Email client display transition

• US 9,235,828 B2
• Filed: 11/17/2011
• Issued: 01/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Z124 LLC (Flexis)
• Original Assignee: Z124 LLC (Flexis)
• Inventors: Webber, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): DRAGOESCU, CLAUDIA B
• Application Number:
  US13/299,265
• Publication Number:
  US 20120240054A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,517 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1641 the display being formed by a plurality of foldable display components G06F1/1647 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1647 including at least an additional display G06F1/1692 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04803 Split screen, i.e. subdividing the display area or the window area into separate subareas
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• 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 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• 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 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1423 controlling a plurality of local displays, e.g. CRT and flat panel display
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/0464 Positioning
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/145 related to small screens
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2354/00 Aspects of interface with display user
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 Display of multiple viewports
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/38 with means for controlling the display position
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/08 Annexed information, e.g. attachments
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72469 : for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons

Abstract

Methods and devices for selectively presenting a user interface for an email application are provided. More particularly, a change in the operating mode of a multiple screen device from a multiple screen operating mode to a single screen operating mode, or from a single screen operating mode to a multiple screen operating mode, can be determined. Moreover, a change in the operating mode can effect a change in a presentation of a user interface associated with an email application. More particularly, a presentation of a user interface can be retained, where the number of screens of the device in view of the user is changed, provided a user interface for the email application remains in view of the user after the change in operating mode.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

providing a device having at least first and second screens, the first and second screens connected with a hinge wherein when the hinge is closed, the screens are side-by-side and when the hinge is fully open, the screens are back-to-back, the device having a plurality of states, the states at least including, open, closed, transition and easel;

in a first display mode, presenting a first user interface for an email application only on a first screen, wherein the first display mode includes displaying content in a portrait orientation and displaying content on the first screen, wherein in the first display mode, only the first screen is visible to a user, the first user interface managed by a window stack associated with the first screen;

receiving input from a user, wherein the input includes a change in the number of screens that are in view of the user;

determining a second display mode, wherein the second display mode includes displaying content in a portrait orientation and displaying content on at least the first and second screens;

in response to the change in the number of screens that are in view of the user and the determination that the device is in a second display mode, presenting the first user interface on a first screen; and

in response to the change in the number of screens that are in view of the user and the determination that the device is in a second display mode;

presenting a second user interface on a second screen, wherein the second user interface is also associated with the email application and the second user interface is managed by a second window stack associated with the second screen, each of the window stack and second window stack being logical windows stacks managed by a task management module and convertible by an application model manager to a linear organization upon receipt of the input from the user, and presenting a configurable area on one of the first screen and the second screen based on context of the device, the configurable area having limited display capabilities relative to respective touch screens on the first screen and second screen;

wherein when changing to the second display mode the email application program is further operable to change at least one of a size, an orientation, or a position of at least one user interface object in the first user interface or the second user interface; and

wherein when changing to the second display mode the email application program is further operable to at least one of open a new child window, expand the email application program window across both displays, expand a keyboard across both displays, or maintain the email application program window in the set screen and show other content from another application or the desktop in the other screen.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein in the first user interface and the second user interface present different content.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the second user interface is a child window of the first user interface.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the email application remains in a single application mode during the change in the number of screens that are in view of the user.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the email application mode is one of first run experience mode, application settings mode, email accounts mode, combined inbox mode, email detail mode, or compose email mode.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first user interface includes one or more of an annunciator bar, a header bar, a text tab bar, a content area, or an action menu bar.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the input from the user is the user opening the device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first user interface is displayed for a first email application mode and the second user interface is displayed for a second email application mode.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

executing the email application;

receiving a manifest;

setting a display binding for the email application based on the first display mode; and

providing the display binding to the email application.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

setting a second display binding in response to the change in the number of screens; and

providing the second display binding to the email application to present the second user interface.

