System for automatically switching between two executable programs at a user's computer interface during processing by one of the executable programs

• US 6,609,146 B1
• Filed: 11/10/1998
• Issued: 08/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Benjamin Slotznick
• Inventors: Slotznick, Benjamin
• Primary Examiner(s): Powell, Mark R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, THONG H
• Application Number:
  US09/188,945
• Time in Patent Office: 1,743 Days
• Field of Search: 709/234, 709/100, 709/200-203, 709/218, 345/123, 345/349, 345/434, 345/340, 345/341, 345/115, 345/342, 345/798, 345/744, 370/228, 340/554, 707/500, 705/52, 702/187, 380/25, 846/22
• US Class Current: 709/200
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4843 by program, e.g. task dispatcher, supervisor, operating system
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/542 Event management; Broadcasting; Multicasting; Notifications

Abstract

Automatic switching between two executable programs occurs between a first mode wherein a first executable program is visible and active, and a second mode wherein a second executable program is visible and active. Switching is triggered by detecting that the first executable program has initiated an information processing mode. The first mode is restored upon completion of information processing. In one particular embodiment of the present invention, the first executable program is a browser for requesting, receiving and displaying information obtained from remote information sources, the first mode is a browser mode, and the information processing mode is the requesting by the browser for information.

Claims

1. A method of switching between two executable programs, the method comprising:

(a) providing a first executable program which is visible and active at a user'"'"'s computer interface during a first mode, the first program including an information processing mode, wherein a full range of user interaction cannot occur with the first program during the information processing mode;

(b) providing a second executable program which is visible and active at a user'"'"'s computer interface during a second mode, wherein the second program operates outside of, and independent of, the first program;

(c) during the first mode, detecting initiation by the first executable program of the information processing mode; and

(d) automatically switching from the first mode to the second mode upon detecting initiation of the information processing mode.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

(e) switching from the second mode to the first mode upon the occurrence of a predetermined event.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the predetermined event is the completion of the information processing.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein step (e) includes automatically switching upon completion of the information processing.

5. A method according to claim 2 wherein the predetermined event is the expiration of a preset time period.

6. A method according to claim 2 further comprising:

(f) stopping at least part of the second program upon switching from the second mode to the first mode;

(g) storing the state of the second program at the stopped point; and

(h) continuing the second program at the stopped point upon subsequent switching from the first mode to the second mode.

7. A method according to claim 2 wherein step (e) further comprises minimizing the second program during the first mode.

8. A method according to claim 2 wherein step (e) further comprises concealing the second program during the first mode by hiding or layering the second program behind the first program.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first executable program is a browser for requesting, receiving and displaying information obtained from remote information sources, the first mode is a browser mode, and the information processing mode is the requesting by the browser for information.

10. A method according to claim 9 further comprising:

(e) switching from the second mode to the first mode upon the occurrence of a predetermined event, wherein the predetermined event is the receipt of the requested information at the user'"'"'s computer interface.

11. A method according to claim 9 wherein the requesting by the browser for information is a request for a file from a remote computer which is connected to the Internet.

12. A method according to claim 9 wherein the user'"'"'s computer interface is a computer, the method further comprising:

(e) inhibiting the automatic switching of step (d) upon a determination that the requested information currently resides in the user'"'"'s computer, and thus no communication with a remote information source is required to display the information at the user'"'"'s computer.

13. A method according to claim 9 wherein step (d) further comprises minimizing the browser during the second mode.

14. A method according to claim 9 wherein the second executable program is another browser.

15. A method according to claim 9 wherein the second executable program is a program that manipulates interstitial information which would automatically be presented upon a detection of a request for information.

16. A method according to claim 1 wherein the information processing mode of the first program is a data processing task.

17. A method according to claim 1 wherein the information processing mode of the first program is an image processing task.

18. A method according to claim 1 wherein the information processing mode of the first program is a data retrieval or downloading task.

19. A method according to claim 1 wherein step (d) further comprises minimizing the first program during the second mode.

20. A method according to claim 1 wherein step (d) further comprises concealing the first program during the second mode by hiding or layering the first program behind a program window associated with the second program.

21. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first program is within a first window and the second program is within a second window, and step (d) further comprises reducing the size of the first window.

22. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first program is within a first window and the second program is within a second window, and step (d) further comprises increasing the size of the second window.

23. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first program is within a first window and the second program is within a second window, and step (d) further comprises repositioning the locations of the first window and the second window.

24. A method according to claim 1 wherein the second program is a computer game.

25. A method according to claim 1 wherein the second program causes displaying of an audio or an audiovisual presentation.

26. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first program is an application program.

27. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first and the second programs are application programs.

28. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first program and the second program have separate windows.

29. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first program has a graphical user interface which is visible and active only during the first mode.

30. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first program and the second program have separate graphical user interfaces which are visible and active in the respective first and second modes.

31. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

(e) inhibiting the automatic switching of step (d) upon a determination that no useful functions can be performed during the expected information processing time.

32. An apparatus for switching between two executable programs, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a first executable program which is visible and active at a user'"'"'s computer interface during a first mode, the first program including an information processing mode, wherein a full range of user interaction cannot occur with the first program during the information processing mode;

(b) a second executable program which is visible and active at a user'"'"'s computer interface during a second mode, wherein the second program operates outside of, and independent of, the first program;

(c) means for detecting initiation by the first program of the information processing mode during the first mode; and

(d) means for automatically switching from the first mode to the second mode upon detecting initiation of the information processing mode.

33. An apparatus according to claim 32 further comprising:

(e) means for switching from the second mode to the first mode upon the occurrence of a predetermined event.

34. An apparatus according to claim 33 wherein the predetermined event is the completion of the information processing.

35. An apparatus according to claim 34 wherein the means for switching from the second mode to the first mode causes the switching to occur automatically upon completion of the information processing.

36. An apparatus according to claim 33 wherein the predetermined event is the expiration of a preset time period.

37. An apparatus according to claim 33 further comprising:

(f) means for stopping at least part of the second program upon switching from the second mode to the first mode;

(g) a memory for storing the state of the second program at the stopped point; and

(h) means for continuing the second program at the stopped point upon subsequent switching from the first mode to the second mode.

38. An apparatus according to claim 33 fturther comprising:

(f) means for minimizing the second program upon switching from the second mode to the first mode.

39. An apparatus according to claim 33 further comprising:

(f) means for concealing the second program during the first mode by hiding or layering the second program behind the first program.

40. An apparatus according to claim 32 wherein the first executable program is a browser for requesting, receiving and displaying information obtained from remote information sources, the first mode is a browser mode, and the information processing mode is the requesting by the browser for information.

41. An apparatus according to claim 40 further comprising:

(e) means for switching from the second mode to the first mode upon the occurrence of a predetermined event, wherein the predetermined event is the receipt of the requested information at the user'"'"'s computer interface.

42. An apparatus according to claim 40 wherein the requesting by the browser for information is a request for a file from a remote computer which is connected to the Internet.

43. An apparatus according to claim 40 wherein the user'"'"'s computer interface is a computer, the apparatus further comprising:

(e) means for inhibiting the automatic switching upon a determination that the requested information currently resides in the user'"'"'s computer, and thus no communication with a remote information source is required to display the information at the user'"'"'s computer.

44. An apparatus according to claim 40 further comprising:

(e) means for minimizing the browser during the second mode.

45. An apparatus according to claim 40 wherein the second executable program is another browser.

46. An apparatus according to claim 40 wherein the second executable program is a program that manipulates interstitial information which would automatically be presented upon a detection of a request for information.

47. An apparatus according to claim 32 wherein the information processing mode of the first program is a data processing task.

48. An apparatus according to claim 32 wherein the information processing mode of the first program is an image processing task.

49. An apparatus according to claim 32 wherein the information processing mode of the first program is a data retrieval or downloading task.

50. An apparatus according to claim 32 further comprising:

(e) means for minimizing the first program during the second mode.

51. An apparatus according to claim 32 further comprising:

(e) means for concealing the first program during the second mode by hiding or layering the first program behind a program window associated with the second program.

52. An apparatus according to claim 32 wherein the first program is within a first window and the second program is within a second window, the apparatus further comprising:

(e) means for reducing the size of the first window upon automatic switching from the first mode to the second mode.

53. An apparatus according to claim 32 wherein the first program is within a first window and the second program is within a second window, the apparatus further comprising:

(e) means for increasing the size of the second window upon automatic switching from the first mode to the second mode.

54. An apparatus according to claim 32 wherein the first program is within a first window and the second program is within a second window, the apparatus further comprising:

(e) means for repositioning the locations of the first window and the second window upon automatic switching from the first mode to the second mode.

55. An apparatus according to claim 32 wherein the second program is a computer game.

56. An apparatus according to claim 32 wherein the second program causes displaying of an audio or an audiovisual presentation.

57. An apparatus according to claim 32 wherein the first program is an application program.

58. An apparatus according to claim 32 wherein the first and the second programs are application programs.

59. An apparatus according to claim 32 wherein the first program and the second program have separate windows.

60. An apparatus according to claim 32 wherein the first program has a graphical user interface which is visible and active only during the first mode.

61. An apparatus according to claim 32 wherein the first program and the second program have separate graphical user interfaces which are visible and active in the respective first and second modes.

62. An apparatus according to claim 32 further comprising:

(e) means for inhibiting the automatic switching upon a determination that no useful functions can be performed during the expected information processing time.

63. A computer program product including at least one computer readable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon for switching between two executable programs, the at least one computer readable medium comprising:

(a) a first executable program which is visible and active during a first mode, the first executable program including an information processing mode, wherein a full range of user interaction cannot occur with the first executable program during the information processing mode;

(b) a second executable program which is visible and active during a second mode, wherein the second executable program operates outside of, and independent of, the first executable program;

(c) means for detecting initiation by the first program of the information processing mode during the first mode; and

(d) means for automatically switching from the first mode to the second mode upon detecting initiation of the information processing mode.

64. The computer program product of claim 63 wherein the at least one computer readable medium further comprises:

(e) means for switching from the second mode to the first mode upon the occurrence of a predetermined event.

65. The computer program product of claim 64 wherein the predetermined event is the completion of the information processing.

66. The computer program product of claim 65 wherein the at least one computer readable medium means for switching from the first mode to the second mode causes the switching to occur automatically upon completion of the information processing.

67. The computer program product of claim 64 wherein the predetermined event is the expiration of a preset time period.

68. The computer program product of claim 64 wherein the at least one computer readable medium further comprises:

(f) means for stopping at least part of the second program upon switching from the second mode to the first mode;

(g) means for storing the state of the second program at the stopped point; and

(h) means for continuing the second program at the stopped point upon subsequent switching from the first mode to the second mode.

69. The computer program product of claim 64 wherein the at least one computer readable medium further comprises:

(f) means for minimizing the second program upon switching from the second mode to the first mode.

70. The computer program product of claim 64 wherein the at least one computer readable medium further comprises:

(f) means for concealing the second program during the first mode by hiding or layering the second program behind the first program.

71. The computer program product of claim 63 wherein the first executable program is a browser for requesting, receiving and displaying information obtained from remote information sources, the first mode is a browser mode, and the information processing mode is the requesting by the browser for information.

72. The computer program product of claim 71 wherein the at least one computer readable medium further comprises:

(f) means for switching from the second mode to the first mode upon the occurrence of a predetermined event, wherein the predetermined event is the receipt of the requested information at a user'"'"'s computer interface.

73. The computer program product of claim 71 wherein the requesting by the browser for information is a request for a file from a remote computer which is connected to the Internet.

74. The computer program product of claim 71 wherein the at least one computer readable medium further comprises:

(e) means for inhibiting the automatic switching upon a determination that the requested information currently resides in a user'"'"'s computer, and thus no communication with a remote information source is required to display the information at the user'"'"'s computer.

75. The computer program product of claim 71 wherein the at least one computer readable medium further comprises:

(e) means for minimizing the browser during the second mode.

76. The computer program product of claim 71 wherein the second executable program is another browser.

77. The computer program product of claim 71 wherein the second executable program is a program that manipulates interstitial information which would automatically be presented upon a detection of a request for information.

78. The computer program product of claim 63 wherein the information processing mode of the first program is a data processing task.

79. The computer program product of claim 63 wherein the information processing mode of the first program is an image processing task.

80. The computer program product of claim 63 wherein the information processing mode of the first program is a data retrieval or downloading task.

81. The computer program product of claim 63 further comprising:

(e) computer readable medium means for minimizing the first program during the second mode.

82. The computer program product of claim 63 wherein the at least one computer readable medium further comprises:

(e) means for concealing the first program during the second mode by hiding or layering the first program behind a program window associated with the second program.

83. The computer program product of claim 63 wherein the first program is within a first window and the second program is within a second window, the at least one computer readable medium further comprising:

(e) means for reducing the size of the first window upon automatic switching from the first mode to the second mode.

84. The computer program product of claim 63 wherein the first program is within a first window and the second program is within a second window, the at least one computer readable medium further comprising:

(e) means for increasing the size of the second window upon automatic switching from the first mode to the second mode.

85. The computer program product of claim 63 wherein the first program is within a first window and the second program is within a second window, the at least one computer readable medium further comprising:

(e) means for repositioning the locations of the first window and the second window upon automatic switching from the first mode to the second mode.

86. The computer program product of claim 63 wherein the second program is a computer game.

87. The computer program product of claim 63 wherein the second program causes displaying of an audio or an audiovisual presentation.

88. The computer program product of claim 63 wherein the first program is an application program.

89. The computer program product of claim 63 wherein the first and the second programs are application programs.

90. The computer program product of claim 63 wherein the first program and the second program have separate windows.

91. The computer program product of claim 63 wherein the first program has a graphical user interface which is visible and active only during the first mode.

92. The computer program product of claim 63 wherein the first program and the second program have separate graphical user interfaces which are visible and active in the respective first and second modes.

93. The computer program product of claim 63 wherein the at least one computer readable medium further comprises:

(e) means for inhibiting the automatic switching upon a determination that no useful functions can be performed during the expected information processing time.

94. A method of switching between two information objects, the method comprising:

(a) providing a first information object which is visible and active at a user'"'"'s computer interface during a first mode, the first information object including an information processing mode, wherein a full range of user interaction cannot occur with the first information object during the information processing mode;

(b) providing a second information object which is visible and active at a user'"'"'s computer interface during a second mode, wherein the second information object operates outside of, and independent of, the first information object;

(c) providing means for allowing the user to manually switch back and forth between the first information object and the second information object, depending upon which information object the user desires to be visible and active;

(d) during the first mode, detecting initiation by the first information object of the information processing mode; and

(e) automatically switching from the first mode to the second mode upon detecting initiation of the information processing mode.

95. A method according to claim 94 further comprising:

(f) switching from the second mode to the first mode upon completion of the information processing and storing the state of the second information object upon switching from the second mode to the first mode so that the state of the second information object may be restored upon a subsequent switching from the first mode to the second mode.

96. An apparatus for switching between two information objects, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a first information object which is visible and active at a user'"'"'s computer interface during a first mode, the first information object including an information processing mode, wherein a full range of user interaction cannot occur with the first information object during the information processing mode;

(b) a second information object which is visible and active at a user'"'"'s computer interface during a second mode, wherein the second information object operates outside of, and independent of, the first information object;

(c) means for allowing the user to manually switch back and forth between the first information object and the second information object;

(d) means for detecting initiation by the first information object of the information processing mode during the first mode; and

(e) means for automatically switching from the first mode to the second mode upon detecting initiation of the information processing mode.

97. An apparatus according to claim 96 further comprising:

(f) means for switching from the second mode to the first mode upon completion of the information processing; and

(g) means for storing the state of the second information object upon switching from the second mode to the first mode so that the state of the second information object may be restored upon a subsequent switching from the first mode to the second mode.

98. A computer program product including at least one computer readable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon for switching between two information objects, the at least one computer readable medium comprising:

(a) a first information object which is visible and active during a first mode, the first information object including an information processing mode, wherein a full range of user interaction cannot occur with the first information object during the information processing mode;

(b) a second information object which is visible and active during a second mode, wherein the second information object operates outside of, and independent of, the first information object;

(c) means for allowing the user to manually switch back and forth between the first information object and the second information object;

(d) means for detecting initiation by the first information object of the information processing mode during the first mode; and

(e) means for automatically switching from the first mode to the second mode upon detecting initiation of the information processing mode.

99. The computer program product of claim 98 wherein the at least one computer readable medium further comprises:

(f) means for switching from the second mode to the first mode upon completion of the information processing; and

(g) means for storing the state of the second information object upon switching from the second mode to the first mode so that the state of the second information object may be restored upon a subsequent switching from the first mode to the second mode.