Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING RICH MINIMIZED
APPLICATIONS
TECHNICAL FIELD
Embodiments of the present invention relate to computing
environments. More particularly, embodiments of the invention are directed to
a
system and method for presenting information for selection and interaction by
end users.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In today's information saturated envixonments, such as the
Internet, a local or remote computer network, or any combination of the
Internet
and such networks, it is often difficult for a user to track the potentially
large
quantities and varieties of interesting communications and information. Such
communications and information include, for example, email, instant messaging,
file transfers, local weather, appointments, schedules, personal contacts,
statistical information, file status, stock quotes, sports scores, local
traffic, or any
other type of communications or information. This problem becomes particularly
acute where the communications and/or information are dynamic, such that
rapid,
numerous, or large changes to the communications status or channels, or in the
information results in out of date communications and/or information that is
often
relatively useless to a user.
In response to this problem, several conventional schemes have
been developed to assist users in keeping track of specific communications or
information without requiring a user to manually search or manually check for
updates to the communications or information each time the user wants to
examine the communications or information. However, such schemes are
typically limited by what types of communications or information can be
tracked
or displayed, by the manner in which the communications or information is
accessed or otherwise provided to the user, or by the inability to facilitate
sharing
of the communications or information between users. Further, conventional
schemes that have attempted to address these problems tend to be limited by an
inability to provide a single interface that allows for concurrent information
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retrieval, display or access in combination with communications and
communication access points in a dynamic integrated environment.
Consequently, users are often left with cluttered displays, which provide
access
or interaction with either particular types of communications, or with
specific
information, but not with both communications and information access and
interaction in an integrated environment.
Several conventional messaging type schemes have attempted to
address these problems. However, such schemes typically provide large
windows that take up substantial amounts of screen space. Further, such
schemes, while providing some communications capabilities along with some
information gathering or display capabilities, tend to separate the
communications capabilities from the information capabilities via one or more
tabs or the like. Consequently, particular infarmation cannot be easily shared
or
communicated from within the applications provided by these schemes. Further,
such schemes become unwieldy as the amount of information tracked by a user
increases, and as the number of communications contacts maintained by the user
increases. In particular, as the amount of information increases, the user is
forced
to scroll through large amounts of data or communications channels.
For example, several conventional messaging type schemes
provide capabilities for keeping track of information, such as stock quotes,
weather, news, or other information via the Internet or some other local or
remote
network, or some combination thereof. Further these conventional schemes also
provide for communications access such as, text instant messaging, file
transfer,
email, etc., via one of a number of communications channels for contacts in
one
or more groups of contacts. Consequently, a user is able to keep track of
information and communicate with particular entities. Unfortunately, with
these
schemes, the user cannot do both simultaneously. He is forced to tab between
the
different types of information and the communications capabilities. Therefore,
the user is unable to share data observed via the information tabs with
contacts in
the communications tab unless the user manually saves or copies the
information,
switches tabs, then manually creates a message to a particular contact, and
either
attaches or pastes the information to that message.
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Further, because these conventional schemes tend to have
numerous tabs, they require a fairly large window in order to display the
information and associated controls or icons. Unfortunately, such windows
become buried under other application windows when the user is using other
applications. Consequently, the user is often forced to interrupt the flow of
work
to switch between windows. This problem has been addressed by some schemes
that provide an option to maintain an open message window. While this scheme
solves the problem of burying the messaging window,, the messaging window
then occludes a potentially large part of any other open application window.
While it is possible to manually resize the different application Windows and
to
move them around the screen in an attempt to give each windaw its own space,
such manual user intervention can be both time consuming and aggravating fox
the typical user.
At least one conventional scheme has attempted to address some
of the aforementioned problems. This scheme provides an application that
allows
a user to customize at least one icon in a scrollable strip along one edge of
a
computer display device. This scheme provides iconized links to particular
information sources and uses conventional techniques to populate each
customized icon with information retrieved from the information sources.
However, this scheme has several important limitations.
While this scheme provides for gathering and providing
information to a user, it fails to provide the level of communications
capabilities
offered by messaging schemes. For example, this scheme does not provide for
initiating communication via an icon, sa while an icon may provide a
communication status, such as a number of received messages, it does not
provide for responding to such messages. Further, this scheme does not provide
for nesting or otherwise organizing groups of icons in order to aggregate
multiple
icons. In other words, opening the window associated with one icon does not
provide access to further levels of grouped icons. Consequently, it is
difficult to
organize icons where a large number of icons are used. In addition, the icons
of
this scheme are not easily transportable and no real mechanism exists for
transferring icons between users. Instead, users are required to obtain the
icons
from an application used fox managing the icons. Other limitations of this
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scheme include a lack of an ability to resize the window containing the
scrollable
strip used for displaying the icons. Further, with this scheme, if a user adds
too
many items, another row or strip is automatically created within the window,
even if that row has only one icon, thus resulting in a waste of valuable
display
space.
A related scheme allows a user to customize a scrolling ticker type
display window to provide continuously updated scrolling information from a
predefined set of available information. While useful, this scheme is more
limited than the prior scheme for several reasons. First, the set of
information
that is available to this scheme is predefined. Thus, if the information type
and
source are not listed as options, they are not available. However, users are
provided with limited control over certain information options, such as, for
example, specific stock symbols for stock quotes, choosing areas or topics of
news to generate an automatic alert, or choosing particular cities to generate
a
weather report. Another limitation is that users are not able to add or edit
information sources, such as by modifying the icons as described above.
Furthermore, since the ticker scrolls, there is no guarantee that all the
information
of interest will be visually available at any given time. Specifically, if the
information of interest to a user is not currently visible, the user must wait
until
the information scrolls into view. Consequently, this scheme can become very
distracting as the user is forced to watch the display constantly. Further,
because
the scrolling ticker is in constant motion, it is in itself potentially very
distracting
to a user as it creates a persistent motion in the user's peripheral vision.
Finally,
the communications capability of this scheme is minimal in comparison to the
aforementioned messaging schemes.
Still other schemes for providing custom information views or
displays involve a technique known as "web scraping." In general, such schemes
allow a user to specify particular portions of unique Internet Web pages,
i.e.,
source web pages, to be displayed on a single customized web page.
Consequently, while such schemes provide for information retrieval and
display,
they do not provide for communications capability.
For example, one web scraping scheme allows users to "clip"
relevant data and content from various Internet web sites and pull it all
together
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in one dynamic browser page, called a "view." This view is effectively a
composite web page. Thus, as any of the source web pages are changed, the
composite web page is automatically updated. This scheme allows users to edit
views in a variety of ways, such as by adding, deleting and rearranging data
elements and personalizing the view with the user's own inputs. In addition,
this
scheme provides a method for transferring views between users. However, this
scheme suffers from many of the same basic limitations described above with
respect to the aforementioned schemes. Such limitations include an inability
to
nest or organize views and arrange for a plurality of views to be displayed
simultaneously. Also, as mentioned above, such schemes typically provide
minimal communications or messaging capabilities.
The web scraping technique also requires views to be opened in a
window that occupies a substantial portion of a display device. In addition,
the
content of typical web pages is typically not designed to minimize the area in
which information is displayed, resulting in an inefficient use of screen
space.
Further, if a portion of the web page that is scraped or otherwise clipped
from an
existing web page includes an animation, the web page can be distracting if
it's in
the user's peripheral vision. Finally, because the web scraping technique is a
patchwork of distinct elements, the composite web page resulting from this
technique is typically an unappealing jumble of disparate elements that were
never visually designed to appear together on a single page.
In some instances, a user may want to be aware of real-time
information and notifications. Conventional user interface systems do not
provide a solution that adequately addresses both of these needs, while also
providing the user with flexibility, ease of use, and choice in configuration.
Even further, users frequently need to use controls or other
application interfaces that are independent of their current task. In those
cases, a
user has to switch from a current task window to another window or
application.
For example, if a user was using a word processing ,package and wanted to
change a compact disk track or other such task, the user would need to access
the
controls of a media player application program, which typically is displayed
in a
different window. An example of this is the WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER in an
environment such as the Window Operating System.
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A new system and process are needed for automatically providing
dynamic communication access and information awareness in an interactive
peripheral display without requiring a user to tab between communications
channels or information types. Further, such a system and process should not
require a user to choose from a predefined list of communication access points
and information categories or sources, but instead should allow for creation
and
customization of communications access points and information sources. Such
communications access points should include communications channels for
contacting other entities, and the display of information from multiple
applications. The information sources should include any desired information
elements, such as, for example, specific information types or information
categories. In addition, this system and process should allow users to
organize
any desired information sources into any desired number of groups or nested
groups. Also, these groups or nested groups should be capable of being
expanded
by the user to allow the user to view nested groups or communication access
points or information elements within these groups or nested groups. Finally,
this
system and process should reduce clutter and increase consistency in the user
display, while providing live information, and a platform for frequently used
controls.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method
and system for use in a computing environment to present and provide user
access to information. A scheme is provided for presenting frequently used
controls and information.
In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a method in a
computing system for providing a user interaction scheme. The method
comprises minimizing an application upon receiving a user command, revealing a
tile to represent the minimized application, and providing access to selected
application features through the tile.
