Patent Publication Number: US-8984417-B2

Title: Method of associating attributes with documents

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES 
     The present invention relates to, claims priority from and is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/559,128, filed Sep. 14, 2009, entitled METHOD OF MANAGING GROUPS OF ARRAYS OF DOCUMENTS, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional patent application No. 61/096,655, filed on Sep. 12, 2008, entitled INFORMATION MANAGEMENT TOOL, which documents are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to computer systems and more specifically to a method, a system and an interface that facilitates localization and organization of user-selectable elements. More precisely, the present invention relates to a method of associating attributes with documents in an axes-based content management system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     With the always-increasing amount of documents one has to deal with on a daily basis it becomes harder to manage the documents (or information or file) on an item-by-item basis. An alternative document management system adapted to organize large amount of information would be beneficial to the user. 
     United States Patent Application Publication No.: US 2007/0214169 A1, published on Sep. 13, 2007 discloses a Multi-dimensional locating system and method (title). The patent application discloses ways for managing and displaying axes of documents and other computer-readable files. An axis of documents that groups a plurality of documents along a predetermined order, inter alia, is taught. 
     However, the use of only a small number of axes of information elements on a display might result in a poor use of the usable display area. A larger number of axes might be desirable to provide more information to a viewer. A number of challenges need to be addressed in order to provide functions performed on a larger quantity of documents. 
     In view of the prior art it appears that improvements over the prior art is desirable to improve the user experience and usability either with innovative graphical, structural or functional improvements. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     This invention generally refers to user-selectable elements that might represent computer-readable files like documents and multimedia assets. User-selectable elements can alternatively be referred to as menu icons or thumbnails that are associated to an attribute, a category or a tag and arranged as explained below. In order to lighten the reading of the present specification, the term “document” is generally used without intending to limit the scope of the present patent application only to documents, unless positively specified. 
     Also, the invention is generally described using an assembly of documents called an array of documents. The array of documents generally refers to, but is not limited to, a substantially longitudinal arrangement of documents. Hereinbelow referred to as an axis. The axis might not necessarily be straight but preferably has a consistent shape providing a viewer en indication of continuity therebetween documents disposed thereon. In other words, the array of documents can be defined by a single axis or a double axis of documents (or more adjacent rows or columns or documents) and the axis can be completely straight, slightly curved, substantially curved, angled, following a particular shape or having a consistent shape over which documents are disposed in a reasonably consistent fashion adapted to allow a viewer to infer a comprehensive suite of documents. 
     Array of Documents Magnifier 
     An object of the present invention provides a method to magnify documents from an array of documents. 
     Another object of the present invention provides a magnifier adapted to magnify a portion of an array of documents. 
     One aspect of the present invention provides a method to magnify a document on an array of documents that is adapted to graphically link the document with a related non-magnified document. 
     One other aspect of the present invention provides a method of magnifying a document that is triggered by a “mouse over” (or hovered with a user-managed pointer or with a human body part contacting a touch-screen) on a portion of an array of documents. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides a magnified document displaying attributes associated therewith. The attributes associated therewith being adapted to be selected when the document is magnified. 
     One additional aspect of the present invention provides a magnifier adapted to magnify selected documents and a hovering magnifier adapted to magnify hovered documents. 
     An aspect of the present invention provides a method to magnify a document that is configured to display information related to the magnified document, the quantity of information that is displayed being determined, at least in part, by the size of the document in its magnified state. 
     One other aspect of the present invention provides a method of magnifying a document that provides with the magnified documents functions to create an axis of documents having a commonality with the magnified document. The created axis being adapted to be displayed at a predetermined angle on a display. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of magnifying a portion of an axis of documents to magnify at least a portion of one document thereon and also provide to a user a choice of functions to create an additional axis based, at least in part, on a selection of attributes associated with the magnified document. 
     One additional aspect of the present invention provides a method of magnifying a document from an axis of documents and to provide at least one function associated with the magnified document. 
     Group(s) of Arrays 
     An object of the present invention provides a mechanism to assemble a plurality of arrays of document. The assembled plurality of arrays of documents being adapted to be described as a group of arrays of documents. 
     Another object of the present invention provides a graphical user interface adapted to assemble at least two arrays of documents along the same time line. 
     One object of the present invention provides a method and a graphical user interface providing same adapted to merge two axes of documents having respective timelines in a group of axes sharing the same timeline. 
     Another one object of the present invention provides a method and a graphical user interface adapted to drag an axis of documents and drop it next to another axis of documents to use a single timeline for both axes of documents. 
     One object of the present invention provides the creation of a group of array of documents. 
     One other object of the present invention provides the separation of a group of array of documents. 
     An aspect of the present invention provides a visual distinctive discriminator between arrays of documents. The visual distinctive discriminator might be a color adapted to distinguish two arrays of documents forming a group of arrays of documents. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides a visual distinctive discriminator adapted to separate or visually discriminate two groups of arrays of documents. 
     One other aspect of the present invention provides distinct navigation capabilities for each group of arrays of documents. The navigation might be performed on a longitudinal direction when the group of arrays of documents has a longitudinal document distribution thereof. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides a distinct navigation capability for arrays of documents in the same group of arrays of documents. The navigation might be performed on a longitudinal direction when arrays of documents have a longitudinal document distribution thereof. 
     One other aspect of the present invention provides distinct magnifying capabilities for each group of arrays of documents. Magnification of a group of arrays of documents does not influence the size of another group of array of documents displayed nearby. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides distinct magnifying capabilities for each array of documents. Magnification of an array of documents does not influence the size of another array of documents displayed nearby. 
     An aspect of the present invention provides distinct navigational capabilities for each axis of documents within a group of axis of documents. 
     An aspect of the present invention provides distinct magnifying capabilities for each axis of documents within a group of axis of documents. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides distinct timescales for each array of documents within a group of arrays of documents. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides distinct timescales for each array of documents within a group of arrays of documents. 
     An aspect of the present invention provides a mechanism adapted to position a group of arrays of document among existing groups of arrays of documents. 
     An aspect of the present invention provides a mechanism adapted to locate an array of documents within a group of existing arrays of documents. 
     One aspect of the present invention provides groups of arrays of documents that are adapted to be reordered therebetween. 
     One aspect of the present invention provides arrays of documents within a group of arrays of documents that are adapted to be reordered. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides at least one tangible machine-readable medium comprising machine-executable instructions adapted to be executable by the machine, the machine-executable instructions providing a method providing a first plurality of documents in a first array of documents; providing a second plurality of documents in a second array of documents; grouping the first array of documents and the second array of documents in a first group of arrays of documents; and displaying the first group of documents. 
     One other aspect of the present invention provides a graphical user interface comprising a mechanism configured to provide a first array of documents disposed in a substantially longitudinal fashion; a mechanism configured to provide a second array of documents disposed in a substantially longitudinal fashion; and a mechanism configured to group and display the first and second arrays of documents on a display. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides a computer system comprising a documents gathering module adapted to provide a mechanism configured to provide a first array of documents disposed in a substantially longitudinal fashion and a mechanism configured to provide a second array of documents disposed in a substantially longitudinal fashion; and an array management module adapted to provide a mechanism configured to group and display the first and second arrays of documents on a display. 
     Arrays of Documents 
     One object of the present invention provides parallel axes of documents that can be reordered therebetween on a graphical user interface by selecting and dragging an axis of documents to a desired position. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides axes of documents that are adapted to be independently longitudinally moveable and independently magnifyable. 
     An aspect of the present invention provides at least one tangible machine-readable medium comprising machine-executable instructions adapted to be executable by the machine, the machine-executable instructions providing a method comprising displaying a first plurality of documents in a first array of documents; selecting a document from the first array of documents; and magnifying attributes related to the selected document. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of presenting a search query, the method comprising displaying at least a portion of the search query on an array of documents comprising search results. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention provides at least one tangible machine-readable medium comprising machine-executable instructions adapted to be executable by the machine, the machine-executable instructions providing a method comprising providing a first plurality of documents in a first array of documents; providing a second plurality of documents in a second array of documents; saving the first and the second array of documents in a workspace; and displaying the workspace on a display. 
     One other aspect of the present invention provides at least one tangible machine-readable medium comprising machine-executable instructions adapted to be executable by the machine, the machine-executable instructions providing a method comprising associating a document position offset with a first attribute; displaying a first plurality of documents in a first array of documents, each document being associated with at least one attribute; providing an array border; and offsetting the documents from the first array of documents having the first attribute associated therewith in a fashion adapted to discontinue the border. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides at least one tangible machine-readable medium comprising machine-executable instructions adapted to be executable by the machine, the machine-executable instructions providing a method comprising displaying a first plurality of documents in a first axis of documents, each document being associated with at least one attribute and being imageless represented as a geometric shape having a width of some pixels on a display. 
     One aspect of the present invention provides an axis identification on an axis. The axis identification might be alternatively displayed thereon provided an action performed by a user. The axis identification might be given by the user or automatically generated. The axis identification could for instance comprise a sequential number and information about the query used to select the documents displayed on the axis. 
     Map of Arrays of Documents Landscape 
     One aspect of the present invention provides a map of arrays of documents landscape. 
     One other aspect of the present invention provides a map of arrays of documents landscape that discriminates the portion of the map that is visible on a display. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides a means to discriminate the portion of the map that represents what is visible on a display; the visible portion being is adapted to be moved and to change what is visible on a display. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a map of arrays of documents landscape that discriminates the portion of the map that is visible on a display, the size of the map being a multiple of the size of the discriminated portion of the map that is visible on the display. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a map of arrays of documents landscape that discriminates the portion of the map that is visible on a display, the size of the map being a odd multiple of the size of the discriminated portion of the map that is visible on the display. 
     One aspect of the present invention provides a map of arrays of documents landscape that has a size smaller than the size of the entire landscape to prevent displaying a map with a scale adapted to see the arrays of documents on the landscape with sufficient details. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides a map that is adapted to be dragged to illustrate a different portion of the landscape of arrays of documents. 
     One other aspect of the present invention provides a map of a landscape of arrays of documents that is adapted to display visual distinctive features respectively associated with the arrays of documents. 
     End of Array of Documents Identification 
     An aspect of the present invention provides a truncated array of documents. 
     One other aspect of the present invention provides an end of array of documents distinctive visual feature. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides an end of array of documents identification that is a geometrical shape. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides an end of array of documents identification that colored. 
     One other aspect of the present invention provides an end of array of documents that also ends a discriminating color of the array of documents. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides an end of array of documents that is visible on a mini-map. 
     Array of E-Mail Documents 
     An aspect of the present invention provides an array of document adapted to display e-mails. 
     An aspect of the present invention provides a plurality of arrays of documents adapted to display e-mails associated with a plurality of e-mail addresses. 
     One other aspect of the present invention provides a plurality of arrays of documents adapted to display e-mail documents separated in an inbox-array of e-mail documents and a sent-array of e-mail documents. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides a firewall separating the e-mails displayed on an array of e-mails and the database of the documents displayed on another array of documents. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides an array of e-mails that is displayed among other arrays of documents while the e-mails are not inserted as documents in the document management system database. 
     One other aspect of the present invention provides an insertion of an e-mail document in a document database by dragging the subject email from the e-mail array to another array of documents. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides a mechanism that automatically retrieves emails from a server and graphically displays the retrieved e-mails on an array of e-mail documents. 
     One another aspect of the present invention provides an array of e-mail documents that can be moved and placed between other arrays of documents. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention provides an insertion of an e-mail document by associating an attribute with the e-mail. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides a first database adapted to store e-mails and a second database adapted to store documents in order to prevent contamination of the second database by corrupted e-mails, both databases being adapted to respectively display an array of e-mails and an array of documents. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a first database adapted to store e-mails and a second database adapted to store documents in order to prevent contamination of the second database by corrupted e-mails, e-mails in the first database being inserted in the second database by the association of an attribute. 
     One other aspect of the present invention provides a first database adapted to store e-mails and a second database adapted to store documents in order to prevent contamination of the second database by corrupted e-mails, e-mails in the first database being inserted in the second database by dragging the e-mail from an e-mail array to another array of documents. 
     Trash Can Array 
     An aspect of the present invention provides a display of documents that have been put in a trash can on a trash can array of documents. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides a mechanism to insert a document in the trash can by dragging the document from an array of documents to the trash can array of documents. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides a removal of a document from the trash can by dragging the trashed document from the trash can array to another array of documents. 
     Drag and Drop Association of Attributes 
     One aspect of the present invention provides the ability to associate an attribute with a document by dragging the document on an array of document already having the attribute associated therewith. 
     An aspect of the present invention provides a method to associate attributes with a document by dragging a document to an array of documents having the attribute associated therewith. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides a method to associate attributes with a document by dragging a document from a first an array of documents to a second array of documents having the attribute associated therewith. 
     Other advantages might become apparent to the skilled reader of this patent specification in light of the appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of an exemplary computerized network; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of an exemplary multi-devices network layout; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of a typical exemplary computerized system; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of a multi-array layout wherein the arrays are longitudinal arrangements of documents in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an illustrative flow chart of one possible use of a magnifier in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is an illustrative flow chart of one possible use of a magnifier in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is an illustrative schematic view of magnified documents in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is an illustrative schematic view of magnified documents in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is an illustrative schematic flow chart of a selection of an attribute via a magnified document (through a magnifier or not) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is an illustrative schematic view of a magnifier interacting with a plurality of arrays of documents in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11   a ),  11   b ),  11   c ) are various illustrative schematic view of an attribute dialogue in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is an illustrative schematic view of a matrix of documents composed of a plurality of juxtaposed arrays of documents in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is an illustrative schematic view of a plurality of groups of arrays of documents in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is an illustrative schematic view of a plurality of groups of arrays of documents in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is an illustrative schematic view of a plurality of groups of arrays of documents in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is an illustrative schematic view of a plurality of groups of arrays of documents in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  is an illustrative schematic view of one side of a plurality of groups of arrays of documents in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  is an illustrative schematic view of an arrangement of arrays of documents; 
         FIG. 19  is an illustrative schematic view of a change in the arrangement of the arrays of documents of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  is an illustrative schematic view of a plurality of groups of arrays of documents with associated array names in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 21  is an illustrative schematic view of a plurality of groups of arrays of documents with associated array names in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 22  is an illustrative schematic view of a plurality of groups of arrays of documents with associated array names in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 23  is an illustrative schematic view of a display displaying a mini-map in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 24  is an illustrative schematic view of a display displaying a mini-map in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 25  is an illustrative schematic view a mini-map in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 26  is an illustrative schematic view of a juxtaposition of specialized arrays of documents in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 27  is an illustrative schematic view of an association of attributes to a document performed on a dragged document to an array of documents in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It may be evident, however, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the present invention. 
     The description is separated with subtitles to facilitate its readability. The subtitles include descriptions of portions of invention that might be interrelated despite they might appear under different subtitles. In other words, subtitles are not intended to separate part of the same invention or different inventions described therein but are rather intended to structure the text. 
     The features provided in this specification mainly relates to basic principles for managing arrays of documents. These code/instructions are preferably stored on a machine-readable medium adapted to be read and acted upon to with a computer or a machine having corresponding code/instructions reading capability. 
     Exemplary Network 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary network  10  in which a system and method, consistent with the present invention, may be implemented. The network  10  may include multiple client devices  12  connected to multiple servers  14 ,  16 ,  18  via a network  20 . The network  20  may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a telephone network, such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), an intranet, the Internet, Wi-Fi, WiMAX or a combination of networks. Two client devices  12  and three servers  14 ,  16 ,  18  have been illustrated as connected to network  20  for simplicity. In practice, there may be more or less client devices and servers. Also, in some instances, a client device may perform the functions of a server and a server may perform the functions of a client device. 