11. A device, comprising:

a first screen, the first screen including a touch sensitive display area;

a second screen, the second screen including a touch sensitive display area, wherein in a first operating mode only one of the first and second screens is in view of the user and in portrait orientation, and wherein in a second operating mode both the first screen and the second screen are in view of the user and in portrait orientation, the first and second screens connected with a hinge wherein when the hinge is closed, the screens are side-by-side and when the hinge is fully open, the screens are back-to-back, the device having a plurality of states, the states at least including, open, closed, transition and easel;

a memory;

a processor;

an email application program stored in the memory and executed by the processor, wherein the application programming;

presents a first user interface in a first display mode, wherein the first display mode includes displaying content in a portrait orientation and displaying content on the first screen,

receives input from a user, wherein the input includes a change in the number of screens that are in view of the user;

determines a second display mode, wherein the second display mode includes displaying content in a portrait orientation and displaying content on at least the first and second screens;

presents a first user interface and a second user interface in the second display mode where in both the first screen and the second screen are in view of the user through a change of state, and the first user interface is managed by a window stack associated with the first screen and the second user interface is managed by a second window stack associated with the second screen, each of the window stack and second window stack being logical windows stacks managed by a task management module and convertible by an application model manager to a linear organization upon receipt of the display binding, and

presents a configurable area on one of the first screen and the second screen based on context of the device, the configurable area having limited display capabilities relative to respective touch screens on the first screen and second screens;

wherein when changing to the second display mode the email application program is further operable to change at least one of a size, an orientation, or a position of at least one user interface object in the first user interface or the second user interface; and

wherein when changing to the second display mode the email application program is further operable to at least one of open a new child window, expand the email application program window across both displays, expand a keyboard across both displays, or maintain the email application program window in the set screen and show other content from another application or the desktop in the other screen.

12. The device of claim 11, further comprising:

the email application program further operable to;

receive a second display binding, the display binding providing a second display mode; and

present only a first user interface in the second display mode.

13. The device of claim 11, further comprising:

the email application program further operable to;

alter a mode for the email application program;

in response to altering the mode, send a second manifest to the multi-display management module, the second manifest providing a second preferred display mode; and

receive a second display binding, the second display binding providing the first display mode; and

present only the first user interface in the first display mode, wherein the first user interface is provided on both the first and second screens.

14. The device of claim 11, further comprising a multi-display management module operable to:

receive the manifest;

determine a display mode;

create the display binding; and

send the display binding to the email application program.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the first display mode is a dual display mode in portrait orientation, and wherein the second display mode is single display mode in portrait orientation.

16. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions, the computer executable instructions causing a processor to execute a method for providing a user interface for an email application, the multi-screen device including first and second screens connected with a hinge wherein when the hinge is closed, the screens are side-by-side and when the hinge is fully open, the screens are back-to-back, the device having a plurality of states, the states at least including, open, closed, transition and easel, the computer-executable instructions comprising:

instructions to execute the email application;

instructions to determine a configuration for a device, wherein the configuration is closed with one screen visible by a user and in portrait orientation;

instructions to determine a first display mode for the device, wherein the first display mode includes displaying content in a portrait orientation and displaying content on the first screen;

instructions to generate a first user interface for a first screen;

instructions to receive a device configuration change, wherein the device is opened and both screens are visible after the device configuration change;

instructions to determine a second display mode, wherein the second display mode includes displaying content in a portrait orientation and displaying content on at least the first and second screens;

instructions to generate a first user interface for a first screen and a second user interface for a second screen where both the first screen and the second screen are in view of the user through a change of state, wherein the first user interface is managed by a window stack associated with the first screen and the second user interface is managed by a second window stack associated with the second screen, each of the window stack and second window stack being logical windows stacks managed by a task management module and convertible by an application model manager to a linear organization upon receipt of the instruction to execute the email application; and

instructions to present a configurable area on one of the first screen and the second screen based on context of the device, the configurable area having limited display capabilities relative to respective touch screens on the first screen and second screen;

wherein when changing to the second display mode the email application program is further operable to change at least one of a size, an orientation, or a position of at least one user interface object in the first user interface or the second user interface; and

wherein when changing to the second display mode the email application program is further operable to at least one of open a new child window, expand the email application program window across both displays, expand a keyboard across both displays, or maintain the email application program window in the set screen and show other content from another application or the desktop in the other screen.

17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein both the first user interface and the second user interface are associated with the email application.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17, further comprising:

instructions to alter a mode for the email application;

in response to altering the mode, instructions to send a second manifest, the second manifest providing a second preferred display mode; and

instructions to receive a second display binding, the second display binding providing a second display mode; and

instructions to present only the first user interface in the second display mode, wherein the first user interface is provided on both the first and second screens.

19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 18, further comprising;

instructions to receive a device configuration change, wherein the device is closed and only a first screen is visible after the device configuration change;

instructions to create a third display binding, the display binding providing a third display mode;

instructions to receive the third display binding; and

instructions to present only a first user interface on the first screen when in the third display mode.

20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein the email application mode is one of first run experience mode, application settings mode, email accounts mode, combined inbox mode, email detail mode, or compose email mode.