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

• US 9,052,926 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2010
• Issued: 06/09/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Chaudhri, Imran
• Primary Examiner(s): Ng, Amy
• Assistant Examiner(s): STITT, ERIK V
• Application Number:
  US12/888,382
• Publication Number:
  US 20110252380A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,721 Days
• Field of Search: 715/810, 715/764, 715/836
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• 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: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

A method includes displaying a first application view. A first input is detected, and an application view selection mode is entered for selecting one of concurrently open applications for display in a corresponding application view. An initial group of open application icons in a first predefined area and at least a portion of the first application view adjacent to the first predefined area are concurrently displayed. The initial group of open application icons corresponds to at least some of the concurrently open applications. A gesture is detected on a respective open application icon in the first predefined area, and a respective application view for a corresponding application is displayed without concurrently displaying an application view for any other application in the concurrently open applications. The open application icons in the first predefined area cease to be displayed, and the application view selection mode is exited.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

at a multifunction device with a touch-sensitive display;

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

detecting a first input;

in response to detecting the first input;

entering an application view selection mode for selecting one of the concurrently open applications for display in a corresponding application view;

displaying an animation sliding the first application view such that part of the first application view moves off the display and a portion of the first application view remains on the display;

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

concurrently displaying the portion of the first application view adjacent to the first predefined area;

detecting a gesture on a respective open application icon in the first predefined area; and

,

in response to detecting the gesture on the respective open application icon;

displaying a respective application view on the touch-sensitive display for a corresponding application in the plurality of concurrently open applications, wherein the respective application view is displayed without concurrently displaying an application view for any other application in the plurality of concurrently open applications;

ceasing to display open application icons in the first predefined area; and

exiting the application view selection mode.

2. A multifunction 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;

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

detecting a first input;

in response to detecting the first input;

entering an application view selection mode for selecting one of the concurrently open applications for display in a corresponding application view;

displaying an animation sliding the first application view such that part of the first application view moves off the display and a portion of the first application view remains on the display;

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

concurrently displaying the portion of the first application view adjacent to the first predefined area;

detecting a gesture on a respective open application icon in the first predefined area; and

,

in response to detecting the gesture on the respective open application icon;

displaying a respective application view on the touch-sensitive display for a corresponding application in the plurality of concurrently open applications, wherein the respective application view is displayed without concurrently displaying an application view for any other application in the plurality of concurrently open applications;

ceasing to display open application icons in the first predefined area; and

exiting the application view selection mode.

3. A graphical user interface on a multifunction device with a touch-sensitive display, a memory, and one or more processors to execute one or more programs stored in the memory, the graphical user interface comprising:

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

wherein;

a first input is detected;

in response to detecting the first input;

an application view selection mode for selecting one of the concurrently open applications for display in a corresponding application view is entered;

an animation sliding the first application view is displayed such that part of the first application view moves off the display and a portion of the first application view remains on the display;

an initial group of open application icons that correspond to at least some of the plurality of concurrently open applications is displayed in a first predefined area; and

the portion of the first application view is concurrently displayed adjacent to the first predefined area;

a gesture is detected on a respective open application icon in the first predefined area; and

,

in response to detecting the gesture on the respective open application icon;

a respective application view is displayed on the touch-sensitive display for a corresponding application in the plurality of concurrently open applications, wherein the respective application view is displayed without concurrently displaying an application view for any other application in the plurality of concurrently open applications;

open application icons cease to be displayed in the first predefined area; and

the application view selection mode is exited.

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

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

detect a first input;

in response to detecting the first input;

enter an application view selection mode for selecting one of the concurrently open applications for display in a corresponding application view;

display an animation sliding the first application view such that part of the first application view moves off the display and a portion of the first application view remains on the display;

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

concurrently display the portion of the first application view adjacent to the first predefined area;

detect a gesture on a respective open application icon in the first predefined area; and

,

in response to detecting the gesture on the respective open application icon;

display a respective application view on the touch-sensitive display for a corresponding application in the plurality of concurrently open applications, wherein the respective application view is displayed without concurrently displaying an application view for any other application in the plurality of concurrently open applications;

cease to display open application icons in the first predefined area; and

exit the application view selection mode.