     The client devices  12  may include devices, such as mainframes, minicomputers, personal computers, laptops, personal digital assistants, telephones, or the like, capable of connecting to the network  20 . The client devices  12  may transmit data over the network  20  or receive data from the network  20  via a wired, wireless, or optical connection. 
     The servers  14 ,  16 ,  18  may include one or more types of computer systems, such as a mainframe, minicomputer, or personal computer, capable of connecting to the network  20  to enable servers  14 ,  16 ,  18  to communicate with the client devices  12 . In alternative implementations, the servers  14 ,  16 ,  18  may include mechanisms for directly connecting to one or more client devices  12 . The servers  14 ,  16 ,  18  may transmit data over network  14  or receive data from the network  20  via a wired, wireless, or optical connection. 
     In an implementation consistent with the present invention, the server  14  may include a search engine  22  usable by the client devices  12 . The servers  14  may store documents, such as web pages, accessible by the client devices  12 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , a network  20  includes the content cloud  30 , a content database  32 , content devices  34 - 38 , and devices  40 - 48 . The network mediator  28  enables the network devices  32 - 38  to communicate with each other without pre-configuring each device. 
     The content cloud  30  represent a content source such as the Internet, where content exists at various locations across the globe. The content includes multimedia content such as audio and video. The mediator  28  allows the content cloud to provide content to devices  40 - 48 . 
     The content database  32  is a storage device that maintains content. The content database  32  may be a stand-alone device on an external communication network. The mediator  28  communicates with the content database  32  to access and retrieve content. 
     The content devices  34 - 38  include intelligent devices, such as, for example, personal computers, laptops, cell phones and personal digital assistants. The content devices  32 - 38  are capable or storing content information. 
     The devices  40 - 48  are intelligent devices that receive content from a content source  30 - 38 . However, the devices  30 - 38  can also operate as servers to distribute content to other client devices. 
     Exemplary Client Architecture 
       FIG. 3  and the following discussion provide a brief, general description of an exemplary apparatus in which at least some aspects of the present invention may be implemented. The present invention will be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a personal computer. However, the methods of the present invention may be effected by other apparatus. Program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, applets, WEB 2.0 type of evolved networked centered applications, etc. that perform a task(s) or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that at least some aspects of the present invention may be practiced with other configurations, including hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network computers, minicomputers, set top boxes, mainframe computers, gaming console and the like. At least some aspects of the present invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in local and/or remote memory storage devices. 
     Now, with reference to  FIG. 3 , an exemplary apparatus  100  for implementing at least some aspects of the present invention includes a general purpose computing device in the form of a conventional personal computer  120 . The personal computer  120  may include a processing unit  121 , a system memory  122 , and a system bus  123  that couples various system components, including the system memory  122 , to the processing unit  121 . The system bus  123  may be any of several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. The system memory may include read only memory (ROM)  124  and/or random access memory (RAM)  125 . A basic input/output system  126  (BIOS), containing basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the personal computer  120 , such as during start-up, may be stored in ROM  124 . The personal computer  120  may also include a hard disk drive  127  for reading from and writing to a hard disk, (not shown), a magnetic disk drive  128  for reading from or writing to a (e.g., removable) magnetic disk  129 , and an optical disk drive  130  for reading from or writing to a removable (magneto) optical disk  131  such as a compact disk or other (magneto) optical media. The hard disk drive  127 , magnetic disk drive  128 , and (magneto) optical disk drive  130  may be coupled with the system bus  123  by a hard disk drive interface  132 , a magnetic disk drive interface  133 , and a (magneto) optical drive interface  134 , respectively. The drives and their associated storage media provide nonvolatile (or persistent) storage of machine-readable instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for the personal computer  120 . Although the exemplary environment described herein employs a hard disk, a removable magnetic disk  129  and a removable optical disk  131 , those skilled in the art will appreciate that other types of storage media, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital video disks, Bernoulli cartridges, random access memories (RAMs), read only memories (ROM), and the like, may be used instead of, or in addition to, the storage devices introduced above. 
     A number of program modules may be stored on the hard disk  127 , magnetic disk  129 , (magneto) optical disk  131 , ROM  124  or RAM  125 , such as an operating system  135  (for example, Windows® NT™ 4.0, sold by Microsoft® Corporation of Redmond, Wash.), one or more application programs  136 , other program modules  137  (such as “Alice”, which is a research system developed by the User Interface Group at Carnegie Mellon University available at www.Alice.org, OpenGL from Silicon Graphics Inc. of Mountain View Calif., or Direct 3D from Microsoft Corp. of Bellevue Wash.), and/or program data  138  for example. 
     A user may enter commands and information into the personal computer  120  through input devices, such as a keyboard  140 , a camera  141  and pointing device  142  for example. Other input devices (not shown) such as a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, a touch sensitive screen, accelerometers adapted to sense movements of the user or movements of a device, or the like may also be included. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit  121  through a serial port interface  146  coupled to the system bus. However, input devices may be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, a game port, blue tooth connection or a universal serial bus (USB). For example, since the bandwidth of the camera  141  may be too great for the serial port, the video camera  141  may be coupled with the system bus  123  via a video capture card (not shown). The video monitor  147  or other type of display device may also be connected to the system bus  123  via an interface, such as a video adapter  148  for example. The video adapter  148  may include a graphics accelerator. One or more speaker  162  may be connected to the system bus  123  via a sound card  161  (e.g., a wave table synthesizer such as product number AWE64 Gold Card from Creative® Labs of Milpitas, Calif.). In addition to the monitor  147  and speaker(s)  162 , the personal computer  120  may include other peripheral output devices (not shown), such as a printer for example. As an alternative or an addition to the video monitor  147 , a stereo video output device, such as a head mounted display or LCD shutter glasses for example, could be used. 
     The personal computer  120  may operate in a networked environment that defines logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer  149 . The remote computer  149  may be another personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, and may include many or all of the elements described above relative to the personal computer  120 , although only a memory storage device has been illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The logical connections depicted in  FIG. 2  include a local area network (LAN)  14  and a wide area network (WAN)  152 , an intranet and the Internet. 
     When used in a LAN, the personal computer  120  may be connected to the LAN  14  through a network interface adapter (or “NIC”)  153 . When used in a WAN, such as the Internet, the personal computer  120  may include a modem  154  or other means for establishing communications over the wide area network  152  (e.g. Wi-Fi, WiMax . . . ). The modem  154 , which may be internal or external, may be connected to the system bus  123  via the serial port interface  146 . In a networked environment, at least some of the program modules depicted relative to the personal computer  120  may be stored in the remote memory storage device. The network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers may be used. 
     The Interface 
     An interface program providing an interface for managing documents in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is installed on a machine e.g. a computer system. The interface can be programmed using various programming languages e.g. C++, Java or other suitable programming languages. Programming of these languages is well known in the art and is adapted to be readable to provide executable instructions to a hardware system and will not be further described therein. The interface might run through the operating system and the hardware of the computer system or, alternatively, through a network based system e.g. client-server, and/cloud computing system. The interface is adapted to manage documents, computer files, pictures, multimedia content, applications (i.e. computer programs), menu elements and other user-selectable elements in a comprehensive fashion. 
     Documents are stored on a machine-readable medium and can be retrieved when needed with the interface program. Documents are disposed in an array layout providing a visually comprehensive display arrangement of the documents. The array can, illustratively, among other possibilities, be based on a selection of attribute(s), tag(s), category(ies), owner of documents, a chronological order, a statistical order or an order representing an increasing file size. Combinations of the above-listed possible choices, inter alia, are possible if desired to build a query adapted to reduce the number of documents to be displayed on the array. The array thus helps the viewer to infer additional meaning from the consistent display and distribution of the documents thereon. 
     An array is adapted to accommodate a single type of documents or, if desired, more than one type of documents, or a mix of documents, computer files, multimedia contents and/or user-selectable menu elements. Documents might overlap to squeeze more documents on the space available on the display. Magnification of selected documents on an array can be made to increase the level of details of the selected documents. 
     Using an array of documents helps to meaningfully and intuitively display a group of documents. An array of documents can be embodied as being a substantially linear distribution of documents adapted to dispose each document to be displayed on a line or on a curved line. The exact shape of the array is secondary, what matters, inter alia, is that the layout structure of an array provides a comprehensive suite of documents from which a viewer can infer an order, a sequence or a relationship between documents. The display of the array of documents might be made in accordance with a predetermined order (e.g. chronologically), or not. A linear distribution of documents can sort documents on a timeline. Another illustrative embodiment is a group of juxtaposed linear distribution of documents grouped together to form an array referring to a matrix of documents. A curved or a circular array of documents is also contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The display of documents on an array of documents allows to contextually manage documents as a flow, or an ongoing suite, of documents instead of dealing with each document independently. By getting away from managing each document independently it becomes possible to efficiently deal with a significantly higher number of documents and still keep the documents in a structured order. 
     Each array of documents groups documents in accordance with, for example, a selected tag, a category, keywords, or an attribute that is commonly shared among the documents displayed on the array of documents. The term “attribute” will consistently be used throughout the instant specification to lighten the reading of the text and will include the other commonality between documents described therein unless otherwise specified. The selection of one or more attribute (using Boolean logic for instant) determines which documents will be displayed on the array of documents. If no specific attribute is selected, then, the array of documents displays all documents. Thus, all documents on the same array of documents are normally associated with the selected set or combination of attributes (trivial data, like publicity or specific related information, could be added to an array as long as the result remains a presentation of documents resulting from a query without departing from the scope of the present invention). In addition a timeline can be used to determine the order of the suite of documents on the array of documents. Chronological ordering is a very intuitive ordering to humans and is one of the preferred ways to present documents on an array of documents. In the case of a matrix of documents, then, one axis (e.g. horizontal direction) of the matrix can represent a timeline while the other axis (e.g. vertical direction) represents another criterion like, for example, the type of computer files each document relates to. 
     The attributes of a document can be selected to create another array of documents. The attribute of a document from the newly created array of documents can be selected to create an additional array of documents and so on so forth. This is what could be called “relational navigation” and is well described in the United States patent application publication referred to at the beginning of the present patent specification. The user can “navigate” along arrays of documents in accordance with their categorization to visualize the documents. Navigation tools are provided with the interface to allow navigation through various arrays of documents, when a plurality of arrays is enabled, and through the documents of a single array of documents. In the context of the present invention, a single suite of documents forming an axis along a timeline is one of the preferred embodiments because it is easy to sequentially navigate throughout the documents disposed along the axis. 
     When only a portion of the array is visible, a play of zoom, pan and movements along the array allows a viewer to navigate on the axis and change the document(s) that is(are) displayed on the display. A small display area could display only one document from the array of documents while the remaining documents from the array of documents are not displayed but remain nonetheless at their “virtual” position on the array and ready to be displayed if the array is scrolled to show other documents. In other words, if we consider a mobile platform like a mobile phone having a small display, the small display area might allow to efficiently display only one document at the time. However, the displayed document being part of an array of documents, the other documents on the array of documents remain displayable in accordance with their respective position on the array of documents when the array is scrolled/navigated. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , it is possible to appreciate a plurality of documents  210  disposed on various arrays of documents  220 ,  222 ,  224 ,  226  illustratively intersecting each other. Horizontal array of documents  220  disposed documents along a timeline  230  in the present embodiment. Each document  210  is juxtaposed with its associated set of attributes  240  represented here by capital letters where each letter represents an attribute. Array of documents  222  is a subset of array of documents  220  that displays documents having the attribute “E” in common along timeline  232 . Document  212  is the intersection document between both arrays of documents  220 ,  222 . Array of documents  224  is also grouping documents from the array of documents  220  having the attribute “E” in common. Document  214  is the intersecting document between array  224  and  220 . Various versions  241  of document  216  are disposed on another array of documents  228  disposing documents along timeline  234 . Future versions of a document  242  can also be shown in the future, in accordance with timeline  234 , on top of the document  216  located on array of document  224 . In the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 4  arrays of documents  222 ,  224 ,  226  are disposed at a slight angle  246  from their intersecting array of documents  220 . In contrast, arrays of documents  222 ,  224 ,  226  could alternatively be orthogonally  248  disposed in respect from their intersecting array of documents  220 . 
     Array of Documents Magnifier 
     The magnifier is, just as it is named, a mechanism that is adapted to magnify a reduced portion of what is displayed. Lets say that an array of documents displays five documents and the user wants to get a bigger view of the fifth document. The magnifier can be used to put emphasis on the desired fifth document. Turning now to  FIG. 5  illustrating an illustrative possible flow chart of an exemplary use of the magnifier. The pointing device hovers over a document that is displayed  260  and the personal setting of the user dictates that the magnifier can be opened by hovering or selecting a document if the document is smaller than a predetermined threshold size  262 . If the document is bigger than the predetermined size  262  the hovered document is not shown in the magnifier  264 . Conversely, if the hovered document is smaller, the system asks if the magnifier is already opened  266 . If the magnifier is already opened the document is shown in the magnifier  270 . In contrast, if the magnifier is not opened the magnifier is first opened and the document is shown in the magnified  268 . The magnifier can also simply be to magnify the hovered document without recourse to a magnifier that needs to be separately opened. The magnifier is simply the action of magnifying the hovered document. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an alternate flow chart where the pointing device hovers over a document  280 . If the magnifier is opened  282  the document is displayed in the magnifier  286  and a link is drew between the magnifier and the magnified document on the array of documents it is displayed such that the user can easily see the relation between the magnified document and the same document at its place on its array. If the pointer moves over another document and the magnifier displays the newly hovered document the link is updated between the magnifier and the newly hovered document on the array. If the magnifier is not opened  282 , a bigger image of the hovered document is displayed  284 . In this example we make a distinction between the magnifier and the enlarged image of the document because the magnifier can display more information than a mere thumbnail e.g. the attributes associated with the hovered documents for instance. 
     Turning to  FIG. 7 , one can appreciate an array of documents  290  grouping a plurality of documents  292 . The pointing device  294  hovers a document  296 . The hovered document  296  is also displayed with a bold frame  298  to emphasis this is the magnified document in the magnifier  300 . A link  302  is drawn between the hovered document  296  and the magnifier  300 . Hovering another document would dynamically change the subject document in the magnifier  300  and the associated link  302 . The optional enlarged image  304  is simultaneously displaying a larger image of document  306  in addition to the magnifier. The enlarged thumbnail  304  could also be a floating window adapted to more precisely display a document independently from the magnifier  300 . The document that appears in the magnifier  300  can also be selected with the pointing device  294  depending on how the system&#39;s controls are designed. 
     On  FIG. 8  is shown an array of documents  308  grouping a plurality of documents  292 . A document  306  is selected by the pointing device  294  to magnify the document  306  in the magnifier  310 . Here again a dynamic graphical link  302  is illustrated disposed between the magnifier  310  and the document  306  that is magnified. An alternative embodiment is illustrated on  FIG. 8  by magnifying  312  a selected document  316  over the array  308 . The magnified document  316  remains slightly visible on, or under, the magnified document  312 . Extension lines  314  are dynamically used to emphasis the displayed document  316  among the other non-magnified documents on the array of documents  308 . The magnifier can display additional interactive information that can be acted upon by the user (like attributes for example as best seen on  FIG. 10 ). 
