in a local or remote database system. Such clusterization can be based on properties associated with the data items such as a type, location, people, date, time, user-defined, and so forth, wherein an initial property may be employed to form a first level of clusterization and a subsequent property may be automatically determined to form an optimized clusterization from which to find and retrieve desired information. A computerized interface for organizing and retrieving data is provided. The interface includes a property analyzer to determine an item distribution for at least two cluster properties and an organizer that forms new clusters based in part on the item distribution.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention relates to the determining the specific ordering and execution of events from temporal constraints, filtering functions, and execution heuristics. To facilitate specification of event order objects be can associated with events in an object authoring system which provides for interaction, conditional behavior, and fuzzy relationships by dividing all time into past, present, and future. A user or developer can then perform all their work in the editable area marked “now.” Items that may have happened prior to the current work show up in the “past” area and items which might happen in the future show up in the “future” area. A user can then associate and/or dissociate objects associated with events in the editable area, for instance by simply loosely specifying temporal relationships or constraints amongst objects rather than specifying an exact temporal sequence directly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology to facilitate automatic display and management of data items associated with a hierarchical tree arrangement of folders and subfolders. A computerized interface for data presentation is provided having a sorting component to determine categories relating to one or more items for display. A cluster component groups the categories according to discretized states in order to control visible output to the display. Such states can include packed and unpacked states, wherein packed states can cluster a plurality of items together and across several nodes, whereas unpacked items are controlled and displayed under a grouped heading in one context and as individual data items or entities in another context.