Method and system for switching between multiple computer applications

• US 7,346,855 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2001
• Issued: 03/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Park, Jae Pum, Sierra, Giampiero M., Shapiro, Daniel J., Hellyar, Paul S., Rollin, Kelly E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sax; Steven P
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ke; Peng
• Application Number:
  US10/027,854
• Publication Number:
  US 20030117440A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,279 Days
• Field of Search: 345781-783, 345744-780, 345802-804, 345/700
• US Class Current: 715/783
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0235 using chord techniques G06F3/0234 takes precedence
• 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 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof

Abstract

Generally described, a method is provided for use in a computer system that allows users to navigate quickly through multiple applications. In accordance with the method, when the computer receives a signal from the user, it extracts a preview representing a screen shot for each window open within the operating system. It then displays the preview, a description, and an icon for the next window in the activation hierarchy and a description and an icon for the remaining open windows. In other embodiments, the previews for all open windows with corresponding descriptions and icons are displayed utilizing several different arrangements. The computer then receives a designation from the user of the next window he or she wants to make active and brings to the foreground the top level window corresponding to the selection.

Claims

1. A method for use in a computer system, said computer system having a graphical operating system, for switching between a plurality of open application windows, comprising:

monitoring for switching input indicative of a desire to switch from a current open application window to another of the plurality of open application windows;

upon receipt of the switching input, displaying, over the current open application window, an extracted graphical preview comprising a live running view that reflects real-time changes of actual content currently within the another one of the plurality of open application windows;

monitoring for display input indicative of a desire to make the displayed preview the new current open application window; and

upon receipt of the display input, switching the display from the current open application window to the new current open application window.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying, along with the preview, an icon and a text description associated with the preview.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising, upon receipt of the switching input, displaying an extracted graphical preview of the content for each of the plurality of open application windows.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising displaying, along with the preview for each of the plurality of open application windows, an icon and a text description associated with a corresponding preview.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of open application windows is ranked according to an activation hierarchy, and wherein the displayed preview is the window immediately succeeding the current open application window in the activation hierarchy.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

monitoring, after display of the preview, for additional input indicative of a desire to view a preview of the next open application window in the activation hierarchy; and

upon receipt of the additional input, displaying an extracted graphical preview of the content for the next open application window in the activation hierarchy.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

upon receipt of the switching input, concurrently displaying description information for each of the plurality of open application windows.

8. A computer system having a processor, memory, display, and an operating environment, the computer system operable to execute the method recited in claim 1.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the switching input is independent of any open application.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the switching input comprises a keyboard input.

11. A method for use in a computer system, said computer system having a graphical operating system, for switching between a plurality of open windows that are ranked according to an activation hierarchy comprising:

monitoring for a switching activation signal;

upon receipt of the switching activation signal, displaying, over the open windows, an extracted graphical preview comprising a live running view that reflects real-time changes of actual content currently within the next open window in the activation hierarchy;

monitoring for a display command to activate and display the window corresponding to the displayed preview; and

upon receipt of the display command, activating the open window corresponding to the displayed preview.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising displaying, along with the preview, an icon and a text description associated with the preview.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising, upon receipt of the switching activation signal, displaying an extracted graphical preview of the content for each of the plurality of open application windows.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

monitoring for a next preview signal; and

upon receipt of the next preview signal, displaying an extracted graphical preview of the content of the window immediately succeeding the window corresponding to the currently displayed preview in the activation hierarchy.

15. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method as recited in claim 11.

16. A computer system having a processor, memory, display, and an operating environment, the computer system operable to execute the method recited in claim 11.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

upon receipt of the switching activation signal, concurrently displaying description information for each of the plurality of open application windows.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the switching activation signal is independent of any open application.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the switching activation signal comprises a keyboard input.

20. A method for use in a computer system, said computer system having a graphical operating system, for switching between a plurality of open application windows, comprising:

monitoring for switching input indicative of a desire to switch from a current open application window to another of the plurality of open application windows;

upon receipt of the switching input, displaying, over the current open application window, an extracted graphical preview comprising a live running view that reflects real-time changes of actual content currently within the another one of the plurality of open application windows, wherein the extracted graphical preview is displayed adjacent a button in a task bar, the button corresponding with the another one of the plurality of open application windows;

monitoring for display input indicative of a desire to make the displayed preview the new current open application window; and

upon receipt of the display input, switching the display from the current open application window to the new current open application window.

21. One or more computer-storage media embodying instructions for performing a method for use in a computer system, said computer system having a graphical operating system, for switching between a plurality of open application windows, comprising:

monitoring for switching input indicative of a desire to switch from a current open application window to another of the plurality of open application windows;

upon receipt of the switching input, displaying, over the current open application window, an extracted graphical preview comprising a live running view that reflects real-time changes of actual content currently within the another one of the plurality of open application windows;

monitoring for display input indicative of a desire to make the displayed preview the new current open application window; and

upon receipt of the display input, switching the display from the current open application window to the new current open application window.