     Another additional flow chart is displayed on  FIG. 9 . The exemplary process begins  330  with the display of a magnified document from a first array of documents in the magnifier with its associated attributes  332 . The associated attributes displayed along the magnified document can be selected with the pointing device and the user selects one (or a combination of) attribute  334 . After, because the selected attribute  334  is material in the query used to select which documents are to be displayed on an additional array of documents, the user needs to specify if the additional array of documents will be displayed parallel from the array from which the magnified document has been selected from, or, at an angle, intersecting or abutting, or in line with the array from which the magnified document has been selected from similarly to the example depicted on preceding  FIG. 4 . The additional array of documents is then displayed  338  at the desired position and the process ends  340 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates the actions detailed in respect with  FIG. 9 . The first array  350  is illustrated in bold to represent the active array and is the first array that is visible, the other arrays  362 ,  364  will be created later as it will be explained below. The size of the array of document  350  is too small to display anything else than a suite of small images of some documents  354 . Their associated attributes are thus not displayed along with their related documents  354  nor selectable directly from the array of documents  350 . In one embodiment, document  352  is selected, or hovered over, by the pointing device (not shown) to be magnified in the magnifier  356 . Five attributes associated from document  352  are displayed  358  on the magnifier  356  because of the larger size of the document  352  provided on the magnifier  356 . The attribute selected  360  from the attributes  358  is used to enable and display an additional array of documents  364  presenting a subset of documents sharing the selected attribute  360 . The user can also select from the magnifier  356  to display the new array of documents, in the present situation it is displayed parallel  362  (illustrated in thinner lines) or perpendicular  364  (illustrated in dotted lines) from the first array of documents  350  (illustrated in bolder lines). Selecting either the parallel button  366  or the perpendicular button  368  on the magnifier  356  performs the determination of the position of the new array of document  370 . In other words, actions can be performed on the magnifier  356  (or an adapted magnified document) because the magnifier  356  is an interactive dialog with a user. 
     In an alternate embodiment the magnifier can display the attributes  358  and controls of some functions  366 ,  368  while not displaying a magnified image of the actual document. 
     Attribute Separation 
     We turn now to a more precise aspect related to the presentation of the attributes. As we have seen above, each document is associated with its related attributes. The association between a document and its attributes can be graphical. The graphical representation of the attributes can also be disposed adjacent to the document to which they relate. This is desirable because each document has its own set of associated attributes. In an embodiment, each attribute is selectable either, inter alia, by being in the form of selectable text or a selectable button. 
     The attributes are generally separated in various subsets to ease their classification and be quickly retrieved. Namely, and for illustrative purposes, the subsets could be separated as follows: 1) intrinsic attributes, 2) extrinsic attributes and 3) link attributes (among other possible types of attributes). There are some cognitive advantages to disposed different types of attributes in a particular graphical structure. For instance, referring to  FIG. 11   a ), it can be appreciated that the attribute dialogue  400  is separated in three distinct portions  404 ,  406 ,  408  each one adapted to receive one type of attribute e.g. intrinsic attributes  404 , extrinsic attributes  406  and link attributes  408 . Each portion on dialogue  400  has an identical size  402  adapted to receive a number of attributes. The separation illustrated here uses sort of windows but any other suitable means for separating the kinds of attributes like a line, a space, different colors and the like are encompassed by the present specification. 
     In contrast, attribute dialogue  410 , which depicts the same three different types of attributes (intrinsic attributes  414 , extrinsic attributes  416  and link attributes  418 ), defines a different portion&#39;s  416  height  412 . The size/height of attribute portions  414 ,  416 ,  418  can be manually specified by the user with a simple “select and drag” of the border of the desired border attribute portion  414 ,  416 ,  418 . The height  412  of the attribute portions  414 ,  416 ,  418  can also be automatically adjusted so that each attribute portion  414 ,  416 ,  418  has a size that is proportional to the number of attributes therein. In the event the attribute dialogue  410  has a maximum size, it might be possible that one or many attribute portion  414 ,  416 ,  418  uses a scroll down bar  419  adapted to navigate among the attributes that are not readily visible on the attribute dialogue  410 . 
       FIG. 11   c ) illustrates an attribute dialogue  420  that is adapted to receive five (5) different attribute portions  424 ,  426 ,  428 ,  430 ,  432 , each having its respective size. 
     Grouping of Arrays 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12  where an array of documents, being basically a matrix of documents  450 , is illustrated. The matrix of documents  450  has several columns  452  and several rows  454  that are substantially aligned thus offering a comprehensive document display layout. The array of documents  450  can be produced by displaying a group of documents or by being built from a juxtaposition of different longitudinal arrays of documents  460  (arrays having an axis-like layout). In the present situation each horizontal array of documents has been individually identified with a sequential number and a title. An alternate example of a juxtaposition of an axis of documents is illustrated on  FIG. 13 . 
     Still on  FIG. 13 , it can be appreciated that each array (in the present embodiments, axis) of documents  460  is adapted to be useable individually, as it is the case for array  494 , or grouped with other(s) array(s). Three distinct groups of arrays  470 ,  474 ,  478  are displayed on  FIG. 13 . Group of array  470  is composed of two arrays  480 ,  482 , group of arrays  474  is composed of two arrays  490 ,  492  and the last group of arrays  478  is composed of a single array  494 . 
     The distance  500 ,  502 ,  504 ,  506  between arrays of documents  460  is adjustable. It might be desirable to set a larger distance  502 ,  506  between distinct adjacent groups of documents and a smaller distance  500 ,  504  between adjacent arrays of documents that are part of the same group  470 ,  474 ,  478  of arrays of documents. In the present situation the distance  500  between arrays of documents  480 ,  482  is shorter than the distance between groups of arrays of documents  470  and  474 . It might be desirable that the distance  502 ,  506  between groups of arrays of documents and distances between arrays of documents that are part of the same group  470 ,  474 ,  478  of arrays of documents remain consistent to maximize the graphical rendering of the matrix of documents  450  such that it is easy to distinguish groups  470 ,  474 ,  478  of arrays of documents and arrays of documents. In the present illustrative example the number of array of documents part of groups of array  470 ,  474  is limited to two (2). Additional arrays of documents could be included in a group of arrays or removed from a group of arrays without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     The addition, or the removal of arrays of documents, (axes of documents in the present illustrative example) from a group of arrays of documents can be made through a dialogue where a user defines the grouped axes and the order thereof in each group of axes. The order of the group of axes can also be managed in a similar fashion. 
     To help support the graphical rendering of a matrix of documents including distinct groups of arrays of documents it is possible to add a graphical distinctive feature to a group of arrays of documents and/or an array of documents. The group of documents  470  on  FIG. 13  is illustrated with a background color  510  that efficiently distinguishes the latter group of documents  470  from the other groups/arrays of documents. A dotted line  514  separates the group of documents  474  from the group of documents  478  in addition to the noticeable distance  506  therebetween. Other colors, texture and means to graphically discriminate arrays of documents and groups of arrays of documents on a matrix of documents  450  not specifically mentioned but directed to the same goal might become apparent to people skilled in the art of document management in light of the present disclosure and would be considered within the scope of the present invention. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 14  where one can appreciate the groups of arrays of documents  470 ,  474 ,  478  presented on preceding  FIG. 13 . Each group of arrays of documents  470 ,  474 ,  478  can be navigated independently with a navigation tool  530 . The navigation tool  530  is present for each group of array of documents  470 ,  474 ,  478  for simultaneously navigating along a specific group of arrays of documents  470 ,  474 ,  478 . When navigating along a group of arrays all arrays of documents are moved altogether such that the whole group of arrays of document is navigated by scrolling along the display (not illustrated). For instance, group of array  470  comprises array of documents  480 ,  482 . When one of the arrows on the navigation tool  530  is selected both arrays of documents  480 ,  482  are moved together. This also allows to relatively positioning each group of arrays of documents therebetween. 
