US6239798B1 — Methods and apparatus for a window access panel

Claim 1

Independent Claim 66 words

A method for managing the display of windows corresponding to tasks executable by a computer, the method comprising: providing multiple workspaces, each workspace being capable of displaying multiple windows corresponding to executing tasks; displaying a window panel including icons corresponding to the executing tasks; and permitting shared access to a window of the executing tasks upon selection of a corresponding icon displayed in the window panel.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 66 words

A method for managing the display of windows corresponding to tasks executable by a computer, the method comprising: providing multiple workspaces, each workspace being capable of displaying multiple windows corresponding to executing tasks; displaying a window panel including icons corresponding to the executing tasks; and permitting shared access to a window of the executing tasks upon selection of a corresponding icon displayed in the window panel.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 1 , further comprising adding to the window panel an icon for each task opened into a window.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving a command from a user to launch a task;creating a window for the task; and adding an icon representing the window to the window panel.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 41 words

The method of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving a command from a user to hide a window in a selected workspace; removing the window only from the selected workspace; and maintaining an icon representing the window in the window panel.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 4 , further comprising recording a size and location for the window in the selected workspace.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 40 words

The method of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving a command from a user, in a particular workspace, selecting an icon in the window panel; and displaying in the foreground of the workspace a window corresponding to the selected icon.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 45 words

The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: receiving a command from a user to terminate a window; removing the window from each workspace in which it is displayed; and deleting from the window panel an icon corresponding to the terminated window.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: displaying a window in more than one workspace; and resizing the window in one workspace without affecting the size of the window in another workspace.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: displaying a window in more than one workspace; and repositioning the window in one workspace without affecting the position of the window in another workspace.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 43 words

The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: hiding the window panel behind a workspace switch; receiving a command from the user selecting the workspace switch; and displaying the window panel in response to the user command selecting the switch.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 67 words

A computer-readable medium containing instructions for managing the display of windows corresponding to tasks executable by a computer, by: providing multiple workspaces, each workspace being capable of displaying multiple windows corresponding to executing tasks; displaying a window panel including icons corresponding to the executing tasks; and permitting shared access to a window of the executing tasks upon selection of a corresponding icon displayed in the window panel.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 67 words

A computer-readable medium containing instructions for managing the display of windows corresponding to tasks executable by a computer, by: providing multiple workspaces, each workspace being capable of displaying multiple windows corresponding to executing tasks; displaying a window panel including icons corresponding to the executing tasks; and permitting shared access to a window of the executing tasks upon selection of a corresponding icon displayed in the window panel.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 23 words

The computer-readable medium of claim 11 , further comprising adding to the window panel an icon for each task opened into a window.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 36 words

The computer-readable medium of claim 11 , further comprising: receiving a command from a user to launch a task; creating a window for the task; and adding an icon representing the window to the window panel.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 42 words

The computer-readable medium of claim 11 , further comprising: receiving a command from a user to hide a window in a selected workspace; removing the window only from the selected workspace; and maintaining an icon representing the window in the window panel.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 21 words

The computer-readable medium of claim 14 , further comprising recording a size and location for the window in the selected workspace.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 41 words

The computer-readable medium of claim 11 , further comprising: receiving a command from a user, in a particular workspace, selecting an icon in the window panel; and displaying in the foreground of the workspace a window corresponding to the selected icon.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 46 words

The computer-readable medium of claim 11 , further comprising the steps of: receiving a command from a user to terminate a window; removing the window from each workspace in which it is displayed; and deleting from the window panel an icon corresponding to the terminated window.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 37 words

The computer-readable medium of claim 11 , further comprising the steps of: displaying a window in more than one workspace; and resizing the window in one workspace without affecting the size of the window in another workspace.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 37 words

The computer-readable medium of claim 11 , further comprising the steps of: displaying a window in more than one workspace; and repositioning the window in one workspace without affecting the position of the window in another workspace.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 44 words

The computer-readable medium of claim 11 , further comprising the steps of: hiding the window panel behind a workspace switch; receiving a command from the user selecting the workspace switch; and displaying the window panel in response to the user command selecting the switch.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 79 words

An apparatus for managing the display of windows corresponding to tasks executable by a computer, comprising: a memory having program instructions, and a processor configured to use the program instructions to: provide multiple workspaces, each workspace being capable of displaying multiple windows corresponding to executing tasks; display a window panel including icons corresponding to the executing tasks; and permit shared access to a window of the executing tasks upon selection of a corresponding icon displayed in the window panel.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 79 words

An apparatus for managing the display of windows corresponding to tasks executable by a computer, comprising: a memory having program instructions, and a processor configured to use the program instructions to: provide multiple workspaces, each workspace being capable of displaying multiple windows corresponding to executing tasks; display a window panel including icons corresponding to the executing tasks; and permit shared access to a window of the executing tasks upon selection of a corresponding icon displayed in the window panel.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 27 words

The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the processor is further configured to add to the window panel an icon for each task opened into a window.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 40 words

The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the processor is further configured to: receive a command from a user to launch a task; create a window for the task; and add an icon representing the window to the window panel.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 46 words

The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the processor is further configured to: receive a command from a user to hide a window in a selected workspace; remove the window only from the selected workspace; and maintain an icon representing the window in the window panel.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 25 words

The apparatus of claim 24 , wherein the processor is further configured to record a size and location for the window in the selected workspace.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 45 words

The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the processor is further configured to: receive a command from a user, in a particular workspace, selecting an icon in the window panel; and display in the foreground of the workspace a window corresponding to the selected icon.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 47 words

The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the processor is further configured to: receive a command from a user to terminate a window; remove the window from each workspace in which it is displayed; and delete from the window panel an icon corresponding to the terminated window.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 38 words

The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the processor is further configured to: display a window in more than one workspace; and resize the window in one workspace without affecting the size of the window in another workspace.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 38 words

The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the processor is further configured to: display a window in more than one workspace; and reposition the window in one workspace without affecting the position of the window in another workspace.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 45 words

The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the processor is further configured to: hide the window panel behind a workspace switch; receive a command from the user selecting the workspace switch; and display the window panel in response to the user command selecting the switch.

Claim 34

Independent Claim 70 words

An apparatus for managing the display of windows corresponding to tasks executable by a computer, comprising: means for providing multiple workspaces, each workspace being capable of displaying multiple windows corresponding to executing tasks; means for displaying a window panel including icons corresponding to the executing tasks; and means for permitting shared access to a window of the executing tasks upon selection of a corresponding icon displayed in the window panel.

Claim 35

Independent Claim 70 words

An apparatus for managing the display of windows corresponding to tasks executable by a computer, comprising: means for providing multiple workspaces, each workspace being capable of displaying multiple windows corresponding to executing tasks; means for displaying a window panel including icons corresponding to the executing tasks; and means for permitting shared access to a window of the executing tasks upon selection of a corresponding icon displayed in the window panel.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus of claim 31 , further comprising means for adding to the window panel an icon for each task opened into a window.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 41 words

The apparatus of claim 31 , further comprising: means for receiving a command from a user to launch a task; means for creating a window for the task; and means for adding an icon representing the window to the window panel.

Claim 38

Independent Claim 99 words

A method for managing the display of windows corresponding to tasks executable by a computer, the method comprising: providing multiple workspaces, each workspace being capable of displaying multiple windows corresponding to executing tasks; displaying a first window panel including first icons corresponding to executing workspaces; displaying a first workspace, the first workspace displaying at least one first workspace window corresponding to an executing task associated with at least the first workspace; and displaying, simultaneously with the first window panel, said first workspace and said first workspace window, a second window panel including second icons corresponding to said executing tasks.

Claim 39

Independent Claim 99 words

A method for managing the display of windows corresponding to tasks executable by a computer, the method comprising: providing multiple workspaces, each workspace being capable of displaying multiple windows corresponding to executing tasks; displaying a first window panel including first icons corresponding to executing workspaces; displaying a first workspace, the first workspace displaying at least one first workspace window corresponding to an executing task associated with at least the first workspace; and displaying, simultaneously with the first window panel, said first workspace and said first workspace window, a second window panel including second icons corresponding to said executing tasks.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 63 words

The method of claim 34 , further including the steps of: receiving a command from a user selecting a particular second icon in the second window panel, the particular second icon reflecting a task executed in both said first and second workspaces; and displaying in the foreground of the first workspace, a window corresponding to the task reflected by the particular second icon.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 40 words

The method of claim 34 , wherein displaying a first workspace includes the step of: receiving a command from a user selecting a particular first icon in the first window panel, said particular first icon corresponding to said first workspace.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 81 words

The method of claim 35 , further including the steps of: displaying a third window panel including icons corresponding to non-executing tasks and icons corresponding to said executing tasks; receiving a second command from a user selecting an icon corresponding to a first non-executing task; initiating execution of the first non-executing task; generating a window corresponding to the first non-executing task, the generated window representing the execution of the first non-executing task; and displaying the generated window in said first workspace.

Claim 43

Independent Claim 110 words

A system for managing the display of windows corresponding to tasks executable by a computer, the system comprising: means for providing multiple workspaces, each workspace being capable of displaying multiple windows corresponding to executing tasks; means for displaying a first window panel including first icons corresponding to executing workspaces; means for displaying a first workspace, means for displaying within the first workspace at least one first workspace window corresponding to an executing task associated with at least the first workspace; and means for displaying, simultaneously with the first window panel, said first workspace and said first workspace window, a second window panel including second icons corresponding to said executing tasks.

Claim 44

Independent Claim 110 words

A system for managing the display of windows corresponding to tasks executable by a computer, the system comprising: means for providing multiple workspaces, each workspace being capable of displaying multiple windows corresponding to executing tasks; means for displaying a first window panel including first icons corresponding to executing workspaces; means for displaying a first workspace, means for displaying within the first workspace at least one first workspace window corresponding to an executing task associated with at least the first workspace; and means for displaying, simultaneously with the first window panel, said first workspace and said first workspace window, a second window panel including second icons corresponding to said executing tasks.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 64 words

The system of claim 38 , further comprising: means for receiving a command from a user selecting a particular second icon in the second window panel, the particular second icon reflecting a task executed in both said first and second workspaces; and means for displaying in the foreground of the first workspace, a window corresponding to the task reflected by the particular second icon.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 43 words

The method of claim 38 , wherein the means for displaying a first workspace further comprises: means for receiving a command from a user selecting a particular first icon in the first window panel, said particular first icon corresponding to said first workspace.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 88 words

The system of claim 39 , further comprising: means for displaying a third window panel including icons corresponding to non-executing tasks and icons corresponding to said executing tasks; means for receiving a second command from a user selecting an icon corresponding to a first non-executing task; means for initiating execution of the first non-executing task; means for generating a window corresponding to the first non-executing task, the generated window representing the execution of the first non-executing task; and means for displaying the generated window in said first workspace.

Claim 48

Independent Claim 116 words

A method for managing the display of windows corresponding to tasks executable by a computer, the method comprising: providing multiple workspaces, each workspace capable of displaying multiple windows corresponding to multiple executing tasks; providing a first window panel including icons representing executing workspaces; providing a second window panel including icons representing executing tasks corresponding to the executing workspaces; displaying in a display area, the first window panel, second window panel, an active workspace, and at least one window representing an executing task within the active workspace; receiving a command from a user to launch a task; creating a new window for the task; and adding an icon representing the created window to the second window panel.

Claim 49

Independent Claim 116 words

A method for managing the display of windows corresponding to tasks executable by a computer, the method comprising: providing multiple workspaces, each workspace capable of displaying multiple windows corresponding to multiple executing tasks; providing a first window panel including icons representing executing workspaces; providing a second window panel including icons representing executing tasks corresponding to the executing workspaces; displaying in a display area, the first window panel, second window panel, an active workspace, and at least one window representing an executing task within the active workspace; receiving a command from a user to launch a task; creating a new window for the task; and adding an icon representing the created window to the second window panel.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 46 words

The method of claim 42 , wherein the first window panel includes a highlighted icon representing the active workspace displayed in the display area, and the second window panel includes one or more icons representing executing tasks, including executing tasks not associated with the active workspace.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 43 , wherein the second window panel is a sliding window panel.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 43 , wherein the display area includes a third window panel including icons representing non-executing tasks.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 74 words

The method of claim 45 , including the steps: selecting a third window panel icon representing a first non-executing task; initiating execution of the first non-executing task represented by the third window panel icon, wherein the first non-executing task is transformed into a first executing task; creating a new window in the active workspace, the new window representing the first executing task; and creating a first executing task icon in the second window panel.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 58 words

The method of claim 43 , including the steps: receiving a command to terminate an executing task represented by an executing task window in the first active workspace; terminating the execution of the executing task; removing the executing task window from the active workspace; and removing an icon representing the terminated executing task, from the second window panel.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2004-05-28	2004-11-27	2005-05-29	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2008-05-28	2008-11-27	2009-05-29	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2012-05-28	2012-11-27	2013-05-29	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Methods and apparatus for a window access panel

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