Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Managing Concurrently Open Software Applications

• US 20110252370A1
• Filed: 09/22/2010
• Published: 10/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Chaudhri, Imran
• Granted Patent: US 9,058,186 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/830
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

A method includes displaying a first application view. A first input is detected, and an application view selection mode is entered for selecting one of concurrently open applications for display in a corresponding application view. An initial group of open application icons in a first predefined area and at least a portion of the first application view adjacent to the first predefined area are concurrently displayed. The initial group of open application icons corresponds to at least some of the concurrently open applications. A gesture is detected on a respective open application icon in the first predefined area, and a respective application view for a corresponding application is displayed without concurrently displaying an application view for any other application in the concurrently open applications. The open application icons in the first predefined area cease to be displayed, and the application view selection mode is exited.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

at a multifunction device with a touch-sensitive display, while in an application view selection mode for selecting one of a plurality of concurrently open applications for display in a corresponding application view;

displaying in a predefined area an initial group of open application icons that correspond to at least some of the plurality of concurrently open applications;

detecting a gesture in the predefined area; and

,

in response to detecting the gesture in the predefined area;

when the gesture is a first scroll gesture in a first direction, scrolling to display other open application icons in the plurality of concurrently open application icons in the predefined area;

when the gesture is a second scroll gesture in a second direction opposite the first direction, scrolling to display settings icons in the predefined area; and

when the gesture is a first gesture on a respective open application icon;

displaying a respective application view on the touch-sensitive display for a corresponding application in the plurality of concurrently open applications;

ceasing to display open application icons in the predefined area; and

exiting the application view selection mode.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the respective application view is displayed without concurrently displaying an application view for any other application in the plurality of concurrently open applications.

3. The method of claim 1, including:

in response to detecting the gesture in the predefined area;

when the gesture is a second gesture, distinct from the first gesture, on a respective open application icon, displaying a close-application icon for closing a corresponding application.

4. A multifunction device, comprising:

a touch-sensitive display;

one or more processors;

memory; and

one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for;

while in an application view selection mode for selecting one of a plurality of concurrently open applications for display in a corresponding application view;

displaying in a predefined area an initial group of open application icons that correspond to at least some of the plurality of concurrently open applications;

detecting a gesture in the predefined area; and

,

in response to detecting the gesture in the predefined area;

when the gesture is a first scroll gesture in a first direction, scrolling to display other open application icons in the plurality of concurrently open application icons in the predefined area;

when the gesture is a second scroll gesture in a second direction opposite the first direction, scrolling to display settings icons in the predefined area; and

when the gesture is a first gesture on a respective open application icon;

displaying a respective application view on the touch-sensitive display for a corresponding application in the plurality of concurrently open applications;

ceasing to display open application icons in the predefined area; and

exiting the application view selection mode.

5. A graphical user interface on a multifunction device with a touch-sensitive display, a memory, and one or more processors to execute one or more programs stored in the memory, the graphical user interface comprising:

while in an application view selection mode for selecting one of a plurality of concurrently open applications for display in a corresponding application view;

in a predefined area, an initial group of open application icons that correspond to at least some of the plurality of concurrently open applications;

wherein;

a gesture is detected in the predefined area; and

,

in response to detecting the gesture in the predefined area;

when the gesture is a first scroll gesture in a first direction, the at least some of the plurality of concurrently open applications are scrolled to display other open application icons in the plurality of concurrently open application icons in the predefined area;

when the gesture is a second scroll gesture in a second direction opposite the first direction, the at least some of the plurality of concurrently open applications are scrolled to display settings icons in the predefined area; and

when the gesture is a first gesture on a respective open application icon;

a respective application view is displayed on the touch-sensitive display for a corresponding application in the plurality of concurrently open applications;

open application icons cease to be displayed in the predefined area; and

the application view selection mode is exited.

6. A computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which when executed by a multifunction device with a touch-sensitive display, cause the device to:

while in an application view selection mode for selecting one of a plurality of concurrently open applications for display in a corresponding application view;

display in a predefined area an initial group of open application icons that correspond to at least some of the plurality of concurrently open applications;

detect a gesture in the predefined area; and

,

in response to detecting the gesture in the predefined area;

when the gesture is a first scroll gesture in a first direction, scroll to display other open application icons in the plurality of concurrently open application icons in the predefined area;

when the gesture is a second scroll gesture in a second direction opposite the first direction, scroll to display settings icons in the predefined area; and

when the gesture is a first gesture on a respective open application icon;

display a respective application view on the touch-sensitive display for a corresponding application in the plurality of concurrently open applications;

cease to display open application icons in the predefined area; and

exit the application view selection mode.

7. A multifunction device, comprising:

a touch-sensitive display;

means, enabled while in an application view selection mode for selecting one of a plurality of concurrently open applications for display in a corresponding application view, including;

means for displaying in a predefined area an initial group of open application icons that correspond to at least some of the plurality of concurrently open applications;

means for detecting a gesture in the predefined area; and

,

means, responsive to detecting the gesture in the predefined area, including;

means, enabled when the gesture is a first scroll gesture in a first direction, for scrolling to display other open application icons in the plurality of concurrently open application icons in the predefined area;

means, enabled when the gesture is a second scroll gesture in a second direction opposite the first direction, for scrolling to display settings icons in the predefined area; and

means, enabled when the gesture is a first gesture on a respective open application icon, including;

means for displaying a respective application view on the touch-sensitive display for a corresponding application in the plurality of concurrently open applications;

means for ceasing to display open application icons in the predefined area; and

means for exiting the application view selection mode.

8. An information processing apparatus for use in a multifunction device with a touch-sensitive display, comprising:

means, enabled while in an application view selection mode for selecting one of a plurality of concurrently open applications for display in a corresponding application view, including;

means for displaying in a predefined area an initial group of open application icons that correspond to at least some of the plurality of concurrently open applications;

means for detecting a gesture in the predefined area; and

,

means, responsive to detecting the gesture in the predefined area, including;

means, enabled when the gesture is a first scroll gesture in a first direction, for scrolling to display other open application icons in the plurality of concurrently open application icons in the predefined area;

means, enabled when the gesture is a second scroll gesture in a second direction opposite the first direction, for scrolling to display settings icons in the predefined area; and

means, enabled when the gesture is a first gesture on a respective open application icon, including;

means for displaying a respective application view on the touch-sensitive display for a corresponding application in the plurality of concurrently open applications;

means for ceasing to display open application icons in the predefined area; and

means for exiting the application view selection mode.