Configuration bar for lauching layer for accessing user interface elements

• US 20060156248A1
• Filed: 03/07/2006
• Published: 07/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andrew M. Grignon, Gregory N. Christie, Imran A. Chaudhri, John Louch
• Original Assignee: Andrew M. Grignon, Gregory N. Christie, Imran A. Chaudhri, John Louch
• Inventors: Louch, John, Grignon, Andrew M., Christie, Gregory N., Chaudhri, Imran A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,873,910 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/779
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• 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 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

A user-activatable dashboard (also referred to as a unified interest layer) contains any number of user interface elements, referred to herein as “widgets,” for quick access by a user. In response to a command from a user, the dashboard is invoked and the widgets are shown on the screen. The user can activate the dashboard at any time, causing the dashboard to temporarily replace the existing user interface display on the user'"'"'s screen. Once the dashboard has been activated, the user can interact with any or all of the widgets, and can configure the dashboard by adding, deleting, moving, or configuring individual widgets as desired. When the user wishes to return to the normal user interface he or she was working with, the user issues a command causing the dashboard to be dismissed. Once the dashboard has been dismissed, the previous user interface state is restored, allowing the user to resume normal interactions with the operating system.

Claims

1. In a computer system including a display screen comprising an area displaying a user interface, a method for adding user interface elements to a layer, comprising:

displaying a layer in the area displaying the user interface for accessing a group of user interface elements, wherein at least one of the user interface elements in the group of user interface elements was not visible prior to activation of the layer; and

displaying a configuration bar for adding user interface elements to the layer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration bar is displayed in response to user activation of the configuration bar.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein user activation of the configuration bar comprises selection of a graphical user interface element for activating the configuration bar.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the graphical user interface element is an icon.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising displaying the icon.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the icon is within the layer.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the icon is a plus sign.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface element is associated with a primary functionality performed by the user interface element, and adding the user interface element to the layer activates the primary functionality.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein adding comprises dragging and dropping the user interface element from the configuration bar to the layer.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising, responsive to dragging and dropping the user interface element to the layer:

automatically retrieving, from a server, software code for the user interface element; and

installing the software code for the user interface element.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying an animation indicating that the user interface element was added to the layer.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration bar is substantially transparent.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the group of user interface elements are not necessarily part of a single application.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein a first application comprises a first user interface element of the group and a second application comprises a second user interface element of the group.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

responsive to user input at a selected user interface element indicating that an auxiliary function should be displayed, displaying a back side of the selected user interface element, the backside comprising the auxiliary function; and

wherein a primary functionality of the selected user interface element is associated with a front side of the selected user interface element.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein displaying the back side of the selected user interface element further comprises displaying an animation simulating the selected user interface element turning over.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface element is capable of being instantiated a plurality times.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface element comprises one selected from the group consisting of:

a calendar element;

a calculator element;

a music player element;

an address book element;

a notes element;

a stock quote element;

a weather element;

a traffic element;

a package tracking element;

a contact manager element; and

a clock element.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the layer further comprises:

responsive to a trigger event, activating the layer in the area displaying the user interface, thereby providing access to the group of user interface elements.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

responsive to a second trigger event, dismissing the layer, thereby removing access to the group of user interface elements.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

responsive to the trigger event, displaying a first transitional animation for activating the layer; and

responsive to the second trigger event, displaying a second transitional animation for dismissing the layer.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the layer is displayed such that the layer at least partially obscures the user interface.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the layer is displayed such that the layer replaces the user interface.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the layer is displayed such that the layer overlays the user interface.