In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method in a
computing system for providing a user interaction scheme through the use of a
sidebar. The method includes moving an application to the sidebar upon receipt
CA 02467016 2004-06-03
of a user command to minimize the application and providing access to selected
features belonging to the application from the minimized application in the
sidebar.
In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to a system
for providing user access to a variety of informational items. The system
includes a sidebar for hosting a plurality of tiles and at least one
application
including an insertion module for inserting a tile into the sidebar, wherein
selected features of the application remain available through the tile when
the
application is represented by a tile in the sidebar. The system additionally
includes user interface tools for allowing a user to command placement of a
selected application into the sidebar.
In a further aspect, the present invention is directed to a system for
providing access to a minimized application through a user interface. The
system
includes an available feature selection module for allowing an application to
provide selected application features upon minimization and a tile insertion
module for revealing a tile for providing access to a full set of application
features, a sub-set of features, and/or additional features not ordinarily
available
in the application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
The present invention is described in detail below with reference
to the attached drawings figures, wherein:
FIG. 1 is an exemplary computing environment in which the
present invention may be practiced;
FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating specific components of a
system of an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2B is a flow chart illustrating addition of a rich minimized
application to a side bar from a user perspective in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2C is a flow chart illustrating addition of a rich minimized
application to a sidebar from a system perspective in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention;
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FIG. 2D is a flow chart illustrating restoration of a rich minimized
application;
FIG. 3 is a screen shot illustration of a sidebar for practicing the
present invention;
FIG. 4 illustrates a flyout of a tile from the sidebar of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5A illustrates a sidebar prior to the appearance of a transient
tile;
FIG. 5B illustrates the sidebar of FIG. 5A including a transient
tile;
FIG. 5C illustrates the sidebar of FIG. 5B after the transient tile
has been removed and placed in an overflow area;
FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary screen in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention to facilitate a user's request to add or remove
tiles
from the sidebar;
FIG. 7A illustrates a sidebar with tiles displayed in the default
size;
FIG. 7B illustrates the sidebar of FIG. 7A with one of the tiles
having been resized;
FIG. 8 illustrates a sidebar along with an exemplary menu of
options that may be available to a user for customizing the sidebar;
FIG. 9A is a screen shot showing an open application; '
FIG. 9B is screen shot showing the application of FIG. 9A
minimized in the sidebar;
FIG. 9C is a screen shot showing important features available in
the application minimized in the sidebar; and
FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of a task bar as known in the
art.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a system and
method for providing a user interface allowing a user to access important
features
of an application even when the application is minimized. When the application
is minimized, a tile representing the application appears in a sidebar. The
sidebar
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allows for automatic or user directed addition or removal of tiles. Even
further,
the sidebar visibly shrinks its content display, to provide users with a
preview of
the positioning and appearance of a newly added tile. Further still, an
overflow
area may be provided for icons that represent tiles that could not fit within
the
S sidebar.
Having briefly provided an overview of the present invention,
embodiments of the invention will be discussed with reference to FIGs. 1-10.
An
exemplary operating environment for the present invention is described below.
Exemplary Operating Environment
Figure 1 illustrates an example of a suitable computing system
environment 100 on which the invention may be implemented. The computing
system environment 100 is only one example of a suitable computing
environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of
use
or functionality of the invention. Neither should the computing environment
100
be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or
combination of components illustrated in the exemplary operating environment
100.
The invention may be described in the general context of
computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a
computer. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects,
components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement
particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will
appreciate
that the invention may be practiced with other computer system configurations,
including hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or
programmable consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and
the like. The invention may also be practiced in distributed computing
environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are
linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing
environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote
computer storage media including memory storage devices.
With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary system 100 for
implementing the invention includes a general purpose-computing device in the
form of a computer 110 including a processing unit 120, a system memory 130,
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and a system bus 121 that couples various system components including the
system memory to the processing unit 120.
Computer 110 typically includes a variety of computer readable
media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media may
comprise computer storage media and communication media. The system
memory 130 includes computer storage media in the form of volatile and/or
nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM) 13I and random access
memory (RAM) 132. A basic input/output system 133 (BIOS), containing the
basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within
computer
1 i0, such as during start-up, is typically stored in ROM I31. RAM 132
typically
contains data and/or program modules that are immediately accessible to and/or
presently being operated on by processing unit 120. By way of example, and not
limitation, FIG. I illustrates operating system I34, application programs 135,
other program modules 136, and program data 137.
