Document stream operating system

Abstract

A document stream operating system and method is disclosed in which: (1) documents are stored in one or more chronologically ordered streams; (2) the location and nature of file storage is transparent to the user; (3) information is organized as needed instead of at the time the document is created; (4) sophisticated logic is provided for summarizing a large group of related documents at the time a user wants a concise overview; and (5) archiving is automatic. The documents can include text, pictures, animations, software programs or any other type of data.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 . A system for managing a plurality of documents from a plurality of different applications in a plurality of diverse formats comprising:
 a document organizing facility receiving said plurality of documents created by said plurality of diverse applications in said plurality of diverse formats, wherein said document organizing facility associates respective selected indicators with one or more of said received documents, stores said one or more documents and said indicators for selective retrieval, and creates information specifying one or more glance views and one or more document representations for respective ones of said one or more documents;   a display facility displaying a cursor or pointer;   said display facility responding to a selection of said one or more documents by a user wherein said selection is performed by the user by sliding said cursor or pointer; and   said display facility further displaying one or more of said glance views corresponding to said selected documents.   
   
   
       14 . A system for managing a plurality of documents from a plurality of different applications in a plurality of diverse formats as in  claim 13  wherein said selected indicators are time-based. 
   
   
       15 . A system for managing a plurality of documents from a plurality of different applications in a plurality of diverse formats as in  claim 13  wherein said displayed one or more glance views comprise an abbreviated version of said respective one of said one or more documents. 
   
   
       16 . A system for managing a plurality of documents from a plurality of different applications in a plurality of diverse formats as in  claim 13  wherein said displayed one or more glance views comprise one or more non-trivial words from outside a header of said respective one of said one or more documents 
   
   
       17 . A system for managing a plurality of documents from a plurality of different applications in a plurality of diverse formats as in  claim 13  wherein said displayed one or more glance views comprise important words, pictures, and/or sounds of said respective one of said one or more documents. 
   
   
       18 . A method for managing a plurality of documents from a plurality of different applications 
     in a plurality of diverse formats comprising:
 receiving said plurality of documents from said plurality of diverse applications in said plurality of diverse formats; 
 associating respective selected indicators with one or more of said received documents; 
 storing said one or more documents and said indicators for selective retrieval; 
 creating information specifying one or more glance views and one or more document representations for respective ones of said one or more documents; 
 displaying a cursor or pointer; 
 responding to a selection of said one or more documents by a user wherein said selection is performed by the user by sliding said cursor or pointer, and 
 displaying one or more of said glance views corresponding to said selected documents. 
 
   
   
       19 . A method for managing a plurality of documents from a plurality of different applications in a plurality of diverse formats as in  claim 18  wherein said selected indicators are time-based. 
   
   
       20 . A method for managing a plurality of documents from a plurality of different applications in a plurality of diverse formats as in  claim 18  wherein said displayed glance one or more views comprise an abbreviated version of said respective one of said one or more documents. 
   
   
       21 . A method for managing a plurality of documents from a plurality of different applications in a plurality of diverse formats as in  claim 18  wherein said displayed one or more glance views comprise one or more non-trivial words from outside a header of said respective one of said one or more documents. 
   
   
       22 . A method for managing a plurality of documents from a plurality of different applications in a plurality of diverse formats as in  claim 18  wherein said displayed one or more glance views comprise important words, pictures, and/or sounds of said respective one of said one or more documents. 
   
   
       23 . Computer executable software code stored on a computer readable medium, the code for managing a plurality of documents from a plurality of different applications in a plurality of diverse formats, the code comprising:
 code to receive said plurality of documents from said plurality of diverse applications in said plurality of diverse formats;   code to associate respective selected indicators with one or more of said received documents;   code to store said one or more documents and said indicators for selective retrieval;   code to create information specifying one or more glance views and one or more document representations for respective ones of said one or more documents;   code to display a cursor or pointer;   code to respond to a selection of said one or more documents by a user wherein said selection is performed by the user by sliding said cursor or pointer; and   code to display one or more of said glance views corresponding to said selected documents.   
   
   
       24 . Computer executable software code stored on a computer readable medium, the code for managing a plurality of documents from a plurality of different applications in a plurality of diverse formats as in  claim 23  wherein said selected indicators are time-based. 
   
   
       25 . Computer executable software code stored on a computer readable medium, the code for managing a plurality of documents from a plurality of different applications in a plurality of diverse formats as in  claim 23  wherein said displayed one or more glance views comprise an abbreviated version of said respective one of said one or more documents. 
   
   
       26 . Computer executable software code stored on a computer readable medium, the code for managing a plurality of documents from a plurality of different applications in a plurality of diverse formats as in  claim 24  wherein said displayed one or more glance views comprise one or more non-trivial words from outside a header of said respective one of said one or more documents. 
   
   
       27 . Computer executable software code stored on a computer readable medium, the code for managing a plurality of documents from a plurality of different applications in a plurality of diverse formats as in  claim 25  wherein said displayed one or more glance views comprise important words, pictures, and/or sounds of said respective one of said one or more documents.