Smart icon placement across desktop size changes
First Claim
1. One or more computer readable storage media having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for performing a method for placing icons on a graphical desktop when changing orientations, comprising the steps of:
- defining a subset region in a first orientation of the graphical desktop, the graphical desktop being rectangular and having a long side and a short side, wherein the subset region has a length and width both equal to or shorter than a length of the short side of the graphical desktop, and wherein the subset region encompasses a plurality of pixels, wherein the dimensions of the subset region are defined by receiving user input that moves a slidebar along an edge of the graphical desktop;
placing a plurality of icons in the subset region of the first orientation, wherein said placing restricts placement of said icons to within the subset region of the graphical desktop;
changing said graphical desktop from said first orientation to a second orientation by rotating the graphical desktop ninety degrees; and
in response to said changing, redrawing said subset region on said graphical desktop in said second orientation without rotating the subset region such that the top side of the subset region in the first orientation is also the top side of the subset region in the second orientation, and replacing the plurality of icons on the graphical desktop in the second orientation such that the icons in said subset region maintain the same relative spatial relationship between each of the plurality of icons with both of said first and second orientations.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Intelligent rearrangement of icons on a desktop in response to changes in desktop size, such as orientation, may be provided using a number of approaches. Desktop area in multiple orientations may be divided into a grid having equal numbers of rows and columns, and placement of icons in each orientation may use common grid coordinates. Icons may alternatively be reflected along a diagonal of desktops in different orientations, such that some icon positional relationships may be maintained. Placement of icons on a desktop may be restricted to a predefined subset region of the desktop, where the subset region will fit in multiple orientations without requiring adjustment. Additionally, areas of a desktop in multiple orientations may be reserved for predefined types of icons, and changes in orientation may result in placement of icons in corresponding reserved areas based on icon attribute.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. One or more computer readable storage media having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for performing a method for placing icons on a graphical desktop when changing orientations, comprising the steps of:
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defining a subset region in a first orientation of the graphical desktop, the graphical desktop being rectangular and having a long side and a short side, wherein the subset region has a length and width both equal to or shorter than a length of the short side of the graphical desktop, and wherein the subset region encompasses a plurality of pixels, wherein the dimensions of the subset region are defined by receiving user input that moves a slidebar along an edge of the graphical desktop; placing a plurality of icons in the subset region of the first orientation, wherein said placing restricts placement of said icons to within the subset region of the graphical desktop; changing said graphical desktop from said first orientation to a second orientation by rotating the graphical desktop ninety degrees; and in response to said changing, redrawing said subset region on said graphical desktop in said second orientation without rotating the subset region such that the top side of the subset region in the first orientation is also the top side of the subset region in the second orientation, and replacing the plurality of icons on the graphical desktop in the second orientation such that the icons in said subset region maintain the same relative spatial relationship between each of the plurality of icons with both of said first and second orientations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method performed by a processor of a computing system for placing icons on a graphical desktop when changing orientations, comprising the steps of:
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defining a subset region in a first orientation of the graphical desktop, the graphical desktop being rectangular and having a long side and a short side, wherein the subset region has a length and width both equal to or shorter than a length of the short side of the graphical desktop, and wherein the subset region encompasses a plurality of pixels, wherein the dimensions of the subset region are defined by receiving user input that moves a slidebar along an edge of the graphical desktop; placing a plurality of icons in the subset region of the first orientation, wherein said placing restricts placement of said icons to within the subset region of the graphical desktop; changing said graphical desktop from said first orientation to a second orientation by rotating the graphical desktop ninety degrees; and in response to said changing, redrawing said subset region on said graphical desktop in said second orientation without rotating the subset region such that the top side of the subset region in the first orientation is also the top side of the subset region in the second orientation, and replacing the plurality of icons on the graphical desktop in the second orientation such that the icons in said subset region maintain the same relative spatial relationship between each of the plurality of icons with both of said first and second orientations. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A system comprising a processor and memory, wherein the memory stores computer executable instructions which when executed by the processor perform steps for placing icons on a graphical desktop when changing orientations, comprising the steps of:
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defining a subset region in a first orientation of the graphical desktop, the graphical desktop being rectangular and having a long side and a short side, wherein the subset region has a length and width both equal to or shorter than a length of the short side of the graphical desktop, and wherein the subset region encompasses a plurality of pixels, wherein the dimensions of the subset region are defined by receiving user input that moves a slidebar along an edge of the graphical desktop; placing a plurality of icons in the subset region of the first orientation, wherein said placing restricts placement of said icons to within the subset region of the graphical desktop; changing said graphical desktop from said first orientation to a second orientation by rotating the graphical desktop ninety degrees; and in response to said changing, redrawing said subset region on said graphical desktop in said second orientation without rotating the subset region such that the top side of the subset region in the first orientation is also the top side of the subset region in the second orientation, and replacing the plurality of icons on the graphical desktop in the second orientation such that the icons in said subset region maintain the same relative spatial relationship between each of the plurality of icons with both of said first and second orientations. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification