Web application pinning including task bar pinning

• US 9,021,469 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2014
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Hilerio, Israel, Patton, Mara B., Le, Phu Hoang, Posey, Justin Martin, Jangla, Kinnary M., Yeung, Carlos, Malek, Alexander H., Morgan, Bruce A., Davis, John E., Jaber, Mustapha, Williams, Mary-Lynne, Hall, Martin J.
• Primary Examiner(s): DAO, THUY CHAN
• Application Number:
  US14/198,285
• Publication Number:
  US 20140189546A1
• Time in Patent Office: 419 Days
• US Class Current: 717/176
• 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 3/0486 Drag-and-drop
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

Various embodiments provide a mechanism to allow end users to install web applications and websites onto their desktop. In accordance with one or more embodiments, client-side code can be utilized to allow developers associated with a website to define boundaries associated with user interaction, and have those boundaries enforced by a run-time engine. In at least some embodiments, developers can provide, through JavaScript code and/or HTML markup, various configurations for the creation of a start menu shortcut, navigation, and so-called jumplist integration.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving an indication of a selection of a link associated with installing a web application associated with a web site;

responsive to the receipt of the indication;

locating an icon on a taskbar as a result of the selection;

creating a web application file that is configured to store a navigation domain; and

enforcing the navigation domain while receiving user interactions in a web application window, including rendering content in the web application window when the user interactions are within the navigation domain and rendering content in a default web browser when the user interactions are outside the navigation domain, the web application window and the default web browser being distinct.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising receiving Javascript commands from the web site to enable said locating and said creating.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising presenting a confirmation dialog that identifies how to access the web application.

4. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising presenting a confirmation dialog that identifies the source URL of the web site, including a full path of the web site.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising, responsive to said receiving the indication, locating an icon associated with the web application on a desktop'"'"'s start menu.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising receiving information for the web application via HTML.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising receiving information for the web application via a Javascript API.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an indication of a selection of the icon on the taskbar; and

launching the web application associated with the web site with the information from the web application file.

9. An apparatus comprising a memory storing one or more modules, the one or more modules configured to:

receive an indication of a selection of a menu item associated with installing a web application associated with a web site;

responsive to the receipt of the indication;

locate an icon associated with the web application on a taskbar;

create a web application file that is configured to store a navigation domain; and

enforce the navigation domain while receiving user interactions in a web application window, including rendering content in the web application window when the user interactions are within the navigation domain and rendering content in a default web browser when the user interactions are outside the navigation domain, the web application window and the default web browser being distinct.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, the one or more modules further configured to, responsive to the receipt of the indication, locate an icon associated with the web application on a desktop'"'"'s start menu.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, the one or more modules further configured to receive information for the web application via HTML.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, the one or more modules further configured to receive information for the web application via a Javascript API.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the menu item is included on a web browser menu.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, the one or more modules further configured to, responsive to receipt of the indication, close a web browser window that previously contained content associated with the web application.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, the one or more modules further configured to, responsive to receipt of the indication, replace a display of content associated with the web application with a new tab in a web browser.

16. The apparatus of claim 9, the one or more modules further configured to:

receive an indication of a selection of the icon on the taskbar; and

launch the web application associated with the web site with the information from the web application file.

17. One or more computer-readable storage memories embodying computer-readable instructions configured to perform operations comprising:

receiving an indication of a selection of a menu item associated with installing a web application associated with a web site;

responsive to said receiving the indication;

locating the icon on a taskbar as a result of the selection;

creating a web application file that is configured to store a navigation domain; and

enforcing the navigation domain while receiving user interactions in a web application window, including rendering content in the web application window when the user interactions are within the navigation domain and rendering content in a default web browser when the user interactions are outside the navigation domain, the web application window and the default web browser being distinct.

18. The one or more computer-readable storage memories of claim 17, the operations further comprising, responsive to said receiving the indication, locating the icon associated with the web application on a desktop'"'"'s start menu.

19. The one or more computer-readable storage memories of claim 17, the operations further comprising:

receiving an indication of a selection of the icon on the taskbar; and

launching the web application associated with the web site with the information from the web application file.

20. The one or more computer-readable storage memories of claim 17, wherein the menu item is included on a web browser menu.