Methods and apparatus for a window access panel
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for managing the display of windows corresponding to tasks executable by a computer, the method comprising:
- providing multiple workspaces, each workspace being capable of displaying multiple windows corresponding to executing tasks;
displaying a window panel including icons corresponding to the executing tasks; and
permitting shared access to a window of the executing tasks upon selection of a corresponding icon displayed in the window panel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system employs a sliding window panel that contains icons representing every task that has been opened into a window, regardless of the workspace in which it exists. A user may use the sliding window panel to launch, terminate, hide, or resize windows in the workspaces.
298 Citations
47 Claims
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1. A method for managing the display of windows corresponding to tasks executable by a computer, the method comprising:
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providing multiple workspaces, each workspace being capable of displaying multiple windows corresponding to executing tasks;
displaying a window panel including icons corresponding to the executing tasks; and
permitting shared access to a window of the executing tasks upon selection of a corresponding icon displayed in the window panel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
receiving a command from a user to launch a task;
creating a window for the task; and
adding an icon representing the window to the window panel.
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4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
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receiving a command from a user to hide a window in a selected workspace;
removing the window only from the selected workspace; and
maintaining an icon representing the window in the window panel.
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5. The method of claim 4, further comprising recording a size and location for the window in the selected workspace.
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6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
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receiving a command from a user, in a particular workspace, selecting an icon in the window panel; and
displaying in the foreground of the workspace a window corresponding to the selected icon.
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7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
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receiving a command from a user to terminate a window;
removing the window from each workspace in which it is displayed; and
deleting from the window panel an icon corresponding to the terminated window.
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8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
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displaying a window in more than one workspace; and
resizing the window in one workspace without affecting the size of the window in another workspace.
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9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
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displaying a window in more than one workspace; and
repositioning the window in one workspace without affecting the position of the window in another workspace.
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10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
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hiding the window panel behind a workspace switch;
receiving a command from the user selecting the workspace switch; and
displaying the window panel in response to the user command selecting the switch.
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11. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for managing the display of windows corresponding to tasks executable by a computer, by:
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providing multiple workspaces, each workspace being capable of displaying multiple windows corresponding to executing tasks;
displaying a window panel including icons corresponding to the executing tasks; and
permitting shared access to a window of the executing tasks upon selection of a corresponding icon displayed in the window panel. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
receiving a command from a user to launch a task;
creating a window for the task; and
adding an icon representing the window to the window panel.
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14. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, further comprising:
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receiving a command from a user to hide a window in a selected workspace;
removing the window only from the selected workspace; and
maintaining an icon representing the window in the window panel.
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15. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, further comprising recording a size and location for the window in the selected workspace.
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16. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, further comprising:
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receiving a command from a user, in a particular workspace, selecting an icon in the window panel; and
displaying in the foreground of the workspace a window corresponding to the selected icon.
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17. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, further comprising the steps of:
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receiving a command from a user to terminate a window;
removing the window from each workspace in which it is displayed; and
deleting from the window panel an icon corresponding to the terminated window.
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18. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, further comprising the steps of:
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displaying a window in more than one workspace; and
resizing the window in one workspace without affecting the size of the window in another workspace.
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19. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, further comprising the steps of:
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displaying a window in more than one workspace; and
repositioning the window in one workspace without affecting the position of the window in another workspace.
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20. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, further comprising the steps of:
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hiding the window panel behind a workspace switch;
receiving a command from the user selecting the workspace switch; and
displaying the window panel in response to the user command selecting the switch.
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21. An apparatus for managing the display of windows corresponding to tasks executable by a computer, comprising:
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a memory having program instructions, and a processor configured to use the program instructions to;
provide multiple workspaces, each workspace being capable of displaying multiple windows corresponding to executing tasks;
display a window panel including icons corresponding to the executing tasks; and
permit shared access to a window of the executing tasks upon selection of a corresponding icon displayed in the window panel. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
receive a command from a user to launch a task;
create a window for the task; and
add an icon representing the window to the window panel.
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24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the processor is further configured to:
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receive a command from a user to hide a window in a selected workspace;
remove the window only from the selected workspace; and
maintain an icon representing the window in the window panel.
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25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the processor is further configured to record a size and location for the window in the selected workspace.
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26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the processor is further configured to:
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receive a command from a user, in a particular workspace, selecting an icon in the window panel; and
display in the foreground of the workspace a window corresponding to the selected icon.
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27. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the processor is further configured to:
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receive a command from a user to terminate a window;
remove the window from each workspace in which it is displayed; and
delete from the window panel an icon corresponding to the terminated window.