The computer 110 may also include other
removable/nonremovable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way
of example only, FIG. 1 illustrates a hard disk drive 141 that reads from or
writes
to nonremovable, nonvolatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive 15I that
reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk 152, and an
optical disk drive i55 that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile
optical disk 156 such as a CD ROM or other optical media. Other
removable/nonremovable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media that can
be used in the exemplary operating environment include, but are not limited
to,
magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards, digital versatile disks, digital
video
tape, solid state RAM, solid state ROM, and the like. The hard disk drive 141
is
typically connected to the system bus 121 through an non-removable memory
interface such as interface 140, and magnetic disk drive 151 and optical disk
drive 155 are typically connected to the system bus 121 by a removable memory
interface, such as interface 150.
The drives and their associated computer storage media discussed
above and illustrated in FIG. I, provide storage of computer readable
instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for the computer
110. In FIG. I, for example, hard disk drive 141 is illustrated as storing
operating
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system I44, application programs I45, other program modules 146, and program
data 147. Note that these components can either be the same as or different
from
operating system 134, application programs 135, other program modules 136, and
program data 137. Operating system I44, application programs I45, other
program modules 146, and program data 147 are given different numbers here to
illustrate that, at a minimum, they are different copies. A user may enter
commands and information into the computer 110 through input devices such as
a keyboard 162 and pointing device 161, commonly referred to as a mouse,
trackball or touch pad. Other input devices (not shown) may include a
microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like. These
and
other input devices are often connected to the processing unit 120 through a
user
input interface 160 that is coupled to the system bus, but may be connected by
other interface and bus structures, such as a parallel port, game port or a
universal
serial bus (USB). A monitor 191 or other type of display device is also
connected to the system bus I21 via an interface, such as a video interface
190.
In addition to the monitor, computers may also include other peripheral output
devices such as speakers 197 and printer 196, which rnay be connected through
an output peripheral interface 195.
The computer 110 in the present invention will operate in a
networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote
computers, such as a remote computer 180. The remote computer 180 may be a
personal computer, and typically includes many or all of the elements
described
above relative to the computer 110, although only a memory storage device 181
has been illustrated in FIG. 1. The logical connections depicted in FIG. 1
include
a local area network (LAN) 171 and a wide area network (WAN) 173, but may
also include other networks.
When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer I 10
is connected to the LAN 171 through a network interface or adapter 170. When
used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 110 typically includes a
modem 172 or other means for establishing communications over the WAN 173,
such as the Internet. The modem 172, which may be internal or external, may be
connected to the system bus 121 via the user input interface 160, or other
appropriate mechanism. In a networked environment, program modules depicted
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relative to the computer 110, or portions thereof, may be stored in the remote
memory storage device. By way of example, and not limitation, FIG. 1
illustrates
remote application programs 185 as residing on memory device 181. It will be
appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means
of establishing a communications link between the computers may be used.
Although many other internal components of the computer 110 are
not shown, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that such
components
and the interconnection are well known. Accordingly, additional details
concerning the internal construction of the computer 110 need not be disclosed
in
connection with the present invention.
User Interface Sidebar
A "sidebar" as referenced herein is distinct from the currently
known "taskbar". As used herein, a sidebar refers to a persistent display
strip
along one or more edges of a conventional display device. A tile is a dynamic
thumbnail or "item" comprising, a combination of a description of information
of
interest and a "viewer" for displaying whatever information is represented. A
more detailed description of the sidebar and the tile, which is otherwise
referred
to as a ticket, can be found in the application for letters patent, Serial
number
10/063,296, filed June 8, 2001 which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Various features of the sidebar are described in U.S. Patent Application
Serial
number 10/423,597, filed on April 25, 2003, which is also hereby incorporated
by
reference.
As previously mentioned, conventional user interface displays
restrict information that they present to a user. Such systems typically
provide a
task bar from which a user is able to activate an application window of
interest in
order to interact or obtain information. Various controa types are utilized by
such
conventional prior art systems to present information to a user. Some of these
control types include scroll bars, expandable short lists, start menus,
dashboards,
and controls that cause only active items to be visible. An example of a
conventional user interface is illustrated in FIG. 10 and generally referenced
as
display 1000.
As shown in FIG. 10, display 1000 includes a taskbar 1002.
Generally, taskbar 1002 may contain a variety of task groupings or sections
that
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provide access to applications or features of the operating environment
through
icons. For example, a section of taskbar 1002 may provide a quick-launch
section 1003. Quick-Launch section 1003 enables the launching of one or more
application programs such as a word processing application program, electronic
mail program, or any other programs on the computing system that may have
been appropriately configured to start from quick launch section 1003.
Another section of taskbar 1002, such as live-tasks 1004, may list
currently executing tasks. From live-tasks 1004, a user may access a display
window that is associated with a program in order to interact with program
specific live data. An example of such a window is the media-player 1006
window. Using the media-player 1006 window, a user can view live information
regarding the currently playing media and direct the actions of the media
player
at the user's discretion,
Yet another section of taskbar 1002 may be a desk-band 1008.
