Single-Axis Window Manager

• US 20090013282A1
• Filed: 07/06/2007
• Published: 01/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Mercer, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 9,116,593 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/788
• 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 3/0481 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

Abstract

A system and a method are disclosed for implementing a single-axis window manager on a mobile computing device to view and access multiple applications in a limited display area utilizing limited input capabilities. The mobile computing device initializes a virtual display space having a first dimension with a fixed size. For example, the virtual display space is initialized to have a horizontal dimension equal to the horizontal dimension of the display screen. At least one window is generated having a fixed size in the first dimension but also sizeable in a second direction. For example, the at least one window has a fixed horizontal dimension but is vertically sizeable. The at least one window is then inserted into the virtual display space and displayed on a display device.

Claims

1. An operating system method for use with a mobile device, the method comprising:

initializing a virtual display space having a first dimension with a fixed size;

generating at least one window having a fixed size in the first dimension, the at least one window sizeable in a second dimension;

inserting the at least one window into the virtual display space; and

displaying the at least one window on a display device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

responsive to receiving an input, resizing at least one window in the second dimension.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

responsive to receiving an input, scrolling through the virtual display space so at least one different window is displayed on the display device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the input is received from a navigation key on the mobile device.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

responsive to receiving an input, moving a window from a first location within the virtual display space to a second location within the virtual display space.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein a first subset of the at least one window is associated with at least one system application.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein a second subset of the at least one window is associated with at least one general application.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one window is inserted into a fixed location within the virtual display space.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

responsive to receiving an input, overlaying a first window and a second window so that the first window obscures a portion of the second window.

10. A computer readable medium with stored instructions, the instructions when executed by a processor cause the processor to:

initialize a virtual display space having a first dimension with a fixed size generate at least one window having a fixed size in the first dimension, the at least one window sizeable in a second dimension;

insert the at least one window into the virtual display space; and

display the at least one window on a display device.

11. The computer readable medium of claim 10, further comprising instructions that cause the processor to:

responsive to receiving an input, resize at least one window in the second dimension.

12. The computer readable medium of claim 10, further comprising instructions that cause the processor to:

responsive to receiving an input, scroll through the virtual display space so at least one different window is displayed on the display device.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein the input is received from a navigation key on the mobile device.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 10, further comprising instructions that cause the processor to:

responsive to receiving an input, move a window from a first location within the virtual display space to a second location within the virtual display space.

15. The computer readable medium of claim 10, wherein a first subset of the at least one window is associated at least one system application.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein a second subset of the at least one window is associated with at least one general application.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 10, wherein at least one window is inserted into a fixed location within the virtual display space.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 10, further comprising instructions that cause the processor to:

responsive to receiving an input, overlay a first window and a second window so that the first window obscures a portion of the second window.

19. A mobile computing device having for executing a plurality of applications comprising:

a computing device screen;

a window manager for initializing a virtual display space in a memory, the virtual display space including one or more windows, the windows having a fixed size in a first dimension and sizeable in a second dimension; and

for managing the windows displayed on the computing device screen.

20. The mobile computing device of claim 19, wherein responsive to receiving an input, the window manager moves a window from a first location within the virtual display space to a second location within the virtual display space.

21. The mobile computing device of claim 19, wherein responsive to receiving an input, the window manager resizes a window in the second dimension.

22. The mobile computing device of claim 19, wherein responsive to receiving an input, the window manager scrolls through the virtual display space so at least one different window is displayed on the computing device screen.

23. The mobile computing device of claim 22, wherein the input is received from a navigation key on the mobile computing device.

24. The mobile computing device of claim 19, wherein the window manager associates at least one window with a predefined region of the computing device screen.

25. The mobile computing device of claim 19, wherein responsive to receiving an input, the window manager overlays a first window and a second window so that the first window obscures a portion of the second window.