JP2013025495A - Dynamic icon overlay system and method for creating dynamic overlay - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of applying a dynamic icon overlay to the primary icon of a target file.SOLUTION: The method includes the steps of: (a) determining an icon overlay to be applied to the primary icon of a target file on the basis of at least one user attribute of an end user and at least one file attribute of the target file; (b) applying the icon overlay to the primary icon; and (c) displaying the primary icon accompanied by the applied ion overlay in an end user system of the end user. The icon overlay is configured so as to be made different for at least two end users, and configured to transmit information on the target file to the end user, and the information is related to the end user.

Description

(Statement on research or development supported by the federal government)
In the restricted circumstances, the US You may have the right to require others to license on reasonable terms.

(1. Technical field)
Embodiments of the invention relate to icon overlays. In particular, embodiments of the present invention relate to dynamically generating icon overlays for file icons based on attributes related to the end user of the file.

(2. Consideration of related technology)
An icon overlay is a small graphic overlaid on a file's main icon. Icon overlays provide visual cues that can convey additional file attributes. For example, one conventional icon overlay uses a “shortcut” icon overlay (represented as an arrow) to indicate that a file is actually a shortcut (ie, a link to another file). Other conventional icon overlays nominate the state of the file obtained from the central file repository. For example, an icon overlay that includes an orange caution sign is used to indicate that the file has been modified, an icon overlay that includes a green check is used to indicate that the file has not been modified, and a blue An icon overlay containing a plus sign (“+”) is used to indicate that a file has been added, and an icon overlay containing a red “X” is used to indicate that a file has been deleted. The

  The algorithm used to select a traditional icon overlay is conventionally limited to simple characteristics of the file (eg linked, shared, modified, etc.) Provide enough functionality to show the file characteristics or status to the user. As a result, the conventional icon overlay rendered for a particular file looks the same regardless of which user is viewing the overlay.

(Summary of invention)
Thus, embodiments of the present invention dynamically generate an icon overlay that is applied to the main file icon of the target file. Icon overlays convey information about the target file and are relevant to the end user. The icon overlay applied to the main file icon of the target file is based on attributes associated with the end user of the file that correlate with attributes of the target file itself.

  The foregoing and still further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in light of the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments that follows, particularly when like reference numerals in the various figures designate like components. It will become apparent when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings used.

For example, the present invention provides the following.
(Item 1) A method of applying a dynamic icon overlay to a main icon of a target file, the method comprising:
(A) determining an icon overlay to be applied to the primary icon of the target file based on at least one user attribute of the end user and at least one file attribute of the target file;
(B) applying the icon overlay to the primary icon;
(C) displaying the primary icon with the applied icon overlay in the end user's end user system, the icon overlay being different for at least two end users and the target file Configured to communicate information about the end user to the end user, the information related to the end user.
(Item 2) The step (a)
(A.1) Any of the preceding items, comprising comparing the at least one user attribute and the at least one file attribute to a policy governing a correlation between the user attribute, the file attribute, and the icon overlay. The method of crab.
(Item 3) The step (a)
(A.1) applied to the first primary icon of the target file in the first end user system based on at least one user attribute of the first end user and at least one file attribute of the target file; Determining the first icon overlay to be
(A.2) Apply to the second primary icon of the target file in the second end user system based on at least one user attribute of the second end user and the same at least one file attribute of the target file A method according to any of the preceding items, comprising: determining a second icon overlay to be performed, wherein the second icon overlay is different from the first icon overlay.
(Item 4) The step (a)
(A.1) Any of the preceding items further comprising accessing a content repository to derive one or more of the at least one user attribute, the at least one file attribute, and the icon overlay. the method of.
(Item 5) The step (a)
(A.1) A method according to any of the preceding items, further comprising searching the contents of the target file to derive the at least one file attribute.
(Item 6) The step (a)
(A.1) The method according to any of the preceding items, further comprising reading information embedded in the target file to derive the at least one file attribute.
(Item 7) The step (b)
(B.1) The method according to any of the preceding items, comprising placing the icon overlay in at least an overlay area of the main icon proximate to the main icon.
(Item 8) The step (b.1) includes:
(B.1.1) The method according to any of the preceding items, comprising changing the size of at least one of the primary icon and the icon overlay.
(Item 9) A system for applying a dynamic icon overlay to a main icon of a target file, the system comprising:
A computer system for displaying the primary icon with the applied icon overlay on an end user's end user system, the computer system comprising:
A dynamic icon overlay module that determines the icon overlay to be applied based on at least one user attribute of the end user and at least one file attribute of the target file; Applying the icon overlay to the primary icon, wherein the icon overlay is different for at least two end users and is configured to communicate information about the target file to the end users; Relevant to the user,
system.
The dynamic icon overlay module may compare the at least one user attribute and the at least one file attribute with a policy that governs a correlation between the user attribute, the file attribute, and the icon overlay. The system according to any one of the above items, wherein
(Item 11) The dynamic icon overlay module includes:
A first icon applied to the first primary icon of the target file in a first end user system based on at least one user attribute of the first end user and at least one file attribute of the target file Determining the overlay,
A second applied to the second primary icon of the target file in a second end user system based on at least one user attribute of the second end user and the same at least one file attribute of the target file; Determining an icon overlay, and
The system according to any of the preceding items, wherein the second icon overlay is different from the first icon overlay.
12. An item 12 further comprising a content repository configured to store user attributes, file attributes, and icon overlays, wherein the icon overlay module includes the at least one user attribute, the at least one file attribute, and the icon. The system of any preceding item, further configured to access the content repository to retrieve one or more of the overlays.
(Item 13) The system according to any of the preceding items, wherein the icon overlay module is further configured to search the contents of the target file to derive the at least one file attribute.
(Item 14) The system according to any of the preceding items, wherein the icon overlay module is further configured to read information embedded in the target file to derive the at least one file attribute.
15. The system of any of the preceding items, wherein the icon overlay module is further configured to place the icon overlay at least in an overlay area of the primary icon proximate to the primary icon.
The item overlay module is further configured to change the size of at least one of the primary icon and the icon overlay to place the icon overlay in the overlay area. A system according to any of the above.
(Item 17) A program product apparatus comprising a computer readable medium having recorded computer program logic for applying a dynamic icon overlay to a main icon of a target file, the program product apparatus comprising:
A dynamic icon overlay module that determines an icon overlay to be applied based on at least one user attribute of the end user and at least one file attribute of the target file; Applying the icon overlay to a primary icon of the computer, wherein the icon overlay is different for at least two end users and is configured to communicate information about the target file to the end users, the information comprising: Program product equipment that is relevant to the end user.
18. The dynamic icon overlay module may compare the at least one user attribute and the at least one file attribute with a policy that governs a correlation between the user attribute, the file attribute, and the icon overlay. An apparatus according to any of the preceding items, wherein the apparatus is configured.
(Item 19) The dynamic icon overlay module includes:
A first icon applied to the first primary icon of the target file in a first end user system based on at least one user attribute of the first end user and at least one file attribute of the target file Determining the overlay,
A second adapted to a second primary icon of the target file in a second end user system based on at least one user attribute of the second end user and the same at least one file attribute of the target file; Determining an icon overlay, and
The apparatus according to any of the preceding items, wherein the second icon overlay is different from the first icon overlay.
The icon overlay module is further configured to access a content repository to retrieve one or more of the at least one user attribute, the at least one file attribute, and the icon overlay. An apparatus according to any of the above items.
(Item 21) The apparatus according to any of the preceding items, wherein the icon overlay module is further configured to search the contents of the target file to derive the at least one file attribute.
(Item 22) The apparatus according to any of the preceding items, wherein the icon overlay module is further configured to read information embedded in the target file to derive the at least one file attribute.
(Item 23) The apparatus according to any of the preceding items, wherein the icon overlay module is further configured to place the icon overlay in an overlay area of the primary icon proximate to the primary icon.
24. The item above, wherein the icon overlay module is further configured to change the size of at least one of the primary icon and the icon overlay to place the icon overlay in the overlay area. The apparatus in any one of.

(Summary)
The dynamic icon overlay system of an embodiment of the present invention dynamically generates an icon overlay that is applied to the main file icon of the target file. Icon overlays convey information about the target file and are relevant to the end user. The icon overlay system determines an icon overlay to be applied to the main file icon based on attributes associated with the end user of the target file that correlate with attributes of the target file itself. The system applies an icon overlay to the main icon and displays the main icon with the icon overlay applied at the end user system.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a dynamic icon overlay system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a procedure depicting the manner in which a dynamic icon overlay system performs a dynamic icon overlay process, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a procedure depicting the manner in which the dynamic icon overlay system determines the icon overlay to be applied to the main icon of the target file, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an exemplary depiction of an icon overlay in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a depiction of a primary icon having an icon overlay zone for applying an icon overlay in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a depiction of different exemplary icon overlay configurations for applying icon overlays in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a depiction of an exemplary icon overlay applied to key icons in different target files for an end user, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(Detailed description of the best mode)
The dynamic icon overlay system according to embodiments of the present invention is usually dynamic and can adapt to changes in the environment outside the target file. These dynamic icon overlay systems may display icon overlays that convey information relevant to the viewing user. In addition, these icon overlay systems can dynamically determine icon overlays based on policies or rules linked to the correlation between user attributes and file attributes, and can dynamically indicate a plurality of approximate attributes. (Ie, fuse or correlate data from multiple sources into a set of one or more icon overlays). For example, an icon overlay can provide the type of user-specific content that the file contains, whether the user has a specific level of access to the file, and what privileges the user has on the file.

  When documents exist in a digital rights management (DRM) system, for various documents, the documents may be image-based files, video-based files, or character information-based files, but different users May have different access privileges. Thus, embodiments of the present invention dynamically provide a set of targeted icon overlays that convey user specific information about the nature of the target file when viewed by a specific user. As an example, if the target file contains sensitive information, a user who has permission to access the file will see a key icon for the target file in the end user system indicating that the file contains sensitive information and the user has permission to open the file. Has an icon overlay applied to the. In contrast, another user without permission to access the file applies to the main icon of the target file on the end-user system, indicating that the file contains sensitive information and the user does not have permission to open the file. Have an icon overlay.

  In addition, different users with different job responsibilities may have different interests in the contents of a particular target file. For example, a user who is responsible for accounting is likely to be interested in any content of the target file for financial information. In contrast, a user with engineering responsibility is likely not interested in the financial content, but rather is interested in any technical content of the target file.

  If the target file contains both financial and technical information (eg project budget information, technical specifications for deploying equipment, etc.), two users (one responsible for accounting and the other for engineering) Responsible) see different icon overlays applied to the main icon of the target file in each end user system. In other words, for one user responsible for accounting, an icon overlay indicating that the target file contains financial information is selected and applied to the main icon of the target file in the end user system. For the other user responsible for engineering, an icon overlay indicating that the target file contains technical information is selected and applied to the main icon of the target file in the end user system.

