Cygnus Systemsが，特許権侵害を理由に，Apple, Google及びMicrosoftに対して提訴

Apple, Google及びMicrosoftに対し，Cygnus Systemsという小さな企業から，コンピュータ画面上でのアイコンによるファイル処理と関連する特許侵害を理由とする訴訟が提起された。

　Google, Apple, Microsoft Sued Over File Preview
　PC World: Dec 25, 2008
　http://www.pcworld.com/article/156048/google_apple_microsoft_sued_over_file_preview.htm

問題の特許の要旨と特許クレームは次の通りなのだが，要するに，アクティブになっているアプリケーションソフトで用いられているアクティブになっているファイルのプレヴューをアイコンとして表示，そのアイコンで示されたファイルを記録したりそのファイルにアクセスできるようにする方法に関する特許のようだ。この特許が有効であるとすれば，世界中の非常に多くのＩＴ企業に影響を及ぼすことになりそうなのだが，特許として有効なのかどうかは若干疑問だ。

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System and method for iconic software environment management
US Patent 7346850 (March 18, 2008)

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Abstract

A method and system for storing, navigating and accessing files within an operating system through the use of a graphical thumbnail representing the video display of the active document within the active application, and organized chronologically by the most recent file ‘captured’. Filenames, application names and thumbnail filenames are stored in an indexed file. The indexed file can consist of every document and application used during a session or categorically defined by project or tasks or personal preference. This also stores the application name and path eliminating the need to remember which application last edited the file and where the application is located.

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Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method of accessing one or more computer
files via a graphical icon, comprising the steps of: capturing automatically one or more graphical representations of one ormore portions of information content of one or more computer files while an application is manipulating the one or more computer files; creating automatically an icon including selected portions of the captured one or more graphical representations ofthe information content of the one or more computer files wherein the icon graphically depicts at least a portion of the information content from the one or more computer files and wherein the icon is created while the application was manipulating theicon's corresponding one or more computer files and includes selected portions of the captured one or more graphical representations of the information content; linking the icon to the application and to the one or more computer files based on theability of the application to manipulate the information content of the one or more computer files corresponding to the icon; storing the icon in a memory; displaying the icon in a window on a display screen; invoking the application for manipulatingthe information content of the one or more computer files upon selection of the icon by accessing the more or more computer files by reference to an underlying file system corresponding to the icon and opening the one or more computer files within theapplication.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein capturing a graphical representation is initiated by a user input command while the application manipulating the one or more computer files are active.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the user input command is a keyboard command.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of storing information related to the application for manipulating the one or more computer files in the memory along with the icon.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying the window when a cursor is positioned at an edge of the screen display.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of concealing the window when the cursor is positioned outside the window.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of invoking the application comprises invoking the application and opening the one or more computer files upon a single user input command selecting the icon.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the single user input command comprises depressing a button when a cursor is placed over the icon.