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28. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the processor is further configured to:
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display a window in more than one workspace; and
resize the window in one workspace without affecting the size of the window in another workspace.
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29. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the processor is further configured to:
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display a window in more than one workspace; and
reposition the window in one workspace without affecting the position of the window in another workspace.
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30. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the processor is further configured to:
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hide the window panel behind a workspace switch;
receive a command from the user selecting the workspace switch; and
display the window panel in response to the user command selecting the switch.
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31. An apparatus for managing the display of windows corresponding to tasks executable by a computer, comprising:
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means for providing multiple workspaces, each workspace being capable of displaying multiple windows corresponding to executing tasks;
means for displaying a window panel including icons corresponding to the executing tasks; and
means for permitting shared access to a window of the executing tasks upon selection of a corresponding icon displayed in the window panel. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33)
means for receiving a command from a user to launch a task;
means for creating a window for the task; and
means for adding an icon representing the window to the window panel.
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34. A method for managing the display of windows corresponding to tasks executable by a computer, the method comprising:
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providing multiple workspaces, each workspace being capable of displaying multiple windows corresponding to executing tasks;
displaying a first window panel including first icons corresponding to executing workspaces;
displaying a first workspace, the first workspace displaying at least one first workspace window corresponding to an executing task associated with at least the first workspace; and
displaying, simultaneously with the first window panel, said first workspace and said first workspace window, a second window panel including second icons corresponding to said executing tasks. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37)
receiving a command from a user selecting a particular second icon in the second window panel, the particular second icon reflecting a task executed in both said first and second workspaces; and
displaying in the foreground of the first workspace, a window corresponding to the task reflected by the particular second icon.
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36. The method of claim 34, wherein displaying a first workspace includes the step of:
receiving a command from a user selecting a particular first icon in the first window panel, said particular first icon corresponding to said first workspace.
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37. The method of claim 35, further including the steps of:
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displaying a third window panel including icons corresponding to non-executing tasks and icons corresponding to said executing tasks;
receiving a second command from a user selecting an icon corresponding to a first non-executing task;
initiating execution of the first non-executing task;
generating a window corresponding to the first non-executing task, the generated window representing the execution of the first non-executing task; and
displaying the generated window in said first workspace.
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38. A system for managing the display of windows corresponding to tasks executable by a computer, the system comprising:
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means for providing multiple workspaces, each workspace being capable of displaying multiple windows corresponding to executing tasks;
means for displaying a first window panel including first icons corresponding to executing workspaces;
means for displaying a first workspace, means for displaying within the first workspace at least one first workspace window corresponding to an executing task associated with at least the first workspace; and
means for displaying, simultaneously with the first window panel, said first workspace and said first workspace window, a second window panel including second icons corresponding to said executing tasks. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41)
means for receiving a command from a user selecting a particular second icon in the second window panel, the particular second icon reflecting a task executed in both said first and second workspaces; and
means for displaying in the foreground of the first workspace, a window corresponding to the task reflected by the particular second icon.
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40. The method of claim 38, wherein the means for displaying a first workspace further comprises:
means for receiving a command from a user selecting a particular first icon in the first window panel, said particular first icon corresponding to said first workspace.
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41. The system of claim 39, further comprising:
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means for displaying a third window panel including icons corresponding to non-executing tasks and icons corresponding to said executing tasks;
means for receiving a second command from a user selecting an icon corresponding to a first non-executing task;
means for initiating execution of the first non-executing task;
means for generating a window corresponding to the first non-executing task, the generated window representing the execution of the first non-executing task; and
means for displaying the generated window in said first workspace.
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42. A method for managing the display of windows corresponding to tasks executable by a computer, the method comprising:
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providing multiple workspaces, each workspace capable of displaying multiple windows corresponding to multiple executing tasks;
providing a first window panel including icons representing executing workspaces;
providing a second window panel including icons representing executing tasks corresponding to the executing workspaces;
displaying in a display area, the first window panel, second window panel, an active workspace, and at least one window representing an executing task within the active workspace;
receiving a command from a user to launch a task;
creating a new window for the task; and
adding an icon representing the created window to the second window panel. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
selecting a third window panel icon representing a first non-executing task;
initiating execution of the first non-executing task represented by the third window panel icon, wherein the first non-executing task is transformed into a first executing task;
creating a new window in the active workspace, the new window representing the first executing task; and
creating a first executing task icon in the second window panel.
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47. The method of claim 43, including the steps:
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receiving a command to terminate an executing task represented by an executing task window in the first active workspace;
terminating the execution of the executing task;
removing the executing task window from the active workspace; and
removing an icon representing the terminated executing task, from the second window panel.
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Specification