Third party service switching through command bar user interface
First Claim
1. In a computer system having a host graphical user interface including a display device and a user interface selection device, a method of switching between a plurality of online services from within the host graphical user interface, the method comprising:
- displaying a media player graphical window that includes a single tool bar having both a host application function area and a service function area, the host application function area having application buttons to control functions of a host application for processing a media content, the service function area indicating an active online service for providing the media content, an active online service brand icon, service buttons to control functions associated with the active online service, and a service list menu button to display a list of valid online services and service brand icons from an all-services file;
receiving the user input indicating a selection of the service list menu button;
in response to the selection of the service list menu button, displaying the list of valid online services and online service brand icons;
receiving the user input indicating the selection of a different online service from the list of valid online services;
in response to the selection of the different online service, switching the active online service to the different online service, wherein the different online service hosts a corresponding service information file for the different online service, wherein each service file manages customization of a media player;
altering the service buttons and providing an associated service brand icon in accordance with the customization of the different online service; and
altering an appearance of the service function area in response to the selection of the service button, wherein the altering of the appearance is selected from the group comprising;
highlighting the service function area;
changing a color of the service function area;
adjusting a texture of the service function area; and
adjusting a background intensity level within the service function area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A graphical user interface allows users to access multiple third party services (e.g., online media services) and enables the services to provide functionality within the GUI adjacent to core functionality of a host application (e.g., a media player application, operating system shell, etc.). The GUI provides an interface region for third party service functionality that is distinct from, but equal in exposure and prominence to, the core functionality provided by the application hosting the GUI. The GUI enables seamless switching between a list of available services provided in a service menu. Switching between services replaces service function buttons and service branding according to particular service customizations.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. In a computer system having a host graphical user interface including a display device and a user interface selection device, a method of switching between a plurality of online services from within the host graphical user interface, the method comprising:
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displaying a media player graphical window that includes a single tool bar having both a host application function area and a service function area, the host application function area having application buttons to control functions of a host application for processing a media content, the service function area indicating an active online service for providing the media content, an active online service brand icon, service buttons to control functions associated with the active online service, and a service list menu button to display a list of valid online services and service brand icons from an all-services file; receiving the user input indicating a selection of the service list menu button; in response to the selection of the service list menu button, displaying the list of valid online services and online service brand icons; receiving the user input indicating the selection of a different online service from the list of valid online services; in response to the selection of the different online service, switching the active online service to the different online service, wherein the different online service hosts a corresponding service information file for the different online service, wherein each service file manages customization of a media player; altering the service buttons and providing an associated service brand icon in accordance with the customization of the different online service; and altering an appearance of the service function area in response to the selection of the service button, wherein the altering of the appearance is selected from the group comprising; highlighting the service function area; changing a color of the service function area; adjusting a texture of the service function area; and adjusting a background intensity level within the service function area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-executable instructions configured to display a host graphical user interface on a display device and to manage the host graphical user interface in response to user input provided through an interface selection device, the host graphical user interface comprising:
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a single command bar providing access to both a host application function area and a service function area on a single row of the command bar; application buttons located within the host application function area to control functions of a host application; service buttons located within the service function area to control functions associated with a currently active online media service hosted by the host application; a service list menu button in the service function area to control switching between a plurality of online media services from within the host application, wherein the plurality of online media services host a corresponding service information file for the plurality of online services. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-executable instructions configured for:
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displaying a single user interface command bar having a host application region to control functions of a media player application, and a media service region to control functions associated with a currently active media service, wherein the displaying comprises displaying application buttons in the host application region to control functions of the media player application and displaying service buttons in the media service region to control functions of the currently active media service; providing access to a list of media services through a service list menu button within the media service region, wherein the providing access to a plurality of media services comprises; receiving a user input indicating the service list menu button has been selected; and in response to the selection of the service list menu button, displaying the list of media services; switching from the currently active media service to a newly active media service in response to a selection made from the list of media services, wherein the newly active media service hosts a corresponding service information file for the newly active media service; and further processor-executable instructions configured for altering an appearance of the media service region whenever a function within the media service region is active, wherein altering the appearance of the media service region is selected from the group comprising; highlighting the media service region; changing a color of the media service region; adjusting a texture of the media service region; and adjusting a background intensity level within the media service region. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A computer comprising:
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a display device; a media player application; a user interface manager configured to manage and display a single host graphical user interface on the display device, wherein the media player application hosts an active online media service provider from which a media content can be obtained and the single host graphical user interface provides user access to functionality of both the media player application and the active online media service provider, the single host graphical user interface enables the active online media service provider to customize portions of the single host graphical user interface; and a user interface selection device enabling a user to switch the active online media service provider to a different online media service provider by using the user interface selection device to select between a plurality of online media service providers listed in a service menu on the single host graphical user interface, wherein the different online media service provider retrieves a corresponding service information file for managing customization of the media player application for the different online media service provider. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification