Multi-functional application launcher with integrated status
First Claim
1. A user interface displayed on a pervasive computing device, the user interface comprising:
- a graphical representation identifying each of a collection of one or more tasks which are currently executing or executable on the pervasive computing device; and
an execution status display area corresponding to the graphical representation of the collection, wherein the execution status display area indicates execution status information for each of the one or more tasks, including whether the task is currently executing or is executable, and also provides graphical symbol indicating, for each of the tasks in the collection, each of one or more available functions that can be performed on that task, whereby a user of the pervasive computing device can perform any of the available functions on the tasks by activating its graphical symbol, and wherein an available function for executable ones of the tasks is to cause that task to begin executing and an available function for currently-executing ones of the tasks is to cause that task to stop executing.
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Abstract
User interfaces, methods, systems, and computer program products for improving interactions with users of pervasive computing devices such as personal digital assistants, Web-enabled cellular phones, Web appliances, wearable computing devices, so-called “smart” appliances in the home, and so forth. A multi-functional application launcher is defined that is specifically adapted for use on devices with limited display space and which use pen-based input or other similar input means. This application launcher enables improved navigation, and provides an improved way to show task status information to the device user. Multiple functions per task are supported, and status information is provided, all from an application launcher view.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A user interface displayed on a pervasive computing device, the user interface comprising:
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a graphical representation identifying each of a collection of one or more tasks which are currently executing or executable on the pervasive computing device; and
an execution status display area corresponding to the graphical representation of the collection, wherein the execution status display area indicates execution status information for each of the one or more tasks, including whether the task is currently executing or is executable, and also provides graphical symbol indicating, for each of the tasks in the collection, each of one or more available functions that can be performed on that task, whereby a user of the pervasive computing device can perform any of the available functions on the tasks by activating its graphical symbol, and wherein an available function for executable ones of the tasks is to cause that task to begin executing and an available function for currently-executing ones of the tasks is to cause that task to stop executing.
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2. An improved user interface for a pervasive computing device, the improved user interface comprising a multi-functional application launcher view and a plurality of task views, wherein a user of the pervasive computing device selectively navigates between the multi-functional application launcher view and selected ones of the task views, and wherein:
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the multi-functional application launcher view comprises;
a displayed list of tasks available for execution by the pervasive computing device;
a displayed grid corresponding to the displayed list of tasks, wherein the displayed grid comprises a plurality of columns and a row for each task in the displayed task list, each of the columns corresponding to life cycle points for the displayed list of tasks; and
displayed entries in the grid at selected intersections of the columns and the rows, wherein the displayed entries provide execution status information about particular life cycle points of the task associated with that row or graphical depictions that may be activated to perform actions for particular life cycle points of the task associated with that row; and
each of the task views provides information pertaining to that one of the tasks that is associated with the task view. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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7. An improved user interface for a pervasive computing device, the improved user interface comprising a multi-functional application launcher view and a plurality of task views, wherein a user of the pervasive computing device selectively navigates between the multi-functional application launcher view and selected ones of the task views, and wherein the multi-functional application launcher view comprises:
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a displayed list of tasks available for execution by the pervasive computing device; and
a displayed grid corresponding to the displayed list of tasks, wherein the displayed grid comprises a plurality of columns and a row for each task in the displayed task list and entries at intersections of selected ones of the columns and the rows, wherein the entries provide status information for the tasks in the displayed list, wherein the status information includes (1) which tasks are executing, (2) which tasks are requesting input from the user, and (3) which tasks have information to display to the user. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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20. A method of providing an improved user interface for a pervasive computing device, comprising steps of:
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displaying a multi-functional application launcher view, comprising steps of;
displaying a list of tasks available for execution by the pervasive computing device;
displaying a grid corresponding to the displayed list of tasks, wherein the displayed grid comprises plurality of columns and a row for each task in the displayed task list, each of the columns corresponding to life circle points of the displayed list of tasks; and
displaying entries in the grid at selected intersections of the columns and the rows, wherein the displayed entries provide status information about particular life cycle points of the task associated with that row or graphical depictions of available actions for particular life cycle points of the task associated with that row; and
enabling a user of the pervasive computing device to selectively navigate between the multi-functional application launcher view and selected ones of a plurality of task views, wherein each task view provides information pertaining to one of the tasks in the displayed list. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
the activated graphical depiction indicates presence of the plurality;
a selectable representation of the plurality is presented to the user in response to the activation; and
the particular one is the instance which is selected by the user from the selectable representation.
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35. The method according to claim 20, wherein the status information includes (1) which tasks are executing, (2) which tasks are requesting input from the user, and (3) which tasks have information to display to the user.
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36. A system for providing an improved user interface for a pervasive computing device, comprising:
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means for displaying a multi-functional application launcher view, comprising;
means for displaying a list of tasks available to the user for execution by the pervasive computing device;
means for displaying a grid corresponding to the displayed list of tasks, wherein the displayed grid comprises a plurality of columns and a row for each task in the displayed task list, each of the columns corresponding to life cycle points for the displayed list of tasks;
means for displaying entries in the grid at selected intersections of the columns and the rows, wherein the entries provide (1) status information about particular life cycle points of the task associated with that row, and (2) graphical depictions that may be activated to perform actions for particular life cycle points of the task associated with that row; and
means for enabling a user of the pervasive computing device to selectively navigate between the multi-functional application launcher view and selected ones of a plurality of task views.
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37. A computer program product for providing an improved user interface for a pervasive computing device, the computer program product embodied on one or more computer-readable media and comprising:
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computer-readable program code means for displaying a multi-functional application launcher view, comprising;
computer-readable program code means for displaying a list of tasks available to the user for execution by the pervasive computing device;
computer-readable program code means for displaying a grid corresponding to the displayed list of tasks, wherein the displayed grid comprises a plurality of columns and a row for each task in the displayed task list, each of the columns corresponding to life cycle points for the displayed list of tasks; and
computer-readable program code means for displaying entries in the grid at selected intersections of the columns and the rows, wherein the entries provide (1) status information about particular life cycle points of the task associated with that row, and (2) graphical depictions that may be activated to perform actions for particular life cycle points of the task associated with that row. - View Dependent Claims (38)
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Specification