Color labeling in a graphical user interface

Abstract

A method for providing visual cues to a user of a graphical user interface (GUI) for a computer system is disclosed. The visual cues indicate a relationship with an icon having text and/or image elements. In some embodiments, the method receives a color for labeling an icon that has a text-element and an image-element. The method applies the color to a background-region of the text-element of the icon without applying the color to the image-element. In some embodiments, the method does not affect the font of the text. In some embodiments, the method receives a selection of an icon. The icon has a background-region that has a first color. The method changes the first color of the background-region to a second color but retains the first color in a section of the background-region. In some of these embodiments, the method outlines the section of the background-region with a third color.

1 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A method for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) for a computing device, the GUI comprising a folder, the method comprising:
 displaying a first view of the folder comprising at least one icon;   in response to a selection of a color for labeling the icon, labeling the icon in the first view by applying the color to at least a first portion of the icon;   receiving an input to display the folder in a second view that is different from the first view; and   in response to receiving the input, changing the display of the folder to the second view and labeling the icon in the second view by applying the color to at least a second portion of the icon different than the first portion.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the first view is a column view and the second view is a list view. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the first view is a column view and the second view is an icon view. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the first view is an icon view and the second view is a list view. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the icon comprises a text element and an image element that is separate from the text element. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the first portion of the icon is a background region of the text element and the second portion of the icon is a background region of the entire icon. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the first portion of the icon is a background region of the text element and the second portion of the icon is a background region of the image element. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the first portion of the icon is a background region of the image element and the second portion of the icon is a background region of the entire icon. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the first and second portions of the icon are background regions of the icon. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein applying the color to the first and second portions of the icon does not affect the image element of the icon. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein applying the color to the first and second portions of the icon does not affect the text element of the icon. 
     
     
         45 . A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program that when executed by at least one processing unit provides a graphical user interface (GUI), the GUI comprising:
 a display area for displaying a set of icons in a first view or a second different view;   a set of selectable items for switching between the first and second views;   a color label tool for (i) receiving a selection of a color for labeling an icon, (ii) labeling the icon in the first view by applying the color to at least a first portion of the icon, and (iii) labeling the icon in the second view by applying the color to at least a second different portion of the icon.   
     
     
         46 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 45 , wherein the icon comprises a text element and an image element that is separate from the text element. 
     
     
         47 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 46 , wherein the color is applied to a background region of the text element in the first view and the color is applied to a background region of the entire icon in the second view. 
     
     
         48 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 46 , wherein the color is applied to a background region of the text element in the first view and the color is applied to a background region of the image element in the second view. 
     
     
         49 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 46 , wherein the color is applied to a background region of the image element in the first view and the color is applied to a background region of the entire icon in the second view. 
     
     
         50 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 46 , wherein applying the color to the icon in the first and second views does not affect the image element of the icon. 
     
     
         51 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 46 , wherein applying the color to the icon in the first and second views does not affect the text element of the icon. 
     
     
         52 . A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program that when executed by at least one processing unit provides a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising a folder, the program comprising sets of instructions for:
 displaying a first view of the folder comprising at least one icon;   in response to a selection of a color for labeling the icon, labeling the icon in the first view by applying the color to at least a first portion of the icon;   receiving an input to display the folder in a second view that is different from the first view; and   in response to receiving the input, changing the display of the folder to the second view and labeling the icon in the second view by applying the color to at least a second portion of the icon different than the first portion.   
     
     
         53 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 52 , wherein the first view is a column view and the second view is a list view.