Scaling of displayed objects with shifts to the periphery

• US 9,671,922 B1
• Filed: 07/13/2012
• Issued: 06/06/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Robertson, George G., Smith, Gregory R., Hutchings, Dugald R., Meyers, Brian R.
• Primary Examiner(s): HAILU, TADESSE
• Application Number:
  US13/548,571
• Time in Patent Office: 1,789 Days
• Field of Search: 715766, 715767, 715796, 715800, 715802
• 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 2203/04806 Zoom, i.e. interaction techniques or interactors for controlling the zooming operation
• 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 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

Some examples relate to facilitating multi-tasking in a computing environment. A focus area component defines a focus area within a display space—the focus area occupying a subset area of the display space area. A scaling component scales display objects as a function of proximity to the focus area, and a behavior modification component modifies respective behavior of the display objects as a function their location of the display space. Some implementations provide for interaction technique(s) and user interface(s) in connection with managing display objects on a display surface. Further, some examples define a central focus area, such that the display objects are displayed and behave as usual. Also included is a periphery outside the focus area where the display objects are reduced in size based on their location, getting smaller as the display objects near an edge of the display surface with many more objects visible.

Claims

1. One or more computer-readable storage media storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform acts comprising:

in response to receiving a task switching instruction associated with a program application;

moving a display object associated with the program application from a focus area to an edge, wherein the display object progressively shrinks as the display object moves toward the edge, wherein the display object has a network communication functionality;

wherein the display object has a standard behavior prior to receiving the task switching instruction, and wherein the functionality of the display object'"'"'s network communication functionality is reduced when the display object is shrunk.

2. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 1, wherein the display object includes a plurality of windows.

3. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 1, wherein the task switching instruction includes a mouse input.

4. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 1, wherein the task switching instruction includes a selection of a task marker associated with a task.

5. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 1, wherein the task switching instruction includes a keyboard input.

6. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 1, wherein the task switching instruction includes a voice input.

7. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 1, the acts further comprising moving the display object from the progressive shrink area to the focus area in response to receiving a second task switching instruction.

8. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 7, wherein the display object is restored to a former focus position in the focus area.

9. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 7, wherein the second task switching instruction includes a selection of a task marker that is displayed in the progressive shrink area.

10. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 7, further comprising:

scaling the display object as a function of proximity to the edge.

11. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 10, further comprising displaying a second task marker associated with the second task in proximity to the edge.

12. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the display object associated is restored to a former position.

13. A system comprising:

one or more processors; and

one or more computer readable media maintaining one or more components executable by the one or more processors, the one or more components comprising;

a focus area component to;

define a focus area within a display space, the focus area occupying a subset area of the display space;

define a progressive shrink area within the display space, the progressive shrink area located outside of the focus area; and

define an edge;

an identification component to identify a cluster of windows in the display space that are associated with a task, wherein at least one window of the cluster of windows is a program application;

a scaling component to;

move and display the cluster of windows associated with the task from the focus area to the progressive shrink area in response to receiving a task switching instruction, wherein the program application has a standard behavior when the cluster of windows is inside of the focus area, and wherein the program application has a changed behavior when the cluster of windows is moved toward the edge; and

progressively scale the cluster of windows associated with the task as a function of proximity to the edge in response to receiving the task switching instruction; and

a behavior component to reduce a network communication functionality of the program application when the cluster of windows is moving toward the edge.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the behavior component modifies the behavior of each window of the cluster, at least in part, by modifying at least one of a refresh rate, and a transparency value.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein each window of the cluster is static when located in the progressive shrink area.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein each window of the cluster exhibits full functionality when located in the focus area and exhibits reduced functionality when located in the progressive shrink area.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the scaling component is configured to move the cluster of windows associated with the task from the progressive shrink area to the focus area in response to selection of a task marker that is displayed in the progressive shrink area.

18. A portable computing device comprising:

an input device;

a focus area component to;

define a focus area within a display space, the focus area occupying a subset area of the display space;

define a progressive shrink area within the display space, the progressive shrink area located outside of the focus area; and

define an edge;

an identification component to identify a cluster of windows in the display space that are associated with a task, wherein each window in the cluster of windows is a graphical user interface of a program application;

a scaling component to;

move and display the cluster of windows associated with the task from the focus area to the progressive shrink area in response to receiving a task switching instruction via the input device, wherein the cluster of windows has a standard behavior when the cluster of windows is in the focus area, and wherein the cluster of windows has reduced functionality to a static behavior when the cluster of windows is outside of the focus area; and

progressively scale the cluster of windows associated with the task as a function of proximity to the edge in response to receiving the task switching instruction via the input device; and

a behavior component to modify behavior of each window of the cluster as a function of location in the progressive shrink area, wherein each window of the cluster exhibits full functionality when located in the focus area and exhibits a reduced network communication functionality in the progressive shrink area.

19. The portable computing device of claim 18, wherein the portable computing device includes a wireless telephone.

20. The portable computing device of claim 18, wherein:

the input device is configured to detect hand movements; and

the task switching instruction is associated with a particular hand movement.