     Each of the arrays of documents  480 ,  482  from the group of arrays of documents  470  also comprises an array navigation tool  540  adapted to independently move their respective array of documents  480 ,  482 . The array navigation tool  540  allows to independently positioning each array of documents  480 ,  482  in their own group of arrays  470  such that each array of documents  480 ,  482  is shown at the desired position in respect with the other array of documents part of the same group of arrays. In  FIG. 14 , the group navigation tool  530  is display with a lighter color meaning it is not enabled because the array navigation tools  540 , depicted in solid color, are enabled. Conversely, group navigation tool  530  of group of arrays  474  is enabled while array navigation tools  540  are not enabled to avoid any confusion for the user. Alternatively both the group navigation tool  530  and the array of documents navigation tool  540  can be enabled at the same time thus allowing more simultaneous navigation choice to the user. Group of arrays of documents  478 , including only a single array  494 , is illustrated with a single combined group navigation tool  530  and array of documents navigation tool  440 . Finally, it has to be noted that the documents on the matrix of documents formed by the juxtaposition of arrays of documents  480 ,  482 ,  490 ,  492 ,  494  are vertically aligned to facilitate their ordering and their viewing. 
     Group of arrays of documents  470  on  FIG. 15  further comprises a group of array magnifier  552  adapted to magnify or reduce the size of the group of array  470 . Also, each of the arrays of documents  480 ,  482  in the group of arrays of documents  470  has its own array magnifier  550  adapted to independently magnify each array  480 ,  482 . It is possible to appreciate from  FIG. 15  that array of documents  482  is slightly magnified compared to counterpart array of documents  480  within the same group of arrays of documents  470 . In contrast, group of arrays of documents  474  has been reduced in size with its respective group of array magnifier  552  such that the documents on the arrays  490 ,  492  are substantially smaller than the documents on arrays of documents  480 ,  482 . 
     Group of arrays of documents  474  is also illustrating various timescales applied to arrays of documents  490 ,  492 . Array of document  490  uses a non-linear timescale where the distribution of documents is at constant intervals therebetween while array  492  uses a linear timescale where the duration of each unit of time is equal. Time marks  560  disposed on the array of documents  490  are identifying a change in days (for instance but it could be any other length of time, weeks, months, . . . ). Visually distinctive time mark  562  identifies a change in day and time mark  564  identifies a change in week along the longitudinal distribution of documents along timeline  648 . The timescale of each array of documents in the same group of documents can be independently managed. The timescale can also be selected at the same time for all the arrays of documents inside a same group of documents. 
     In the illustrative examples of  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15  it is possible to appreciate that there are navigation tools  530 ,  540  for each array of documents. In an alternate embodiment, not illustrated though, a single navigation tool (like navigation tool  530 ) can be used to manage the longitudinal position of all the arrays of documents. One way to work this out is to have the ability to select an array of document or a group of array of document—it might be done by a simple click on the desired array of documents. Once an array of documents is selected the single navigation tool is configured to move it longitudinally along. This saves useful viewing space while offering the same functions as previously presented. The spacing between groups of arrays of attributes and/or arrays of attributes can be set by dragging and dropping an array of documents in respect with another array of documents on the display. 
     Global navigation tools  570  are adapted to navigate all the groups of arrays of documents  470 ,  474 ,  478  (and all the arrays of documents) at the same time. Arrows  572 ,  574  are enabled—thus in solid color—and are adapted to move laterally all the groups of arrays of documents  470 ,  474 ,  478  together in one movement. Similarly, arrows  576 ,  578  are enabled and shown in solid color and are adapted to move vertically all the groups of arrays of documents  470 ,  474 ,  478 . A global magnifying/reducing function  580  is embedded in the global navigation tool to magnify or reduce the size of all the groups of arrays  470 ,  474 ,  478  at the same time and with similar amplitude. A “PAN” function  582  is adapted to move the entire screen with a drag-hold-and-drop action on the display area  586 . 
     Predetermined Arrangement of Arrays of Documents 
       FIG. 16  illustrates an exemplary predetermined arrangement of array of documents, or “workspace”,  630  that displays a plurality of preferred groups  470 ,  474 ,  478  of arrays of documents with arrays of documents  480 ,  482 ,  490 ,  492 ,  494 . Groups of arrays of documents are displayed and positioned as desired by the user before being saved as “workspace”  630 . The user thus can quickly recall the “workspace”  630  once the desired groups of arrays and array of documents layout is saved. Additional arrays of documents that are not part of groups of arrays can also be displayed and positioned on the “workspace”  630  as desired by the user. In the present embodiment all the arrays of documents are axes of documents disposing documents along a substantially longitudinal alignment representing a timeline  648 . Selecting the appropriate function on a user-selectable menu can save the “workspace”  630 . The saving of the “workspace”  630  is similar to taking “a picture” of the actual display although the saving keeps full recall and functional capabilities. Many workspaces can be saved and recalled when needed to perform a specific task requesting a specific representation of the documents. 
     Various exemplary options are offered when a workspace is saved. It is possible to decide at which longitudinal position each array of documents, and each group of documents, will have on the display when they are recalled. For instance, each array of documents can be recalled 1) placing the newest document thereon at the right side of the display such that the right end (latest in time) is next to the right side of the display, 2) at a precise time, 3) at a precise document and 4) at the same position as it was at the moment it is saved. These options are available through a dialogue and it is up-to the user to select what setup is desired when a workspace is opened. One exemplary configuration could be to ask to position all arrays at their latest document on the timeline such that it is the most recent image of the content of each array of documents. 
     Group of arrays  470  comprising arrays of documents  480 ,  482  illustrated on the exemplary “workspace”  670  of  FIG. 16  further array borders  620  adapted to border the suite of documents  354 . The array borders  620  are provided to confine the documents  354  on an array of documents and also emphasis the position of each document  354  in respect to the array borders  620 . For example, document  632  is disposed above on the array of documents  480  as opposed to document  634  that is disposed low on the array of documents  480 . The upper or the lower side of the offset documents  632 ,  634  are preferably overlapping their closer array border  620  to improve the visual effect by discontinuing the array border  620 . A viewer more easily notices this discontinuity of the array border  620 . 
     Group of arrays of documents  474  illustrates further visual distinctive features applied to selected documents. In addition to the vertical offset visual distinctive feature  636  a document border visual distinctive feature  638  and a document shading (or color) visual distinctive feature  640  are illustrated. Here again array borders  642  are present along the arrays of documents  490 ,  492 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 16  it can be appreciated that group of arrays  478 , that actually includes a single array of documents  494 , is provided using a very dense document distribution called DNA mode  644 —actually referring to the graphical rendering of DNA test films in genomics depicting series of small bars of various thicknesses. The DNA mode  644  provides a series of lines  646  each representing a document. This type of graphical rendering allows to display a maximum of documents on a display so that it is possible to appreciate documents on the array of documents  494  over a substantially long period of time  648 . Time marks  560 ,  562 ,  564  are still represented on the array of documents  494  to show change in days or weeks or months or years or customized time periods. 
     The DNA mode  644  also displays visual distinctive features  636 ,  638 ,  640  so that a viewer can quickly figure out related documents over a long period of time. Coloured documents are also provided to further discriminate some documents. This is one way to help provides insights about trends provided by a distribution of documents over a period of time, inter alia. 
     Each array of documents can be displayed using various display modes. For instance, by selecting the desired array of documents, a user can change the display mode from thumbnail size to DNA size. Alternatively, the DNA mode can be automatically enabled with an array when the zoom is out enough to cross a predetermined mode threshold. Selecting the appropriate menu from linear timescale to non-linear timescale and vice-versa can also change the timescale used to represent documents on an array of documents. 
     The magnifier  610  magnifies a document from the DNA array of documents  494  to allow a viewer to see more details about the targeted document as indicated with link  626 . Similarly, magnifier  612  is displaying document  638  with more information and a bigger image of document  638 . Document  638  is also shown with an extra bold frame  650  and an extra bold link  624  indicating it is the active document pointed by pointing device  620 . A third magnifier  614  is illustrated showing a more detailed view of document  654  from array of documents  492 . Floating window  616  is anther alternate means to illustrate a document in a bigger fashion on the display as decided by the user. 
