Method and apparatus for providing a three-dimensional task gallery computer interface
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
- generating a user interface display that includes a visual representation of a three-dimensional space having at least;
a ceiling display area that visually represents a ceiling in the three-dimensional space,a floor display area that visually represents a floor in the three-dimensional space, anda stage display area that visually represents a stage that is spaced apart from the floor in the three-dimensional space;
generating a task display element having a first image that represents a task associated with an application, wherein the task display elementis at a first location in the three-dimensional space apart from the stage display area, andhas an inactive state;
based on a user input associated with the first image,modifying the user interface display tovisually move the task display element from the first location to a second location in the stage display area, andinclude a second image that represents the task at the first location in the three-dimensional space, wherein the second image is displayed after the first image is moved to the stage display area and has a dimmed appearance relative to the first image; and
automatically changing the task display element from the inactive state to an active state at the second location; and
based on user interaction with the task display element having the active state at the second location, performing a computing action that is associated with the task in the application.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a three-dimensional user interface for a computer system that allows a user to combine and store a group of windows as a task. The image of each task can be positioned within a three-dimensional environment such that the user may utilize spatial memory in order remember where a particular task is located.
30 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
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generating a user interface display that includes a visual representation of a three-dimensional space having at least; a ceiling display area that visually represents a ceiling in the three-dimensional space, a floor display area that visually represents a floor in the three-dimensional space, and a stage display area that visually represents a stage that is spaced apart from the floor in the three-dimensional space; generating a task display element having a first image that represents a task associated with an application, wherein the task display element is at a first location in the three-dimensional space apart from the stage display area, and has an inactive state; based on a user input associated with the first image, modifying the user interface display to visually move the task display element from the first location to a second location in the stage display area, and include a second image that represents the task at the first location in the three-dimensional space, wherein the second image is displayed after the first image is moved to the stage display area and has a dimmed appearance relative to the first image; and automatically changing the task display element from the inactive state to an active state at the second location; and based on user interaction with the task display element having the active state at the second location, performing a computing action that is associated with the task in the application. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A computer-implemented method comprising:
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generating a user interface display that includes a visual representation of a three-dimensional space having at least; a ceiling display element that visually represents a ceiling in the three-dimensional space, and a floor display element that visually represents a floor in the three-dimensional space; generating a task image that represents a task associated with an application; generating a stand display element that represents a stand beneath the task image in the three-dimensional space, the stand display element visually connecting the task image to the floor display element; expanding the stand display element as the task image is moved away from the floor display element toward the ceiling display element, such that the stand display element continues to visually connect the task image to the floor display element; based on detecting that the task image has reached a ceiling display area proximate the ceiling display element, removing the stand display element from beneath the task image; and based on user interaction with the task image, performing a computing action that is associated with the task in the application. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A computing system comprising:
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a processor; and memory storing instructions executable by the processor, wherein the instructions, when executed, configure the computing system to; generate a user interface display that includes a visual representation of a three-dimensional space having at least; a ceiling display area that visually represents a ceiling in the three-dimensional space, a floor display area that visually represents a floor in the three-dimensional space, and a stage display area that visually represents a stage that is spaced apart from the floor in the three-dimensional space; generate a task display element having a first image that represents a task associated with an application, wherein the task display element is at a first location in the three-dimensional space apart from the stage display area; based on a user input associated with the first image, modify the user interface display to visually move the task display element from the first location to a second location in the stage display area, and include a second image that represents the task at the first location in the three-dimensional space, wherein the second image is displayed after the first image is moved to the stage display area and has a dimmed appearance relative to the first image; and based on user interaction with the task display element at the second location, perform a computing action that is associated with the task in the application. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification