Third party service switching through command bar user interface
First Claim
1. In a computer system having a graphical user interface including a display device and a user interface selection device, a method of exposing online services comprising:
- displaying a tool bar having an application function area and a service function area, the application function area having application buttons to control functions of a host application, the service function area optionally having a service brand indicating an active online service, service buttons to control functions associated with the active online service, and a menu button to display a list of valid online services;
receiving a user input indicating a selection of the menu button;
in response to the selection of the menu button, displaying the list;
receiving a user input indicating a selection of a different online service from the list; and
in response to the selection of the different online service, switching the active online service to the different online service.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A graphical user interface allows users to access multiple third party services (e.g., online media services) and enables the services to provide functionality within the GUI adjacent to core functionality of a host application (e.g., a media player application, operating system shell, etc.). The GUI provides an interface region for third party service functionality that is distinct from, but equal in exposure and prominence to, the core functionality provided by the application hosting the GUI. The GUI enables seamless switching between a list of available services provided in a service menu. Switching between services replaces service function buttons and service branding according to particular service customizations.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. In a computer system having a graphical user interface including a display device and a user interface selection device, a method of exposing online services comprising:
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displaying a tool bar having an application function area and a service function area, the application function area having application buttons to control functions of a host application, the service function area optionally having a service brand indicating an active online service, service buttons to control functions associated with the active online service, and a menu button to display a list of valid online services;
receiving a user input indicating a selection of the menu button;
in response to the selection of the menu button, displaying the list;
receiving a user input indicating a selection of a different online service from the list; and
in response to the selection of the different online service, switching the active online service to the different online service. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A processor-readable medium comprising processor-executable instructions configured to display a graphical user interface on a display device and to manage the graphical user interface in response to user input provided through an interface selection device, the graphical user interface comprising:
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a command bar having an application function area and a service function area;
application buttons located within the application function area to control functions of an application; and
a service list menu button in the service function area to control switching between different online services. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A processor-readable medium comprising processor-executable instructions configured for:
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displaying a user interface command bar having a host application region to control functions of a media player application, and a media service region to control functions associated with a currently active media service;
providing access to a list of media services through a service list menu button within the media service region; and
switching from the currently active media service to a newly active media service in response to a selection made from the list of media services. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A computer comprising:
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a display device;
an application; and
a user interface manager configured to manage and display a graphical user interface on the display device, wherein the application hosts an active online service provider and the graphical user interface provides user access to functionality of both the application and the active online service provider, and wherein the graphical user interface enables the active online service provider to customize portions of the graphical user interface. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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Specification