System and method for filtering and organizing items based on common elements

Abstract

A system and method for filtering and organizing items from computer memories based on common elements. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, filters are provided for manipulating the items. The filters are essentially tools for narrowing down a set of items. In one embodiment, the filters are dynamically generated based on the properties of the separate items. The system utilizes virtual folders. The virtual folders expose regular files and folders to users in different views based on their metadata instead of the actual physical underlying file system structure on the disk. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, quick links are provided. In one embodiment, quick links are a set of predefined links (e.g., located on the left side of the display) that can be clicked on to generate useful views of the sets of items. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, libraries are provided. Libraries consist of large groups of usable types of items that can be associated together.

1 . In a computer system having a display and a memory for storing items, a method of viewing selected items, the method comprising:
 navigating to a view of a desired collection of items;   saving a link to the desired collection of items;   providing a name for the link; and   presenting the link on the display such that by clicking on the link a user can return to the view of the desired collection of items.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the navigating to a view of a desired collection of items comprises filtering groups of items. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the desired collection of items comprises one or more virtual folders. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the name of the link on the display is presented along with a plurality of names of additional links that are configured to be selected by a user to return to views of desired collections of items. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the desired collection of items includes items that are stored in different physical folders. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the different physical folders are stored in different physical locations comprising a present computer and at least one of a different computer, a location on a network, and an external storage device. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the desired collection of items comprises both file items and non-file items. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the non-file items comprise at least one of contacts or e-mails. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the non-file items comprise an electronic communication. 
     
     
         10 . A computer-readable medium having computer executable components for implementing a method for viewing items, the method comprising:
 navigating to a view of a desired collection of items;   saving a link to the desired collection of items;   providing a name for the link; and   presenting the link on the display such that by clicking on the link a user can return to the view of the desired collection of items.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the navigating to a view of a desired collection of items comprises filtering groups of items. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the desired collection of items comprises one or more virtual folders. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the desired collection of items includes items that are stored in different physical folders. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the desired collection of items comprises both file items and non-file items. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the different physical folders are stored in different physical locations. 
     
     
         16 . A system for viewing selected items, comprising:
 means for navigating to a view of a desired collection of items;   means for saving a link to the view of the desired collection of items; and   means for presenting the link on the display such that by selecting the link a user can return to the view of the desired collection of items.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising means for filtering groups of items as part of the navigation to the desired collection of items. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising means for providing virtual folders that are included in the collection of items. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising means for drawing items from different physical locations to be included in the desired collection of items. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising means for drawing both file items and non-file items to be included in the desired collection of items.