OPERATING SYSTEM PROGRAM LAUNCH MENU SEARCH
First Claim
1. One or more computer readable media storing computer executable instructions that, when executed on a computer system, perform a method for providing a keyboard shortcut for launching an item stored on a computer system, said method comprising steps of:
- (a) upon detection that a user has pressed a program launch menu key on a keyboard directly or indirectly connected to the computer system, displaying a program launch menu on a display device directly or indirectly connected to the computer system;
(b) upon displaying the program launch menu, automatically providing an input focus to a search text input box within the program launch menu displayed on the computer display device, (c) displaying search results within a predefined area of the program launch menu, wherein the search results comprise selectable items matching text input received from the user via the search text input box, (d) automatically providing selection focus to a top search result, and (e) launching the selectable item corresponding to the top search result when receiving predefined user input while the top search result has selection focus.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An operating system program launch menu, such as a Start menu, provides various mechanisms for a user to quickly and efficiently locate and launch desired data items such as programs, data files, storage locations, and the like. A search box within the program launch menu may be used to quickly locate programs, documents, communications, and other data items. An auto-complete feature may be used, e.g., when the user restricts the locations searched for the user-entered search text. A most commonly used program list may include programs based on various criteria including both frequency of use and recent use, thereby always including a most recently used item. An all programs view may display programs and documents in a hosted-tree view within the original confines of the program launch menu, thereby negating the need to open sub-menus on top of a large portion of the desktop displayed on the display device.
109 Citations
20 Claims
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1. One or more computer readable media storing computer executable instructions that, when executed on a computer system, perform a method for providing a keyboard shortcut for launching an item stored on a computer system, said method comprising steps of:
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(a) upon detection that a user has pressed a program launch menu key on a keyboard directly or indirectly connected to the computer system, displaying a program launch menu on a display device directly or indirectly connected to the computer system;
(b) upon displaying the program launch menu, automatically providing an input focus to a search text input box within the program launch menu displayed on the computer display device, (c) displaying search results within a predefined area of the program launch menu, wherein the search results comprise selectable items matching text input received from the user via the search text input box, (d) automatically providing selection focus to a top search result, and (e) launching the selectable item corresponding to the top search result when receiving predefined user input while the top search result has selection focus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method for providing a shortcut for launching an item stored on a computer system, said method comprising steps of:
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(a) upon receiving user input to initiate a program launch menu, displaying a program launch menu on a display device directly or indirectly connected to the computer system;
(b) automatically providing an input focus to a search feature corresponding to the program launch menu; and
(c) displaying search results within a predefined area of the program launch menu, said search results comprising one or more user-selectable items within an operating system of the computer system, said items matching query input received from the user via the search feature. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. One or more computer readable media storing computer executable instructions which, when executed, perform a method for providing a shortcut for launching an item stored on a computer system, said method comprising steps of:
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(a) upon receiving user input to initiate a program launch menu, displaying a program launch menu on a display device directly or indirectly connected to the computer system;
(b) automatically providing an input focus to a search feature corresponding to the program launch menu; and
(c) displaying search results within a predefined area of the program launch menu, said search results comprising one or more user-selectable items identifiable by an operating system of the computer system, said user-selectable items matching query input received from the user via the search feature. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification