Methods, systems, and computer program products for navigating between visual components

• US 8,661,361 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2010
• Issued: 02/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cypress Lake Software, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sitting Man LLC
• Inventors: Morris, Robert Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): ABDUL-ALI, OMAR R
• Application Number:
  US12/868,767
• Publication Number:
  US 20120054648A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,279 Days
• Field of Search: 715/767, 715/783, 715/802, 715/803
• US Class Current: 715/767
• 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

Methods and systems are described for navigating between visual components. A first visual component, of a first operating application in a plurality of operating applications, is detected in a first application region of a presentation space of a display device. A first navigation control is presented, in a first navigation region determined based on the first application region, for navigating to a second visual component, of a second application in the plurality, in a second application region in the presentation space. A user input corresponding to the first navigation control is detected. In response to the detected user input, navigation information is sent to navigate to the second visual component.

Claims

1. A method for navigating between visual components, the method comprising:

detecting, in a first application region of a presentation space of a display device, a first visual component of a first operating application in a plurality of operating applications;

presenting a first navigation control, in a first navigation region determined based on the first application region, for navigating to a second visual component, of a second application in the plurality, in a second application region in the presentation space, wherein the first navigation region is determined based on a location of at least one of the first visual component, a parent visual component of the first visual component, and a child visual component of the first visual component;

detecting a user input corresponding to the first navigation control; and

sending, in response to detecting the user input, navigation information to navigate to the second visual component.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first navigation control is automatically presented in response to a presenting of the first visual component.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first navigation control is presented in response to a navigation-activate input received from a user.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first navigation control is presented in response to a change detected in a visually detectable attribute of the first visual component.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein a transparency attribute of the first navigation control is responsive to a change in at least one of a position of a visual representation of an input pointer, a change in an input focus attribute associated with at least one of the first navigation control and the first visual component, and a transparency attribute of the first visual component.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein presenting the first navigation control further comprises:

presenting at least one of a second application control corresponding to the second application and a second visual component control corresponding to the second visual component; and

detecting the user input includes determining that the user input corresponds to at least one of the second application control and the second visual component control.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the at least one of the second application control and the second visual component control is presented based on a state of at least one of the second application and the second visual component.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the state indicates that the at least one of the second application and the second visual component is at least one of minimized, hidden, at least partially hidden, suspended, blocked, and configured so that access is not authorized.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein at least one of the second application control and the second visual component control is presented in a plurality including at least one of a plurality of application controls and a plurality of visual component controls based on a specified order of at least one of a plurality of applications corresponding to the plurality of application controls and a plurality of visual components corresponding to the plurality of visual component controls.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the specified order is based on at least one of a time attribute, an application identifier, a z-order attribute, a size attribute, a color attribute, a font, a state of a process context for an application, a state of a thread context in a process context, and a user-assigned order.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the navigation information includes information for changing at least one of a z-order, input focus, size, location, font, color, and transparency level of at least one of the first visual component and the second visual component.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising presenting, based on the navigation information, a second navigation control, in a second navigation region determined based on the second application region, for navigating away from the second visual component to another visual component of another application in the plurality.

13. A method for navigating between visual components, the method comprising:

detecting, in a first application region of a presentation space of a display device, a first visual component of a first operating application in a plurality of operating applications;

presenting a first navigation control, in a first navigation region determined based on the first application region, for navigating to a second visual component, of a second application in the plurality, in a second application region in the presentation space, wherein presenting the first navigation control comprises;

a) detecting the first navigation control presented in a previous navigation region, determined based on the first application region;

b) detecting a move indication; and

c) determining the first navigation region based on the first application region and based on at least one of the previous navigation region and the move indication;

detecting a user input corresponding to the first navigation control; and

sending, in response to detecting the user input, navigation information to navigate to the second visual component.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the first navigation control is automatically presented in response to a presenting of the first visual component.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the first navigation control is presented in response to a navigation-activate input received from a user.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the first navigation control is presented in response to a change detected in a visually detectable attribute of the first visual component.

17. A system for navigating between visual components, the system comprising:

a processor that executes an instruction included in at least one of a presentation space monitor component, an application navigator component, a navigation element handler component, and a navigation director component during operation of the system;

the presentation space monitor component that during operation of the system detects, in a first application region of a presentation space of a display device, a first visual component of a first operating application in a plurality of operating applications;

the application navigator component that during operation of the system presents a first navigation control, in a first navigation region determined based on the first application region, for navigating to a second visual component, of a second application in the plurality, in a second application region in the presentation space, wherein the first navigation region is determined based on a location of at least one of the first visual component, a parent visual component of the first visual component, and a child visual component of the first visual component;

the navigation element handler component that during operation of the system detects a user input corresponding to the first navigation control; and

the navigation director component that during operation of the system sends, in response to detecting the user input, navigation information to navigate to the second visual component.