     Two groups of arrays can be combined by dragging one group of arrays in another with group dragger  602 . For example, group of arrays  478  can be dragged with its group dragger  602  in group of arrays  470 . Group of arrays  470  will show three arrays  480 ,  482 ,  494  therein once group of arrays  478  is dragged. The added array  494  will match the timescale of the group of array in which it is imported unless otherwise decided by the user. This function is going to be better described below in respect with  FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19 . 
       FIG. 17  illustrates another possible embodiment displaying a portion (for the purpose of the present specification) of a plurality of groups of arrays  470 ,  474 ,  478  where some additional functions related to each group of arrays, and possibly related to arrays  480 ,  482 ,  490 ,  492 ,  494 , are shown. Each group of arrays  470 ,  474 ,  478  has its own group navigation tool  530 , group of arrays magnifier  552 , group dragger  602  and group information icon  600 . They all affect the group they belong to as a whole. This way, it is possible to longitudinally navigate a group with all its related arrays of documents in respect of other groups of arrays of documents with the group navigation tool  530 , zoom in/out the group with the group magnifier  552 , move the group of array on the display among between two other groups or to merge a group with another group with the group dragger  602  and get information (some information related to the desired group is editable this way too similarly to the information illustrated for an array on  FIG. 22 ) about a particular group of array with the group information icon  600 . 
     Similar functions are provided to each array, individually, such that an array in a group can be longitudinally navigated in respect of other arrays of documents with the array navigation tool  540 , zoomed in/out the array with the array magnifier  550 , moved on the display between two other arrays (within or not within the same group or it could be used to assemble arrays in group) with the array dragger  654  and get information (some information related to the desired array is editable this way too) about a particular array with the array information icon  556 . This way maximum versatility is obtained for each group of arrays and each array individually to provide to a viewer the view s/he wants. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19  illustrating a change in groups of arrays of documents  680 ,  682 ,  684 ,  686  where one can appreciate the relocation  688  of group of arrays  686 . By using the pointing device  620  and the group dragger  602 , the group of arrays  686  is moved  688  between other groups of arrays  680 ,  682 . At the same time the distance  690  between groups of arrays  680 ,  682  expands to provide enough room to accommodate the newly located group of arrays  686 . 
     A similar function is available for each array of documents such that each array can be manipulated. In so doing an array of document can be extracted from a group of arrays and inserted in another group of arrays. A dragged array of documents might be moved outside a group of array and stand alone, or, the array ordering inside a group of arrays can be modified as desired by a user. 
     Arrays of documents are identified to ease their recognition by a viewer. As illustrated on  FIGS. 18 ,  19  and  20 , an array numeral identification  700  (1 to 5) is associated with each array of documents  480 ,  482 ,  490 ,  492 ,  494  and appears on the extreme left of each array of documents  480 ,  482 ,  490 ,  492 ,  494 . The array numeral identification  500  can be a sequential number representing the order of creation of each array of documents. Additional text  702  can be added and associated with each array numeral identification  700  if so desired by the user. The additional text  702  might be a title or the query leading to the display of a subset of document building the subject array of documents. In the present example array of documents  480  is associated with numeral reference “1” followed by the title “E-mails”. 
     The array numeral identification  700  and the additional text  702  can selectively appear over their respective array of documents  480 ,  482 ,  490 ,  492 ,  494  when a key or a menu element is selected. This selective display reminds the user/viewer which array is what. Groups of array of documents  470 ,  474 ,  478  are also subject to a similar numeral identification with additional text to identify each group of arrays. This embodiment is illustrated on  FIG. 21 . Each array of documents and each group of arrays is provided with an information dialog. 
       FIG. 22  illustrates an array of documents  720  displaying a plurality of documents  354 . An array information icon  600  is provided in association with the array of document  720 . The array information icon  600 , once selected, displays an array dialog  722  listing properties related with the array  720 . Within the array dialog  722  are listed, inter alia, user-selectable or user-modifiable information that are shown underlined in array dialog  722 . A non-exhaustive list of information is shown on the dialog  722  and is believed to speak from itself without additional explanation. A bold line  724  visually connects the array of documents  720  with the array dialog  722  in a visual fashion. 
     The array dialog  722  can optionally be longitudinally locked  726  or unlocked to its related array of documents  720 . The array dialog  722  moves along with the array  720  when the array dialog  722  is locked and the array  720  is longitudinally moved. In contrast, the array dialog  722  doesn&#39;t move along with the array  720  when the array dialog  722  is unlocked and the array  720  is longitudinally moved. 
     Mini Map of Arrays of Documents and End of Arrays of Documents Identification 
       FIG. 23  illustrates a display area  550  showing three arrays of documents  552 ,  554 ,  556 . Only a central portion of array of documents  552  is visible on the display area  550 . The right end of the array of documents  554  is visible on the display area  550  and marked with an end of array mark  558 . The left end of the array of document  556  is visible on the display area  550  and marked with an end of array mark  558 . The end of array mark  558  clearly marks the end of an array of documents after the last document or before the first document on their respective timelines. Each end of array mark  558  can be customized to the taste of the user by changing the shape, the size and the color perhaps to add more meaning to the array of documents. It can also be appreciated each array of documents  552 ,  554 ,  556  are illustrated with a discriminating array border  420  thus improving the distinctiveness of each array of documents despite only a portion of each array is visible. 
     Still on  FIG. 23 , a mini-map  560  is illustrated. The mini-map  560  illustrates what is seen on the display area  550  with frame  562 . The same arrays of documents  552 ,  554 ,  556  are schematically illustrated inside the frame  562  by respective lines  564 ,  566 ,  568  with their related end of array mark  558 . The mini-map  560  provides an extended view of what is found outside the display area  550 ,  562  to add perspective to the user&#39;s view. In the present example array of document  570  and intersecting array of documents  572  are not visible on the display area  550  but are visible on the mini-map  560 . It can be appreciated that each schematic array of documents  564 ,  566 ,  568  are displayed with a line type that is associated with the line-type of the array borders  420  as displayed on the display area  550 . 
     The mini-map  560  provides the ability to drag the display area frame  562  to actually change what is displayed on the display area  550 . Turning to  FIG. 24  it can be appreciated the display area  550 , the mini-map  560  and the actual realm  580  of what can be seen from the mini-map  560  with all corresponding arrays of documents  552 ,  554 ,  556 ,  570 ,  572 . The mini-map  560  thus provides a way to see a wider area than what is actually visible on the display area  550  without compromising the zoom of the arrays of documents  552 ,  554 ,  556  shown on the display area  550 . 
       FIGS. 25 and 26  illustrate the mini-map proportion to ensure there is a useful additional visible area  560 ,  580  extending outside the size of the actual display area. One way to ensure there is proper additional viewing area is to set a fixed display area width  590  factor and a fixed display area height  592  factors. In the present example, as displayed on  FIG. 25 , the ratio is 1:3 meaning the mini-map  560  displays three times the width  594  and three times the height  596  of the actual display area  550 . Therefore, each time the display area window  550  is moved in the mini-map  560  the view of the actual realm  580  of the mini-map is adjusted so there is meaningful additional viewing area available all around the display area window  550  of the mini-map  560 . A different factor could be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Additionally, the actual realm  580  of the mini-map  560  can be selectively adjusted using arrows  600  disposed on each side of the mini-map  560 . Also, a mini-map zoom  602  is provided along with the mini-map  560  to change the strength of the zoom on the mini-map  560 . 
