U.S. patent application number 13/110776 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-23 for browser interface for installed applications.
This patent application is currently assigned to GOOGLE INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Aaron Boodman, Gregor Hochmuth, Nicholas Jitkoff, Erik Kay, Glen Murphy, Finnur Thorarinsson. Invention is credited to Aaron Boodman, Gregor Hochmuth, Nicholas Jitkoff, Erik Kay, Glen Murphy, Finnur Thorarinsson.
Application Number | 20150205489 13/110776 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46002201 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150205489 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Murphy; Glen ; et
al. |
July 23, 2015 |
BROWSER INTERFACE FOR INSTALLED APPLICATIONS
Abstract
A computer-implemented method includes providing a user
interface in a browser application, displaying on the user
interface one or more applications installed in the browser
application and enabling interaction with the installed
applications through the user interface in the browser
application.
Inventors: |
Murphy; Glen; (Palo Alto,
CA) ; Jitkoff; Nicholas; (Palo Alto, CA) ;
Kay; Erik; (Belmont, CA) ; Boodman; Aaron;
(San Francisco, CA) ; Hochmuth; Gregor; (San
Francisco, CA) ; Thorarinsson; Finnur; (Kopavogur,
IS) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Murphy; Glen
Jitkoff; Nicholas
Kay; Erik
Boodman; Aaron
Hochmuth; Gregor
Thorarinsson; Finnur |
Palo Alto
Palo Alto
Belmont
San Francisco
San Francisco
Kopavogur |
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA |
US
US
US
US
US
IS |
|
|
Assignee: |
GOOGLE INC.
Mountain View
CA
|
Family ID: |
46002201 |
Appl. No.: |
13/110776 |
Filed: |
May 18, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61346013 |
May 18, 2010 |
|
|
|
61345999 |
May 18, 2010 |
|
|
|
61346000 |
May 18, 2010 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
715/760 ;
715/764 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/04842 20130101;
G06F 21/57 20130101; G06F 16/95 20190101; G06F 16/9566 20190101;
G06Q 30/0609 20130101; H04L 63/0823 20130101; H04L 67/289 20130101;
H04L 67/42 20130101; G06F 8/61 20130101; H04L 67/10 20130101; H04L
67/2819 20130101; H04L 67/02 20130101; H04L 51/12 20130101; H04L
67/34 20130101; G06F 9/54 20130101; G06F 16/958 20190101; H04L
63/1483 20130101; G06F 9/44526 20130101; G06F 21/53 20130101; G06F
11/0766 20130101; H04L 67/2842 20130101; G06F 16/9577 20190101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/0484 20060101
G06F003/0484; G06F 9/445 20060101 G06F009/445 |
Claims
1. A computer-implemented method comprising: providing a user
interface in a single tab of an internet browser application;
displaying on the user interface in the single tab of the internet
browser application one or more web applications installed in the
internet browser application, wherein the installed web
applications include metadata that integrates the installed web
applications with the internet browser application and the
installed web applications include executable instructions that,
when executed, cause a launch of a selected web application for
display using the internet browser application; and enabling
interaction with the installed web applications through the user
interface in the single tab of the internet browser application
including both launching the installed web applications and
enabling control of multiple features of the installed web
applications through the user interface in the single tab of the
internet browser application.
2. (canceled)
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising
enabling selection of a launch mode for each of the installed web
applications through the user interface in the single tab of the
internet browser application.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising
enabling an option to uninstall each of the installed web
applications through the user interface in the single tab of the
internet browser application.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising
enabling control of declared permissions for each of the installed
web applications through the user interface in the single tab of
the internet browser application.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising
providing a search mechanism to search for installed web
applications through the user interface in the single tab of the
internet browser application.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising
providing a review mechanism to enable submission of a review for
each of the installed web applications through the user interface
in single tab of the internet browser application.
8. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having
recorded and stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a
processor, cause the processor to perform a method, the method
comprising: providing a user interface in a single tab of an
internet browser application; displaying on the user interface in
the single tab of the internet browser application one or more web
applications installed in the internet browser application, wherein
the installed web applications include metadata that integrates the
installed web application with the internet browser application and
the installed web applications include executable instructions
that, when executed, cause a launch of a selected web application
for display using the internet browser application; and enabling
interaction with the installed web applications through the user
interface in the single tab of the internet browser application
including both launching the installed web applications and
enabling control of multiple features of the installed web
applications through the user interface in the single tab of the
internet browser application.
9. (canceled)
10. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8 further
comprising enabling selection of a launch mode for each of the
installed web applications through the user interface in the single
tab of the internet browser application.
11. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8 further
comprising enabling an option to uninstall each of the installed
web applications through the user interface in the single tab of
the internet browser application.
12. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8 further
comprising enabling control of declared permissions for each of the
installed web applications through the user interface in the single
tab of the internet browser application.
13. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8 further
comprising providing a search mechanism to search for installed web
applications through the user interface in the single tab of the
internet browser application.
14. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8 further
comprising providing a review mechanism to enable submission of a
review for each of the installed web applications through the user
interface in the single tab of the internet browser
application.
15. An apparatus including at least one processor and instructions
stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and
executable by the at least one processor to execute an internet
browser application and thereby provide a browser interface, the
apparatus comprising: a user interface configured to display one or
more web applications installed in the internet browser application
in a single tab of the internet browser application, wherein the
installed web applications include metadata that integrates the web
applications with the internet browser application and the
installed web applications include executable instructions that,
when executed, cause a launch of a selected web application for
display using the internet browser application; and a management
module configured to cause the at least one processor to enable
interaction with the installed web applications through the user
interface in the single tab of the internet browser application
including both launching the installed web applications and
enabling control of multiple features of the installed web
applications through the user interface in the single tab of the
internet browser application.
16. (canceled)
17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the management module is
configured to enable selection of a launch mode for each of the
installed web applications through the user interface in the single
tab of the internet browser application.
18. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the management module is
configured to enable an option to uninstall each of the installed
web applications through the user interface in the single tab of
the internet browser application.
19. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the management module is
configured enable control of declared permissions for each of the
installed web applications through the user interface in the single
tab of the internet browser application.
20. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a search interface
module that is configured to providing a search mechanism to search
for installed web applications through the user interface in the
single tab of the internet browser application.
21. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the management module is
configured to provide a review mechanism to enable submission of a
review for each of the installed web applications through the user
interface in the single tab of the internet browser
application.
22. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the management module is
configured to create one or more shortcuts for each of the
installed web applications through the user interface in the single
tab of the internet browser application.
23. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein enabling
control of multiple features of the installed web applications
comprises invoking a context menu in the single tab of the internet
browser application for one of the installed web applications,
wherein the context menu includes a list of options to control the
selected installed web application.
24. The computer-implemented method of claim 23 wherein the list of
options in the context menu comprises options for selecting a
display mode for the selected installed web application.
25. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8 wherein
enabling control of multiple features of the installed web
applications comprises invoking a context menu in the single tab of
the internet browser application for one of the installed web
applications, wherein the context menu includes a list of options
to control the selected installed web application.
26. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 25 wherein the
list of options in the context menu comprises options for selecting
a display mode for the selected installed web application.
27. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein enabling control of multiple
features of the installed web applications comprises invoking a
context menu in the single tab of the internet browser application
for one of the installed web applications, wherein the context menu
includes a list of options to control the selected installed web
application.
28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the list of options in the
context menu comprises options for selecting a display mode for the
selected installed web application.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119, of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/345,999
(titled "Installable Web Applications"), U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/346,000 (titled "Web Store for Digital Goods"),
and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/346,013 (titled,
"Chrome Extensions"), all filed May 18, 2010. The disclosures of
these provisional patent applications are incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This description relates to a browser interface for
installed applications.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Browsers typically enable users to interact with and
experience many different types of content, usually over a computer
network, and often in a visual or graphical manner. For example,
users may install one or more internet browsers on a local
computing device, and may thereafter utilize the internet browser
to access content and/or functionality provided by a remote
computing device.
SUMMARY
[0004] According to one general aspect, a computer-implemented
method includes providing a user interface in a browser
application, displaying on the user interface one or more
applications installed in the browser application and enabling
interaction with the installed applications through the user
interface in the browser application.
[0005] In another general aspect, a computer-readable storage
medium has recorded and stored thereon instructions that, when
executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method,
where the method includes providing a user interface in a browser
application, displaying on the user interface one or more
applications installed in the browser application and enabling
interaction with the installed applications through the user
interface in the browser application.
[0006] In another general aspect, an apparatus includes
instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium that are
executable by at least one processor to execute a browser
application and thereby provide a browser interface, where the
apparatus includes a user interface configured to display one or
more applications installed in the browser application and a
management module configured to cause the at least one processor to
enable interaction with the installed applications through the user
interface in the browser application.
[0007] Implementations for each of the general aspects may include
one or more of the following features. For example, control of one
or more features of the installed applications may be enabled
through the user interface in the browser application. Selection of
a launch mode for each of the installed applications may be enabled
through the user interface in the browser application. An option to
uninstall each of the installed applications may be enabled through
the user interface in the browser application. Control of declared
permissions for each of the installed applications may be enabled
through the user interface in the browser application. A search
mechanism to search for installed applications may be provided
through the user interface in the browser application. A review
mechanism to enable submission of a review for each of the
installed applications may be provided through the user interface
in the browser application.
[0008] The details of one or more implementations are set forth in
the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features
will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an exemplary screen shot of a web page in a
browser application.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an exemplary screen shot of a web page and an
application management window in a browser application.
[0011] FIG. 3 is an exemplary screen shot of a web page and an
application shortcut window in a browser application.
[0012] FIG. 4 is an exemplary screen shot of a web page and an
application permissions window in a browser application.
[0013] FIG. 5 is an exemplary screen shot of a web page and a
search field in a browser application.
[0014] FIG. 6 is an exemplary screen shot of a web page and a
review field in a browser application.
[0015] FIG. 7 is an exemplary block diagram of a system.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating example operations of the
system of FIG. 7.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing example or representative
computing devices and associated elements that may be used to
implement the systems and methods of FIGS. 1-8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] This documents relates to systems and techniques for a user
interface surface integrated as part of a browser application for
interacting with and managing applications installed in the browser
application. The user interface provides an interactive interface
to organize and launch the installed applications. The user
interface also provides an interactive interface to manage
functionality of the installed applications including, for example,
launch modes, permissions, integration with the operating system,
rating and reviewing an installed application and uninstalling an
installed application. The user interface also provides a search
interface to find and launch installed applications using a search
query. In this manner, a single user interface integrated in the
browser application provides multiple control and management
features related to the applications installed in the browser
application.
[0019] Throughout this document, the terms browser and browser
application may be used interchangeably to mean the same thing.
Also throughout this document, the terms web application and web
app may be used interchangeably to refer to an application,
including metadata, that is installed in a browser application. The
terms extension application, web extension, web extension
application, extension app and extension may be used
interchangeably to refer to a bundle of files that are installed in
the browser application to add functionality to the browser
application. The term application, when used by itself without
modifiers, may be used to refer to a web application and/or an
extension application that is installed or is to be installed in
the browser application.
[0020] An extension application may be a zipped bundle of files
that adds functionality to the browser application. Extension
applications may be webpages and may use all of the application
programming interfaces (APIs) that the browser application provides
to webpages. The extension application may include hypertext
mark-up language (HTML), cascading style sheets (CSS), JavaScript,
images, and other types of files and web-related computer languages
and code.
[0021] In one exemplary implementation, an extension application
may use a background element, which is an invisible element that
may include the main logic or instructions related to the extension
application. In this manner, the background element may function as
a central hub for the functionality of the extension application.
The background element may be associated with one or more visible
elements of the extension application. Upon the launch or a
triggering event such as, for example, logging into a computer or
logging the browser application or launching the extension
application, the background element launches and begins executing
the instructions contained within the background element. In this
manner, the extension application provides quick and fast access to
content due to the fact that the background element is operating
even when the visible elements of the extension are not being
displayed. Upon invocation of a visible element of the extension,
the background element provides content and information that has
been collected in the background.
[0022] In another example, an installed application may be an
installed web application. A web application may be a normal
website that includes extra metadata that is installed as part of
the browser application. Installable web apps may use standard web
technologies for server-side and client-side code. The extra
metadata associated with the installable web application affects
the web application's interaction with the browser application. The
web application also may be associated with a background element
that is an invisible element in the browser application that
includes instructions related to one or more visible elements of
the web application in the browser application. Upon the triggering
of an event such as, for example, launching the browser application
or opening the web application, the background element may execute
the instructions on its page to perform functions related to the
one or more visible elements of the installable web
application.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary screenshot 1100 is
illustrated. The screenshot 1100 illustrates an exemplary
illustration of a browser application 1102. For example, in one
exemplary implementation, the browser application 1102 may be the
Google Chrome browser application. When a user selects to open a
new tab 1104 in the browser application 1102, a user interface 1106
may generate and display the web applications 1108 that are
installed in the browser application 1102.
[0024] For example, a user may have previously navigated the
browser application 1102 to a web store, where the web store is a
location on the Internet accessible by the browser application
where a user can download applications, such as, web applications
and extension applications that are integrated and downloadable as
part of the browser application. For instance, the Google Chrome
web store is a location on the Internet where users can download
such applications and extensions. These installable web
applications may be a normal website with some extra metadata. The
installable web application and installable web extension
applications may be built as a normal web application that uses
standard web technologies for both server-side and client-side
code. In addition to the normal web application, the installable
web applications and extensions may include extra metadata that is
associated with the application, which affects the web
application's interaction with the browser application.
[0025] In this example, the user interface 1106 displays icons for
the web applications 1108 that have been installed in the browser
application 1102. A selection of one of the icons, for example, by
a double-click of an input device or a by a touch on a touch screen
interface, causes the installed application to launch, including
opening a new tab in the browser application 1102 and directing the
new tab to a website associated with the launched application. A
selection of the icon 1109 may cause the browser application 1102
to open a new tab and to go to the Internet website for the web
store, where a user may browse and install other web applications
and extension applications.
[0026] In other exemplary implementations, the user interface 1106
may display the installed applications in other ways. For example,
the installed applications may be listed by name in a text listing.
The installed applications may be grouped or organized in some
manner using folders or other hierarchical-type interfaces.
Multiple installed applications may extend onto multiple other
pages, which may be considered part of the same user interface 1106
that just has extended onto other pages.
[0027] From this single user interface 1106, the user may interact
with the installed applications 1108 such as, for instance,
launching an installed application by selection of its icon. Also,
from this single user interface 1106, the user may mange one or
more of the functions associated with an installed application.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 2, an exemplary screenshot 2200 of the
browser application 1102 is illustrated. In this example, one of
the installed applications 1108 has been selected to manage
functions and features associated with the installed application.
In one example, a tool icon LL202 may be selected and a management
window 2204 is generated and displayed. In another example, a user
may right-click on the icon using an input device (e.g., a mouse)
to generate and display the management window 2204.
[0029] The management window 2204 is part of the user interface
1106 that enables control of functions and features related to the
installed applications. From the management window 2204, the user
may control a launch mode for the web application. For instance,
several launch mode options are provided including to open as a
regular tab, open as a pinned tab, open as a window or open full
screen. A selection of one of these launch modes controls how the
application launches each time it is selected to launch. Other
types of launch modes may be provided.
[0030] In another exemplary implementation, another launch mode may
include a panel mode. By selecting the panel mode, the application
may be launched in a small pop-up panel. In other exemplary
implementations, other features related to the launch mode or
related to the appearance and/or behavior of other features may be
controlled by the user through the user interface 1106. For
example, the behavior and/or appearance of the tab may be
controlled as it relates to the launch of a specific application
including features such as a larger icon, different tab placement,
and different grouping behavior. The behavior and/or appearance of
the window may be controlled as it relates to the launch of a
specific application including removing the browser chrome and
treating the application like a top-level application rather than a
sub-window of the browser application. In other implementations, a
launch mode may include launching the application as an invisible
background service.
[0031] The launch modes may operate in a manner that is independent
of any installed operating system. The browser application 1102 may
be configured to operate with different types of operating systems
and functionality of applications installed in the browser
application 1102 may perform in a manner independent of the
operating system.
[0032] The management window 2204 also enables a user to uninstall
2206 an installed application. If a user selects uninstall 2206,
then the installed application will be uninstalled from the browser
application 1102. To reinstall an uninstalled application, the user
may navigate to the web store and select the application to be
installed again in the browser application. In other
implementations, the user may navigate to other application hosting
providers or directly to a website for the application itself to
download and install the application.
[0033] The management window 2204 also enables a user to create a
new operating system-specific application specific shortcut 2208
(e.g., on the Windows desktop or the OS X dock) for the installed
application. If the user selects shortcut 2208, then a new shortcut
is generated.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary screen shot 3300
illustrates the exemplary browser application 1102. In this
example, the user's selection of shortcut (shortcut 2208 of FIG. 2)
generates and displays a shortcut window 3302 in the single user
interface 1106 in the browser application 1102. The shortcut window
3302 provides a point of enabling integration with the installed
operating system by allowing options to create a shortcut in one or
more locations controlled by the operating system. Shortcuts may be
created on the desktop, in the start menu and/or in the quick
launch bar. A selection of one or more of the check boxes causes a
shortcut to be installed in the selected location. A selection of
the shortcut from one of these locations launches the installed
application and browser application, if the browser application is
not already running.
[0035] In another exemplary implementation, the user interface 1106
in the browser application 1102 may provide an interface for the
user to manage permissions associated with an installed
application. Referring to FIG. 4, an exemplary screenshot 4400
illustrates the browser application 1102 with a permissions window
4402. The permissions window 4402 may be opened using the user
interface 1106 and selecting one of the installed applications
1108, as discussed above. The permissions window 4402 provides an
interface within the single user interface 1102 to enable the user
to control and manage the permissions associated with an installed
application.
[0036] The permissions may be a declaration of the access that is
desired by the web application or extension application to
device-side information, client-related information and/or
server-side information associated with the client or device. One
or more permissions may be declared and granted by the user as part
of the installation process for the application. In this manner,
developers of web applications and extension applications declare
the desired permissions and associate the declared permissions as
part of the application. This informs the user as to the access
that is potentially being requested to specific information during
the lifetime of the application while in use in the browser
application.
[0037] The permissions window 4402 allows the user to control the
declared permissions associated with an installed application.
Turning off one or more of the declared permissions may reduce and
limit the performance of the installed application.
[0038] In another exemplary implementation, the permissions window
4402 allows the user to control opt-in permissions and the declared
permissions. Opt-in permissions may be made optional to the user
whereby opting in by the user grants the application one or more
other permissions. In other exemplary implementations, the
permissions window 4402 allows the user to control only opt-in
permissions and not any declared permissions.
[0039] While the examples discussed above illustrate and describe
the control and management of installed applications on an
individual application basis, other exemplary implementations may
provide an interface through the single user interface 1106 of the
browser application 1102 to enable control of one or more features
across multiple installed applications. For example, an interface
for permissions related to multiple installed applications may
allow a user to control a specific permission or permission type
for all of the installed applications. In this manner, for
instance, the user may control a geolocation permission or a
background permission in a more global or universal manner across
multiple installed applications. Other features including the
launch mode, uninstallation feature and shortcuts may be controlled
in a similar universal manner across multiple installed
applications. For instance, an interface may enable the user to
designate multiple or all of the installed application to launch in
full screen launch mode.
[0040] The user interface 1106 also may provide a search interface
to search for and launch an installed application. Referring to
FIG. 5, an exemplary screen shot 5500 illustrates the browser
application 1102 and a search window 5502. In one exemplary
implementation, the search window 5502 may be referred to as an
omnibox search window because it searches for information from
multiple, different providers using a single search interface. For
example, the search window 5502 may enable a user to enter a query
or a partial query and results may be retrieved from multiple
sources including, for instance, a search provider, a browser
history, a desktop provider and installed application in the
browser application. The search query or partial search query may
begin to provide results as soon as the first character is entered
in the search window 5502.
[0041] For the installed applications, the characters entered into
the search window 5502 may be compared against the title of the
installed application using a string match comparison. In FIG. 5, a
user has enter the character "n" 5504 in the search window 5502. A
search result window 5506 displays a list of results. The search
result window 5506 includes an installed application 5508 in the
list of results. A selection of the installed application 5508 from
the search result window 5506 may cause the application to
launch.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 6, an exemplary screen shot 6600
illustrates the browser application 1102 and a review window 6602.
From the single user interface 1106 in the browser application
1102, a user can rate and write a review for an installed
application 1108 using the review window 6602. The review window
6602 may be opened using the user interface 1106 and selecting one
of the installed applications 1108, as discussed above. In this
manner, the user can rate and review installed applications from
this user interface instead of just at the web store website.
[0043] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a
system 7500 in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. In
various implementations, the system 7500 may include a client
computer or other computing device (e.g., smart-phone, tablet
computer, laptop, etc.) 7502 that executes an operating system
7506, and an application 7521 or window 7520. In one embodiment,
the computer may include or be connected to a graphical display
7504 (e.g., a monitor, touch-screen, etc.) and receive input, at
least in part, from a user 7590 interacting with the device
7502.
[0044] In one exemplary implementation, the device 7502 may be
running or causing the operating system 7506 to execute the
application 7521 or the window 7520. For purposes of illustration,
the application 7521 may be a browser application that includes at
least one window 7520. In various implementations, this window 7520
may include multiple panes or tabs 7522a, 7522b. The device 7502
may receive online content from one or more remote server computing
devices (not shown) that may be connected to the client device 7502
though a network 7508 such as, for example, the Internet. The
online content can be processed and displayed on the graphical
display 7504 on a tab 7522a or 7522b in the browser application
7521. In one exemplary implementation, the window 7520 may include
a user interface (e.g., user interface 1106 from FIG. 1) to
interact with the installed applications.
[0045] The user 7590 may navigate to a web store on the Internet
and download one or more web applications 7524 and/or extension
applications 7526 to install in the browser application 7521. Prior
to the installation of a web application 7524 or an extension
application 7526, the browser application 7521 presents a
notification that includes a request to confirm the installation of
the application and that includes a listing of any permissions that
are declared by the application. Upon receiving confirmation of the
installation, the application is installed and the permissions are
granted.
[0046] A memory 7532, or other non-transitory computer-readable
storage medium, may store instructions and code that are executed
by at least one processor 7530. The instructions may include any
instructions or code related to the browser application 7521 and
the process of installing applications in the browser application,
including the notification and granting of permissions associated
with the applications. The processor 7530 may execute any code or
instructions provided on any background element associated with a
web application and/or an extension application.
[0047] The browser application also may include a management module
7534. In one exemplary implementation, the management module 7534
is associated with and part of the code associated with the browser
application 7521. In other exemplary implementations, the
management module 7534 may be a separate component that interacts
with the browser application 7521.
[0048] The management module 7534 may be configured to cause the at
least one processor 7530 to generate and display a management
window (e.g., management window 2204 of FIG. 2) to enable a user to
interact with and control one or more of the features of an
installed application. The management module 7534 enables a user to
manage the features of an installed application including the
launch mode, the uninstall feature, the permissions feature, the
rating and review feature and the shortcut feature.
[0049] In one exemplary implementation, the management module 7534
interacts with the operating system 7506 to install a shortcut for
the installed application in a location controlled by the operating
system 7506. The locations may include the desktop, the start menu
and/or the quick launch bar.
[0050] The browser application also may include a search module
7536. The search module 7536 may be configured to provide a search
window (e.g., search window 5502 of FIG. 5) to enable a user to
enter a search string and to display results in a search results
window (e.g., search results window 5506 of FIG. 5). The search
module 7536 may be configured to interface with multiple providers,
where the providers may include an Internet search provider, a
browser history module and the list of installed applications in
the browser application.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 8, an exemplary process 8400 that
illustrates techniques related to the system of FIG. 7. Process
8400 includes providing a user interface in a browser application
(8410). For example, a user interface 1106 may be provided in the
browser application 1102, as discussed in detail above. One or more
applications installed in the browser application may be displayed
on the user interface (8420). For example, web application 1108 are
displayed on the user interface 1106 in the browser application
1102.
[0052] Process 8400 includes enabling interaction with the
installed applications through the user interface in the browser
application (8430). For example, the user interface 1106 provides
an interaction area in the browser application 1102 to interact
with the installed applications 1108. In this manner, an installed
application may be launched from the user interface 1106 in the
browser application 1102.
[0053] As discussed above in detail, the user interface 1106
enables control of one or more features of the installed
applications in the browser application. For example, through the
user interface 1106, a user may control the launch mode for each
installed application and declared permissions for each installed
application. Also, a user may use the user interface to uninstall
one of the installed applications and to create one or more
shortcuts for each of the installed applications.
[0054] FIG. 9 shows an example of a generic computer device 900 and
a generic mobile computer device 950, which may be used with the
techniques described here. Computing device 900 is intended to
represent various forms of digital computers, such as laptops,
desktops, workstations, personal digital assistants, servers, blade
servers, mainframes, and other appropriate computers. Computing
device 950 is intended to represent various forms of mobile
devices, such as personal digital assistants, cellular telephones,
smart phones, and other similar computing devices. The components
shown here, their connections and relationships, and their
functions, are meant to be exemplary only, and are not meant to
limit implementations of the inventions described and/or claimed in
this document.
[0055] Computing device 900 includes a processor 902, memory 904, a
storage device 906, a high-speed interface 908 connecting to memory
904 and high-speed expansion ports 910, and a low speed interface
912 connecting to low speed bus 914 and storage device 906. Each of
the components 902, 904, 906, 908, 910, and 912, are interconnected
using various busses, and may be mounted on a common motherboard or
in other manners as appropriate. The processor 902 can process
instructions for execution within the computing device 900,
including instructions stored in the memory 904 or on the storage
device 906 to display graphical information for a GUI on an
external input/output device, such as display 916 coupled to high
speed interface 908. In other implementations, multiple processors
and/or multiple buses may be used, as appropriate, along with
multiple memories and types of memory. Also, multiple computing
devices 900 may be connected, with each device providing portions
of the necessary operations (e.g., as a server bank, a group of
blade servers, or a multi-processor system).
[0056] The memory 904 stores information within the computing
device 900. In one implementation, the memory 904 is a volatile
memory unit or units. In another implementation, the memory 904 is
a non-volatile memory unit or units. The memory 904 may also be
another form of computer-readable medium, such as a magnetic or
optical disk.
[0057] The storage device 906 is capable of providing mass storage
for the computing device 900. In one implementation, the storage
device 906 may be or contain a computer-readable medium, such as a
floppy disk device, a hard disk device, an optical disk device, or
a tape device, a flash memory or other similar solid state memory
device, or an array of devices, including devices in a storage area
network or other configurations. A computer program product can be
tangibly embodied in an information carrier. The computer program
product may also contain instructions that, when executed, perform
one or more methods, such as those described above. The information
carrier is a computer- or machine-readable medium, such as the
memory 904, the storage device 906, or memory on processor 902.
[0058] The high speed controller 908 manages bandwidth-intensive
operations for the computing device 900, while the low speed
controller 912 manages lower bandwidth-intensive operations. Such
allocation of functions is exemplary only. In one implementation,
the high-speed controller 908 is coupled to memory 904, display 916
(e.g., through a graphics processor or accelerator), and to
high-speed expansion ports 910, which may accept various expansion
cards (not shown). In the implementation, low-speed controller 912
is coupled to storage device 906 and low-speed expansion port 914.
The low-speed expansion port, which may include various
communication ports (e.g., USB, Bluetooth, Ethernet, wireless
Ethernet) may be coupled to one or more input/output devices, such
as a keyboard, a pointing device, a scanner, or a networking device
such as a switch or router, e.g., through a network adapter.
[0059] The computing device 900 may be implemented in a number of
different forms, as shown in the figure. For example, it may be
implemented as a standard server 920, or multiple times in a group
of such servers. It may also be implemented as part of a rack
server system 924. In addition, it may be implemented in a personal
computer such as a laptop computer 922. Alternatively, components
from computing device 900 may be combined with other components in
a mobile device (not shown), such as device 950. Each of such
devices may contain one or more of computing device 900, 950, and
an entire system may be made up of multiple computing devices 900,
950 communicating with each other.
[0060] Computing device 950 includes a processor 952, memory 964,
an input/output device such as a display 954, a communication
interface 966, and a transceiver 968, among other components. The
device 950 may also be provided with a storage device, such as a
microdrive or other device, to provide additional storage. Each of
the components 950, 952, 964, 954, 966, and 968, are interconnected
using various buses, and several of the components may be mounted
on a common motherboard or in other manners as appropriate.
[0061] The processor 952 can execute instructions within the
computing device 950, including instructions stored in the memory
964. The processor may be implemented as a chipset of chips that
include separate and multiple analog and digital processors. The
processor may provide, for example, for coordination of the other
components of the device 950, such as control of user interfaces,
applications run by device 950, and wireless communication by
device 950.
[0062] Processor 952 may communicate with a user through control
interface 958 and display interface 956 coupled to a display 954.
The display 954 may be, for example, a TFT LCD
(Thin-Film-Transistor Liquid Crystal Display) or an OLED (Organic
Light Emitting Diode) display, or other appropriate display
technology. The display interface 956 may comprise appropriate
circuitry for driving the display 954 to present graphical and
other information to a user. The control interface 958 may receive
commands from a user and convert them for submission to the
processor 952. In addition, an external interface 962 may be
provide in communication with processor 952, so as to enable near
area communication of device 950 with other devices. External
interface 962 may provide, for example, for wired communication in
some implementations, or for wireless communication in other
implementations, and multiple interfaces may also be used.
[0063] The memory 964 stores information within the computing
device 950. The memory 964 can be implemented as one or more of a
computer-readable medium or media, a volatile memory unit or units,
or a non-volatile memory unit or units. Expansion memory 974 may
also be provided and connected to device 950 through expansion
interface 972, which may include, for example, a SIMM (Single In
Line Memory Module) card interface. Such expansion memory 974 may
provide extra storage space for device 950, or may also store
applications or other information for device 950. Specifically,
expansion memory 974 may include instructions to carry out or
supplement the processes described above, and may include secure
information also. Thus, for example, expansion memory 974 may be
provide as a security module for device 950, and may be programmed
with instructions that permit secure use of device 950. In
addition, secure applications may be provided via the SIMM cards,
along with additional information, such as placing identifying
information on the SIMM card in a non-hackable manner.
[0064] The memory may include, for example, flash memory and/or
NVRAM memory, as discussed below. In one implementation, a computer
program product is tangibly embodied in an information carrier. The
computer program product contains instructions that, when executed,
perform one or more methods, such as those described above. The
information carrier is a computer- or machine-readable medium, such
as the memory 964, expansion memory 974, or memory on processor
952, that may be received, for example, over transceiver 968 or
external interface 962.
[0065] Device 950 may communicate wirelessly through communication
interface 966, which may include digital signal processing
circuitry where necessary. Communication interface 966 may provide
for communications under various modes or protocols, such as GSM
voice calls, SMS, EMS, or MMS messaging, CDMA, TDMA, PDC, WCDMA,
CDMA2000, or GPRS, among others. Such communication may occur, for
example, through radio-frequency transceiver 968. In addition,
short-range communication may occur, such as using a Bluetooth,
WiFi, or other such transceiver (not shown). In addition, GPS
(Global Positioning System) receiver module 970 may provide
additional navigation- and location-related wireless data to device
950, which may be used as appropriate by applications running on
device 950.
[0066] Device 950 may also communicate audibly using audio codec
960, which may receive spoken information from a user and convert
it to usable digital information. Audio codec 960 may likewise
generate audible sound for a user, such as through a speaker, e.g.,
in a handset of device 950. Such sound may include sound from voice
telephone calls, may include recorded sound (e.g., voice messages,
music files, etc.) and may also include sound generated by
applications operating on device 950.
[0067] The computing device 950 may be implemented in a number of
different forms, as shown in the figure. For example, it may be
implemented as a cellular telephone 980. It may also be implemented
as part of a smart phone 982, personal digital assistant, or other
similar mobile device.
[0068] Various implementations of the systems and techniques
described here can be realized in digital electronic circuitry,
integrated circuitry, specially designed ASICs (application
specific integrated circuits), computer hardware, firmware,
software, and/or combinations thereof. These various
implementations can include implementation in one or more computer
programs that are executable and/or interpretable on a programmable
system including at least one programmable processor, which may be
special or general purpose, coupled to receive data and
instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a
storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output
device.
[0069] These computer programs (also known as programs, software,
software applications or code) include machine instructions for a
programmable processor, and can be implemented in a high-level
procedural and/or object-oriented programming language, and/or in
assembly/machine language. As used herein, the terms
"machine-readable medium" "computer-readable medium" refers to any
computer program product, apparatus and/or device (e.g., magnetic
discs, optical disks, memory, Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs))
used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable
processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives
machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term
"machine-readable signal" refers to any signal used to provide
machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor.
[0070] To provide for interaction with a user, the systems and
techniques described here can be implemented on a computer having a
display device (e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid
crystal display) monitor) for displaying information to the user
and a keyboard and a pointing device (e.g., a mouse or a trackball)
by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of
devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well;
for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of
sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or
tactile feedback); and input from the user can be received in any
form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.
[0071] The systems and techniques described here can be implemented
in a computing system that includes a back end component (e.g., as
a data server), or that includes a middleware component (e.g., an
application server), or that includes a front end component (e.g.,
a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web
browser through which a user can interact with an implementation of
the systems and techniques described here), or any combination of
such back end, middleware, or front end components. The components
of the system can be interconnected by any form or medium of
digital data communication (e.g., a communication network).
Examples of communication networks include a local area network
("LAN"), a wide area network ("WAN"), and the Internet.
[0072] The computing system can include clients and servers. A
client and server are generally remote from each other and
typically interact through a communication network. The
relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer
programs running on the respective computers and having a
client-server relationship to each other.
[0073] A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless,
it will be understood that various modifications may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0074] In addition, the logic flows depicted in the figures do not
require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve
desirable results. In addition, other steps may be provided, or
steps may be eliminated, from the described flows, and other
components may be added to, or removed from, the described systems.
Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the
following claims.
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