Computer method and apparatus for previewing files outside of an application program

1. In a computer system having (i) a working memory in which application programs are executed, and (ii) an operating system including a file manager for managing files of application programs executed in the working memory, internal file characteristics and file image preview apparatus comprising:

an extension coupled to the operating system in a manner such that the extension is entirely integrated with the operating system, the extension enabling user selection of a desired file and in response to user selection of the desired file, the extension enabling display of a recitation of indicia of internal file characteristics separate from the file image and the file image of the desired file by opening the desired file in a manner free of opening an application program in working memory and hence external to application programs in the working memory, and in a manner free of decoding the indicia of internal file characteristics from a filename of the desired file; and

a display assembly responsive to the extension for displaying the recitation of indicia of internal file characteristics separate from the file image and the file image of the user-selected desired file by opening the desired file in a manner free of opening an application program in working memory, and in a manner free of decoding the indicia of internal file characteristics from a filename of the desired file, such that a preview of the user-selected desired file is provided.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the extension is coupled to the file manager of the operating system, such that the extension utilizes a user interface in common with the file manager to effectively provide full integration of the extension with the operating system.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the extension in response to user selection of a desired file further enables display of a working image from the file.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the display of the working image is a reduced-in-size version of the working image.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the indicia of internal file characteristics include indications of at least one of height, width, length, color type, resolution, compression type used for storing and forming the file, and annotation graphics of the file.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the file manager is a document manager for managing folders of files, and the extension enables display of an indicia of folder characteristics of a user-desired folder.

7. In a computer system having (i) an operating system and (ii) a working memory for executing application programs, internal file characteristics and file image previewing apparatus comprising:

a file manager coupled to the operating system, the file manager (a) managing files generated by application programs executed in the working memory and (b) enabling display of indicia of internal file characteristics and file image of a user-selected file by opening the desired file, said file manager being coupled to the operating system in a manner such that said display of indicia of internal file characteristics separate from the file image and the file image is generated outside of an application program opened and running in the working memory and hence external to application programs in the working memory, and in a manner free of decoding the indicia of internal file characteristics from a filename of the desired file; and

a display assembly responsive to the file manager for displaying indicia of internal file characteristics and the file image of the user-selected file by opening the desired file, outside of an application program opened and running in working memory, and in a manner free of decoding the indicia of internal file characteristics from a filename of the desired file, said display assembly thus providing a preview of the user-selected file.

8. A system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the file manager in response to user selection of a desired file further enables display of a working image from the file.

9. A system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the display of the working image is a reduced-in-size version of the working image.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the indicia of internal file characteristics include indications of at least one of height, width, length, color type, resolution, compression type used for storing and forming the file, and annotation graphics of the file.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the file manager includes a document manager for managing folders of files generated by application programs executed in the working memory, and enables display of indicia of folder characteristics of respective user-selected folders in a manner free of opening and running an application program in working memory, to provide respective preview of the user-selected folder.

12. In a computer system, a method of displaying internal file characteristics and file images of a user-selected file, to provide a preview of the file, comprising the steps of:

providing a working memory for executing application programs;

executing application programs in said working memory in response to user command, said execution of the application program generating files of the computer system;

providing operating system means for enabling display of indicia of internal file characteristics separate from the file image and the file images of a file selected by a user by opening the file, the operating system means enabling display of the internal file characteristics and the file images outside of an application program opened and running in the working memory; and

in a manner free of opening and running an application program in the working memory, and in a manner free of decoding the indicia of internal file characteristics from a filename of the desired file, displaying the indicia of internal file characteristics separate from the file image and the file images of a user-selected file, in response to user command for previewing that file.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12 further comprising the steps of:

through the operating system means, enabling display of a working image from the user selected file; and

displaying a working image with the indicia of internal file characteristics of said file.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the steps of enabling display of a working image and displaying the working image include reducing size of the working image to provide a minified rendition of the working image for previewing purposes.

15. A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein the step of providing indications of file characteristics includes displaying indications of at least one of height, width, length, color type, resolution, compression type used for storing and forming the file, and annotation graphics of the file.

16. A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein said step of displaying indicia of internal file characteristics separate from the file image and the file images includes providing a display assembly responsive to the operating system means for displaying indicia of internal file characteristics separate from the file image and the file images outside of an application program opened and running in working memory.

17. A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein the step of providing operating system means includes at least one of:

providing a document manager in an operating system, the document manager for managing groupings of files, the document manager enabling display of indicia of respective characteristics of user-selected groupings of the files, in a manner free of opening an application program in the working memory; and

providing a file manager in an operating system, the file manager for managing files generated from application programs executed in the working memory, the file manager enabling display of indicia of internal file characteristics of user-selected files, in a manner free of opening an application program in the working memory.