     Specialized Arrays [e.g. E-Mails Array(s), Trash Array(s)] 
       FIG. 26  shows four arrays of documents  830 ,  840 ,  850 ,  860  from which one array  830  contains documents from a database, the next array  840  contains e-mails documents from an e-mail address, the third array  850  contains e-mail documents from another e-mail address and the last array  860  contains trashed documents. E-mail documents  842 ,  844 ,  846 ,  848  displayed on array “of e-mails”  840  could be separated in two distinct arrays (not shown), one displaying the received e-mails and the other displaying the sent e-mails. Conversely, many arrays of e-mails can be simultaneously displayed so that many e-mail addresses can be monitored and used simultaneously. 
     When a new e-mail is received it appears on the array of e-mails associated with the email address it has been received with. The received e-mail document, lets assume it is document  856 , can remain in the received e-mail array and be viewed, replied to or put in the trash can from there. However, the user can move the received e-mail  856  to another array of document. One way of doing it is to associate at least one additional attribute to the received e-mail  856 . This way, the received e-mail  856  will appear on the array of documents grouping and presenting documents having in common the attribute. One other way consists in dragging the e-mail document  856  in another array of documents. In doing so the attributes that have been selected to determine which documents appear on the array will be automatically associated with the dragged e-mail document  856 . The latter option will be discussed further in view of  FIG. 24  below. The same document  856  can be put in the trash by dragging the e-mail document  856  to the trash array  860 . Trashed documents appear on the trash array  860  unless they are permanently deleted. 
     Additional arrays of e-mail documents can be enabled and displayed to show a subset of all the e-mail documents related to a single e-mail address. For instance an array of e-mail documents can be created to display only the e-mails received from a precise contact. Another array or e-mails can be created to show only the e-mail documents from three different contacts and having a file number attribute associated therewith. In other words, e-mails are dealt with just like other documents and can be associated with attributes and filtered by attributes and with e-mail specific attributes like an e-mail address or if the e-mail has been received or sent. 
     Document Drag and Drop Causing Association of Attributes 
       FIG. 27  shows two groups of arrays of documents  970 ,  980 . The first group  970  comprises three arrays of documents  910 ,  920 ,  930  wherein the first array of documents  910  contains e-mail documents received with a first e-mail address, array of documents  920  contains e-mail documents sent using the first e-mail address and trash array of documents  930  contains a subset of all trashed documents and shows only trashed e-mail documents associated with the first e-mail address. Each array of e-mail documents  910 ,  920 ,  930  in group of array of documents  970  are identified in accordance with their role. 
     Group of array of documents  980  also contains three arrays of e-mail documents  940 ,  950 ,  950  related to a second e-mail address. The second group of arrays of e-mails  980  is shaded to visually discriminate all the arrays of e-mail documents related with the second e-mail address. The second group of arrays associated with the second e-mail address is also identified as such  982  as opposed to having each array individually identified like are arrays of documents in the first group of arrays  970 . It can also be appreciated that each group of arrays  970 ,  980  are represented with their related navigation tools  974 ,  984 . Similarly, each array of e-mail documents  910 ,  920 ,  930 ,  940 ,  950 ,  950 ,  960  is represented with their related navigation tools  912 . All functions described above in respect with navigation tools are either workable with groups and arrays of e-mail documents as well. 
       FIG. 27  also illustrates the dragging of an e-mail document  902  from the array of received e-mails  910  to an array displaying documents associated with attributes A, B and C. Document  902  (because it is not exclusively limited to e-mail documents) is dragged with the pointing device  904  or other means for manipulating documents. By doing so, document  902  can be removed, or kept, in array of e-mail documents  910 , it is up to the user to decide. Document  902  is also associated with the attributes A, B and C of array  900 . If document  902 , once it is dragged in array of document  900 , is dragged back to array  910  from array  900 , a dialog will ask the user if s/he wants to keep the associated attributes A, B, C or remove them. At this moment a selection of attribute to keep can be made. The same dialog can optionally be displayed when the document is to be associated with the attributes of the destination array of documents to make sure a proper selection of attribute can be made. In the latter situation, if not all the attributes of the destination array are selected, the dragged document will not show (at least not in the same fashion as the existing documents on the array) on the destination array that illustrates documents having all the attributes in the query used to generate the array. 
     In the context of this illustrative embodiment a single document is dragged although a plurality of documents could be dragged at the same time. Once the plurality of documents is selected on an array of documents, the whole selection of documents can be dragged to the desired array. 
     Another aspect of the invention is illustrated with  FIG. 27 . Each group of arrays of e-mail documents  970 ,  980  can be saved in a separate database. Array of documents  900  uses a distinct database to store its documents. On the display all groups and arrays are shown juxtaposed to each other, however their underlying documents are kept separated in distinct databases. This means that if a corrupted e-mail enters, lets say e-mail account “1”, it will not risk to corrupt the other databases of e-mail “2” and array of documents  900 . In other words there is a “graphical” firewall  908  that can be crossed only if the user decides to move an e-mail to another array/group. This is a safety measure helping to prevent any corruption of the “main” database of array of documents  900  in the event SPAM e-mails or infected e-mails, carrying viruses or Trojan horses, are received with an e-mail address and even displayed on an array of e-mail documents  910 ,  920 ,  930 ,  940 ,  950 ,  950 ,  960 . 
     Other Potential Claims: 
     19. The graphical user interface of claim 17, further comprising a mechanism to add or remove an array of documents from the group of arrays of documents. 
     20. The graphical user interface of claim  17 , further comprising a mechanism adapted to longitudinally displace at least one array of documents. 
     21. The graphical user interface of claim 17, further comprising a mechanism adapted to magnify at least one array of documents. 
     24. The computer system of claim 22, wherein the array management module further comprises a mechanism to add or remove an array of documents from the group of arrays of documents. 
     25. The computer system of claim 22, wherein the array management module is adapted to longitudinally locate at least one array of documents. 
     26. The computer system of claim 22, wherein the array management module is adapted to magnify at least one array of documents. 
     27. At least one tangible machine-readable medium comprising machine-executable instructions adapted to be executable by the machine, the machine-executable instructions providing a method comprising: displaying a first plurality of documents in a first array of documents; selecting a document from the first array of documents; and magnifying attributes related to the selected document. 
     28. The at least one tangible machine-readable medium comprising the method of claim 27, further comprising: selecting an attribute; and displaying documents having the selected attribute in a second array of documents. 
     29. A method of presenting a search query, the method comprising displaying at least a portion of the search query on an array of documents comprising search results. 
     30. At least one tangible machine-readable medium comprising machine-executable instructions adapted to be executable by the machine, the machine-executable instructions providing a method comprising: providing a first plurality of documents in a first array of documents; providing a second plurality of documents in a second array of documents; saving the first and the second array of documents in a workspace; and displaying the workspace on a display. 
     31. At least one tangible machine-readable medium comprising machine-executable instructions adapted to be executable by the machine, the machine-executable instructions providing a method comprising: associating a document position offset with a first attribute; displaying a first plurality of documents in a first array of documents, each document being associated with at least one attribute; providing an array border; and offsetting the documents from the first array of documents having the first attribute associated therewith in a fashion adapted to discontinue the border. 
     32. At least one tangible machine-readable medium comprising machine-executable instructions adapted to be executable by the machine, the machine-executable instructions providing a method comprising displaying a first plurality of documents in a first axis of documents, each document being associated with at least one attribute and being imageless represented as a bar having a width of some pixels on a display. 
     32. A method of associating attributes with a document, the method comprising: providing a first array of documents displaying a plurality of documents having a first set of attributes thereof; providing a second array of documents displaying a plurality of documents having a second set of attributes thereof; and moving a document from the first array of documents to the second array of document to associate at least one attribute from the documents of the second array of documents. 
     33. The method of claim 32, wherein the movement of the document from the first array of documents to the second array of documents opens a dialogue adapted to select the attributes of the second array of documents to be associated with the document. 
     The description and the drawings that are presented above are meant to be illustrative of the present invention. They are not meant to be limiting of the scope of the present invention. Modifications to the embodiments described may be made without departing from the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the following claims: