User interface element with auxiliary function
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for displaying a user interface element on a display screen, the method executed by a computer and comprising:
- executing an operating system that provides an operating system user interface for receiving user inputs to a user application;
executing a user activatable dashboard layer;
storing a plurality of widgets, at least one widget having a front side providing a first functionality, and a back side providing a second functionality, each widget configured for display only within the user activatable dashboard layer;
responsive to a first trigger event, displaying the user-activatable dashboard layer, thereby providing access to the plurality of widgets contained by the dashboard layer, the display of the dashboard layer preventing the user application from receiving further user inputs through the operating system user interface; and
responsive to a second trigger event, dismissing the dashboard layer, thereby removing access to the plurality of widgets and reactivating the operating system user interface such that the user application can again receive user inputs.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A user-activatable dashboard (also referred to as a unified interest layer) contains any number of user interface elements, referred to herein as “widgets,” for quick access by a user. In response to a command from a user, the dashboard is invoked and the widgets are shown on the screen. The user can activate the dashboard at any time, causing the dashboard to temporarily replace the existing user interface display on the user'"'"'s screen. Once the dashboard has been activated, the user can interact with any or all of the widgets, and can configure the dashboard by adding, deleting, moving, or configuring individual widgets as desired. When the user wishes to return to the normal user interface he or she was working with, the user issues a command causing the dashboard to be dismissed. Once the dashboard has been dismissed, the previous user interface state is restored, allowing the user to resume normal interactions with the operating system.
275 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for displaying a user interface element on a display screen, the method executed by a computer and comprising:
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executing an operating system that provides an operating system user interface for receiving user inputs to a user application; executing a user activatable dashboard layer; storing a plurality of widgets, at least one widget having a front side providing a first functionality, and a back side providing a second functionality, each widget configured for display only within the user activatable dashboard layer; responsive to a first trigger event, displaying the user-activatable dashboard layer, thereby providing access to the plurality of widgets contained by the dashboard layer, the display of the dashboard layer preventing the user application from receiving further user inputs through the operating system user interface; and responsive to a second trigger event, dismissing the dashboard layer, thereby removing access to the plurality of widgets and reactivating the operating system user interface such that the user application can again receive user inputs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable code for controlling a processor to perform a method comprising:
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executing an operating system that provides an operating system user interface for receiving user inputs to a user application; executing a user activatable dashboard layer; storing a plurality of widgets, at least one widget having a front side providing a first functionality, and a back side providing a second functionality, each widget configured for display only within the user activatable dashboard layer; responsive to a first trigger event, displaying the user-activatable dashboard layer, thereby providing access to the plurality of widgets contained by the dashboard layer, the display of the dashboard layer preventing the user application from receiving further user inputs through the operating system user interface; and responsive to a second trigger event, dismissing the dashboard layer, thereby removing access to the plurality of widgets and reactivating the operating system user interface such that the user application can again receive user inputs. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A computer-implemented system for displaying a user interface element on a display screen, the system comprising:
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an operating system that provides an operating system user interface for receiving user inputs to a user application; a user-activatable dashboard layer; a computer processor; and a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable code for controlling the computer processor to perform a method comprising; storing a plurality of widgets, at least one widget having a front side providing a first functionality, and a back side providing a second functionality, each widget configured for display only within the user-activatable dashboard layer; responsive to a first trigger event, displaying the user-activatable dashboard layer, thereby providing access to the plurality of widgets contained by the dashboard layer, the display of the dashboard layer preventing the user application from receiving further user inputs through the operating system user interface; and responsive to a second trigger event, dismissing the dashboard layer, thereby removing access to the plurality of widgets and reactivating the operating system user interface such that the user application can again receive user inputs. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification