Patent US1194302A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US7490295B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Layer for accessing user interface elements
Assignee: Apple Inc
•
Filing: 2004-06-25
•
Granted: 2009-02-10
•
Expires: 2024-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A user-activatable dashboard contains any number of user interface elements, referred to herein as "widgets," for quick access by a user. In response to a command from a user, the dashboard is invoked and the widgets are shown on the screen. The user can activate the dashboard at any time. Once the dashboard has been activated, the user can interact with any or all of the widgets, and can configure the dashboard by adding, deleting, moving, or configuring individual widgets as desired. When the user wishes to return to the normal user interface he or she was working with, the user issues a command causing the dashboard to be dismissed. Once the dashboard has been dismissed, the previous user interface state is restored, allowing the user to resume normal interactions with the operating system.
Inventors
- 👤 Imran A. Chaudhri
- 👤 John Louch
- 👤 Andrew M. Grignon
- 👤 Gregory N. Christie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:16
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0484; G06F3/04847; G06F3/0481; G06F3/0482; G06F3/04842; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/451
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 57
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
In a computer system including an operating system comprising a runtime engine that is part of the operating system and a display screen comprising an area displaying a user interface, a method for presenting a dashboard layer, comprising: responsive to a trigger event, activating the dashboard layer in the area displaying the user interface, the dashboard layer comprising a web view in a development environment and executed by the runtime engine, the activation of the dashboard layer thereby providing access to a group of widgets contained by the dashboard layer, wherein at least one of the widgets in the group of widgets was not visible on the display screen prior to activation of the dashboard layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
In a computer system including an operating system comprising a runtime engine that is part of the operating system and a display screen comprising an area displaying a user interface, a method for presenting a dashboard layer, comprising: responsive to a trigger event, activating the dashboard layer in the area displaying the user interface, the dashboard layer comprising a web view in a development environment and executed by the runtime engine, the activation of the dashboard layer thereby providing access to a group of widgets contained by the dashboard layer, wherein at least one of the widgets in the group of widgets was not visible on the display screen prior to activation of the dashboard layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: responsive to a second trigger event, dismissing the dashboard layer, thereby removing access to the group of widgets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 2 , further comprising: responsive to the trigger event, displaying a first transitional animation for activating the dashboard layer; and responsive to a second trigger event, displaying a second transitional animation for dismissing the dashboard layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein each widget in the group is associated with a functionality performed by the widget.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 4 , further comprising, responsive to user manipulation of a selected widget, affecting a change at the selected widget related to the functionality of the selected widget.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the change at the selected widget comprises a visually observable change to the selected widget.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the change at the selected widget comprises an animation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein a selected widget is capable of being instantiated a plurality times.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein activating the dashboard layer comprises displaying the dashboard layer such that it at least partially obscures the user interface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the dashboard layer is substantially transparent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein a selected widget is three dimensional.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one widget comprises one selected from the group consisting of: a calendar widget; a calculator widget; a music player widget; an address book widget; a notes widget; a stock quote widget; a weather widget; a traffic widget; a package tracking widget; a contact manager widget; and a clock widget.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the functionality is linked to a separate application.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the functionality is not linked to a separate application.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying an animation associated with a selected widget.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the animation indicates a change at the selected widget that is related to a primary functionality of the selected widget.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one widget comprises a music player element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one widget comprises a weather element.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one widget comprises a clock element.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one widget comprises a calendar element.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: responsive to a second trigger event, hiding the dashboard layer, thereby removing access to the group of widgets; wherein at least one of the widgets in the group of widgets is not visible on the display screen after hiding the dashboard layer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the widgets is associated with an application, further comprising: in response to a second trigger event comprising a user command to launch an application associated with a selected widget, launching the application associated with the widget.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the widgets in the group of widgets can be removed from the dashboard layer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the user interface comprises a desktop, and the dashboard layer is on top of the desktop.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein the dashboard layer at least partially obscures the desktop while the dashboard layer is active.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the dashboard layer functions as an area for placement of widgets.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying a default set of widgets within the dashboard layer.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the group of widgets is not necessarily part of a single application.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the dashboard layer replaces the existing user interface display.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the dashboard layer is capable of containing widgets belonging to more than one application.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the widgets is associated with a fully functional application.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the dashboard layer is sized such that the widgets can be usably presented within the dashboard layer.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
138 words
