Patent ID: 7694236

Claim:
Computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed, perform method for visually representing a plurality of computer data objects with a stack icon on a display, the method comprising the steps of: a computing device identifying a first plurality of computer data objects to be visually represented by a stack icon; determining whether all of the identified objects share at least one of a location in a library, and a file type as a common characteristic, and if said identified objects share a common characteristic, selecting a representative thumbnail image for said common characteristic comprising one of: a default image, a property-based image, and a thumbnail icon image, wherein the property-based image is a default image that includes a numeric designator for indicating a number of items represented by the stack icon, and wherein a default image is selected when a property-based image or a thumbnail icon image is not available; said computing device generating a stack icon to represent said first plurality of computer data objects, said stack icon having a second plurality of distinct elements corresponding to said first plurality of computer data objects, and having a topmost element that includes said representative thumbnail image for said common characteristic.