18. A non-transitory computer-readable medium embodying a computer program, executable by a machine, for navigating between visual components, the computer program comprising executable instructions for:

detecting, in a first application region of a presentation space of a display device, a first visual component of a first operating application in a plurality of operating applications;

presenting a first navigation control, in a first navigation region determined based on the first application region, for navigating to a second visual component, of a second application in the plurality, in a second application region in the presentation space, wherein the first navigation region is determined based on a location of at least one of the first visual component, a parent visual component of the first visual component, and a child visual component of the first visual component;

detecting a user input corresponding to the first navigation control; and

sending, in response to detecting the user input, navigation information to navigate to the second visual component.

19. A system for navigating between visual components, the system comprising:

a processor that executes an instruction included in at least one of a presentation space monitor component, an application navigator component, a navigation element handler component, and a navigation director component during operation of the system;

the presentation space monitor component that during operation of the system detects, in a first application region of a presentation space of a display device, a first visual component of a first operating application in a plurality of operating applications;

the application navigator component that during operation of the system presents a first navigation control, in a first navigation region determined based on the first application region, for navigating to a second visual component, of a second application in the plurality, in a second application region in the presentation space, wherein presenting the first navigation control comprises;

a) detecting the first navigation control presented in a previous navigation region, determined based on the first application region;

b) detecting a move indication; and

c) determining the first navigation region based on the first application region and based on at least one of the previous navigation region and the move indication;

the navigation element handler component that during operation of the system detects a user input corresponding to the first navigation control; and

the navigation director component that during operation of the system sends, in response to detecting the user input, navigation information to navigate to the second visual component.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable medium embodying a computer program, executable by a machine, for navigating between visual components, the computer program comprising executable instructions for:

detecting, in a first application region of a presentation space of a display device, a first visual component of a first operating application in a plurality of operating applications;

presenting a first navigation control, in a first navigation region determined based on the first application region, for navigating to a second visual component, of a second application in the plurality, in a second application region in the presentation space, wherein presenting the first navigation control comprises;

a) detecting the first navigation control presented in a previous navigation region, determined based on the first application region;

b) detecting a move indication; and

c) determining the first navigation region based on the first application region and based on at least one of the previous navigation region and the move indication;

detecting a user input corresponding to the first navigation control; and

sending, in response to detecting the user input, navigation information to navigate to the second visual component.

21. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising:

code for presenting, in a first application region of a presentation space of a display device, a first visual component of a first network application in a plurality of network applications accessible via at least one platform associated with a single application provider;

code for presenting a first navigation control, in a first navigation region determined based on the first application region, for navigating to a second visual component, of a second network application in the plurality, in a second application region in the presentation space, wherein the first navigation region is determined based on a location of at least one of the first visual component, a parent visual component of the first visual component, and a child visual component of the first visual component;

code for detecting a user input corresponding to the first navigation control; and

code for sending, in response to detecting the user input, navigation information to navigate to the second visual component.

22. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control includes a drop down interface including a plurality of application controls in an order that is capable of being assigned by a user.

23. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the plurality of network applications are associated with a web service and are capable of dynamically retrieving data from at least one database based on requests.

24. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is sent utilizing a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP).

25. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is sent utilizing a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) for presentation utilizing a hypertext markup language (HTML) via a drop down interface that is included for allowing convenient switching among a plurality of updated visual components of the plurality of network applications.

26. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second visual component is a function of both a user and an execution environment associated with the at least one platform.

27. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented as a toolbar that is included, at least in part, in the first application region.

28. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented in response to a navigation-activate input received from a user.

29. The computer program product of claim 28 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented as a toolbar that is included, at least in part, in the first application region.

30. The computer program product of claim 28 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented as a toolbar that is included completely in the first application region.

31. The computer program product of claim 28 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented as a toolbar that is included, at least in part, in a first application window.

32. The computer program product of claim 28 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented as a toolbar that is included completely in a first application window.

33. The computer program product of claim 21 and further comprising code for presenting a second navigation control, in a second navigation region determined based on a second application region.

34. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the computer program product is operable such that a second application control is presented in connection with the first navigation control.

35. The computer program product of claim 34 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second application control is presented based on a state of at least one of the second network application and the second visual component.

36. The computer program product of claim 35 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the state indicates that the at least one of the second network application and the second visual component is at least one of minimized, hidden, at least partially hidden, suspended, blocked, and configured so that access is not authorized.

37. The computer program product of claim 34 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second application control is presented with a plurality of application controls based on a specified order of the network applications.

38. The computer program product of claim 37 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on at least one of a time attribute, an application identifier, a z-order attribute, a size attribute, a color attribute, a font, a state of a process context for an application, a state of a thread context in a process context, and a user-assigned order.

39. The computer program product of claim 37 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a state of a process context for an application.

40. The computer program product of claim 37 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a state of a thread context in a process context.

41. The computer program product of claim 37 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a user-assigned order.

42. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the computer program product is operable such that a second visual component control is presented in connection with the first navigation control.

43. The computer program product of claim 42 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second visual component control is presented based on a state of at least one of the second network application and the second visual component.

44. The computer program product of claim 43 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the state indicates that the at least one of the second network application and the second visual component is at least one of minimized, hidden, at least partially hidden, suspended, blocked, and configured so that access is not authorized.

45. The computer program product of claim 42 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second visual component control is presented with a plurality of visual component controls based on a specified order of the network applications.

46. The computer program product of claim 45 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on at least one of a time attribute, an application identifier, a z-order attribute, a size attribute, a color attribute, a font, a state of a process context for an application, a state of a thread context in a process context, and a user-assigned order.

47. The computer program product of claim 45 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a state of a process context for an application.

48. The computer program product of claim 45 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a state of a thread context in a process context.

49. The computer program product of claim 45 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a user-assigned order.

50. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is sent utilizing a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) for presentation, in response to a user selection of an icon, utilizing a hypertext markup language (HTML) via a drop down interface that is included, at least in part, in the first application region for allowing switching among a plurality of updated visual components of the plurality of network applications, the plurality of network applications being associated with a web service and being capable of dynamically retrieving data from at least one database based on requests, the first navigation control including a plurality of application controls in an order that is capable of being assigned by a user, and the second visual component is a function of both a user and an execution environment associated with the at least one platform.

51. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented, in response to a user selection of an icon, via a drop down interface of a network browser menu bar for allowing switching among a plurality of updated visual components of the plurality of network applications, the plurality of network applications being associated with a web service and being capable of dynamically retrieving data from at least one database based on requests, and the second visual component is a function of both a user and an execution environment associated with the at least one platform.

52. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented, in response to a user selection of an icon, via a drop down interface of a network browser menu bar for allowing switching among a plurality of updated visual components of the plurality of network applications, the plurality of network applications being associated with a web service and being capable of dynamically retrieving data from at least one database based on requests, and the second visual component is a function of both a user and an execution environment associated with the at least one platform.

53. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is capable of being presented utilizing a network browser.

54. The computer program product of claim 21 and further comprising:

a network browser for working in association with the at least one platform for presenting the first navigation control.

55. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the single application provider utilizes a single application provider node.

56. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the at least one platform includes at least one network application platform.

57. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region is determined based on the location of the first visual component.

58. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region is determined based on the location of the parent visual component of the first visual component.

59. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region is determined based on the location of the child visual component of the first visual component.

60. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region is determined based on the location, where the location includes the location of a user-selectable visual component.

61. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first network application is represented by a first program generated from first source code and the second network application is represented by a second program generated from second source code.

62. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is automatically presented in response to a presenting of the first visual component.

63. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented in response to a change detected in a visually detectable attribute of the first visual component.

64. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is at least partially transparent.

65. The computer program product of claim 64 wherein the computer program product is operable such that a transparency attribute of the first navigation control is responsive to a change in at least one of a position of a visual representation of an input pointer, a change in an input focus attribute associated with at least one of the first navigation control and the first visual component, and a transparency attribute of the first visual component.

66. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the sending the navigation information includes sending via at least one of invoking at least one of a function, a method, and a subroutine;

sending a message via a network;

sending a message via an inter-process communication (IPC), and exchanging information via a shared data area.

67. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the navigation information includes information for changing at least one of a z-order, input focus, size, location, font, color, and transparency level of at least one of the first visual component and the second visual component.

68. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising:

code for presenting, in a first application region of a presentation space of a display device, a first visual component of a first network application in a plurality of network applications;

code for presenting a first navigation control utilizing a hypertext markup language (HTML), in a first navigation region determined based on the first application region, for navigating to a second visual component, of a second network application in the plurality, in a second application region in the presentation space, wherein the first navigation region is determined based on a location of at least one of the first visual component, a parent visual component of the first visual component, and a child visual component of the first visual component;

code for detecting a user input corresponding to the first navigation control; and

code for sending, in response to detecting the user input, navigation information to navigate to the second visual component.

69. The computer program product of claim 68 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control includes a drop down interface including a plurality of application controls in an order that is capable of being assigned by a user.

70. The computer program product of claim 68 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the plurality of network applications are associated with a web service and are capable of dynamically retrieving data from at least one database based on requests.

71. The computer program product of claim 68 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is sent utilizing a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP).

72. The computer program product of claim 68 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is sent utilizing a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) for presentation via a drop down interface for allowing convenient switching among a plurality of up-to-date visual components of the plurality of network applications.

73. The computer program product of claim 68 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second visual component is a function of both a user and an execution environment.

74. The computer program product of claim 68 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented as a toolbar that is included, at least in part, in the first application region.

75. The computer program product of claim 68 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented in response to a navigation-activate input received from a user.

76. The computer program product of claim 75 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented as a toolbar that is included, at least in part, in the first application region.

77. The computer program product of claim 75 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented as a toolbar that is included completely in the first application region.

78. The computer program product of claim 75 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented as a toolbar that is included, at least in part, in a first application window.

79. The computer program product of claim 75 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented as a toolbar that is included completely in a first application window.

80. The computer program product of claim 68 and further comprising code for presenting a second navigation control, in a second navigation region determined based on a second application region.

81. The computer program product of claim 68 wherein the computer program product is operable such that a second application control is presented in connection with the first navigation control.

82. The computer program product of claim 81 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second application control is presented based on a state of at least one of the second network application and the second visual component.

83. The computer program product of claim 82 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the state indicates that the at least one of the second network application and the second visual component is at least one of minimized, hidden, at least partially hidden, suspended, blocked, and configured so that access is not authorized.

84. The computer program product of claim 81 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second application control is presented with a plurality of application controls based on a specified order of the network applications.

85. The computer program product of claim 84 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on an application identifier.

86. The computer program product of claim 84 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a state of a process context for an application.

87. The computer program product of claim 84 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a state of a thread context in a process context.

88. The computer program product of claim 84 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a user-assigned order.

89. The computer program product of claim 68 wherein the computer program product is operable such that a second visual component control is presented in connection with the first navigation control.

90. The computer program product of claim 89 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second visual component control is presented based on a state of at least one of the second network application and the second visual component.

91. The computer program product of claim 89 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second visual component control is presented based on a state of the second visual component.

92. The computer program product of claim 89 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second visual component control is presented with a plurality of visual component controls based on a specified order of the network applications.

93. The computer program product of claim 92 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on an application identifier.

94. The computer program product of claim 92 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a state of a process context for an application.

95. The computer program product of claim 92 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a state of a thread context in a process context.

96. The computer program product of claim 92 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a user-assigned order.

97. The computer program product of claim 68 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is sent utilizing the hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) for presentation, in response to a user selection of an icon, via a drop down interface that is included, at least in part, in the first application region for allowing switching among a plurality of update active visual components of the plurality of network applications, the plurality of network applications being associated with a web service and being capable of dynamically retrieving data from at least one database based on requests, the first navigation control including a plurality of application controls in an order that is capable of being assigned by a user, and the second visual component being a function of both a user and an execution environment.

98. The computer program product of claim 68 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented, in response to a user selection of an icon, via a drop down interface that is included, at least in part, in the first application region for allowing one-click switching among a plurality of up-to-date visual components of the plurality of network applications which are operating, the plurality of network applications being associated with a web service and being capable of dynamically retrieving data from at least one database based on requests, and the second visual component being a function of both a user and an execution environment.

99. The computer program product of claim 68 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented, in response to a user selection of an icon, via a drop down interface of a network browser grid menu for allowing switching among a plurality of updated visual components of the plurality of network applications, the plurality of network applications being associated with a web service and being capable of dynamically retrieving data from at least one database based on requests, and the second visual component being a function of both a user and an operating execution environment.

100. The computer program product of claim 68 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is capable of being presented utilizing a network browser.

101. The computer program product of claim 68 and further comprising:

a network browser for working in association with a platform for presenting the first navigation control via a network browser menu.

102. The computer program product of claim 68 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region is determined based on the location of the first visual component.

103. The computer program product of claim 68 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region is determined based on the location of the parent visual component of the first visual component.

104. The computer program product of claim 68 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region is determined based on the location of the child visual component of the first visual component.

105. The computer program product of claim 68 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region is determined based on the location, where the location includes the location of a user-selectable icon parent visual component.

106. The computer program product of claim 68 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region is determined based on the location, where the location includes the location of a user-selectable icon associated with the first visual component.

107. The computer program product of claim 68 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is automatically presented in response to a presenting of the first visual component.

108. The computer program product of claim 68 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented in response to a user-prompted change in a visually detectable attribute of the first visual component.

109. The computer program product of claim 68 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is at least partially transparent.

110. The computer program product of claim 109 wherein the computer program product is operable such that a transparency attribute of the first navigation control is responsive to a change in an input focus attribute associated with at least one of the first navigation control and the first visual component.

111. The computer program product of claim 109 wherein the computer program product is operable such that a transparency attribute of the first navigation control is responsive to a change in a transparency attribute of the first visual component.

112. The computer program product of claim 68 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the navigation information includes information for changing an input focus of at least one of the first visual component and the second visual component.

113. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising:

code for presenting, in a first application region of a presentation space of a display device, a first visual component of a first application in a plurality of applications;

code for presenting a first navigation control, in a first navigation region determined based on the first application region, for navigating to a second visual component, of a second application in the plurality, in a second application region in the presentation space, wherein the first navigation region is determined based on a location of at least one of the first visual component, a parent visual component of the first visual component, and a child visual component of the first visual component;

code for detecting a user input corresponding to the first navigation control; and

code for sending, in response to detecting the user input, navigation information to navigate to the second visual component;

wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented, in response to a user selection, via an interface that is included in the first application region, for allowing switching among a plurality of updated visual components of the plurality of applications.

114. The computer program product of claim 113 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control includes a drop down interface including a plurality of application controls in an order that is capable of being user manipulated.

115. The computer program product of claim 113 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the plurality of applications are associated with a web service and are capable of dynamically retrieving data from at least one database based on requests.

116. The computer program product of claim 113 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is sent utilizing a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP).

117. The computer program product of claim 113 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is sent utilizing a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) for presentation utilizing the hypertext markup language (HTML) via a drop down interface that is included for allowing convenient switching.

118. The computer program product of claim 113 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second visual component is up-to-date as a function of both a user and an active execution environment.

119. The computer program product of claim 113 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented as a toolbar that is included, at least in part, in the first application region.

120. The computer program product of claim 113 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented in response to a navigation-activate input received from a user.

121. The computer program product of claim 120 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented as a toolbar that is included, at least in part, over at least a portion of first application content in the first application region.

122. The computer program product of claim 120 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented as a toolbar that is included completely in the first application region over at least a portion of first application content.

123. The computer program product of claim 120 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented as a toolbar that is included, at least in part, in a first application window over at least a portion of first application content.

124. The computer program product of claim 120 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented as a toolbar that is included completely in a first application window.

125. The computer program product of claim 113 and further comprising code for presenting a second navigation control, in a second navigation region determined based on a second application region.

126. The computer program product of claim 113 wherein the computer program product is operable such that a second application control is presented in connection with the first navigation control.

127. The computer program product of claim 126 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second application control is presented based on a state of at least one of the second application and the second visual component.

128. The computer program product of claim 127 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the state indicates that the at least one of the second application and the second visual component is configured.

129. The computer program product of claim 126 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second application control is presented with a plurality of application controls based on a specified order of the applications.

130. The computer program product of claim 129 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on at least one of a time attribute, an application identifier, a z-order attribute, a size attribute, a color attribute, a font, a state of a process context for an application, a state of a thread context in a process context, and a user-assigned order.

131. The computer program product of claim 129 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a state of a process context for an application.

132. The computer program product of claim 129 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a state of a thread context in a process context.

133. The computer program product of claim 129 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a user-assigned order.

134. The computer program product of claim 113 wherein the computer program product is operable such that a second visual component control is presented in connection with the first navigation control.

135. The computer program product of claim 134 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second visual component control is presented based on a state of at least one of the second application and the second visual component.

136. The computer program product of claim 135 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the state indicates that the at least one of the second application and the second visual component is configured.

137. The computer program product of claim 134 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second visual component control is presented with a plurality of visual component controls based on a specified order of the applications.

138. The computer program product of claim 137 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on an application state.

139. The computer program product of claim 137 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a state of a process context for an application.

140. The computer program product of claim 137 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a state of a thread context in a process context.

141. The computer program product of claim 137 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a user-assigned order.

142. The computer program product of claim 113 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is sent utilizing a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) for presentation, in response to a user selection of an icon, utilizing a hypertext markup language (HTML) via a drop down interface that is included, at least in part, in the first application region for allowing context switching, the plurality of applications being associated with a web service and being capable of dynamically retrieving data from at least one database based on requests, the second visual component being a function of both a user and an active execution environment.

143. The computer program product of claim 113 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented, in response to a user selection of an icon, via a drop down interface that is included, at least in part, in the first application region for allowing context switching, the plurality of applications being associated with a web service and being capable of dynamically retrieving data from at least one database based on requests, and the second visual component is a function of both a user and an execution environment.

144. The computer program product of claim 113 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented, in response to a user selection of an icon, via a drop down interface of a network browser menu grid for allowing context switching, the plurality of applications being associated with a web service and being capable of dynamically retrieving data from at least one database based on requests, and the second visual component is a function of both a user and an execution environment.

145. The computer program product of claim 113 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is capable of being presented utilizing a network browser drop down grid menu that is presented in response to a selection of an icon.

146. The computer program product of claim 113 and further comprising:

a network browser for working in association with at least one platform for presenting the first navigation control.

147. The computer program product of claim 113 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region is determined based on the location of the first visual component.

148. The computer program product of claim 113 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region is determined based on the location of the parent visual component of the first visual component.

149. The computer program product of claim 113 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region is determined based on the location of the parent visual component which takes the form of a network browser interface.

150. The computer program product of claim 113 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region is determined based on the location of the child visual component of the first visual component.

151. The computer program product of claim 113 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region is determined based on the location, where the location includes the location of a user-selectable icon visual component.

152. The computer program product of claim 113 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is automatically presented in response to a presenting of the first visual component.

153. The computer program product of claim 113 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented in response to a change detected in a visually detectable attribute of the first visual component.

154. The computer program product of claim 113 wherein the first navigation region is determined based on the location of the at least one of the first visual component, by being presented next to an icon that is selectable by a user.

155. The computer program product of claim 113 wherein the first navigation region is determined based on the location of the parent visual component of the first visual component, by being presented next to an icon that is selectable by a user.

156. The computer program product of claim 113 wherein the first navigation region is determined based on the location of the child visual component of the first visual component, by being presented next to an icon that is selectable by a user.

157. The computer program product of claim 113 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is at least partially transparent.

158. The computer program product of claim 113 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region moves with the first application region.

159. The computer program product of claim 113 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region moves in response to a user moving the first application region.

160. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising:

code for presenting, in a first application region of a presentation space of a display device, a first visual component of a first network application in a plurality of network applications;

code for presenting a first navigation control, in a first navigation region determined based on the first application region, for navigating to a second visual component, of a second network application in the plurality, in a second application region in the presentation space, wherein the first navigation region is determined based on a location of at least one of the first visual component, a parent visual component of the first visual component, and a child visual component of the first visual component;

code for detecting a user input corresponding to the first navigation control; and

code for sending, in response to detecting the user input, navigation information to navigate to the second visual component;

wherein the computer program product is operable such that the plurality of network applications are associated with at least one web service and are capable of dynamically retrieving data from at least one database based on requests, the first visual component and the second visual component being a function of both a user and an execution environment.

161. The computer program product of claim 160 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control includes a drop down interface including a plurality of application controls in an order that is capable of being assigned by a user.

162. The computer program product of claim 160 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region moves with the first application region.

163. The computer program product of claim 160 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region moves in response to a user moving the first application region.

164. The computer program product of claim 160 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is sent utilizing a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP).

165. The computer program product of claim 160 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is sent utilizing a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) for presentation utilizing a hypertext markup language (HTML) via a drop down interface that is included for allowing convenient switching among a plurality of updated visual components of the plurality of network applications.

166. The computer program product of claim 160 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented as a toolbar that is included, at least in part, in the first application region.

167. The computer program product of claim 160 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented in response to a navigation-activate input received from a user.

168. The computer program product of claim 167 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented as a toolbar that is included, at least in part, in the first application region.

169. The computer program product of claim 167 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented as a toolbar that is included completely in the first application region.

170. The computer program product of claim 167 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented as a toolbar that is included, at least in part, in a first application window.

171. The computer program product of claim 167 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented as a toolbar that is included completely in a first application window.

172. The computer program product of claim 160 and further comprising code for presenting a second navigation control, in a second navigation region determined based on a second application region.

173. The computer program product of claim 160 wherein the computer program product is operable such that a second application control is presented in connection with the first navigation control.

174. The computer program product of claim 173 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second application control is presented based on a state of at least one of the second network application and the second visual component.

175. The computer program product of claim 173 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second application control is presented with a plurality of application controls based on a specified order of the network applications.

176. The computer program product of claim 175 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a state of a process context for an application.

177. The computer program product of claim 175 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a state of a thread context in a process context.

178. The computer program product of claim 175 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a user-assigned order.

179. The computer program product of claim 160 wherein the computer program product is operable such that a second visual component control is presented in connection with the first navigation control.

180. The computer program product of claim 179 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second visual component control is presented based on a state of at least one of the second network application and the second visual component.

181. The computer program product of claim 179 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second visual component control is presented with a plurality of visual component controls based on a specified order of the network applications.

182. The computer program product of claim 181 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a state of a process context for an application.

183. The computer program product of claim 181 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a state of a thread context in a process context.

184. The computer program product of claim 181 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a user-assigned order.

185. The computer program product of claim 160 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is sent utilizing a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) for presentation, in response to a user selection of an icon, utilizing a hypertext markup language (HTML) via a drop down interface that is included, at least in part, in the first application region for allowing switching among a plurality of updated visual components of the plurality of network applications.

186. The computer program product of claim 160 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is at least partially transparent.

187. The computer program product of claim 160 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region moves with the first application region.

188. The computer program product of claim 160 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region moves in response to a user moving the first application region.

189. The computer program product of claim 160 and further comprising:

a network browser for working in association with the at least one platform for presenting the first navigation control.

190. The computer program product of claim 160 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region is determined based on the location of the first visual component.

191. The computer program product of claim 160 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region is determined based on the location of the parent visual component of the first visual component.

192. The computer program product of claim 160 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region is determined based on the location of the child visual component of the first visual component.

193. The computer program product of claim 160 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region is determined based on the location, where the location includes the location of a user-selectable icon visual component.

194. The computer program product of claim 160 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is automatically presented in response to a presenting of the first visual component.

195. The computer program product of claim 160 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented in response to a change detected in a visually detectable attribute of the first visual component.

196. The computer program product of claim 160 wherein the first navigation region is determined based on the location of the at least one of the first visual component, by being presented next to an icon that is selectable by a user.

197. The computer program product of claim 160 wherein the first navigation region is determined based on the location of the parent visual component of the first visual component, by being presented next to an icon that is selectable by a user.

198. The computer program product of claim 160 wherein the first navigation region is determined based on the location of the child visual component of the first visual component, by being presented next to an icon that is selectable by a user.

199. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising:

code for presenting, in a first application region of a presentation space of a display device, a first visual component of a first application in a plurality of applications;

code for presenting a first navigation control, in a first navigation region determined based on the first application region, for navigating to a second visual component, of a second application in the plurality, in a second application region in the presentation space, wherein the first navigation region is determined based on a location of at least one of the first visual component, a parent visual component of the first visual component, and a child visual component of the first visual component, the first navigation control including a representation of the second visual component;

code for detecting a user input corresponding to the first navigation control; and

code for sending, in response to detecting the user input, navigation information to navigate to the second visual component.

200. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control includes an interface including a plurality of application controls side-by-side in an order that is based on a user.

201. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control moves with the first application region.

202. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control moves in response to a user moving the first application region.

203. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the representation of the second visual component provides information about the second visual component.

204. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the representation of the second visual component is accompanied by second application indicia.

205. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented outside a first application window.

206. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented in response to a navigation-activate input received from a user in connection with a key.

207. The computer program product of claim 206 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented outside the first application region.

208. The computer program product of claim 206 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented completely outside the first application region.

209. The computer program product of claim 199 and further comprising code for presenting a second navigation control, in a second navigation region determined based on a second application region.

210. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the computer program product is operable such that a second application control is presented in connection with the first navigation control.

211. The computer program product of claim 210 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second application control is presented based on a state of the second application.

212. The computer program product of claim 210 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second application control is presented based on a state of the second visual component.

213. The computer program product of claim 210 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second application control is presented based on a state of both the second application and the second visual component.

214. The computer program product of claim 210 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second application control is presented with a plurality of application controls based on a specified order of the applications.

215. The computer program product of claim 214 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a state of a process context for an application.

216. The computer program product of claim 214 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a state of a thread context in a process context.

217. The computer program product of claim 214 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a user-dictated order.

218. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the computer program product is operable such that a second visual component control is presented in connection with the first navigation control.

219. The computer program product of claim 218 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second visual component control is presented based on a state of at least one of the second application and the second visual component.

220. The computer program product of claim 218 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second visual component control is presented with a plurality of visual component controls based on a specified order of the applications.

221. The computer program product of claim 220 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a state of a process context for the applications.

222. The computer program product of claim 220 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a state of a thread context in a process context associated with the applications.

223. The computer program product of claim 220 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on at least one aspect of a user.

224. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented in response to an interaction with a hot key.

225. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented, in response to a user action, via an interface that is outside the first application region, for allowing switching among a plurality of updated visual components of the plurality of applications which are operating.

226. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region is determined based on the location of the first visual component.

227. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region is determined based on the location of the parent visual component of the first visual component.

228. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region is determined based on the location of the child visual component of the first visual component.

229. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented, in response to a user action, via an interface that is outside the first application region, for allowing switching among a plurality of updated visual components of the plurality of active applications.

230. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented, in response to a user action, via an interface that includes a plurality application indicia and a plurality of visual component representations situated side-by-side, at least in part, and is outside the first application region, for allowing switching among a plurality of updated visual components of the plurality of applications.

231. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented in response to a change detected in a visually detectable attribute of the first visual component.

232. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is at least partially transparent.

233. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region moves with the first application region.

234. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region moves in response to a user moving the first application region.

235. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region moves as a function of a movement of the first application region.

236. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising:

code for presenting, in a first application region of a presentation space of a display device, a first visual component of a first application in a plurality of operating applications;

code for presenting a first navigation control, in a first navigation region determined based on the first application region, for navigating to a second visual component, of a second application in the plurality, in a second application region in the presentation space, wherein the first navigation region is determined based on a location of at least one of the first visual component, a parent visual component of the first visual component, and a child visual component of the first visual component;

code for detecting a user input corresponding to the first navigation control; and

code for sending, in response to detecting the user input, navigation information to navigate to the second visual component.

237. The computer program product of claim 236 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control includes an interface including a plurality of application controls side-by-side in an order that is a function of a user.

238. The computer program product of claim 236 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region moves with the first application region.

239. The computer program product of claim 236 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region moves in response to a user moving the first application region.

240. The computer program product of claim 236 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the representation of the second visual component provides information about the second visual component.

241. The computer program product of claim 236 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the representation of the second visual component is accompanied by second application indicia.

242. The computer program product of claim 236 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented outside the first application region.

243. The computer program product of claim 236 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented in response to a navigation-activate input received from a user in connection with a key.

244. The computer program product of claim 236 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented to the side of the first application region.

245. The computer program product of claim 236 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented completely outside the first application region.

246. The computer program product of claim 236 and further comprising code for presenting a second navigation control, in a second navigation region determined based on a second application region.

247. The computer program product of claim 236 wherein the computer program product is operable such that a second application control is presented in connection with the first navigation control.

248. The computer program product of claim 247 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second application control is presented based on a state of the second application.

249. The computer program product of claim 247 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second application control is presented based on a state of the second visual component.

250. The computer program product of claim 247 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second application control is presented with a plurality of application controls based on a specified order of the applications.

251. The computer program product of claim 250 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a state of a process context for one or more of the applications.

252. The computer program product of claim 250 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a state of a thread context in a process context associated with one or more of the applications.

253. The computer program product of claim 250 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a user action.

254. The computer program product of claim 236 wherein the computer program product is operable such that a second visual component control is presented in connection with the first navigation control.

255. The computer program product of claim 254 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second visual component control is presented based on a state of the second application.

256. The computer program product of claim 254 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second visual component control is presented based on a state of the second visual component.

257. The computer program product of claim 254 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second visual component control is presented with a plurality of visual component controls based on a specified order of the applications.

258. The computer program product of claim 257 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a state of a process context for an application.

259. The computer program product of claim 257 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a state of a thread context in a process context.

260. The computer program product of claim 257 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the specified order is based on a user-assigned order.

261. The computer program product of claim 236 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented in response to an interaction with a hot key.

262. The computer program product of claim 236 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region is determined based on the location of the first visual component.

263. The computer program product of claim 236 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region is determined based on the location of the parent visual component of the first visual component.

264. The computer program product of claim 236 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region is determined based on the location of the child visual component of the first visual component.

265. The computer program product of claim 236 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is automatically presented in response to a presenting of the first visual component.

266. The computer program product of claim 236 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented in response to a change detected in a visually detectable attribute of the first visual component.

267. The computer program product of claim 236 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the plurality of operating applications are operating in a manner to allow context switching, via the first navigation control, among a plurality of specific contexts associated with the operating applications.

268. The computer program product of claim 236 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region moves with the first application region.

269. The computer program product of claim 236 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region moves in response to a user moving the first application region.

270. The computer program product of claim 236 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation region moves as a function of a movement of the first application region.

271. The computer program product of claim 236 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented, in response to a user action, via an interface that is outside the first application region, for allowing switching among a plurality of updated visual components of the plurality of operating applications.

272. The computer program product of claim 236 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is presented, in response to a user action, via an interface that includes a plurality application indicia and a plurality of visual component representations situated side-by-side, at least in part, and is outside the first application region, for allowing switching among a plurality of updated visual components of the plurality of operating applications.

273. The computer program product of claim 236 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first navigation control is at least partially transparent.