Method and apparatus to operate different widgets from a single widget controller

• US 9,720,554 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2009
• Issued: 08/01/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert J. Frohwein
• Original Assignee: Robert J. Frohwein
• Inventors: Frohwein, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Levy, Amy M
• Application Number:
  US12/507,507
• Publication Number:
  US 20100023874A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,932 Days
• Field of Search: 715747, 715749
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04812 Interaction techniques based on cursor appearance or behaviour, e.g. being affected by the presence of displayed objects
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0255 based on user history

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to manage and display mini Graphical User Interface (GUI) applications, or widgets. A widget controller can be associated with a plurality of widgets, upon which a user of the widget controller can then cycle among the associated widgets to display a selected widget. This conserves space on an output device since space for only one widget is needed. Widgets controllers can be embedded on web pages which are part of social networking sites. Particular widgets associated with a widget controller can be automatically determined and associated based on content of a web page containing the widget controller.

Claims

1. A method, performed by a system comprising a server configured by stored computer code, the method, comprising:

creating and storing, by the server, respective definitions of a first widget controller and a second widget controller, both the first and second widget controller comprising;

logic configured to display an associated set of embedded widgets, a scroll-backward button, a scroll-forward button, an add button, and logic configured to cycle a displayed embedded widget upon receiving a click of either the scroll-forward button or the scroll-backward button when the widget controller is displayed, each of the first and second widget controllers configured to display only one embedded widget of the associated set of embedded widgets inside the respective widget controller;

causing, by the server, the first widget controller to be displayed on a first output device displaying a first web page, the first widget controller embedded on the first web page;

causing, by the server, the second widget controller to be displayed on the second output device displaying a second web page, the second widget controller embedded on the second web page;

causing, by the server, in response to an activation of the add button on the second widget controller displayed on the second web page when a particular widget is being displayed inside the second widget controller, the particular widget to add to the first widget controller;

updating, by the server, the respective definition of the first widget controller to reflect the add of the particular widget to the first widget controller, and updating the first widget controller displayed on the first web page.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the HTML code defining the first web page is automatically manipulated to provide additional features associated with control of widgets.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the second widget controller is configured to set access rights to widgets associated with the second widget controller.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the second widget controller has a unique identifier.

5. An apparatus, comprising:

an internet connection;

a server connected to the internet connection, the server connected to a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing computer readable instructions, the server configured to read and execute the computer readable instructions, the computer readable instructions programmed to cause the server to;

create and store respective definitions of a first widget controller and a second widget controller, both the first and second widget controller comprising;

logic configured to display an associated set of embedded widgets, a scroll-backward button, a scroll-forward button, an add button, and logic configured to cycle a displayed embedded widget upon receiving a click of either the scroll-forward button or the scroll-backward button when the widget controller is displayed, each of the first and second widget controllers configured to display only one embedded widget of the associated set of embedded widgets inside the respective widget controller;

cause the first widget controller to be displayed on a fi-r output device displaying a first web page, the first widget controller being embedded on the first web page;

cause the second widget controller to be displayed on a second output device displaying a second web page, the second widget controller being embedded on the second web page;

upon receipt of an activation of the add button on the second widget controller displayed on the second web page when a particular widget is being displayed inside the second widget controller, cause the particular widget to add to the first widget controller; and

update the respective definition of the first widget controller to reflect the add of the particular widget to the first widget controller, and update the first widget controller being displayed on the first web page.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the server is further configured such that the HTML code defining the first web page is automatically manipulated to provide additional features associated with control of widgets.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the second widget controller is configured to set access rights to widgets associated with the second widget controller.

8. The apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the second widget controller has a unique identifier.