Slideout windows

• US 7,325,204 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2003
• Issued: 01/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: R2 Solutions LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Yahoo! Inc. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rogers, Rachel Johnston
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu; Sy D.
• Application Number:
  US10/651,477
• Publication Number:
  US 20050060664A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,614 Days
• Field of Search: 715/804, 715/792, 715/783, 715712-713, 715/855, 715/975
• US Class Current: 715/792
• 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 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

An apparatus, method, computer system, and computer program product that provide a slideout window. The slideout window presents content related to original content displayed in a host window when the user clicks on the original content. The related content can be displayed such that the related content is visually associated with the content in the host window to which it is related. In one embodiment, a click on a link within the host window to view the slideout window does not close the host window or other windows. The host window can remain open so that the user can simultaneously view the original content to which the related content in the slideout window is related. A main browser window simultaneously displaying another web page can remain open with the web page unchanged when the slideout window is presented. The slideout window can provide a link to additional related content.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

detecting a first event performed with reference to first data displayed in a first window;

opening a second window in a position adjacent to the first data in response to the first event;

displaying second data related to the first data in the second window;

detecting a second event in the second window; and

providing third data related to the first data at a third window in response to the second event, wherein the first and third windows comprise two panes of a same window, and the third data comprises the first data, the second data, and at least one additional data.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

closing the second window in response to a second event occuffing outside the second window.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing a link to the second data related to the first data in the second window.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing a field to receive the second data in the second window.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the third window is a main window.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the second data include the first data, and the third data include the second data.

7. An apparatus comprising:

detecting means for detecting a first event performed with reference to first data displayed in a first window;

opening means for opening a second window in a position adjacent to the first data in response to the first event;

displaying means for displaying second data related to the first data in the second window;

detecting means for detecting a second event in the second window; and

providing means for providing third data related to the first data at a third window in response to the second event, wherein the first and third windows comprise two panes of a same window, and the third data comprises the first data, the second data, and at least one additional data.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the third window is a main window.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising:

providing means for providing a link to the second data related to the first data in the second window.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising:

providing means for providing a field to receive input of the second data in the second window.

11. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the second data include the first data, and the third data include the second data.

12. A computer-readable medium comprising:

detecting instructions to detect a first event performed with reference to first data displayed in a first window;

opening instructions to open a second window in a position adjacent to the first data in response to the first event;

displaying instructions to display second data related to the first data in the second window;

detecting instructions to detect a second event in the second window; and

instructions to display third data related to the first data at a third window in response to the second event, wherein the first and third windows comprise two panes of a same window, and the third data comprises the first data, the second data, and at least one additional data.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 12 further comprising:

instructions to close the second window in response to a second event occurring outside the second window.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 12 further comprising:

providing instructions to provide a link to the second data related to the first data in the second window.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 12 further comprising:

providing instructions to provide a field to receive input of the second data in the second window.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the third window is a main window.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the second data include the first data, and the third data include the second data.

18. A computer system comprising:

a processor for executing instructions; and

a memory for storing the instructions, wherein the instructions comprise;

detecting instructions to detect a first event performed with reference to first data displayed in a first window;

opening instructions to open a second window in a position adjacent to the first data in response to the first event;

displaying instructions to display second data related to the first data in the second window;

detecting instructions to detect a second event in the second window; and

instructions to display third data related to the first data at a third window in response to the second event, wherein the first and third windows comprise two panes of a same window, and the third data comprises the first data, the second data, and at least one additional data.

19. The computer system of claim 18 wherein the third window is a main window.

20. The computer system of claim 18 wherein the instructions further comprise:

providing instructions to provide a link to the second data related to the first data in the second window.

21. The computer system of claim 18 wherein the instructions further comprise:

providing instructions to provide a field to receive input of the second data in the second window.

22. The computer system of claim 18 wherein the second data include the first data, and the third data include the second data.