Temporary title and menu bar

• US 20060277478A1
• Filed: 06/02/2005
• Published: 12/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Seraji, Seana, Filner, Aaron, McLain, Jay F., Cherian, Vinoo, Ramig, Randal J.
• Application Number:
  US11/144,138
• Publication Number:
  US 20060277478A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/760
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance

Abstract

A determination is made as to when to display and hide obstructive user interface elements. Obstructive user interface elements are removed from the display when not needed by the user and displayed when needed by the user. When the obstructive interface elements are removed from the display, the user has more viewable area that is not obstructed. For example, in some browser applications, when the title bar, address bar and menu bar are removed, the user is provided with a view that shows much more of the web page. When the obstructive user interface elements are needed, they are temporarily displayed on the device. Once the task has been completed, the obstructive user elements are then hidden again automatically, which allows the user to continue viewing in full screen mode.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for managing the display of obstructive user interface elements on a device, comprising:

displaying content on a small screen;

determining when to show and hide an obstructive user interface element on the small screen;

showing the obstructive user interface element when determined, wherein showing the obstructive user interface element results in a portion of the content being hidden from view; and

hiding the obstructive user interface when determined.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining when to show and hide the obstructive user interface element on the small screen, comprises predicting when a user will need to use the obstructive user interface element.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining when to show the obstructive user interface element comprises:

determining when at least one of the following condition occurs;

a hardware notification is received, a start menu is deployed, another application comes to the foreground of the small screen, a notification is received, an input panel is raised, a domain changes, and a security level associated with a site changes.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein determining when to hide the obstructive user interface element comprises:

determining when the event that caused the obstructive user interface element has completed.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein determining when to hide the obstructive user interface element comprises:

determining when at least one of the following condition occurs;

a menu item is closed, a command finishes processing, a user input is received, a user navigates using a directional pad, a notification is dismissed, a period of time elapses with no interaction, and a form submit is completed.

6. The method of claim 2, further comprising determining when the device is in a full screen mode.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the obstructive user interface element is at least one of a title bar associated with a browser;

an address bar; and

a menu bar.

8. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for managing the display of obstructive user interface elements on a device having a small screen, comprising:

displaying content on the small screen;

determining when to show an obstructive user interface element over a portion of the content;

showing the obstructive user interface element when determined; and

hiding the obstructive user interface upon the occurrence of an event.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein determining when to show the obstructive user interface element, comprises:

predicting a use of the obstructive user interface element.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein predicting the use of the obstructive user interface element, comprises:

determining when at least one of the following condition occurs;

a hardware notification is received, a start menu is deployed, another application is displayed on the foreground of the small screen, a notification is received, an input panel is raised, a domain changes, and a security level associated with a site changes.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein hiding the obstructive user interface upon the occurrence of the event, comprises:

determining when the event that caused the obstructive user interface element has completed.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein hiding the obstructive user interface upon the occurrence of the event, comprises:

determining when at least one of the following condition occurs;

a menu item is closed, a command finishes processing, a user input received, a user navigates using a directional pad, a notification is dismissed, a period of time elapses with no interaction, and a form submit is completed.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, further comprising setting the device to a full screen mode.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the obstructive user interface element is a title bar associated with a browser.

15. A mobile device, comprising:

a processor and a computer-readable medium;

an operating environment stored on the computer-readable medium and executing on the processor;

a display having a screen; and

an application operating under the control of the operating environment and operative to perform actions, including;

determining when to show an obstructive user interface element;

showing the obstructive user interface element when determined; and

hiding the obstructive user interface upon the occurrence of an event.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein determining when to show the obstructive user interface element, comprises:

predicting a use of the obstructive user interface element by a user.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein predicting the use of the obstructive user interface element, comprises:

determining when at least one of the following condition occurs;

a hardware notification is received, a start menu is deployed, another application is displayed on the foreground of the small screen, a notification is received, an input panel is raised, a domain changes, and a security level associated with a site changes.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein hiding the obstructive user interface upon the occurrence of the event, comprises:

determining when the event that caused the obstructive user interface element has completed.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein hiding the obstructive user interface upon the occurrence of the event, comprises:

determining when at least one of the following condition occurs;

a menu item is closed, a command finishes processing, a user input received, a user navigates using a directional pad, a notification is dismissed, a period of time elapses with no interaction, and a form submit is completed.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising setting the device to a full screen mode.