  Further, different users with different levels of authority within an organization may have different levels of permissions for a particular file. For example, a user with administrative authority is likely to have permission to publish a document for general distribution or publication, and a user with engineering or contractor authority does not have permission to publish a document. There is. In this case, a user with administrative authority has an icon overlay applied to the main icon of the target file in the end user system indicating that the user has permission to publish the target file. This overlay icon does not apply to other users with engineering or contractor rights. As a further example, a user with engineering or accounting authority is likely to have permission to create, modify, or mark a document, and a user with contractor authority has permission to view the document. (No permission to create, modify, or mark a document). In this case, users with engineering and accounting rights will be targeted in their respective end-user systems indicating that they have permission to modify the target file (ie read and write permissions). An icon overlay is applied to the main icon of the file. A user with contractor authority applies an icon overlay to the main icon of the target file in the end-user system indicating that the user simply has the right to view the document (ie, read-only permission).

  The icon overlay may be part of an operating system (eg, Microsoft Windows®) interface. Such an operating system environment is extensible (eg, via a shell extension) and uses standard application development tools. Connecting a new icon overlay handling procedure to the interface is accomplished by registering the overlay handler with the operating system, initializing the overlay handler, processing the file, and assigning the primary icon and icon overlay. obtain. If a shell extension overlay handler is loaded into the operating system, it can be enforced for each file that appears in front of the user when the user is interacting with the desktop or end-user system. In order to implement icon overlay handling in an end user system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the system advantageously takes advantage of these features of the operating system. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, icon overlays are determined based on a collection of user and file attributes, the icon overlays convey information about the file, and the information is relevant to the end user.

  In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, to determine and apply an icon overlay, a target file user is identified and attributes associated with the user and attributes associated with the target file are obtained. A user of the target file can be identified so that attributes associated with that user can be determined and retrieved. For example, a user can log in to the system via a login script at the end user system, and the “user ID” entered via login is a user attribute stored in a user profile database (eg, corporate employee database). Can be used to determine In this case, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is applied to the main icon for display in the end user system (for example, the icon on the desktop of the end user system, the icon of each file displayed in the window of the opened folder). User attributes associated with the user logged into the system are used to determine any icon overlays to do.

  The retrieved attributes are precisely information about the file (e.g., file type, file contents, file status, etc.), and information about the user (e.g., user permissions or rights (e.g., creation, Any type of communication (eg, web services, embedded data, sockets, etc.) can be used to identify the user and attributes associated with the user and attributes associated with the file. Can be used to get. Log on to a separate end-user system (eg personal computer (pc), personal digital assistant (pda), mobile phone, etc.) that browses the same file (which may be present, for example, on a shared drive or shared folder) It will be appreciated that another user may see a completely different set of icon overlays applied to the main icon in the target file. This is because the user's right to the target file is based on the user's own specific attributes.

  The dynamic icon overlay system of the embodiment of the present invention basically determines an icon overlay to be applied to the main icon of the target file based on a collection of user attributes and file attributes. The dynamic icon overlay system is preferably implemented by a computer system 100 as depicted by way of example in FIG. In particular, the computer system 100 typically has internal processing components (eg, processors, memory, and / or internal or external communication devices (eg, modems, network cards, etc.)), user input for entering information by the user. A conventional personal computer system or other suitable computer, preferably equipped with a device (eg, keyboard, mouse, touch screen, etc.) and an output device (eg, display, monitor, touch screen, etc.) for displaying information to the user Implemented by a system, workstation, or electronic device. The computer system includes an icon module 200 that can be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination thereof.

  Computer system 100 includes software (eg, operating system, icon module software, etc.) and appropriate components (eg, processors, disk storage media, or hardware) that include sufficient processing and storage capabilities to effectively execute the software. Drive). The icon module software is compatible with the host operating system rules and procedures for creating and / or extending existing icons, icon overlay creation, and display functions in the system, and any programming language that conforms to it. Can be implemented. For example, the icon module software can be implemented in an extended programming language (eg, Windows Powershell®) and the computer system can be implemented on any platform that supports such an extensible programming language (eg, Unix®). , Windows®, Macintosh®, etc.). The computer system 100, under software control, basically determines the icon overlay to be applied to the main icon of the target file based on a collection of user attributes and file attributes. Implement an overlay system.

  In one embodiment, computer system 100 preferably operates as a stand-alone tool. However, the dynamic icon overlay system could instead be in the form of an embeddable system (eg, in another system, as an embeddable software component in other software, etc.) or a client for dynamic icon overlays It may function as a server 120 that communicates with a client or user system 100 through a network 110 to process requests.

  Further, the functionality of the icon module 200 can be spread across the network 110 to determine a set of icon overlays that are applied to the primary icon of the target file at the end user system 100. For example, one or more remote icon modules 201, 202 of different servers 120, 121 may communicate over the network 110 to determine (in whole or in part) the set of icon overlays that will be applied to the main icon in the target file. To function with the icon module 200 of the end user system 100. The icon overlay module software may be available on recordable media (eg, electromagnetic media, optical media, floppy, DVD, CD, etc.) or communication media (eg, electronic bulletin board, network, WAN, LAN, etc.). Can be in the form of a carrier wave or carrier signal for downloading from a source over an intranet, internet, etc.).

  In general, an icon overlay system identifies one or more of the target file identity, end user identity, end user related attributes, and target file related attributes (eg, information about the contents of the target file). Or pull out and determine or select the most appropriate icon overlay that will be applied to the main icon in the target file and displayed to the end user. The appropriate icon overlay can be determined or selected in various ways. For example, the icon overlay selected to be applied may be indicated by a remote application server, web service, or database.

  The manner in which the dynamic icon overlay system of FIG. 1 performs dynamic icon overlay in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIG. Initially, the system includes various software modules or software units (eg, icon module 200, routines, procedures, etc.) for controlling the computer system to perform icon overlay processing tasks as described above. Including. However, a module or unit may instead be implemented by any individual or any combination of circuitry, software modules, and / or hardware modules to perform the functions described below.

  Initially, the end user logs into the end user system 100 at step 210. Logging in to the end user system can be accomplished in various ways. For example, a user may log in during startup of an operating system or end user system 100 application. The dynamic icon overlay system waits for a dynamic icon overlay process call at step 220. Process calls can be invoked in a number of ways. For example, when an end user initially boots into or logs into the end user system 100, the operating system displays a desktop that includes user documents and the main icon of the application (eg, a shortcut to the application). The dynamic icon overlay process is invoked to display the user document and application main icons along with the appropriate dynamic icon overlay during desktop display. As a further example, a user opens a shared network folder that contains shared documents that reside in the database 130 via the database server 120 through the network 110. The dynamic icon overlay process is triggered when a folder is opened and the window displays the document and application primary icons stored in the folder.

  If the dynamic icon overlay process is invoked, the dynamic icon overlay system checks the target file requesting the dynamic icon overlay at step 230. Target files can be checked in a number of ways to determine whether they require icon overlays. For example, the dynamic icon overlay system compares the file name of the target file with the file name stored in the database and indicated to request DIO (eg, a list of file names requesting DIO stored in the content repository). As a further example, the dynamic icon overlay system may change the file type of the target file to a list of file types indicated to request DIO (eg, image files (eg, JPEG, GIF, BMP, etc.), executable files ( For example, a list such as .EXE) is compared.

  If the target file requires DIO, the dynamic icon overlay performs a DIO process on the target file at step 250. The dynamic icon overlay system 1) identifies the end user and target file, 2) derives the main icon of the target file, 3) derives user attributes, 4) derives file attributes, 5) user attributes And at least one overlay icon to apply based on the collection of file attributes, 6) applying at least one icon overlay to the primary icon, and 7) the at least one applied icon overlay The DIO process is executed by displaying a main icon with The dynamic icon overlay system retrieves the main icon by copying the icon image of the icon displayed on the desktop of the end user system 100, and stores the content repository stored in the database 131 through the database server 121 through the network 110. Retrieve user and file attributes by accessing records.

  The dynamic icon overlay system determines at least one overlay icon to be applied by comparing specific file attributes and specific user attributes with a policy established by the database administrator and stored in the content repository. The system applies at least one icon overlay to the main icon by pulling the determined icon overlay image file from the content repository and overlaying the icon overlay image file on a copy of the main icon. The dynamic icon overlay system displays a primary icon having at least one applied icon overlay by displaying a primary icon having an icon overlay image superimposed instead of the original icon on the desktop of the end user system 100. To do. The process of performing dynamic icon overlay on the target file (eg, step 250 of FIG. 2) is described in more detail below with respect to FIG. If the DIO process is complete for the target file, a determination is made at step 260 as to whether all files have been checked.

  If the target file does not require DIO, the dynamic icon overlay system skips the DIO process at step 250 and determines at step 260 whether all files have been checked. If at step 260 it is determined that not all files have been checked, the dynamic icon overlay system returns to step 230 to check for additional target files that require DIO. However, if it is determined at step 260 that all files have been checked, the dynamic icon overlay system returns to step 220 and waits for further DIO process calls.

  The manner in which dynamic icon overlaying is performed on a target file (step 250 of FIG. 2) according to an embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIG. Initially, the icon overlay module identifies user and target files at step 310. The user can be identified by capturing the user ID during system login or by asking for an identity input from the user. The target file is stored in a file having a primary icon displayed on the desktop of the end-user system, via a lookup table of a database (eg, a database containing file names), or the primary icon is displayed on the end-user system display. It can be identified by appearing in a section (for example, an icon displayed in an opened folder of Windows Explorer (registered trademark)).

  In step 320, the icon overlay system retrieves the main icon of the target file. For example, the icon overlay system retrieves the image file of the main icon of the target file identified through the operating system overlay handler of the end user system 100. As a further example, the icon overlay system retrieves an image file corresponding to the target file from the database. A copy of the image file is stored locally in the end user system memory, a local database 105 accessible via the local network, or a network database 130 accessible via the wide area network 110 via the database server 120.

  User attributes associated with the identified user are retrieved at step 330. These user attributes may relate to any aspect of the user and may be obtained in various ways such that the attributes provide information about the user and correlate with the attributes of the file. User attributes include, for example, employee profile records (eg, employee id, location, department, job title, rating level, job responsibility, etc.) included in the corporate database.

  It is understood that user attributes are not limited to information about the user. For example, user attributes include information about the end user system (eg, device type, media access control (mac) address, satellite positioning system (GPS) location, end user system's current network connection security level, etc.). obtain. The icon overlay system retrieves user attributes by obtaining employee records from a database. The employee records are stored locally in the end user system memory, in the local database 105 accessible through the local network, or in the network database 131 accessible through the wide area network 110 via the database server 121. As a further example, the icon overlay system may send information (eg, the end user system's mac address, the end user system's current GPS coordinates, the security of the current network connection) to network components of the end user system 100 or wide area network 110. User attributes by querying level etc.).

  File attributes associated with the target file are retrieved at step 340. These file attributes can relate to any element of the file, and the attributes provide information about the file and can be obtained to correlate with the user attributes derived at step 330. File attributes include file characteristics (eg, document type, sharing status, document protection status, etc.), file content (eg, financial data, engineering specifications, legal information, etc.), and file content access privileges, This is not a limitation.

  The icon overlay system derives user attributes and file attributes according to an embodiment of the present invention by examining a content repository that contains information about the user and target files. Content repositories can be integrated either locally or remotely, and socket connections can be made in multiple ways (e.g., via a service-oriented architecture (SOA)) so that icon overlays are determined in a dynamic manner. Can be accessed via the client / server model used, via a proprietary database using proprietary mechanisms for communication, etc.). In other words, details about user attributes and file attributes are stored in the content repository. When determining an icon overlay to apply, the content repository is consulted (eg, the target file and user names are matched against the repository to derive the corresponding user and file attributes).

  The icon overlay system retrieves file attributes in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention by searching the actual file contents. In other words, when determining an icon overlay to apply, the icon overlay module “looks into the file” to identify specific file attributes. The icon overlay system looks at the actual contents of the file (eg, by searching for keywords, images, etc.) that gives an indication of the file contents. As such, file attributes are derived based on the results of searches performed to display the appropriate icon overlay.

  The icon overlay system retrieves file attributes by reading information (eg, metadata) embedded in the file according to another embodiment of the present invention. For example, a target file protected and stored in a proprietary extensible markup language (XML) format includes metadata describing the file id and the policy used to protect the file. Therefore, the specific file attributes of the target file are derived by reading out the embedded metadata. For files protected and stored in proprietary, extensible markup language (XML) format via an application (eg, LevelLock®), the target file is used to derive the file attributes Contains metadata.

  In step 350, the icon overlay system determines an icon overlay to apply to the main icon of the target file based on the collection of user attributes and file attributes. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, digital asset protection rules are created and used by the icon overlay module 200 to determine the appropriate icon overlay to apply based on a combination of user attributes and file attributes. Digital asset protection rules establish correlations (eg, roles, categories, policies, etc.) between user attributes and file attributes. The set of digital asset protection rules governs the result of determining the icon overlay to be applied based on the established correlation between user attributes and file attributes. These rules identify any correlation between user attributes and file attributes so that the identified icon overlay is determined based on a specific correlation and the determined icon overlay is relevant to the end user It is understood that it can be created as follows. Digital asset protection rules are preferably established, maintained and stored by a system administrator (eg, locally in the memory of the end user system 100, to the local database 105, to the remote database 130 through the network 100 through the database server 120, Such). The icon overlay module accesses and invokes established protection rules to determine an icon overlay image file to be applied based on a collection of user attributes and file attributes. At least one icon overlay is applied at step 360.

  The following examples are presented to provide a strategy for establishing protection rules in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. A role defines a set of users by attributes found in the associated active directory database (eg, a group of employees assigned to the finance department, a group of users located in a particular zip code area, management responsibility). A group of users with access privileges, a group of users with access privileges, etc.). A category may represent various types of content that may be included in a target file. For example, the security level of the content (eg, top secret, secret, secret secrecy, confidential, not secret, etc.) is a category. Content context (eg, finance, engineering, management, etc.) is another example of a category. A policy is a permission (eg, authorization, prohibition, unrelated, etc.) that allows a specific role (eg, an employee of the finance department) with respect to a specific action (eg, reading, writing, marking, etc.). Roles, categories, and policies can be defined based on any correlation between specific user attributes and file attributes, and these correlations can be invoked to determine the appropriate icon overlay to apply. Understood.

  When the content repository is examined, the file attributes and user attributes of the target file are matched. Based on the result of the matching, at step 350, an appropriate overlay is determined for application at step 360 to the primary icon of the target file for the identified user, according to established rules. When file attributes are derived based on searching the actual file contents, an appropriate set of icons is applied to the main icon of the target file for the identified user, according to established rules, This is determined based on the contents of the file in step 350. If the file attributes are derived based on reading the embedded information, an appropriate set of overlays is determined from this embedded information (eg, metadata) at step 350 according to established rules.

  The primary icon with at least one applied icon overlay is displayed at step 370 on the end user system. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the selected icon overlay is placed on the primary icon so that the primary icon and the icon overlay are clearly recognizable by the end user when displayed on the end user system. For example, the selected icon overlay is placed on the main icon such that at most a portion of the main icon is obstructed from view when the placement is displayed. As a further example, the color of the icon overlay or primary icon is changed (eg, to separate the icon overlay from the underlying primary icon). In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, when a primary icon and icon overlay are displayed, the icon overlay and / or primary icon is resized (eg, based on the amount of icon overlay displayed).

  A hybrid approach that integrates two or more of the above techniques may be used to determine the icon overlay for display and to determine the placement of the icon overlay on the main icon of the target file. For example, the above techniques of retrieving metadata and examining content repositories query a local database, remote database, or web service to obtain more information to determine which overlay is appropriate Can be combined to use metadata and user information (e.g., user name).

  By providing a mechanism that allows overlays to be dynamically assigned, a real-time context sensitive overlay can be displayed that provides real value to the end-user application. For example, files actively managed by an enterprise digital rights management (EDRM) system may use icon overlays for a variety of reasons. The EDRM server selects icon overlays that imply certain end-user privileges at a given time, under an access policy that governs the use of managed target files. As such, individual icon overlays can be used to provide a visual clue as to whether a user is allowed to view, modify, print, or export a managed file, for example. The end user knows at a glance which icon overlay is applied to the main icon of the target file and immediately knows what operations the user is allowed or disallowed with respect to the target file.

  The EDRM server selects an icon overlay that implies an EDRM policy, user role, functional area, or project team associated with the end user. The use of different types of icon overlays can be used for policies, roles, business units (eg, contracts, legal, human resources, public relations, finance, etc.) and / or project teams. A user or system administrator browsing a file managed by EDRM on a file server or network shared drive can easily learn the nature of each file by browsing the applied icon overlay.

  As such, embodiments of the present invention determine icon overlays that convey meaningful visual cues about the target file for the identified end user. FIG. 4 represents an exemplary image of an icon overlay according to an embodiment of the present invention. The icon overlay indicates the type of content that the target file contains (eg, financial, engineering, legal, etc.) and the relevance of the file to the end user (tax accountant, engineer, lawyer, etc.). As a further example, the icon overlay indicates the level of access to the end user for the target file (read / write, read only, none, etc.). As yet another example, the icon overlay may indicate the width of feature access to the end user for the target file (eg, all, limited, none, etc.). It will be appreciated that icon overlays according to the present invention are not limited to the examples provided herein, but rather are unlimited in size, shape, color, and features.

  Various icon overlays visualize the file's context (eg, the type of data contained in the document), the user's access to the file itself, and / or the user's access to application features and functions for a given file It is also understood that, in order to be shown to the user, it may be combined in any form (eg, one from each row in FIG. 4) to display a set of overlays on the target file icon.

  As described above, and as represented in the flowchart of FIG. 3, the selection of a particular group of overlays or a pre-created overlay is a user as described by the policy and / or backend system associated with the file. Depends on the rights and attributes of For example, each time a user opens a folder that contains a “protected” document, a mechanism (eg, a web service) calls a back-end system (eg, a database). In the backend system, the file name, and possibly other identifying information about the file, is used to determine what the file is and the permissions for the user regarding the file. Knowing this information, the icon module 200 is sent information to select and display an icon overlay that correctly represents the appropriate information about the target file to a particular user.

  At least one icon overlay is applied to the main icon by the icon module 200. The icon module makes a copy of the extracted main icon image file in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention and overlays at least one icon overlay on a predetermined position of the main icon. The icon overlay can be selected from the icon overlay depicted in FIG. 4 (or from any overlay icon table appropriate for the intended document and user), placing the file icon in an already defined area. Expect to get.

  FIG. 5 depicts examples of primary icon overlay regions 1, 2, and 3 for applying icon overlays in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Overlay areas 1, 2, and 3 may indicate the order of overlay icon placement based on the total number of overlay icons applied. The placement of the overlay icon in one of the overlay areas may further convey a specific meaning to the end user. For example, an icon overlay placed in overlay area 1 (eg, indicating a due date) causes the file to require immediate response (eg, due to an end user's censorship of the document being overdue from the specified due date) An icon overlay placed in overlay area 2 (eg, indicating an expiration date) requires some response action (eg, by the end user's document May indicate that censorship is required by the specified due date). An icon overlay placed in overlay area 3 (eg, indicating a due date) may indicate that the file no longer requires a response action (eg, the document has already been censored before the due date).

  Depending on how the overlay is used in the end-user system, there can be more or less than three overlay areas, which can be located in any area within the file icon. FIG. 6 depicts several different exemplary icon overlay configurations (eg, columns, rows, corners, etc.), according to further embodiments of the present invention. It is understood that this mechanism and the “set” of overlays displayed on the main icon convey meaning to the user through the use of one or more images that appear on the icon. In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, the primary icon or icon overlay may be resized or rearranged to allow more icon overlays to be applied.

  FIG. 7 depicts an icon overlay applied to the main icon of the target file, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The icon overlay depicted in FIG. 7 conveys information about specific attributes of the file or the contents of the file, as well as end user rights and permissions regarding the target file.

  By way of example, the first file icon 710 viewed by the end user includes three overlays that communicate a specific set of information about the first target file to the end user. The communicated information can be unique and meaningful to the viewing user. Icon overlays are based on an applied policy associated with the file and provide a specific set of overlay images when evaluated against the target user. For example, the single line hatched circle in the upper right corner of icon 710 is a revocation indicator that indicates to the user that the target file is available to the user for at least another 10 days. The overlay icon in the lower left corner of this first icon is an indication to the user that the user has read and write access to the target file. The overlay icon in the lower right corner of the first icon indicates the type of content (eg, engineering information) included in the target file.

  For the second file icon 720 viewed by the same user, different overlay sets are displayed based on the unique attributes of the second file for the viewing user. For example, a two-line hatched circle in the upper right corner of the second file icon indicates that this second target file for this user will expire within a day. Another differently hatched circle (not shown) indicates that the user's permission to access this second target file has expired. An overlay icon in the lower left corner of the second file icon indicates that the user has only read access to this second target file when opened. The icon in the lower right corner of the file icon 720 indicates that this particular target file is a financial document.

  It will be appreciated that the dynamic icon overlays can be combined in any manner, and the type of information conveyed by the applied icon overlay can be any desired information. However, different types of icons may be useful for different applications to convey information that is unique in that application. For example, in a DRM system, a document whose usage rights are likely to expire for a particular user may wish to communicate this information to the user using a particular icon overlay. Moreover, a document of a particular type may wish to communicate that type to the user. In addition, a document with specific access privileges may wish to communicate the user's access privileges for a specific document in a visible manner using icon overlays that are particularly meaningful to that user. It is understood that the nature and type of information that can be communicated using icon overlays is not limited to the examples described herein.

  The concept of applying a dynamic icon overlay can be extended to other functions according to embodiments of the present invention. For example, the folder browser application includes a custom column for displaying icon overlays to enable file sorting and file search capabilities based on user and file attributes, and thus this icon overlay system can be To be more durable and convenient for end users. For example, a user can perform a search on all documents that expire within a day, or can sort all documents by type (eg, engineering, financial, legal, etc.).

  Embodiments of the present invention can be used for a variety of applications. For example, embodiments of the present invention can be used to determine and apply icon overlays to communicate user specific information about any type of target file to any application. It will be appreciated that the set of icon overlays and the rules governing which icon overlays are determined to be applied can be defined for any application. In a policy-based system where assets (eg, target files) are protected by a specific policy and data security is a primary goal, a set of overlays gives the end user the security stance currently applied to the asset in question. Can be used to communicate. For a given set of overlays, the user is viewing a file that the user is sensitive to, the user has access to the file, or the user needs immediate attention You can quickly determine the type of file the user is viewing, such as

  In information rights management / data rights management (IRM / DRM) systems, the duration of access, the type of access, and the time of access to assets are routinely managed. Using an appropriate set of icon overlays, the IRM / DRM system can quickly communicate end-user rights and privileges for specific assets.

  In environments where it is important to communicate information (eg, file type, file content, etc.) (and security is a secondary goal), these icon overlays can be applied in many ways and combinations Can be done. The end user can make a rough estimate of what the file contains by simply looking at the overlay combination.

  The end user system of an embodiment of the present invention can be any number of any personal or other type of computer or processing system (eg, IBM compatible, Apple, Macintosh, laptop, palm pilot, microprocessor, mobile phone, etc. ). The end user system may be any commercially available operating system (eg, Windows, OS / 2, Unix, Linux, etc.), any commercially available software and / or custom software (eg, communication software, icon module software, etc.), any May include any type of input device (eg, keyboard, mouse, microphone, voice recognition, touch screen, etc.) and any type of output device (eg, monitor, display, screen, graphical user interface, television, digital projector, etc.) . The software for the dynamic icon overlay system may be implemented in any desired computer language and by those skilled in the computer and / or programming arts based on the functional description contained herein and the flowcharts depicted in the drawings. It is understood that it can be developed. Furthermore, any reference herein to the software performing various functions refers to the computer system or processor typically performing these functions under software control. The computer system can instead be implemented by hardware or other processing circuitry.

  The various functions of the dynamic icon overlay system are distributed in any manner and in any amount (eg, one or more) of hardware and / or software modules or units, computer systems or processing systems, or circuitry. Can be done. The computer system or processing system may be located locally or remotely from each, and any suitable communication medium (eg, LAN, WAN, intranet, Internet, hardwire, modem connection, wireless, ad hoc network, etc.) Can be communicated via. The software and / or algorithms described above and depicted in the flowcharts and drawings may be modified in any manner that accomplishes the functions described herein.

  The dynamic icon overlay system allows any communication medium (eg, satellite, WAN, LAN, Internet, intranet, modem, wireless, ad hoc network, etc.) between parts of the system distributed across the network, according to embodiments of the present invention. Can be communicated through. A system may use one or more communication media to communicate between distributed parts across a network.

  The dynamic icon overlay system can have any desired format (eg, document file format (eg, ASCII, plain text, any word processor or other application format, etc.), image file format (eg, JPEG, GIF, BMP, etc.). ), Can handle any type of file in an executable file format (eg, .EXE, etc.). The dynamic icon overlay system can be any type of user attributes (eg, permissions, location, end user system network connection security level, etc.) and / or any type of file attributes (eg, file content contains financial information). Any amount of any suitable overlay icon may be used to identify (including, file type is an image file, file content includes secure information, etc.). The dynamic icon overlay system may compare the identified user and file attributes with any policy that correlates any user attribute with any file attribute.

  The dynamic icon overlay system may be implemented as a separate stand-alone system and may be in the form of an embeddable system (e.g., in another system, as an embeddable software component within other software, etc.). The dynamic icon overlay system may also be via any communication medium (eg, network, WAN, LAN, Internet, intranet, modem, etc.) to handle dynamic icon overlay calls to the end user system. It can function as a server that communicates with a client or user system. The dynamic icon overlay software is recordable media (eg, electromagnetic or optical media, magneto-optical media, floppy (registered), for use in standalone systems or systems connected by a network or other communication media. (Trademark) discs, CD-ROMs, memory devices, etc.) (or) and can be downloaded (eg, in the form of carrier waves, packets, etc.) to the system via a network or other communication medium.

  The dynamic icon overlay system can be any type of data (eg, user attributes, file attributes, icon overlays, etc.) and any form of data (eg, documents, images, text information, etc.) according to embodiments of the present invention. Any type of database or other storage unit may be used to store. The database can be any type of database or other storage unit (eg, subject area (SADB), analytics, distributed, end user, external, hypermedia, navigational, in-memory, document-oriented, real-time, relational, etc.) obtain. The database of embodiments of the present invention can be queried for information by any suitable technique (eg, structured query language (SQL), service oriented architecture (SOA)).

  The dynamic icon overlay system may use any conventional or other icon handler of any end-user system or server system, any aspect, and any time during processing (e.g., first, Any icon overlay may be applied to any major icon during user attribute identification, file attribute identification, etc.). Icon overlays can be provided in any desired manner to convey information about the file that is relevant to the end user (eg, any symbol or image to indicate specific file contents, end user For example, a date indicator to communicate to end users that they have access to the file until the indicated date). The primary icon and icon overlay can be any image, size, or shape. The main icon and icon overlay may be resized or reshaped as a combination or independently. The overlay icon can be applied anywhere on or near the main icon.

  A rule or policy may establish any correlation between any user attribute and any file attribute (eg, role, category, policy, etc.) in any amount and any combination thereof, and any desired Data structures (eg, files, arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, etc.) and may include any desired correlation. Rules and policies can be further manipulated by a user or system administrator. A rule or policy may be based on any desired criteria, and compliance with all or part of the criteria satisfies the rule or policy.

  The present invention can be used for various applications. For example, the present invention communicates that a file requires a response action to convey the confidentiality of the contents of the file in order to convey the security stance applied to the file (eg, to convey the security stance applied to the file). For example), a digital rights management system (eg, for managing the duration of access to a file, the type of access to the file, the time of access to the file, etc.) and the like. As a stand-alone application, the present invention provides a comprehensive list of users who meet specific criteria for specific user attributes and file attributes (eg list of users with access to secure files, access to specific files soon May assist the administrator in editing the list of users to exit). In the form of an embedded application, the present invention may improve the operability of the application with respect to attributes associated with the user of the file conveyed by the icon overlay. For example, an application may be based on criteria for icon overlays superimposed on the main icon of the target file and icon overlays that indicate that the end user is granted / denied specific permissions to the target file. Certain functions or operations may be activated / deactivated.

  The present invention determines an icon overlay and applies the icon overlay to the primary icon of the target file, the icon overlay being determined based on a collection of user attributes and file attributes and a new dynamic icon overlay system and It is recognized from the previous description that the method is made available. While preferred embodiments and methods of a dynamic icon overlay system for determining and applying icon overlays to the main icon of a target file have been described, other modifications, changes, and changes have been described herein. It will be suggested to one skilled in the art in view of the teachings. Thus, such changes, modifications, and alterations are considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (24)

A method for applying a dynamic icon overlay to a main icon of a target file, the method comprising:
(A) determining an icon overlay to be applied to the primary icon of the target file based on at least one user attribute of the end user and at least one file attribute of the target file;
(B) applying the icon overlay to the primary icon;
(C) displaying the primary icon with the applied icon overlay in the end user's end user system, the icon overlay being different for at least two end users and the target file Configured to communicate information about the end user to the end user, the information related to the end user. The step (a)
The method of claim 1, comprising: (a.1) comparing the at least one user attribute and the at least one file attribute to a policy governing a correlation between the user attribute, the file attribute, and the icon overlay. The method described. The step (a)
(A.1) applied to the first primary icon of the target file in the first end user system based on at least one user attribute of the first end user and at least one file attribute of the target file; Determining the first icon overlay to be
(A.2) Apply to the second primary icon of the target file in the second end user system based on at least one user attribute of the second end user and the same at least one file attribute of the target file The method of claim 1, comprising: determining a second icon overlay to be performed, wherein the second icon overlay is different from the first icon overlay. The step (a)
The method of claim 1, further comprising: (a.1) accessing a content repository to retrieve one or more of the at least one user attribute, the at least one file attribute, and the icon overlay. . The step (a)
The method of claim 1, further comprising: (a.1) retrieving the contents of the target file to derive the at least one file attribute. The step (a)
The method of claim 1, further comprising: (a.1) reading information embedded in the target file to derive the at least one file attribute. The step (b)
The method of claim 1, comprising: (b.1) placing the icon overlay at least in an overlay area of the primary icon proximate to the primary icon. The step (b.1)
8. The method of claim 7, comprising (b.1.1) changing a size of at least one of the primary icon and the icon overlay. A system for applying a dynamic icon overlay to a main icon of a target file, the system comprising:
A computer system for displaying the primary icon with the applied icon overlay on an end user's end user system, the computer system comprising:
A dynamic icon overlay module that determines the icon overlay to be applied based on at least one user attribute of the end user and at least one file attribute of the target file; Applying the icon overlay to the primary icon, wherein the icon overlay is different for at least two end users and is configured to communicate information about the target file to the end users; Relevant to the user,
system. The dynamic icon overlay module is configured to compare the at least one user attribute and the at least one file attribute with a policy governing a correlation between the user attribute, the file attribute, and the icon overlay. The system according to claim 9. The dynamic icon overlay module includes:
A first icon applied to the first primary icon of the target file in a first end user system based on at least one user attribute of the first end user and at least one file attribute of the target file Determining the overlay,
A second applied to the second primary icon of the target file in a second end user system based on at least one user attribute of the second end user and the same at least one file attribute of the target file; Determining an icon overlay, and
The system of claim 9, wherein the second icon overlay is different from the first icon overlay. And further comprising a content repository configured to store user attributes, file attributes, and icon overlays, wherein the icon overlay module includes the at least one user attribute, the at least one file attribute, and the icon overlay. The system of claim 9, further configured to access the content repository to retrieve one or more. The system of claim 9, wherein the icon overlay module is further configured to search the contents of the target file to derive the at least one file attribute. The system of claim 9, wherein the icon overlay module is further configured to read information embedded in the target file to derive the at least one file attribute. The system of claim 9, wherein the icon overlay module is further configured to place the icon overlay at least in an overlay area of the primary icon proximate to the primary icon. 16. The icon overlay module of claim 15, wherein the icon overlay module is further configured to resize at least one of the primary icon and the icon overlay to place the icon overlay in the overlay area. system. A program product apparatus comprising a computer readable medium having recorded computer program logic for applying a dynamic icon overlay to a main icon of a target file, the program product apparatus comprising:
A dynamic icon overlay module that determines an icon overlay to be applied based on at least one user attribute of the end user and at least one file attribute of the target file; Applying the icon overlay to a primary icon of the computer, wherein the icon overlay is different for at least two end users and is configured to communicate information about the target file to the end users, the information comprising: Program product equipment that is relevant to the end user. The dynamic icon overlay module is configured to compare the at least one user attribute and the at least one file attribute with a policy that governs a correlation between the user attribute, the file attribute, and the icon overlay. The apparatus of claim 17. The dynamic icon overlay module includes:
A first icon applied to the first primary icon of the target file in a first end user system based on at least one user attribute of the first end user and at least one file attribute of the target file Determining the overlay,
A second adapted to a second primary icon of the target file in a second end user system based on at least one user attribute of the second end user and the same at least one file attribute of the target file; Determining an icon overlay, and
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the second icon overlay is different from the first icon overlay. 18. The icon overlay module is further configured to access a content repository to retrieve one or more of the at least one user attribute, the at least one file attribute, and the icon overlay. The device described. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the icon overlay module is further configured to search the contents of the target file to derive the at least one file attribute. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the icon overlay module is further configured to read information embedded in the target file to derive the at least one file attribute. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the icon overlay module is further configured to place the icon overlay in an overlay area of the primary icon proximate to the primary icon. The icon overlay module is further configured to resize at least one of the primary icon and the icon overlay to place the icon overlay in the overlay area. apparatus.

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