Remote Access to Layer and User Interface Elements

• US 20130125007A1
• Filed: 08/09/2012
• Published: 05/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Chaudhri, Imran A., Louch, John, Grignon, Andrew M., Christie, Gregory N.
• Granted Patent: US 9,507,503 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/738
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

A user-activatable dashboard (also referred to as a unified interest layer) contains any number of user interface elements, referred to herein as “widgets,” for quick access by a user. In response to a command from a user, the dashboard is invoked and the widgets are shown on the screen. The user can activate the dashboard at any time, causing the dashboard to temporarily replace the existing user interface display on the user'"'"'s screen. Once the dashboard has been activated, the user can interact with any or all of the widgets, and can configure the dashboard by adding, deleting, moving, or configuring individual widgets as desired. When the user wishes to return to the normal user interface he or she was working with, the user issues a command causing the dashboard to be dismissed.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of providing a dashboard layer for a user device, the method comprising:

storing at a web server configuration information for a dashboard layer that specifies a widget associated with a first user device;

receiving, at the web server, a request from a second user device to access the dashboard layer associated with the first user device;

responsive to receiving the request, accessing at the web server the stored configuration information for the dashboard layer;

generating, at the web server, a web page comprising the dashboard layer associated with the first user device based on the stored configuration information; and

providing from the web server to the second user device the web page comprising the dashboard layer, the provided dashboard layer comprising the widget rendered within a web view of the dashboard layer, wherein the second user device is configured to display the dashboard layer in the web view responsive to a user input.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein receiving, at the web server, the request from the second user device to access the dashboard layer associated with the first user device comprises:

receiving log in information from the second user device.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the web page duplicates the dashboard layer as the dashboard layer would be viewed from the first user device.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the widget comprises one selected from the group consisting of:

a calendar widget;

a calculator widget;

a music player widget;

an address book widget;

a notes widget;

a stock quote widget;

a weather widget;

a traffic widget;

a package tracking widget;

a contact manager widget; and

a clock widget

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the widget comprises a first side associated with a functionality of the widget and a second side comprising preferences controls of the widget.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, further comprising:

responsive to receiving a request to display the preferences controls of the widget from the second user device, providing an updated webpage to the second user device that displays the second side of the widget;

receiving, at the web server, changes to the preferences controls on the second side of the widget; and

updating, at the web server, the configuration information for the dashboard layer to include the changes to the preferences controls of the widget.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, wherein providing the updated webpage to the second user device comprises providing to the second user device an animation of the widget turning over from the first side to the second side.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the dashboard layer comprises a configuration bar including a plurality of widgets that can be added to the dashboard layer.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving, from the second user device, a selection of one of the plurality of widgets included in the configuration bar to add to the dashboard layer; and

updating, at the web server, the configuration information of the dashboard layer to include the selected one of the plurality of widgets responsive to the selection.

10. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including computer executable code for providing a dashboard layer for a user, the code when executed performs steps comprising:

storing at a web server configuration information for a dashboard layer that specifies a widget associated with a first user device;

receiving, at the web server, a request from a second user device to access the dashboard layer associated with the first user device;

responsive to receiving the request, accessing at the web server the stored configuration information for the dashboard layer;

generating, at the web server, a web page comprising the dashboard layer associated with the first user device based on the stored configuration information; and

providing from the web server to the second user device the web page comprising the dashboard layer, the provided dashboard layer comprising the widget rendered within a web view of the dashboard layer, wherein the second user device is configured to display the dashboard layer in the web view responsive to a user input.

11. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein receiving, at the web server, the request from the second user device to access the dashboard layer associated with the first user device comprises:

receiving log in information from the second user device.

12. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein the web page duplicates the dashboard layer as the dashboard layer would be viewed from the first user device.

13. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein the widget comprises one selected from the group consisting of:

a calendar widget;

a calculator widget;

a music player widget;

an address book widget;

a notes widget;

a stock quote widget;

a weather widget;

a traffic widget;

a package tracking widget;

a contact manager widget; and

a clock widget

14. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein the widget comprises a first side associated with a functionality of the widget and a second side comprising preferences controls of the widget.

15. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein the code when executed performs further steps comprising:

responsive to receiving a request to display the preferences controls of the widget from the second user device, providing an updated webpage to the second user device that displays the second side of the widget;

receiving, at the web server, changes to the preferences controls on the second side of the widget; and

updating, at the web server, the configuration information for the dashboard layer to include the changes to the preferences controls of the widget.

16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein providing the updated webpage to the second user device comprises providing to the second user device an animation of the widget turning over from the first side to the second side.

17. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein the dashboard layer comprises a configuration bar including a plurality of widgets that can be added to the dashboard layer.

18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the code when executed performs further steps comprising:

receiving, from the second user device, a selection of one of the plurality of widgets included in the configuration bar to add to the dashboard layer; and

updating, at the web server, the configuration information of the dashboard layer to include the selected one of the plurality of widgets responsive to the selection.

19. A system for providing a dashboard layer for a user, the system comprising:

a computer processor; and

a computer-readable storing medium storing executable code, the code when executed by the computer processor performs steps comprising;

storing at a web server configuration information for a dashboard layer that specifies a widget associated with a first user device;

receiving, at the web server, a request from a second user device to access the dashboard layer associated with the first user device;

responsive to receiving the request, accessing at the web server the stored configuration information for the dashboard layer;

generating, at the web server, a web page comprising the dashboard layer associated with the first user device based on the stored configuration information; and

providing from the web server to the second user device the web page comprising the dashboard layer, the provided dashboard layer comprising the widget rendered within a web view of the dashboard layer, wherein the second user device is configured to display the dashboard layer in the web view responsive to a user input.

20. The computer system of claim 19, wherein the web page duplicates the dashboard layer as the dashboard layer would be viewed from the first user device.