Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Managing Concurrently Open Software Applications

• US 20110252376A1
• Filed: 09/22/2010
• Published: 10/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Chaudhri, Imran
• Application Number:
  US12/888,386
• Publication Number:
  US 20110252376A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/835
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

A method includes displaying a first application view. A first input is detected, and an application view selection mode is entered for selecting one of concurrently open applications for display in a corresponding application view. An initial group of open application icons in a first predefined area and at least a portion of the first application view adjacent to the first predefined area are concurrently displayed. The initial group of open application icons corresponds to at least some of the concurrently open applications. A gesture is detected on a respective open application icon in the first predefined area, and a respective application view for a corresponding application is displayed without concurrently displaying an application view for any other application in the concurrently open applications. The open application icons in the first predefined area cease to be displayed, and the application view selection mode is exited.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

at a multifunction device with a touch-sensitive display;

displaying a first application view at a first size the touch-sensitive display, wherein;

the first application view corresponds to a first application in a plurality of concurrently open applications, and

the first application view is displayed without concurrently displaying at the first size an application view for any other application in the plurality of concurrently open applications;

concurrently displaying in a predefined area images of open applications, wherein;

each image is displayed at a second size that is smaller than the first size, and

the images correspond to at least some of the plurality of concurrently open applications;

detecting a gesture on a respective image of an open application in the predefined area; and

,

in response to detecting the gesture on the respective image, displaying a respective application view at the first size on the touch-sensitive display for a corresponding application in the plurality of concurrently open applications, wherein the respective application view is displayed without concurrently displaying at the first size an application view for any other application in the plurality of concurrently open applications.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

concurrently displaying in the predefined area images of open applications includes concurrently displaying a corresponding open application icon with each image, wherein the images and corresponding open application icons correspond to at least some of the plurality of concurrently open applications.

3. A multifunction device, comprising:

a touch-sensitive display;

one or more processors;

memory; and

one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for;

displaying a first application view at a first size on the touch-sensitive display, wherein;

the first application view corresponds to a first application in a plurality of concurrently open applications, and

the first application view is displayed without concurrently displaying at the first size an application view for any other application in the plurality of concurrently open applications;

concurrently displaying in a predefined area images of open applications, wherein;

each image is displayed at a second size that is smaller than the first size, and

the images correspond to at least some of the plurality of concurrently open applications;

detecting a gesture on a respective image of an open application in the predefined area; and

,

in response to detecting the gesture on the respective image, displaying a respective application view at the first size on the touch-sensitive display for a corresponding application in the plurality of concurrently open applications, wherein the respective application view is displayed without concurrently displaying at the first size an application view for any other application in the plurality of concurrently open applications.

4. A graphical user interface on a multifunction device with a touch-sensitive display, a memory, and one or more processors to execute one or more programs stored in the memory, the graphical user interface comprising:

a first application view at a first size on the touch-sensitive display, wherein;

the first application view corresponds to a first application in a plurality of concurrently open applications, and

the first application view is displayed without concurrently displaying at the first size an application view for any other application in the plurality of concurrently open applications;

concurrent display of images of open applications in a predefined area, wherein;

each image is displayed at a second size that is smaller than the first size, and

the images correspond to at least some of the plurality of concurrently open applications;

wherein;

a gesture is detected on a respective image of an open application in the predefined area; and

,

in response to detecting the gesture on the respective image, a respective application view is displayed at the first size on the touch-sensitive display for a corresponding application in the plurality of concurrently open applications, wherein the respective application view is displayed without concurrently displaying at the first size an application view for any other application in the plurality of concurrently open applications.

5. A computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which when executed by a multifunction device with a touch-sensitive display, cause the device to:

display a first application view at a first size on the touch-sensitive display, wherein;

the first application view corresponds to a first application in a plurality of concurrently open applications, and

the first application view is displayed without concurrently displaying at the first size an application view for any other application in the plurality of concurrently open applications;

concurrently display in a predefined area images of open applications, wherein;

each image is displayed at a second size that is smaller than the first size, and

the images correspond to at least some of the plurality of concurrently open applications;

detect a gesture on a respective image of an open application in the predefined area; and

,

in response to detecting the gesture on the respective image, display a respective application view at the first size on the touch-sensitive display for a corresponding application in the plurality of concurrently open applications, wherein the respective application view is displayed without concurrently displaying at the first size an application view for any other application in the plurality of concurrently open applications.

6. A multifunction device, comprising:

a touch-sensitive display;

means for displaying a first application view at a first size on the touch-sensitive display, wherein;

the first application view corresponds to a first application in a plurality of concurrently open applications, and

the first application view is displayed without concurrently displaying at the first size an application view for any other application in the plurality of concurrently open applications;

means for concurrently displaying in a predefined area images of open applications, wherein;

each image is displayed at a second size that is smaller than the first size, and

the images correspond to at least some of the plurality of concurrently open applications;

means for detecting a gesture on a respective image of an open application in the predefined area; and

,

means, responsive to detecting the gesture on the respective image, for displaying a respective application view at the first size on the touch-sensitive display for a corresponding application in the plurality of concurrently open applications, wherein the respective application view is displayed without concurrently displaying at the first size an application view for any other application in the plurality of concurrently open applications.

7. An information processing apparatus for use in a multifunction device with a touch-sensitive display, comprising:

means for displaying a first application view at a first size on the touch-sensitive display, wherein;

the first application view corresponds to a first application in a plurality of concurrently open applications, and

the first application view is displayed without concurrently displaying at the first size an application view for any other application in the plurality of concurrently open applications;

means for concurrently displaying in a predefined area images of open applications, wherein;

each image is displayed at a second size that is smaller than the first size, and

the images correspond to at least some of the plurality of concurrently open applications;

means for detecting a gesture on a respective image of an open application in the predefined area; and

,

means, responsive to detecting the gesture on the respective image, for displaying a respective application view at the first size on the touch-sensitive display for a corresponding application in the plurality of concurrently open applications, wherein the respective application view is displayed without concurrently displaying at the first size an application view for any other application in the plurality of concurrently open applications.