Desk-band 1008 is an example of language controls for the operating
environment.
A section of taskbar 1002 may also contain notifications 1010.
Notification area 1010 provides icons relating to application programs or
system
level communications. For example, electronic mail status, chat group buddies
or
even volume control can be accessed through icons in the notifications section
1010.
In an attempt to provide live status information, taskbar 1002
provides for a toast 1012. Toast 1012 is essentially a pop-up window that
provides communication from an application program. For example, as shown a
pop-up message is displayed informing the user that there are messages in an
inbox.
When a significant amount of information is available, taskbar
1002 can become quite cluttered. Furthermore, the various types of icons
available to an end user are inconsistent. Even further, taskbar 1002 does not
easily provide a user with information and controls that the user may need to
immediately access. Further still, taskbar 1002 involves a multiple step
approach
to access any information. For example, to get access to a volume control, a
user
must first select the volume control icon from the notifications section 1010.
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This causes a volume control to be displayed. The user can then adjust the
volume to the desired level.
A user interface configuration in accordance with an embodiment
of the invention is shown in FIG. 3. Shown in display 300 is a sidebar 302.
S Sidebar 302 may include a live-data area 304, for live information of
interest to
the user, as well as a platform important-controls area 306, for frequently
used
controls. Within live-data 304, there may be a plurality of tiles related to a
plurality of applications and information items. Important-controls 306 may
also
contain tiles for any one or more items used in controlling system or
application
parameters.
Live-data 304 contains for example, a 'Pamela Jones Online' tile
308, which may provide access to Internet or network applications, or other
functions including messaging, chat, email and browsing. 'Pamela Jones Online'
tile 308 further contains individual contact tiles 310. Some of the individual
contact tiles 310, for 'Pamela Jones Online' 308 are also displayed within
live-
data 304. In other words, 'Pamela Jones Online' tile 308 may be thought of as
a
header and the individual contact tiles 310 would be considered the body.
Another example of live-data 304 is the email notification tile 3I2, which
contains a listing of emails 314. As shown, email notification 312 indicates
that
there are two new mail messages. Correspondingly, the top two email listings
314 are highlighted to indicate that they are new and unread. Yet another
example of live-data 304 is a video tile 316, which is updated in real time
within
the sidebar 302. Sidebar 302 can located in a variety of ways and can provide
varying information.
A user has the ability to modify the sidebar 302. A user can add,
remove, resize tiles or perform other manipulations of the displayed tiles as
necessary. When a tile is added, the sidebar determines if the total display
area to
be occupied by all tiles, including the new tile will exceed the display area
of the
sidebar. If all the tiles will all fit into the sidebar, then the new tile is
added to the
sidebar and displayed. On the other hand, if the new tile will not fit at its
default
size, then all the tiles are compressed or "squished". Thus, both existing
tiles and
the new tile are scaled down in size within the sidebar. The new tile is shown
in
a preview state, which may not necessarily show the complete content of the
tile.
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If the previewed tile has a natural size that is too large, the tile may be
cut off in
addition to being scaled down. At the conclusion of the preview, the new tile
grows to its natural size and may remain in the sidebar or be moved into an
overflow area as discussed later in this document. Other tiles in the sidebar
are
typically scaled down. The tiles are reduced to the extent necessary for all
of the
tiles to visibly fit within the sidebar 302.
The system applies any one of a number of criteria to select which
tiles and haw many of them would need to be removed from the sidebar to enable
the remaining tiles to be displayed at their default sizes. Concurrent with
the
removal of any tile, an icon is created to represent the removed tile. The
icon
may be placed in an overflow area (not shown) located in an area of the
sidebar
302. With the 'excess' tiles) removed, the remaining tiles may be expanded to
their default sizes.
The expanded view of a tile can vary depending on the type of tile
and the tile's other contents. For example, as shown in screen illustration
400 of
FIG. 4, 'Pamela Jones Online' tile is shown in a flyout 408. Within the flyout
408 there are two categories of displayed information. A first category is the
online group 410, which may have one or more online individual contacts and
groups, 410. The second category is the offline group 412, which may have just
an individual contact. When the information for 'Pamela Jones Online' is
displayed within the sidebax 402, the body 406 includes individual contacts
from
both the online group 410 and the offline group 412. In other words, the two
categories of the flyout 408 are blended in the sidebar 402. For example,
offline
contact 412A (Harold) is included within the body 406 of sidebar 402 and is
displayed as individual contact 406B (Harold) in flyout 408.
Tiles might be added to the sidebar in an automatic or user request
mode. Automatic addition may occur in conjunction with the installation of
application programs and with the operation of transient controls. User
requested
tile addition occurs through a tile configuration user interface program or by
user
designation within an application program. The mode of tile addition
determines
the priority and consequently the position of the tile within the sidebar.
With regard to automatic tile addition, when an application is
being installed, the associated new tiles are added to the bottom of the
sidebar. In
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an embodiment of the present invention, users are given an opportunity to
preview the sidebar. Users can see what the sidebar will look like, once the
new
tile has been added. For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, the addition of an
electronic mail inbox tile 704 to the sidebar 702, results in a user prompt
706.
With the aide of prompt 706, the user may selectively cause the inbox tile 704
to
remain as shown within the sidebar 702 or be hidden. Similarly, in FIG. 7B,
the
user is prompted about adding the calendar tile 708 to the sidebar 702. When
the
user selects to show the new tile in the sidebar, the new tile is added to the
bottom of the sidebar. This effect is illustrated in FIG. 7C, wherein
electronic
mail inbox tile 704 and calendar tile 708 are placed at the bottom of the
sidebar
702. It should be understood that placement of tiles within the sidebar may
vary
according to other aspects of the present invention.
FIG. 8 illustrates tools provided to allow a user to rearrange or
resize tiles, to relocate the sidebar, and to minimize the sidebar while
retaining
access to tiles. A display 800 rnay allow a user to select one of many custom
options for any tile within the sidebar 802. For example, a user rnay collapse
the
tile by use of the option 804, enable automatic or manual resizing with option
806, relocate the tile up or down relative to the other tiles in the sidebar
with
option 808, or simply hide the tile using option 810.
As evidenced by the aforementioned explanation, a taskbar and a
sidebar are separate and distinct concepts. The taskbar stays focused on
managing windows for applications that consume large amounts of space and are
full-fledged applications. One-to-one relationships between windows available
and items in the taskbar. When a user shuts down a computer, all of the
running
applications in the taskbar close and will not be in the taskbar upon the next
login. Additionally, as set forth in detail below, minimized full-fledged
applications housed in the sidebar have functionality that is not available
when
these applications are minimized in the taskbar. Furthermore, the sidebar can
contain information in addition to full-fledged applications. Furthermore, the
information in the sidebar is customized. After a user shuts down the
computer,
the applications will remain in the sidebar upon the next login.
CA 02467016 2004-06-03
_ 1~ _
Transient Tiles and Rich Minimized Applications
Some of the tiles shown in the sidebar described above remain
present in the sidebar and are not available outside of the sidebar. Other
tiles,
known as transient tiles may include applications that exist outside the
sidebar
and are only present in the sidebar upon user request. For instance, a user
can
request that an application appear in the sidebar when it is minimized. The
minimized application in the sidebar can provide basic functionality of the
application without consuming excessive space. An application with this
capability is referenced herein as a "rich minimized application" or "RMA".
FIG. 2A illustrates a system for implementing an embodiment of
the invention. The system operates within a computing environment such as that
shown in FIG. 1 and includes a rich minimized application 2I0, sidebar
controls
230, and user interface selection controls 240.
The rich minimized application 210 :is an application that is
capable of providing important features even when the application is
minimized.
Using an available feature selection module 212, the rich minimized
application
210 selects those features that are most likely to be utilized by a user when
the
application 210 is minimized. Many applications have some set of features that
are useful to a user even when the application window is minimized. This
feature
selection module 212 is capable of determining which features are so important
that they should be available on screen even when the application 210 is
minimized. The features se ected by the module 212 may be or include a sub-set
of the original feature set, the entire original feature set, or additional
features not
included in the original feature set.
An insertion module 216 may control the insertion of a tile into a
sidebar or other user interface mechanism in which the application 210 resides
after the application 210 is minimized. A restoration module 218 may be
provided to enable the application 210 to be restored from its minimized
condition. Special controls 220 may also be provided. The special controls 220
preferably include a rich minimized application header having a restore
button.
The restore button may hover next to the minimized application tile. A right-
click menu for the application 210 may include commands including "restore",
"maximize", and "close". The special controls 220 may additionally include a
CA 02467016 2004-06-03
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"remove from bar" option. The "remove from bar" option preferably includes a
dialog box with a message such as "Removing this tile will prevent the
application from minimizing to the sidebar in the future". The user will have
the
opportunity to select "OK" or "Cancel".
Aside from its special controls, an application 210 should exhibit
the same behavior as any other transient tile. After a reboot or logout, a
minimized application 210 should remain in the sidebar. The tile for the
application 210 may be responsible for restarting any processes and the
application 210 should also be able to tell the sidebar which application
should be
launched upon receiving a user command for restoration.
The user interface selection controls 240 include selection tools to
enable the user to determine which applications minimize to the sidebar, where
the UI is placed, and how much space the applications consume. The sidebar
controls 230 may watch to see when the window is minimized. The sidebar
controls may hide and reveal the application's window, the taskbar button for
the
application, and the application's alt-tab entry as needed.
Using the aforementioned components, an application that wants
to offer controls and information to the user even when it's minimized can
insert
a rich minimized application tile into the sidebar. For instance, an
application
such as a media player could offer controls such as play/pause and information
such as song name while the application is minimized in the sidebar. When the
user minimizes the application by clicking on the minimize button or other
method, the main application window vanishes and a tile appears in the
sidebar.
The tile provides some information and controls that were in the main window
so
that the user still has access to them even though the window is minimized.
Applications that may provide such functionality include such
applications as a clock, a virus checker, or a list of buddies online. An
email
program may be minimized, but may provide access to specific emails. A TV
window may offer videos. A media player may be offered with limited
functionality, such as a pause or play bar, in the sidebar. In an embodiment
of
the invention, the applications that are minimized to the sidebar decide which
controls are offered in the minimized state, but the user determines how much
room the application can take in the side bar. In additional embodiments, the
CA 02467016 2004-06-03
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application determines the controls and/or the space occupied unless the user
decides to regulate these features.
FIGS. 2B, 2C, and 2D illustrate the process by which the
application 210 appears and disappears from the sidebar in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2B illustrates procedures implemented from a
user perspective far minimization of the application 210. In step A10, the
user
minimizes the application 210. In step A 12, upon receiving a command from the
user in step A10, the application becomes hidden.. In step A14, the sidebar
tile
becomes visible to the user.
FIG. 2C further illustrates the process from a system perspective.
In step A20, the application implements a routine to become associated with a
sidebar tile. The routine implements a tile identifier and a string to obtain
the tile,
and also optionally a pointer to the application's window. In step A22, the
application receives a mininuze command from the user. In step A24, the
sidebar
watches to see when the window is minimized. The sidebar hides the taskbar
button for the application and the application's alt-tab entry and shows the
tile in
step A26.
FIG. 2D illustrates procedures for restoring the application 210
after it has been minimized in the sidebar. In step B 10, the application 210
receives a restore command from the user. The user can make the command by
clicking a restore button in the tile. In step B20, the application determines
if a
restore handler such as the restoration module 218 is available. If the tile
has
implemented a restore handler, the sidebar calls the restore handler in step
B60
on a separate thread and hides the tile in step B70. In step B80, the sidebar
disposes of the tile on the original thread after restoration is complete.
If in step B2U, if the tile has not implemented a restore handler, the
tile UI is hidden in step B30 and the sidebar disposes of the tile in step
B40. In
step B50, the sidebar restores the application window, the taskbar button, and
the
alt-tab entry. From a user perspective, if the user wants to switch back to
the
larger window, in an embodiment of the invention, the user can select the
restore
button in the tile. The restore button may be unique to RMA tiles. The
selection
of the restore button re-opens the application window and removes the tile
from
the sidebar.
CA 02467016 2004-06-03
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If a user does not want an application 210 to minimize to the
sidebar, the user can select the "Remove from bar" option available in a
context
menu or in an Add/ Remove tiles page. Selection of "remove from bar" will
prevent the application 210 from minimizing to the sidebar. The user may be
provided with a confirmation in this case to ensure that the user wants to
remove
the tile and not merely close the tile. The user can re-add the application
210
from an Add/Remove page and the application 210 will again be allowed to
minimize to the sidebar.
The sidebar provides several functions for an application that
minimizes to an RMA. When the application minimizes, the sidebar controls 240
may zoom to the sidebar rather than the taskbar. The sidebar controls 240 will
remove the window's button from the taskbar and will remove the entry from the
Alt-tab menu. When the window is restored, the sidebar will ensure the taskbar
button and Alt-tab entry show again.
The system and method of the present invention can handle a
variety of tiles. Some tiles may be visibly present all of the time. A
transient tile,
such as the tile representing an RMA, is one that only appears as needed or as
requested by a user. The operations of a transient tile are best explained by
way
of an example, as shown in display 500 of FIG. 5A. The last tile shown within
the sidebar 502 is a volume control tile 504, below which there is an overflow
area 506. When a transient progress bar tile S08 (FIG. 5B) is needed, the tile
is
added to the sidebar 502, causing the sidebar S02 to become compressed or
squished to make room. This squished effect is illustrated in display 507 of
FIG.
5B.
A squished or compressed sidebar 510 is shown in display 507.
The squished-sidebar 510 has all of its constituent tiles scaled down from
their
previous sizes in sidebar 502 of FIG. 5A. This squished preview state may only
be maintained for a brief duration. The sidebar returns to its un-compressed
state
after the preview period and the transient tile is placed in the overflow
area. This
effect is shown in FIG. 5C, where transient progress bar tile 508 is removed
from
the sidebar 512, and a new icon 514 representative of the transient tile is
placed
in the overflow area 516.
CA 02467016 2004-06-03
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The second mode of tile addition or removal operations includes
user requested operations. User requested tile additions or removals may occur
via a configuration interface, such as the one illustrated in display 600 of
FIG. 6.
By virtue of the operating environment or any previously installed application
programs, a user may be presented with an options screen 602. In an
embodiment of the present invention, option screen 602 includes an add tile
column 604 and a remove tile column 606. Add tile column 604 provides the
user with a tile image 608, a description 610 and a show button 612. After
reviewing an associated description 610, a user may select the show button
612,
to cause the associated tile to be placed within a sidebar. The process for
placement of a tile within the sidebar is practically identical to that
described
earlier in reference to automatic tile addition. Compression of the sidebar
and
movement of tiles into the over flow area are practically identical. However,
one
exception does exist with regard to the behavior of a tile prior to the tile
being
bumped into the overflow area. When a manually added tile has caused a
squishing of the sidebar to occur, tiles that are about to be bumped into the
overflow area will flash. In other words, prior to the expansion of a
previously
compressed or squished sidebar and to the bumping of any tiles into the
overflow
area, the attention of the user may be drawn to the tiles that are about to be
bumped.
Removal of an existing tile from the sidebar may be accompanied
by user request via options screen 602. The remove tiles column 606 provides a
user with a tile image 608, a properties icon 616 and a hide button 614. The
remove tiles column 606 lists all existing and removable tiles that are within
the
sidebar. The remove tiles column 606 also indicates separately tiles that are
of a
transient nature. Transient tiles are designated under the automatic tiles
heading
618. The properties icon 616, as the name suggests, enables the user to view
information specific to the tile. The hide button 614 causes the removal of
the
associated tile from the sidebar or overflow area. In the case of a transient
tile,
the hide button 614 prevents the tile from showing up within the sidebar even
when the transient tile is needed.
As mentioned earlier, tile addition may also occur by user
designation from within an application program. For instance, an application
can
CA 02467016 2004-06-03
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host a standard control that adds a tile to the sidebar. When such a tile is
added to
the sidebar, the tile may be placed at the top of the bar as opposed to the
other
situations, where the tile is placed at the bottom of the bar. In those
instances
where there is insufficient room in the sidebar, the sidebar is squished as in
all
other cases. Prior to expansion, the tiles at the bottom flash before getting
bumped into the overflow.
FIGS. 9A-9C are screen shots showing examples of the use of
RMAs. FIG. 9A shows a display 900 having a taskbar 920 and a sidebar 902.
The taskbar 920 includes icons 908 and 910 representing open applications 906
and 904 respectively. FIG. 9B illustrates the screen 900 upon minimization of
the application 904 from FIG. 9A. Instead of the open application 904, FIG 9B
includes the minimized application 912 in the sidebar 902. The minimized
application 912 may include a restore button 934 for restoring the application
window and hiding the application tile. As shown in FIG. 9C, the application
912 is a rich minimized application. A fly-out window 914 provides song
options 916, a directory for further albums and artists 917, and other play
options
918. Despite the fact that the application is minimized, since the application
is an
RMA, it continues to provide functionality while it appears in the sidebar
902.
With rich minimized applications that live in the sidebar, a
standard technique is provided for applications to provide access to controls
and
information even when the applications are minimized. The user has control
over
which applications are able to do this, and how much room the applications
take
up when they're minimized.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, sidebars as
well as tiles are created by utilizing application program interface (API)
routines
provided by the vendor of the operating system or other third parties. In the
described examples of the preferred embodiment, the operating system
environment is Microsoft Windows. As would be understood by those skilled in
the art, the system and method of the present invention could be implemented
within other tools and other operating environments without departing from the
scope contemplated herein. Examples of tools in which the present invention
can
be practiced include Direct X and Macromedia.
CA 02467016 2004-06-03
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While particular embodiments of the invention have been
illustrated and described in detail herein, it should be understood that
various
changes and modifications might be made to the invention without departing
from the scope and intent of the invention. The embodiments described herein
are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive.
Alternate
embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the
present
invention pertains without departing from its scope.
From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well
adapted to attain all the ends and objects set for above, together with other
advantages, which are obvious and inherent to the system and method. It will
be
understood that certain features and sub-combinations are of utility and may
be
employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. This is
contemplated and within the scope of the appended claims.
