Desktop System Object Removal

• US 20080307352A1
• Filed: 06/08/2007
• Published: 12/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Chaudhri, Imran A., Louch, John O.
• Granted Patent: US 8,839,142 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/788
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]

Abstract

A graphical user interface includes a first system object, e.g., a window. The first system object is removed from the graphical user interface when the first system object remains inactive for a period of time, and the first system object is substantially overlapped by a second system object e.g., a second window.

Claims

1. A computer readable medium storing instructions that are executable by a processing device, and upon such execution cause the processing device to generate a graphical user interface on a display device, the graphical user interface comprising:

a system object,

wherein the system object is automatically removed from the graphical user interface when;

the system object remains idle for a period of time, and

the system object is substantially overlapped by a second system object.

2. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the system object is automatically removed from the graphical user interface including being scaled down in size until the system object ceases to be displayed.

3. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the system object is automatically removed from the graphical user interface including being moved laterally and/or vertically off of the graphical user interface.

4. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the system object is automatically removed from the graphical user interface including gradually becoming transparent until the system object ceases to be displayed.

5. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the system object is automatically removed from the graphical user interface including being deleted.

6. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the period of time is set by a user.

7. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the system object is substantially overlapped by the second system object when greater than approximately 50%-75% of the system object'"'"'s area is overlapped by the second system object.

8. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the system object is associated with an application.

9. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the system object is a window.

10. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

providing a graphical user interface, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a system object; and

removing the system object from the graphical user interface when;

the system object remains idle for a period of time; and

the system object is substantially overlapped by a second system object.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein removing the system object comprises scaling the system object down in size until the system object ceases to be displayed.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein removing the system object comprises moving the system object laterally and/or vertically off of the graphical user interface.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein removing the system object comprises gradually making the system object become transparent until the system object ceases to be displayed.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein the period of time is set by a user.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein the system object is substantially overlapped by the second system object when greater than approximately 50%-75% of the system object'"'"'s area is overlapped by the second system object.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein the system object is associated with an application.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein the system object is a window.

14. (canceled)

19. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

providing a graphical user interface, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a system object; and

removing the system object from the graphical user interface when;

the system object remains idle for a period of time; and

a number of other system objects exceeding a threshold limit number of system objects are displayed on the graphical user interface.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the threshold limit number of system objects is configurable by a user.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the system object is a window.

22. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

providing a multi-dimensional graphical user interface comprising at least two surfaces, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a system object; and

removing the system object from one surface of the multi-dimensional graphical user interface and moving the system object to a second surface of the multi-dimensional graphical user interface when;

the system object remains idle for a period of time; and

the system object is substantially overlapped by a second system object.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the system object is a window and wherein the second system object is a window.

24. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

providing a graphical user interface, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a system object; and

removing the system object from the graphical user interface when a total number of system objects displayed on the graphical user interface exceeds a threshold limit number of system objects.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the threshold limit number of system objects is configurable by a user.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the system object is a window and wherein the second system object is a window.

27-29. -29. (canceled)