Method and system for switching between multiple computer applications
First Claim
1. A method for use in a computer system, said computer system having a graphical operating system, for switching between a plurality of open application windows, comprising:
- monitoring for switching input indicative of a desire to switch from a current open application window to another of the plurality of open application windows;
upon receipt of the switching input, displaying, over the current open application window, an extracted graphical preview comprising a live running view that reflects real-time changes of actual content currently within the another one of the plurality of open application windows;
monitoring for display input indicative of a desire to make the displayed preview the new current open application window; and
upon receipt of the display input, switching the display from the current open application window to the new current open application window.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Generally described, a method is provided for use in a computer system that allows users to navigate quickly through multiple applications. In accordance with the method, when the computer receives a signal from the user, it extracts a preview representing a screen shot for each window open within the operating system. It then displays the preview, a description, and an icon for the next window in the activation hierarchy and a description and an icon for the remaining open windows. In other embodiments, the previews for all open windows with corresponding descriptions and icons are displayed utilizing several different arrangements. The computer then receives a designation from the user of the next window he or she wants to make active and brings to the foreground the top level window corresponding to the selection.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for use in a computer system, said computer system having a graphical operating system, for switching between a plurality of open application windows, comprising:
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monitoring for switching input indicative of a desire to switch from a current open application window to another of the plurality of open application windows; upon receipt of the switching input, displaying, over the current open application window, an extracted graphical preview comprising a live running view that reflects real-time changes of actual content currently within the another one of the plurality of open application windows; monitoring for display input indicative of a desire to make the displayed preview the new current open application window; and upon receipt of the display input, switching the display from the current open application window to the new current open application window. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for use in a computer system, said computer system having a graphical operating system, for switching between a plurality of open windows that are ranked according to an activation hierarchy comprising:
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monitoring for a switching activation signal; upon receipt of the switching activation signal, displaying, over the open windows, an extracted graphical preview comprising a live running view that reflects real-time changes of actual content currently within the next open window in the activation hierarchy; monitoring for a display command to activate and display the window corresponding to the displayed preview; and upon receipt of the display command, activating the open window corresponding to the displayed preview. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for use in a computer system, said computer system having a graphical operating system, for switching between a plurality of open application windows, comprising:
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monitoring for switching input indicative of a desire to switch from a current open application window to another of the plurality of open application windows; upon receipt of the switching input, displaying, over the current open application window, an extracted graphical preview comprising a live running view that reflects real-time changes of actual content currently within the another one of the plurality of open application windows, wherein the extracted graphical preview is displayed adjacent a button in a task bar, the button corresponding with the another one of the plurality of open application windows; monitoring for display input indicative of a desire to make the displayed preview the new current open application window; and upon receipt of the display input, switching the display from the current open application window to the new current open application window.
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21. One or more computer-storage media embodying instructions for performing a method for use in a computer system, said computer system having a graphical operating system, for switching between a plurality of open application windows, comprising:
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monitoring for switching input indicative of a desire to switch from a current open application window to another of the plurality of open application windows; upon receipt of the switching input, displaying, over the current open application window, an extracted graphical preview comprising a live running view that reflects real-time changes of actual content currently within the another one of the plurality of open application windows; monitoring for display input indicative of a desire to make the displayed preview the new current open application window; and upon receipt of the display input, switching the display from the current open application window to the new current open application window.
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Specification