Customizable program control interface for a computer system
First Claim
1. In a computer system, a method for providing an integrated user interface for organizing access to application programs and peripheral devices of said computer system, the method comprising:
- (a) displaying an integrated dashboard interface comprising;
(i) a row of screen panels being displayed together within a first spatially-related region which is integrated into said dashboard interface, said first spatially-related region having an orientation which is configurable by a user, each said screen panel having at least one neighboring screen panel to which it maintains a constant proximity regardless of configuration of the orientation of said first spatially-related region by the user, each screen panel displaying in response to user input a column of screen buttons projecting from the panel;
(ii) at least one peripheral device button being displayed within a second spatially-related region which is also integrated into said dashboard interface, each of said at least one peripheral device button for controlling and configuring a peripheral device in response to user input; and
(iii) a set of application launch screen buttons being displayed together within a third spatially-related region which is also integrated into said dashboard interface, each of said application launch screen buttons for launching in response to user input one of said application programs for execution by said system, said third spatially-related region having an orientation which is configurable by the user in conjunction with configuration of said orientation of said first spatially-related region, each said application launch screen button having at least one neighboring application launch screen button to which it maintains a constant proximity regardless of configuration of the orientation of said third spatially-related region by the user;
(b) receiving first and second user input for launching execution of a particular application, said first user input including generating a first signal for selecting a particular screen panel, whereupon said system displays a column of screen buttons projecting from said particular screen panel, said second user input including generating a second signal for selecting a particular one of said screen buttons projecting from said particular screen panel; and
(c) responsive to said first and second user signals, launching execution of an application program which corresponds to the particular screen button which is selected.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dashboard interface includes a plurality of software buttons provided on a panel. Each software button represents one of a plurality of applications. Upon a user selecting a first software button, a first application represented by the first software button is started. Upon a user selecting and dragging a visual representation of a second application to the panel, a new software button representing the second application is added to the panel. Upon a user selecting a different software button size in a configuration menu, the size of each software button in the plurality of software buttons is changed. The plurality of applications are listed in a configuration menu. The order in which the plurality of software buttons is displayed on the panel reflects the order of the listing of the plurality of applications. Upon a user changing the order of the listing of the plurality of applications, the order in which the plurality of software buttons is displayed on the panel is changed.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. In a computer system, a method for providing an integrated user interface for organizing access to application programs and peripheral devices of said computer system, the method comprising:
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(a) displaying an integrated dashboard interface comprising; (i) a row of screen panels being displayed together within a first spatially-related region which is integrated into said dashboard interface, said first spatially-related region having an orientation which is configurable by a user, each said screen panel having at least one neighboring screen panel to which it maintains a constant proximity regardless of configuration of the orientation of said first spatially-related region by the user, each screen panel displaying in response to user input a column of screen buttons projecting from the panel; (ii) at least one peripheral device button being displayed within a second spatially-related region which is also integrated into said dashboard interface, each of said at least one peripheral device button for controlling and configuring a peripheral device in response to user input; and (iii) a set of application launch screen buttons being displayed together within a third spatially-related region which is also integrated into said dashboard interface, each of said application launch screen buttons for launching in response to user input one of said application programs for execution by said system, said third spatially-related region having an orientation which is configurable by the user in conjunction with configuration of said orientation of said first spatially-related region, each said application launch screen button having at least one neighboring application launch screen button to which it maintains a constant proximity regardless of configuration of the orientation of said third spatially-related region by the user; (b) receiving first and second user input for launching execution of a particular application, said first user input including generating a first signal for selecting a particular screen panel, whereupon said system displays a column of screen buttons projecting from said particular screen panel, said second user input including generating a second signal for selecting a particular one of said screen buttons projecting from said particular screen panel; and (c) responsive to said first and second user signals, launching execution of an application program which corresponds to the particular screen button which is selected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification