Device, method, and graphical user interface for managing and interacting with concurrently open software applications

• US 8,806,369 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2011
• Issued: 08/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Khoe, May-Li, Coster, Daniel John, Missig, Julian, Bernstein, Jeffrey Traer, Zambetti, Nicholas, Chaudhri, Imran
• Primary Examiner(s): Riegler, Patrick
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chung, Mong-Shune
• Application Number:
  US13/333,909
• Publication Number:
  US 20130050263A1
• Time in Patent Office: 965 Days
• Field of Search: 715/788, 715/781, 715/808, 715/764, 715/803, 715/810
• US Class Current: 715/808
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2354/00 Aspects of interface with display user
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 Display of multiple viewports

Abstract

While in a first mode, a first electronic device displays on a touch-sensitive display a first application view that corresponds to a first application. In response to detecting a first input, the electronic device enters a second mode, and concurrently displays in a first predefined area an initial group of application icons with at least a portion of the first application view adjacent to the first predefined area. While in the second mode, in response to detecting a first touch gesture on an application icon that corresponds to a second application, the electronic device displays a popup view corresponding to a full-screen-width view of the second application on a second electronic device. In response to detecting one or more second touch gestures within the popup view, the electronic device performs an action in the second application that updates a state of the second application.

Claims

1. A first electronic device, comprising:

a touch-sensitive display;

one or more processors;

memory; and

one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for;

while in a first mode;

displaying on the touch-sensitive display a first application view that corresponds to a first application in a plurality of applications, wherein the first application view is displayed without concurrently displaying an application view for any other application in the plurality of applications;

detecting a first input; and

,

in response to detecting the first input;

displaying in a first predefined area an initial group of application icons that correspond to at least some of the plurality of applications;

concurrently displaying at least a portion of the first application view adjacent to the first predefined area; and

entering a second mode distinct from the first mode, the second mode configured for interacting with popup views and selecting one of the applications for display of a corresponding application view; and

,

while in the second mode;

detecting, in the first predefined area, a first touch gesture of a first type on a first application icon that corresponds to a second application in the plurality of applications;

in response to detecting the first touch gesture of the first type on the first application icon, displaying a first popup view partially covering at least the portion of the first application view and maintaining display of the first predefined area, wherein the first popup view has a horizontal resolution that is the same as a horizontal resolution that a full-screen-width view of the second application is configured to have when displayed on a second electronic device having a touch-sensitive display with lower resolution than the touch-sensitive display of the first electronic device;

detecting one or more second touch gestures within the first popup view; and

,

in response to detecting the one or more second touch gestures within the first popup view, performing an action in the second application that updates a state of the second application.

2. The first electronic device of claim 1, wherein the one or more programs include instructions for:

while displaying the first popup view, the application icons, and at least the portion of the first application view in the second mode;

detecting, in the first predefined area, a third touch gesture of the first type on a second application icon that corresponds to a third application in the plurality of applications; and

,

in response to detecting the third touch gesture of the first type on the second application icon, concurrently displaying with the first popup view a second popup view partially covering at least the portion of the first application view, wherein the second popup view corresponds to a full-screen-width view of the third application on a respective electronic device having a touch-sensitive display with lower resolution than the touch-sensitive display of the first electronic device.

3. The first electronic device of claim 1, wherein the one or more programs include instructions for:

while in the second mode;

detecting, in the first predefined area, a fourth touch gesture of a second type on a second application icon that corresponds to a third application in the plurality of applications; and

,

in response to detecting the fourth touch gesture of the second type on the second application icon;

ceasing to display the first application view;

ceasing to display the application icons;

exiting the second mode; and

displaying on the touch-sensitive display an entire second application view that corresponds to the third application and occupies the entire touch-sensitive display without concurrently displaying an application view for any other application in the plurality of applications.

4. The first electronic device of claim 1, wherein:

the first popup view is initially displayed adjacent to the first predefined area; and

the one or more programs include instructions for;

while in the second mode;

detecting a fifth touch gesture originating on the first popup view; and

,

while detecting the fifth touch gesture, moving the first popup view in accordance with the fifth touch gesture.

5. The first electronic device of claim 1, wherein:

the first popup view includes one or more user interface objects; and

the one or more programs include instructions for;

while in the second mode;

detecting a sixth touch gesture on a first user interface object of the one or more user interface objects; and

,

in response to detecting the sixth touch gesture on the first user interface object;

ceasing to display the first application view;

ceasing to display the application icons;

ceasing to display the first popup view;

exiting the second mode; and

displaying on the touch-sensitive display an entire third application view that corresponds to the second application and occupies the entire touch-sensitive display without concurrently displaying an application view for any other application in the plurality of applications.

6. The first electronic device of claim 1, wherein:

the first popup view corresponds to the full-screen-width view of the second application on the second electronic device in a first orientation;

the first popup view includes one or more user interface objects; and

the one or more programs include instructions for;

while in the second mode;

detecting a seventh touch gesture on a second user interface object of the one or more user interface objects; and

,

in response to detecting the seventh touch gesture on the second user interface object, displaying a popup view that corresponds to a full-screen-width view of the second application on the second electronic device in a second orientation distinct from the first orientation.

7. The first electronic device of claim 1, wherein the one or more programs include instructions for:

while displaying the first popup view in the second mode;

detecting a respective touch gesture at a location that corresponds to a respective portion of the first application view not covered by any popup view; and

,

in response to detecting the respective touch gesture at a location that corresponds to the respective portion of the first application view not covered by any popup view;

ceasing to display the first popup view;

ceasing to display the application icons;

exiting the second mode; and

displaying the entire first application view.

8. A method, comprising:

at a first electronic device with a touch-sensitive display;

while in a first mode;

displaying on the touch-sensitive display a first application view that corresponds to a first application in a plurality of applications, wherein the first application view is displayed without concurrently displaying an application view for any other application in the plurality of applications;

detecting a first input; and

,

in response to detecting the first input;

displaying in a first predefined area an initial group of application icons that correspond to at least some of the plurality of applications;

concurrently displaying at least a portion of the first application view adjacent to the first predefined area; and

entering a second mode distinct from the first mode, the second mode configured for interacting with popup views and selecting one of the applications for display of a corresponding application view; and

,

while in the second mode;

detecting, in the first predefined area, a first touch gesture of a first type on a first application icon that corresponds to a second application in the plurality of applications;

in response to detecting the first touch gesture of the first type on the first application icon, displaying a first popup view partially covering at least the portion of the first application view and maintaining display of the first predefined area, wherein the first popup view has a horizontal resolution that is the same as a horizontal resolution that a full-screen-width view of the second application is configured to have when displayed on a second electronic device having a touch-sensitive display with lower resolution than the touch-sensitive display of the first electronic device;

detecting one or more second touch gestures within the first popup view; and

,

in response to detecting the one or more second touch gestures within the first popup view, performing an action in the second application that updates a state of the second application.

10. The method of claim 8, including:

while displaying the first popup view, the application icons, and at least the portion of the first application view in the second mode;

detecting, in the first predefined area, a third touch gesture of the first type on a second application icon that corresponds to a third application in the plurality of applications; and

,

in response to detecting the third touch gesture of the first type on the second application icon, concurrently displaying with the first popup view a second popup view partially covering at least the portion of the first application view, wherein the second popup view corresponds to a full-screen-width view of the third application on a respective electronic device having a touch-sensitive display with lower resolution than the touch-sensitive display of the first electronic device.

11. The method of claim 8, including:

while in the second mode;

detecting, in the first predefined area, a fourth touch gesture of a second type on a second application icon that corresponds to a third application in the plurality of applications; and

,

in response to detecting the fourth touch gesture of the second type on the second application icon;

ceasing to display the first application view;

ceasing to display the application icons;

exiting the second mode; and

displaying on the touch-sensitive display an entire second application view that corresponds to the third application and occupies the entire touch-sensitive display without concurrently displaying an application view for any other application in the plurality of applications.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein:

the first popup view is initially displayed adjacent to the first predefined area; and

the method includes;

while in the second mode;

detecting a fifth touch gesture originating on the first popup view; and

,

while detecting the fifth touch gesture, moving the first popup view in accordance with the fifth touch gesture.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein:

the first popup view includes one or more user interface objects; and

the method includes;

while in the second mode;

detecting a sixth touch gesture on a first user interface object of the one or more user interface objects; and

,

in response to detecting the sixth touch gesture on the first user interface object;

ceasing to display the first application view;

ceasing to display the application icons;

ceasing to display the first popup view;

exiting the second mode; and

displaying on the touch-sensitive display an entire third application view that corresponds to the second application and occupies the entire touch-sensitive display without concurrently displaying an application view for any other application in the plurality of applications.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein:

the first popup view corresponds to the full-screen-width view of the second application on the second electronic device in a first orientation;

the first popup view includes one or more user interface objects; and

the method includes;

while in the second mode;

detecting a seventh touch gesture on a second user interface object of the one or more user interface objects; and

,

in response to detecting the seventh touch gesture on the second user interface object, displaying a popup view that corresponds to a full-screen-width view of the second application on the second electronic device in a second orientation distinct from the first orientation.

15. The method of claim 8, including:

while displaying the first popup view in the second mode;

detecting a respective touch gesture at a location that corresponds to a respective portion of the first application view not covered by any popup view; and

,

in response to detecting the respective touch gesture at a location that corresponds to the respective portion of the first application view not covered by any popup view;

ceasing to display the first popup view;

ceasing to display the application icons;

exiting the second mode; and

displaying the entire first application view.

9. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which when executed by a first electronic device with a touch-sensitive display, cause the device to:

while in a first mode;

display on the touch-sensitive display a first application view that corresponds to a first application in a plurality of applications, wherein the first application view is displayed without concurrently displaying an application view for any other application in the plurality of applications;

detect a first input; and

,

in response to detecting the first input;

display in a first predefined area an initial group of application icons that correspond to at least some of the plurality of applications;

concurrently display at least a portion of the first application view adjacent to the first predefined area; and

entering a second mode distinct from the first mode, the second mode configured for interacting with popup views and selecting one of the applications for display of a corresponding application view; and

,

while in the second mode;

detect, in the first predefined area, a first touch gesture of a first type on a first application icon that corresponds to a second application in the plurality of applications;

in response to detecting the first touch gesture of the first type on the first application icon, display a first popup view partially covering at least the portion of the first application view and maintaining display of the first predefined area, wherein the first popup view has a horizontal resolution that is the same as a horizontal resolution that a full-screen-width view of the second application is configured to have when displayed on a second electronic device having a touch-sensitive display with lower resolution than the touch-sensitive display of the first electronic device;

detect one or more second touch gestures within the first popup view; and

,

in response to detecting the one or more second touch gestures within the first popup view, perform an action in the second application that updates a state of the second application.

16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9, the one or more programs including instructions, which when executed by the first electronic device with the touch-sensitive display, cause the device to:

while displaying the first popup view, the application icons, and at least the portion of the first application view in the second mode;

detect, in the first predefined area, a third touch gesture of the first type on a second application icon that corresponds to a third application in the plurality of applications; and

,

in response to detecting the third touch gesture of the first type on the second application icon, concurrently display with the first popup view a second popup view partially covering at least the portion of the first application view, wherein the second popup view corresponds to a full-screen-width view of the third application on a respective electronic device having a touch-sensitive display with lower resolution than the touch-sensitive display of the first electronic device.

17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9, the one or more programs including instructions, which when executed by the first electronic device with the touch-sensitive display, cause the device to:

while in the second mode;

detect, in the first predefined area, a fourth touch gesture of a second type on a second application icon that corresponds to a third application in the plurality of applications; and

,

in response to detecting the fourth touch gesture of the second type on the second application icon;

cease to display the first application view;

cease to display the application icons;

exit the second mode; and

display on the touch-sensitive display an entire second application view that corresponds to the third application and occupies the entire touch-sensitive display without concurrently displaying an application view for any other application in the plurality of applications.

18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein:

the first popup view is initially displayed adjacent to the first predefined area; and

the one or more programs including instructions, which when executed by the first electronic device with the touch-sensitive display, cause the device to;

while in the second mode;

detect a fifth touch gesture originating on the first popup view; and

, while detecting the fifth touch gesture, move the first popup view in accordance with the fifth touch gesture.

19. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein:

the first popup view includes one or more user interface objects; and

the one or more programs including instructions, which when executed by the first electronic device with the touch-sensitive display, cause the device to;

while in the second mode;

detect a sixth touch gesture on a first user interface object of the one or more user interface objects; and

,

in response to detecting the sixth touch gesture on the first user interface object;

cease to display the first application view;

cease to display the application icons;

cease to display the first popup view;

exit the second mode; and

display on the touch-sensitive display an entire third application view that corresponds to the second application and occupies the entire touch-sensitive display without concurrently displaying an application view for any other application in the plurality of applications.

20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein:

the first popup view corresponds to the full-screen-width view of the second application on the second electronic device in a first orientation;

the first popup view includes one or more user interface objects; and

the one or more programs including instructions, which when executed by the first electronic device with the touch-sensitive display, cause the device to;

while in the second mode;

detect a seventh touch gesture on a second user interface object of the one or more user interface objects; and

,

in response to detecting the seventh touch gesture on the second user interface object, display a popup view that corresponds to a full-screen-width view of the second application on the second electronic device in a second orientation distinct from the first orientation.

21. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9, the one or more programs including instructions, which when executed by the first electronic device with the touch-sensitive display, cause the device to:

while displaying the first popup view in the second mode;

detect a respective touch gesture at a location that corresponds to a respective portion of the first application view not covered by any popup view; and

,

in response to detecting the respective touch gesture at a location that corresponds to the respective portion of the first application view not covered by any popup view;

cease to display the first popup view;

cease to display the application icons;

exit the second mode; and

display the entire first application view.