Method and system for navigating between applications, documents, and files

• US 6,781,611 B1
• Filed: 06/28/2000
• Issued: 08/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Richard, Christian James
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Kristine
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, THANH T
• Application Number:
  US09/605,641
• Time in Patent Office: 1,518 Days
• Field of Search: 345/783, 345/778, 345/779, 345/781
• US Class Current: 715/779
• 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 user may easily switch between multiple open windows in multiple applications on a computer desktop. A visual indicator is provided on an application button. The indicator is linked to a list of open windows within an application represented by the application button. By interacting with the visual indicator, a desired selection from the list of open windows can be surfaced. The visual indicator may comprise an arrow positioned within the application button. Interaction with the visual indicator may comprise positioning a pointer of a pointing device over the visual indicator on the application button. A user then clicks and holds on the visual indicator with the pointing device. A pop-up menu is surfaced containing the list of open windows within the application represented by the application button. By releasing the pointing device over a desired selection on the list of open windows, the desired selection is presented to the user.

Claims

1. A method of switching focus between a plurality of open windows in a plurality of open applications of which only one of the plurality of open windows in only one of the plurality of open applications may have focus at any one time on a computer desktop, comprising the steps of:

simultaneously displaying a first application button corresponding to a first open application and a second application button corresponding to a second open application on the computer desktop, wherein the first application button and the second application button allow a focus to be switched between the first open application and the second open application;

providing a visual indicator on each of the first application button and the second application button, wherein the visual indicators are separately selectable from the first application button and the second application button, and wherein the visual indicators are linked to lists of open windows within the first open application and the second open application; and

interacting with said visual indicator on said second application button to switch the focus from a window open within said first open application to another window open within said second application.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of providing a visual indicator comprises providing an arrow within said first application button and said second application button.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of interacting with said visual indicator comprises the steps of:

positioning a pointer of a pointing device over said visual indicator on said second application button;

clicking and holding on said visual indicator on said second application button with said pointing device;

surfacing a pop-up menu containing said list of open windows within said second open application; and

releasing said pointing device over a desired selection on said list of open windows.

4. A system for switching focus between a plurality of open windows in a plurality of open applications of which only one of the plurality of open windows in only one of the plurality of open applications may have focus at any one time on a computer desktop, comprising:

means for simultaneously displaying a first application button corresponding to a first open application and a second application button corresponding to a second open application on the computer desktop, wherein the first application button and the second application button allow a focus to be switched between the first open application and the second open application;

means for providing a visual indicator on each of the first application button and the second application button, wherein the visual indicators are separately selectable from the first application button and the second application button, and wherein the visual indicators are linked to lists of open windows within the first open application and the second open application; and

means for interacting with said visual indicator on said second application button to switch the focus from a window open within said first open application to another window open within said second open application.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said means for providing a visual indicator comprises means for providing an arrow within said first application button and said second application button.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein said means for interacting with said visual indicator comprises:

means for positioning a pointer of a pointing device over said visual indicator on said second application button;

means for clicking and holding on said visual indicator on said second application button with said pointing device;

means for surfacing a pop-up menu containing said list of open windows within said second open application; and

means for releasing said pointing device over a desired selection on said list of open windows.

7. A computer program product recorded on computer readable medium for switching focus between a plurality of open applications of which only one of the plurality of open windows in only one of the plurality of open applications may have focus at any one time on a computer desktop, comprising:

computer readable means for simultaneously displaying a first application button corresponding to a first open application and a second application button corresponding to a second open application on the computer desktop, wherein the first application button and the second application button allow a focus to be switched between the first open application and the second open application;

computer readable means for providing a visual indicator on each of the first application button and the second application button, wherein the visual indicators are separately selectable from the first application button and the second application button, and wherein the visual indicators are linked to lists of open windows within the first open application and the second open application; and

computer readable means for interacting with said visual indicator on said second application button to switch the focus from a window open within said first open application to another window open within said second open application.

8. The program product of claim 7, wherein said computer readable means for providing a visual indicator comprises computer readable means for providing an arrow within said first application button and said second application button.

9. The program product of claim 7, wherein said computer readable means for interacting with said visual indicator comprises:

computer readable means for positioning a pointer of a pointing device over said visual indicator on said second application button;

computer readable means for clicking and holding on said visual indicator on said second application button with said pointing device;

computer readable means for surfacing a pop-up menu containing said list of open windows within said second open application; and

computer readable means for releasing said pointing device over a desired selection on said list of open windows.