A computer program product for presenting a dashboard layer in a computer system that includes an operating system that comprises a runtime engine that is part of the operating system and a display screen that comprises an area displaying a user interface, the computer program product comprising: a computer-readable storage medium; and computer program code encoded on the medium, for: responsive to a trigger event, activating the dashboard layer in the area displaying the user interface, the dashboard layer comprising a web view in a development environment and executed by the runtime engine, the activation of the dashboard layer thereby providing access to a group of widgets contained by the dashboard layer, wherein at least one of the widgets in the group of widgets was not visible on the display screen prior to activation of the dashboard layer.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
138 words
A computer program product for presenting a dashboard layer in a computer system that includes an operating system that comprises a runtime engine that is part of the operating system and a display screen that comprises an area displaying a user interface, the computer program product comprising: a computer-readable storage medium; and computer program code encoded on the medium, for: responsive to a trigger event, activating the dashboard layer in the area displaying the user interface, the dashboard layer comprising a web view in a development environment and executed by the runtime engine, the activation of the dashboard layer thereby providing access to a group of widgets contained by the dashboard layer, wherein at least one of the widgets in the group of widgets was not visible on the display screen prior to activation of the dashboard layer.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
41 words
The computer program product of claim 33 , wherein the computer-readable storage medium further comprises computer program code encoded on the medium for: dismissing the dashboard layer, thereby removing access to the group of widgets responsive to a second trigger event.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
55 words
The computer program product of claim 34 , wherein the computer-readable storage medium further comprises computer program code encoded on the medium for: displaying a first transitional animation for activating the dashboard layer responsive to the trigger event; and displaying a second transitional animation for dismissing the dashboard layer responsive to a second trigger event.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer program product of claim 33 , wherein each widget in the group is associated with a functionality performed by the widget.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer program product of claim 33 , wherein a selected widget is capable of being instantiated a plurality times.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer program product of claim 33 , wherein activating the dashboard layer comprises displaying the dashboard layer such that it at least partially obscures the user interface.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer program product of claim 33 , wherein the dashboard layer is substantially transparent.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer program product of claim 33 , wherein the computer-readable storage medium further comprises computer program code encoded on the medium for displaying an animation associated with a selected widget.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
65 words
The computer program product of claim 33 , wherein the computer-readable storage medium further comprises computer program code encoded on the medium for: hiding the dashboard layer, thereby removing access to the group of widgets responsive to a second trigger event; wherein at least one of the widgets in the group of widgets is not visible on the display screen after hiding the dashboard layer.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer program product of claim 33 , wherein the user interface comprises a desktop, and the dashboard layer is on top of the desktop.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer program product of claim 42 , wherein the dashboard layer at least partially obscures the desktop while dashboard layer is active.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
82 words
A computer system including a display screen comprising an area displaying a user interface, the system comprising: a computer processor; and a means for activating a unified interest layer in the area displaying the user interface responsive to a trigger event, thereby providing access to a group of widgets contained by the unified interest layer, wherein at least one of the widgets in the group of widgets was not visible on the display screen prior to activation of the unified interest layer.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
82 words
A computer system including a display screen comprising an area displaying a user interface, the system comprising: a computer processor; and a means for activating a unified interest layer in the area displaying the user interface responsive to a trigger event, thereby providing access to a group of widgets contained by the unified interest layer, wherein at least one of the widgets in the group of widgets was not visible on the display screen prior to activation of the unified interest layer.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer system of claim 44 , further comprising: a means for dismissing the unified interest layer, thereby removing access to the group of widgets responsive to a second trigger event.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
49 words
The computer system of claim 45 , further comprising: a means for displaying a first transitional animation for activating the unified interest layer responsive to the trigger event; and a means for displaying a second transitional animation for dismissing the unified interest layer responsive to a second trigger event.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer system of claim 44 , wherein each widget in the group is associated with a functionality performed by the widget.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer system of claim 44 , wherein a selected widget is capable of being instantiated a plurality times.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer system of claim 44 , wherein activating the unified interest layer comprises displaying the unified interest layer such that it at least partially obscures the user interface.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system of claim 44 , wherein the unified interest layer is substantially transparent.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer system of claim 44 , further comprising: a means for displaying an animation associated with a selected widget.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
56 words
The computer system of claim 44 , further comprising: a means for hiding the unified interest layer, thereby removing access to the group of widgets responsive to a second trigger event; wherein at least one of the widgets in the group of widgets is not visible on the display screen after hiding the unified interest layer.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer system of claim 44 , wherein the user interface comprises a desktop, and the unified interest layer is on top of the desktop.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer system of claim 44 , wherein the unified interest layer at least partially obscures the desktop while the unified interest layer is active.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2012-02-10 | 2012-08-11 | 2013-02-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2016-02-10 | 2016-08-11 | 2017-02-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2020-02-10 | 2020-08-11 | 2021-02-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |