User Interface Element With Auxiliary Function

• US 20090125815A1
• Filed: 01/14/2009
• Published: 05/14/2009
• 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 7,793,222 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/740
• 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. A computer-implemented method for displaying a user interface element on a display screen, the method executed by a computer and comprising:

responsive to a trigger event, activating a user-activatable dashboard layer in an area displaying a user interface, thereby providing access to a group of user interface elements contained by the dashboard layer; and

displaying a front side of a user interface element comprising a functionality, the user interface element having the front side and a back side and wherein the user interface element is a member of the group of user interface elements contained by the dashboard layer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the dashboard layer is separate from a desktop displayed in the user interface.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying an animation simulating the user interface element turning over to display the back side of the user interface element.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a selected user interface element from the group is capable of being instantiated a plurality times.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface element is accessible from a remote location.

6. 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.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

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

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying an icon within the dashboard layer for launching a configuration bar for adding user interface elements to the dashboard layer; and

responsive to user input at the icon, displaying the configuration bar.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein activating the dashboard layer comprises displaying the dashboard layer such that it at least partially obscures the user interface.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the user interface elements in the group of user interface elements was not visible on the display screen prior to activation of the dashboard layer.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the dashboard layer is substantially transparent.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein a selected user interface element is three dimensional.

13. A computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable code for controlling a processor to perform a method comprising:

responsive to a trigger event, activating a user-activatable dashboard layer in an area displaying a user interface, thereby providing access to a group of user interface elements contained by the dashboard layer; and

displaying a front side of a user interface element comprising a functionality, the user interface element having the front side and a back side and wherein the user interface element is a member of the group of user interface elements contained by the dashboard layer.

14. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the dashboard layer is separate from a desktop displayed in the user interface.

15. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, further comprising executable code for:

displaying an animation simulating the user interface element turning over to display the back side of the user interface element.

16. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein a selected user interface element from the group is capable of being instantiated a plurality times.

17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the user interface element is accessible from a remote location.

18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, 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 computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein activating the dashboard layer comprises displaying the dashboard layer such that it at least partially obscures the user interface.

20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein at least one of the user interface elements in the group of user interface elements was not visible on the display screen prior to activation of the dashboard layer.

21. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the dashboard layer is substantially transparent.

22. A computer-implemented system for displaying a user interface element on a display screen, the system comprising:

a computer processor; and

a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable code for controlling the computer processor to perform a method comprising;

responsive to a trigger event, activating a user-activatable dashboard layer in an area displaying a user interface, thereby providing access to a group of user interface elements contained by the dashboard layer; and

displaying a front side of a user interface element comprising a functionality, the user interface element having the front side and a back side and wherein the user interface element is a member of the group of user interface elements contained by the dashboard layer.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the dashboard layer is separate from a desktop displayed in the user interface.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the computer-readable storage medium further comprises computer-executable code for:

displaying an animation simulating the user interface element turning over to display the back side of the user interface element.

25. The system of claim 22, wherein a selected user interface element from the group is capable of being instantiated a plurality times.

26. The system of claim 22, wherein the user interface element is accessible from a remote location.

27. The system of claim 22, 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.

28. The system of claim 22, wherein activating the dashboard layer comprises displaying the dashboard layer such that it at least partially obscures the user interface.

29. The system of claim 22, wherein at least one of the user interface elements in the group of user interface elements was not visible on the display screen prior to activation of the dashboard layer.

30. The system of claim 22, wherein the dashboard layer is substantially transparent.