METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING INFORMATION ACCESS DURING A MODAL OPERATION
First Claim
1. A method that facilitates accessing information during a modal operation, comprising:
- presenting an initial window for an application to a user in a display;
presenting a subsequent window in the display for a subsequent function related to the application;
wherein the initial window and the subsequent window are presented in proximity to each other even if user changes are applied to one or both windows;
receiving an input from the user that results in the modal operation for the initial window, wherein the modal operation restricts user changes to and/or user control of the initial window during the modal operation;
receiving a subsequent input relating to the subsequent window from the user during the modal operation, wherein the user can continue to access the subsequent window during the modal operation; and
updating information displayed in the subsequent window during the modal operation in response to the subsequent input.
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Accused Products
Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates accessing information during a modal operation. The system operates by presenting an initial window for an application to a user in a display. The system then presents a subsequent window in the display for another function related to the application. During this process, the system presents these two windows in proximity to each other, and ensures that this proximity is maintained, even across user changes to one or both windows. At a later point, during operation, the system receives an input from the user that results in a modal operation for the application that restricts user changes to and/or user control of the initial window during the modal operation. Despite this modal operation, the system remains able to receive a subsequent input for the subsequent window from the user and, in response, update information displayed in the subsequent window during the modal operation. This allows the user to continue to access application information despite the modal operation.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method that facilitates accessing information during a modal operation, comprising:
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presenting an initial window for an application to a user in a display; presenting a subsequent window in the display for a subsequent function related to the application; wherein the initial window and the subsequent window are presented in proximity to each other even if user changes are applied to one or both windows; receiving an input from the user that results in the modal operation for the initial window, wherein the modal operation restricts user changes to and/or user control of the initial window during the modal operation; receiving a subsequent input relating to the subsequent window from the user during the modal operation, wherein the user can continue to access the subsequent window during the modal operation; and updating information displayed in the subsequent window during the modal operation in response to the subsequent input. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method that facilitates accessing information during a modal operation, the method comprising:
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presenting an initial window for an application to a user in a display; presenting a subsequent window in the display for a subsequent function related to the application; wherein the initial window and the subsequent window are presented in proximity to each other even if user changes are applied to one or both windows; receiving an input from the user that results in the modal operation for the initial window, wherein the modal operation restricts user changes to and/or user control of the initial window during the modal operation; receiving a subsequent input relating to the subsequent window from the user during the modal operation, wherein the user can continue to access the subsequent window during the modal operation; and updating information displayed in the subsequent window during the modal operation in response to the subsequent input. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus that facilitates accessing information during a modal operation, comprising:
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a presentation mechanism configured to present an initial window for an application to a user in a display; wherein the presentation mechanism is further configured to present a subsequent window in the display for a subsequent function related to the application; wherein the initial window and the subsequent window are presented in proximity to each other even if user changes are applied to one or both windows; a receiving mechanism configured to receive an input from the user that results in the modal operation for the application, wherein the modal operation restricts user changes to and/or user control of the initial window during the modal operation; wherein the receiving mechanism is further configured to receive a subsequent input relating to the subsequent window from the user during the modal operation, wherein the user can continue to access the subsequent window during the modal operation for the application; and an update mechanism configured to update information displayed in the subsequent window during the modal operation in response to the subsequent input. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification