U.S. patent application number 15/142242 was filed with the patent office on 2016-10-06 for browser full screen view.
The applicant listed for this patent is Z124. Invention is credited to Mohammed Selim, Sanjiv Sirpal.
Application Number | 20160291920 15/142242 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47910718 |
Filed Date | 2016-10-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160291920 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sirpal; Sanjiv ; et
al. |
October 6, 2016 |
BROWSER FULL SCREEN VIEW
Abstract
Methods and devices for minimizing and maximizing display
outputs associated with applications are provided. In a preferred
embodiment, an application presented with two or more pages can be
maximized to present one of the pages on multiple screens of the
device. The page that has been maximized is presented as a single,
continuous image. The page that is dismissed can be recalled by a
user input which returns display of the application on both of the
screens, such as the first page of the application on a first
screen, and second page of the application on the second screen.
The maximized page of the application may include a web browser
page in which the user may navigate the web page on either the
first and second screens, or both the first and second screens as
desired.
Inventors: |
Sirpal; Sanjiv; (Oakville,
CA) ; Selim; Mohammed; (Oakville, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Z124 |
George Town |
|
KY |
|
|
Family ID: |
47910718 |
Appl. No.: |
15/142242 |
Filed: |
April 29, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13418120 |
Mar 12, 2012 |
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15142242 |
|
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61539884 |
Sep 27, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/04897 20130101;
G06F 3/1438 20130101; G09G 1/00 20130101; G09G 2354/00 20130101;
H04M 1/0206 20130101; G06F 3/1446 20130101; H04N 21/4316 20130101;
G06F 1/1616 20130101; G06F 3/0346 20130101; G06F 3/0488 20130101;
G09G 5/34 20130101; G06F 1/1601 20130101; G06F 3/0483 20130101;
Y10T 29/49826 20150115; G06F 3/01 20130101; G06F 3/167 20130101;
G06F 16/54 20190101; G09G 5/00 20130101; H04W 88/02 20130101; H05K
5/0017 20130101; H04W 72/06 20130101; H04W 48/18 20130101; G06F
3/0486 20130101; G06F 9/44 20130101; G06F 3/0412 20130101; G06F
3/04883 20130101; G06F 3/0487 20130101; G06F 3/0416 20130101; G06F
3/0484 20130101; G06F 3/04842 20130101; G06F 16/51 20190101; H04W
4/02 20130101; G06F 1/1647 20130101; G06F 1/1641 20130101; G06F
3/017 20130101; H04M 1/0216 20130101; Y10T 29/4984 20150115; G06F
3/041 20130101; G06F 3/04886 20130101; G06T 3/00 20130101; H04N
21/47 20130101; E05Y 2900/606 20130101; G06F 1/1677 20130101; G06F
3/048 20130101; G06F 3/0485 20130101; G06F 3/0482 20130101; Y10T
16/547 20150115; G02B 6/0001 20130101; G06F 1/1618 20130101; G06F
1/1692 20130101; G06F 9/451 20180201; H04N 5/23293 20130101; H04W
88/06 20130101; B29D 11/00673 20130101; G06F 3/00 20130101; G06F
3/1423 20130101; G06F 1/1637 20130101; G06F 1/1643 20130101; E05D
3/12 20130101; G06F 1/1649 20130101; G06F 3/0481 20130101; G06F
3/1454 20130101; H04B 1/3833 20130101; H04N 5/232933 20180801; G06F
3/04847 20130101; H04M 1/0266 20130101; G06F 3/04845 20130101; G06F
2203/04803 20130101; H04M 1/0214 20130101; G06F 3/04817 20130101;
G09G 5/14 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/14 20060101
G06F003/14; G06F 3/0488 20060101 G06F003/0488; G09G 5/14 20060101
G09G005/14; G06F 3/0483 20060101 G06F003/0483; G09G 5/373 20060101
G09G005/373; G09G 5/377 20060101 G09G005/377; G06F 3/0484 20060101
G06F003/0484; G06F 1/16 20060101 G06F001/16; G06F 3/0482 20060101
G06F003/0482 |
Claims
1-19. (canceled)
20. A method for controlling a device, comprising: providing the
device with at least one screen, wherein the at least one screen
includes a first display and a second display, wherein the at least
one display includes at least one gesture capture region;
presenting a second page of a browser application on the second
display of the device disposed adjacent the first display, wherein
the second page is a first web browser page, wherein the second
page is presented with a first overlay having two or more
user-selectable buttons; presenting a third page of the browser
application on the second display of the device disposed adjacent
the first display, wherein the third page is a second web browser
page, wherein the third page is presented with a second overlay
having two or more user-selectable buttons, wherein the third page
is inactive and behind the second page in a window stack, wherein
the window stack includes at least two portions, wherein a first
portion is associated with the first display and maintains a first
arrangement of windows for the first display, wherein the first
arrangement includes at least one inactive window not currently
displayed on the first display, wherein a second portion is
associated with the second display and maintains a second
arrangement of windows for the second display, wherein the second
arrangement includes at least one inactive window not currently
displayed on the second display, and wherein the third page is
associated with the second portion of the window stack; presenting
a first page of the browser application on the first display of the
device, wherein the first page is a control page, wherein the
control page controls operations associated with either of the
second page or third page; receiving a first input from the user,
wherein the first input includes an input to maximize the second
page of the browser application for display on both of said first
and second displays of the device, wherein the first input is
received in a user-selectable button presented with the first
overlay; in response to receiving the first input: presenting the
second page in a single continuous image on both the first and
second displays; inactivating the first page of the application
such that the first page is not displayed; and moving the first
page behind the second page in the window stack, wherein the first
page is associated with the first portion of the window stack.
21. The method of claim 20, further comprising: receiving a second
input, wherein the second input includes a second input to maximize
the third page of the browser application for display on both of
said first and second displays of the device, wherein the second
input is received in the first or second gesture capture region of
the device.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein, in response to the second
input, inactivating the second page.
23. The method of claim 20, wherein the second page has a first
portion shown on the first display, and a remaining second portion
displayed on the second display, collectively, the first and second
portions displaying a selected web browser page wherein the first
and second portions together represent the single continuous
image.
24. The method of claim 20, wherein the device is oriented such
that the first and second displays are presented in a dual portrait
state, and wherein the first input results in the display of the
second page in a portrait state filling both the first and second
displays with the single continuous image.
25. The method of claim 20, wherein a user may navigate the web
browser page from either of said first or second displays, or from
both said first and second displays when the first input is
executed by the user.
26. The method of claim 20, wherein the control page includes a
notification bar, a tab bar, at least one bookmark thumbnail view,
and an action bar.
27. The method of claim 20, wherein the first overlay includes a
notification bar, a browser tab bar, a browser canvas, and an
action bar.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the first overlay further
includes at least one of a top overlay and a bottom overlay, said
top and bottom overlays including a static display that does not
move when a user navigates a displayed web browser page.
29. The method of claim 20, wherein the maximized second page of
the application presented on both the first and second displays
includes an exit button enabling a user to selectively exit a
browser full display view and return display of the application to
a dual portrait view in which the first page of the application is
displayed on the first display, and the second page of the
application is displayed on the second display.
30. The method of claim 20, wherein the maximized second page of
the application includes a third overlay that includes at least one
of a top overlay button and a bottom overlay button, wherein
execution of the top overlay button results in a top overlay
orientation, and execution of the bottom overlay button results in
a bottom overlay orientation.
31. A device, comprising: at least one screen, including: a first
display, wherein the first display is located within a first area
of the at least one screen; a first gesture capture region located
within a second area of the at least one screen; a second display,
wherein the second display is located within a third area of the at
least one screen; a second gesture capture region located within a
fourth area of the at least one screen; a memory; a processor in
communication with the at least one screen and the memory;
application programming stored in the memory and executed by the
processor, wherein the application programming is operable to:
present a first page of an application on the first display;
present a second page of the application on the second display;
present a first overlay with the second page having two or more
user-selectable buttons; provide a position in a window stack for
an inactive third page of the application on the second display,
wherein the window stack includes at least two portions, wherein a
first portion is associated with the first display and maintains a
first arrangement of windows for the first display, wherein the
first arrangement includes at least one inactive window not
currently displayed on the first display, wherein a second portion
is associated with the second display and maintains a second
arrangement of windows for the second display, wherein the second
arrangement includes at least one inactive window not currently
displayed on the second display, and wherein the third page is
associated with the second portion of the window stack; present a
second overlay with the second page having two or more
user-selectable buttons; receive inputs entered by the user in one
of the first and/or gesture capture regions; in response to a first
input entered by the user to maximize the second page of the
application for display on both the first and second displays:
presenting the second page in a single continuous image across both
of said first and second displays; inactivating the first page of
the application such that the first page is not displayed; and
moving the first page behind the second page in the window stack,
wherein the first page is associated with the first portion of the
window stack.
32. The device of claim 31, wherein the device is oriented such
that the first and second displays are in a dual portrait state,
and wherein the first display is on the left and the second display
is on the right.
33. The device of claim 31, wherein the application programming is
further operable to receive a second input to minimize the second
page of the application to the second display, and in response to
the second input, presenting a control page on the first
display.
34. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon
computer executable instructions, the computer executable
instructions causing a processor to execute a method for
selectively presenting a browser application across one or multiple
displays of a device, the computer executable instructions
comprising: instructions to display a second page of the browser
application on a second display portion of the device, wherein the
second page is a first web browser page, wherein the second page is
presented with a first overlay having two or more user-selectable
buttons; instructions to display a first page of the browser
application on a first display portion of the device, wherein the
first page is a control page, wherein the control page controls
operations associated with the second page; in response to a first
input received from a user to maximize the second page of the
application to be displayed on both the first and second displays:
instructions to display the second page of the application on both
the first and second displays in a single continuous image;
instructions to inactivate the first page of the browser
application such that the first page is not displayed; and
instructions to move the first page behind the second page in a
window stack, wherein the window stack includes at least two
portions, wherein a first portion is associated with the first
display and maintains a first arrangement of windows for the first
display, wherein the first arrangement includes at least one
inactive window not currently displayed on the first display,
wherein a second portion is associated with the second display and
maintains a second arrangement of windows for the second display,
wherein the second page is associated with both the first portion
and the second portion of the window stack, wherein the second
arrangement includes at least one inactive window not currently
displayed on the second display, and wherein the first page is
associated with the first portion of the window stack.
35. The computer readable medium of claim 34, wherein the device
includes multiple screens, the first display portion of the device
corresponding to a first screen, and the second display portion of
the device corresponding to a second screen.
36. The computer readable medium of claim 35, wherein the first and
second screens are touch screens physically connected by a
hinge.
37. The computer readable medium of claim 35, wherein in response
to another input received from the user to minimize the second page
of the first application, displaying the first page of the
application on one of the first and second displays, and displaying
the second page of the application on the other of the first and
second displays, wherein the first page corresponds to a control
page, and the second page corresponds to a web browser page.
38. The computer readable medium of claim 35, further comprising
instructions to provide a position in the window stack for a third
page of the browser application on the second display portion of
the device, wherein the third page is a second web browser page,
wherein the third page is presented with a second overlay having
two or more user-selectable buttons.
39. The computer readable medium of claim 38, wherein the control
page also controls operations associated with the third page.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation of and claims
priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/418,120, filed Mar.
12, 2012, of the same title, which claims the benefits of and
priority, under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e), to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/539,884, filed Sep. 27, 2011, entitled
"MOBILE DEVICE;" each of which is incorporated herein by reference
in their entirety for all that they teach and for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A substantial number of handheld computing devices, such as
cellular phones, tablets, and E-Readers, make use of a touch screen
display not only to deliver display information to the user but
also to receive inputs from user interface commands. While touch
screen displays may increase the configurability of the handheld
device and provide a wide variety of user interface options, this
flexibility typically comes at a price. The dual use of the touch
screen to provide content and receive user commands, while flexible
for the user, may obfuscate the display and cause visual clutter,
thereby leading to user frustration and loss of productivity.
[0003] The small form factor of handheld computing devices requires
a careful balancing between the displayed graphics and the area
provided for receiving inputs. On the one hand, the small display
constrains the display space, which may increase the difficulty of
interpreting actions or results. On the other, a virtual keypad or
other user interface scheme is superimposed on or positioned
adjacent to an executing application, requiring the application to
be squeezed into an even smaller portion of the display.
[0004] This balancing act is particularly difficult for single
display touch screen devices. Single display touch screen devices
are crippled by their limited screen space. When users are entering
information into the device, through the single display, the
ability to interpret information in the display can be severely
hampered, particularly when a complex interaction between display
and interface is required.
SUMMARY
[0005] There is a need for a dual multi-display handheld computing
device that provides for enhanced power and/or versatility compared
to conventional single display handheld computing devices. These
and other needs are addressed by the various aspects, embodiments,
and/or configurations of the present disclosure. Also, while the
disclosure is presented in terms of exemplary embodiments, it
should be appreciated that individual aspects of the disclosure can
be separately claimed.
[0006] Additionally, it is desirable to have a multi-display device
that can selectively display pages of information in response to a
minimization operation or a maximization operation. More
particularly, an application operated in connection with a
multi-display device can present information on multiple pages. For
instance, where the multi-display device has at least two screens,
a first page of the application can be presented on the first
screen of the device, while a second page of the application can be
presented on the second screen of the device. In response to a
minimization operation, the second page of the application can
continue to be displayed, while the first page of the application
can be dismissed. Where a single page of the application is
displayed, user input in the form of a maximization command can
result in the first page of the application being presented by the
first screen, and the second page of the application being
presented by the second screen. Moreover, the presentation of the
first and second pages by the first and second screens respectively
can be made, regardless of whether the first or the second screen
was presented at the time the input from the user to maximize the
application was received, and regardless of the screen on which the
first or second page was presented. Accordingly, the application
can be controlled in connection with the operation of a
multi-display device to preferably present one of multiple pages of
output associated with the application.
[0007] In one aspect of the invention, a method for controlling a
display of a device is provided, comprising: presenting a first
page of an application on a first screen of the device wherein the
first page is a control page; presenting a second page of the
application on a second screen of the device disposed adjacent the
first screen, wherein the second page is a web browser page; and
receiving a first input from the user, wherein the first input
includes an input to maximize the second page of the application
for display on both of said first and second screens of the device,
and wherein the first page of the application is not displayed and
the second page is presented in a single continuous image on both
the first and second screens.
[0008] In another aspect of the invention, a device comprises: a
first screen, including a first touch screen display, wherein the
first touch screen display is located within a first area of the
screen, and a gesture capture region is located within a second
area of the screen; a second screen including a second touch screen
display, wherein the second touch screen display is located within
a first area of the second screen, and a second gesture capture
region is located within a second area of the second screen; a
memory; a processor; application programming stored in the memory
and executed by the processor, wherein the application programming
is operable to; (i) present a first page of an application on the
first screen, (ii) present a second page of the application on the
second screen, and (iii) receive inputs entered by the user in one
of the first and/or gesture capture regions; and in response to a
first input entered by the user to maximize the second page of the
application for display on both the first and second screens,
presenting the second page in a single continuous image across both
of said first and second screens.
[0009] In yet another aspect of the invention, a computer readable
medium is provided having stored thereon computer executable
instructions, the computer executable instructions causing a
processor to execute a method for selectively presenting an
application across one or multiple screens of a device, the
computer executable instructions comprising: instructions to
display a first page of an application on a first display portion
of the device; instructions to display a second page of the
application on a second display portion of the device; and in
response to a first input received from a user to maximize the
second page of the application to be displayed on both the first
and second screens, displaying the second page of the application
on both the first and second screens in a single continuous
image.
[0010] The phrases "at least one", "one or more", and "and/or" are
open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in
operation. For example, each of the expressions "at least one of A,
B and C", "at least one of A, B, or C", "one or more of A, B, and
C", "one or more of A, B, or C" and "A, B, and/or C" means A alone,
B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C
together, or A, B and C together.
[0011] The term "a" or "an" entity refers to one or more of that
entity. As such, the terms "a" (or "an"), "one or more" and "at
least one" can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be
noted that the terms "comprising", "including", and "having" can be
used interchangeably.
[0012] The term "automatic" and variations thereof, as used herein,
refers to any process or operation done without material human
input when the process or operation is performed. However, a
process or operation can be automatic, even though performance of
the process or operation uses material or immaterial human input,
if the input is received before performance of the process or
operation. Human input is deemed to be material if such input
influences how the process or operation will be performed. Human
input that consents to the performance of the process or operation
is not deemed to be "material".
[0013] The term "computer-readable medium" as used herein refers to
any tangible storage and/or transmission medium that participate in
providing instructions to a processor for execution. Such a medium
may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile
media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media
includes, for example, NVRAM, or magnetic or optical disks.
Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as main memory. Common
forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy
disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or any other
magnetic medium, magneto-optical medium, a CD-ROM, any other
optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium
with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, a
solid state medium like a memory card, any other memory chip or
cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any other
medium from which a computer can read. A digital file attachment to
e-mail or other self-contained information archive or set of
archives is considered a distribution medium equivalent to a
tangible storage medium. When the computer-readable media is
configured as a database, it is to be understood that the database
may be any type of database, such as relational, hierarchical,
object-oriented, and/or the like. Accordingly, the disclosure is
considered to include a tangible storage medium or distribution
medium and prior art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in
which the software implementations of the present disclosure are
stored.
[0014] The term "desktop" refers to a metaphor used to portray
systems. A desktop is generally considered a "surface" that
typically includes pictures, called icons, widgets, folders, etc.
that can activate show applications, windows, cabinets, files,
folders, documents, and other graphical items. The icons are
generally selectable to initiate a task through user interface
interaction to allow a user to execute applications or conduct
other operations.
[0015] The term "screen," "touch screen," or "touchscreen" refers
to a physical structure that includes one or more hardware
components that provide the device with the ability to render a
user interface and/or receive user input. A screen can encompass
any combination of gesture capture region, a touch sensitive
display, and/or a configurable area. The device can have one or
more physical screens embedded in the hardware. However a screen
may also include an external peripheral device that may be attached
and detached from the device. In embodiments, multiple external
devices may be attached to the device. Thus, in embodiments, the
screen can enable the user to interact with the device by touching
areas on the screen and provides information to a user through a
display. The touch screen may sense user contact in a number of
different ways, such as by a change in an electrical parameter
(e.g., resistance or capacitance), acoustic wave variations,
infrared radiation proximity detection, light variation detection,
and the like. In a resistive touch screen, for example, normally
separated conductive and resistive metallic layers in the screen
pass an electrical current. When a user touches the screen, the two
layers make contact in the contacted location, whereby a change in
electrical field is noted and the coordinates of the contacted
location calculated. In a capacitive touch screen, a capacitive
layer stores electrical charge, which is discharged to the user
upon contact with the touch screen, causing a decrease in the
charge of the capacitive layer. The decrease is measured, and the
contacted location coordinates determined. In a surface acoustic
wave touch screen, an acoustic wave is transmitted through the
screen, and the acoustic wave is disturbed by user contact. A
receiving transducer detects the user contact instance and
determines the contacted location coordinates.
[0016] The term "display" refers to a portion of one or more
screens used to display the output of a computer to a user. A
display may be a single-screen display or a multi-screen display,
referred to as a composite display. A composite display can
encompass the touch sensitive display of one or more screens. A
single physical screen can include multiple displays that are
managed as separate logical displays. Thus, different content can
be displayed on the separate displays although part of the same
physical screen.
[0017] The term "displayed image" refers to an image produced on
the display. A typical displayed image is a window or desktop. The
displayed image may occupy all or a portion of the display.
[0018] The term "display orientation" refers to the way in which a
rectangular display is oriented by a user for viewing. The two most
common types of display orientation are portrait and landscape. In
landscape mode, the display is oriented such that the width of the
display is greater than the height of the display (such as a 4:3
ratio, which is 4 units wide and 3 units tall, or a 16:9 ratio,
which is 16 units wide and 9 units tall). Stated differently, the
longer dimension of the display is oriented substantially
horizontal in landscape mode while the shorter dimension of the
display is oriented substantially vertical. In the portrait mode,
by contrast, the display is oriented such that the width of the
display is less than the height of the display. Stated differently,
the shorter dimension of the display is oriented substantially
horizontal in the portrait mode while the longer dimension of the
display is oriented substantially vertical.
[0019] The term "composite display" refers to a logical structure
that defines a display that can encompass one or more screens. A
multi-screen display can be associated with a composite display
that encompasses all the screens. The composite display can have
different display characteristics based on the various orientations
of the device.
[0020] The term "gesture" refers to a user action that expresses an
intended idea, action, meaning, result, and/or outcome. The user
action can include manipulating a device (e.g., opening or closing
a device, changing a device orientation, moving a trackball or
wheel, etc.), movement of a body part in relation to the device,
movement of an implement or tool in relation to the device, audio
inputs, etc. A gesture may be made on a device (such as on the
screen) or with the device to interact with the device.
[0021] The term "module" as used herein refers to any known or
later developed hardware, software, firmware, artificial
intelligence, fuzzy logic, or combination of hardware and software
that is capable of performing the functionality associated with
that element.
[0022] The term "gesture capture" refers to a sense or otherwise a
detection of an instance and/or type of user gesture. The gesture
capture can occur in one or more areas of the screen, A gesture
region can be on the display, where it may be referred to as a
touch sensitive display or off the display where it may be referred
to as a gesture capture area.
[0023] A "multi-screen application" or "multiple-display
application" refers to an application that is capable of multiple
modes. The multi-screen application mode can include, but is not
limited to, a single screen mode (where the application is
displayed on a single screen) or a composite display mode (where
the application is displayed on two or more screens). A
multi-screen application can have different layouts optimized for
the mode. Thus, the multi-screen application can have different
layouts for a single screen or for a composite display that can
encompass two or more screens. The different layouts may have
different screen/display dimensions and/or configurations on which
the user interfaces of the multi-screen applications can be
rendered. The different layouts allow the application to optimize
the application's user interface for the type of display, e.g.,
single screen or multiple screens. In single screen mode, the
multi-screen application may present one window pane of
information. In a composite display mode, the multi-screen
application may present multiple window panes of information or may
provide a larger and a richer presentation because there is more
space for the display contents. The multi-screen applications may
be designed to adapt dynamically to changes in the device and the
mode depending on which display (single or composite) the system
assigns to the multi-screen application. In alternative
embodiments, the user can use a gesture to request the application
transition to a different mode, and, if a display is available for
the requested mode, the device can allow the application to move to
that display and transition modes.
[0024] A "single-screen application" refers to an application that
is capable of single screen mode. Thus, the single-screen
application can produce only one window and may not be capable of
different modes or different display dimensions. A single-screen
application may not be capable of the several modes discussed with
the multi-screen application.
[0025] The term "window" refers to a, typically rectangular,
displayed image on at least part of a display that contains or
provides content different from the rest of the screen. The window
may obscure the desktop.
[0026] The terms "determine", "calculate" and "compute," and
variations thereof, as used herein, are used interchangeably and
include any type of methodology, process, mathematical operation or
technique.
[0027] It shall be understood that the term "means" as used herein
shall be given its broadest possible interpretation in accordance
with 35 U.S.C., Section 112, Paragraph 6. Accordingly, a claim
incorporating the term "means" shall cover all structures,
materials, or acts set forth herein, and all of the equivalents
thereof. Further, the structures, materials or acts and the
equivalents thereof shall include all those described in the
summary of the invention, brief description of the drawings,
detailed description, abstract, and claims themselves.
[0028] The preceding is a simplified summary of the disclosure to
provide an understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This
summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the
disclosure and its various aspects, embodiments, and/or
configurations. It is intended neither to identify key or critical
elements of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope of the
disclosure but to present selected concepts of the disclosure in a
simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description
presented below. As will be appreciated, other aspects,
embodiments, and/or configurations of the disclosure are possible
utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set
forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1A includes a first view of an embodiment of a
multi-screen user device;
[0030] FIG. 1B includes a second view of an embodiment of a
multi-screen user device;
[0031] FIG. 1C includes a third view of an embodiment of a
multi-screen user device;
[0032] FIG. 1D includes a fourth view of an embodiment of a
multi-screen user device;
[0033] FIG. 1E includes a fifth view of an embodiment of a
multi-screen user device;
[0034] FIG. 1F includes a sixth view of an embodiment of a
multi-screen user device;
[0035] FIG. 1G includes a seventh view of an embodiment of a
multi-screen user device;
[0036] FIG. 1H includes a eighth view of an embodiment of a
multi-screen user device;
[0037] FIG. 1I includes a ninth view of an embodiment of a
multi-screen user device;
[0038] FIG. 1J includes a tenth view of an embodiment of a
multi-screen user device;
[0039] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the hardware
of the device;
[0040] FIG. 3A is a block diagram of an embodiment of the state
model for the device based on the device's orientation and/or
configuration;
[0041] FIG. 3B is a table of an embodiment of the state model for
the device based on the device's orientation and/or
configuration;
[0042] FIG. 4A is a first representation of an embodiment of user
gesture received at a device;
[0043] FIG. 4B is a second representation of an embodiment of user
gesture received at a device;
[0044] FIG. 4C is a third representation of an embodiment of user
gesture received at a device;
[0045] FIG. 4D is a fourth representation of an embodiment of user
gesture received at a device;
[0046] FIG. 4E is a fifth representation of an embodiment of user
gesture received at a device;
[0047] FIG. 4F is a sixth representation of an embodiment of user
gesture received at a device;
[0048] FIG. 4G is a seventh representation of an embodiment of user
gesture received at a device;
[0049] FIG. 4H is a eighth representation of an embodiment of user
gesture received at a device;
[0050] FIG. 5A is a block diagram of an embodiment of the device
software and/or firmware;
[0051] FIG. 5B is a second block diagram of an embodiment of the
device software and/or firmware;
[0052] FIG. 6A is a first representation of an embodiment of a
device configuration generated in response to the device state;
[0053] FIG. 6B is a second representation of an embodiment of a
device configuration generated in response to the device state;
[0054] FIG. 6C is a third representation of an embodiment of a
device configuration generated in response to the device state;
[0055] FIG. 6D is a fourth representation of an embodiment of a
device configuration generated in response to the device state;
[0056] FIG. 6E is a fifth representation of an embodiment of a
device configuration generated in response to the device state;
[0057] FIG. 6F is a sixth representation of an embodiment of a
device configuration generated in response to the device state;
[0058] FIG. 6G is a seventh representation of an embodiment of a
device configuration generated in response to the device state;
[0059] FIG. 6H is a eighth representation of an embodiment of a
device configuration generated in response to the device state;
[0060] FIG. 6I is a ninth representation of an embodiment of a
device configuration generated in response to the device state;
[0061] FIG. 6J is a tenth representation of an embodiment of a
device configuration generated in response to the device state;
[0062] FIG. 7A is representation of a logical window stack;
[0063] FIG. 7B is another representation of an embodiment of a
logical window stack;
[0064] FIG. 7C is another representation of an embodiment of a
logical window stack;
[0065] FIG. 7D is another representation of an embodiment of a
logical window stack;
[0066] FIG. 7E is another representation of an embodiment of a
logical window stack;
[0067] FIG. 8 is block diagram of an embodiment of a logical data
structure for a window stack;
[0068] FIG. 9 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for
creating a window stack;
[0069] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary smartpad (SP);
[0070] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary method of associating the
smartpad with the device;
[0071] FIG. 12 illustrates a docked device with the smartpad;
[0072] FIGS. 13A-13B illustrate an exemplary method for screen
orientation;
[0073] FIG. 14 illustrates a method for displaying an application
when the SP is in a landscape mode;
[0074] FIG. 15 illustrates a method for displaying an application
when the SP is in a portrait mode;
[0075] FIG. 16 illustrates an example of a dual screen application
in portrait max mode;
[0076] FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a dual screen application
in max mode landscape;
[0077] FIG. 18 illustrates an example of keyboard management on the
SP;
[0078] FIG. 19 illustrates an example of keyboard management on the
SP with an application area in max mode;
[0079] FIG. 20 illustrates another example of keyboard management
for the SP in landscape mode;
[0080] FIG. 21 illustrates an example of a dual screen application
running in a dual screen emulation mode on the SP with a virtual
keyboard;
[0081] FIG. 22 illustrates an example of application window stack
management on the SP;
[0082] FIG. 23 illustrates another example of application window
stack management on the SP;
[0083] FIG. 24 illustrates an example of multi application mode of
the SP, wherein in the multi application mode the SP emulates the
device in its mini-tablet form;
[0084] FIG. 25 illustrates another example of multi application
mode of the SP;
[0085] FIG. 26 illustrates another example of multi application
mode of the SP;
[0086] FIG. 27 illustrates another example of multi application
mode of the SP;
[0087] FIG. 28 illustrates a method for managing screen
display;
[0088] FIG. 29 illustrates an exemplary method for managing screen
display with the desktop;
[0089] FIG. 30 illustrates an exemplary method of managing screen
display with a keyboard;
[0090] FIGS. 31A and 31B illustrate desktop management on the
SP;
[0091] FIGS. 32A and 32 B illustrate exemplary methods for desktop
panel management;
[0092] FIG. 33A is a representation of an output of a multiple
screen device in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention;
[0093] FIG. 33B is a representation of an output of the multiple
screen device illustrated in FIG. 37A, after a minimization
operation;
[0094] FIG. 34A is a representation of an output of a multiple
screen device in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention;
[0095] FIG. 34B is a representation of the output of the multiple
screen device illustrated in FIG. 38A, after a maximization
operation;
[0096] FIG. 35A is a representation of an output of a multiple
screen device in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention;
[0097] FIG. 35B is a representation of the output of the multiple
screen device illustrated in FIG. 35A, after a maximization
operation; and
[0098] FIG. 36 is a flowchart depicting aspects of a method for
minimizing and maximizing between portrait dual display and
portrait single display in accordance with embodiments of the
present invention.
[0099] FIG. 37 is a representation of an output of a multiple
screen device in accordance with yet another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0100] FIG. 38 is a representation of an output of a multiple
screen device illustrated in FIG. 37 after executing a full screen
operation in which both screens are filled with a web page
view.
[0101] In the appended figures, similar components and/or features
may have the same reference label. Further, various components of
the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label
by a letter that distinguishes among the similar components. If
only the first reference label is used in the specification, the
description is applicable to any one of the similar components
having the same first reference label irrespective of the second
reference label.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0102] Presented herein are embodiments of a device. The device can
be a communications device, such as a cellular telephone, or other
smart device. The device can include two screens that are oriented
to provide several unique display configurations. Further, the
device can receive user input in unique ways. The overall design
and functionality of the device provides for an enhanced user
experience making the device more useful and more efficient.
[0103] Mechanical Features:
[0104] FIGS. 1A-1J illustrate a device 100 in accordance with
embodiments of the present disclosure. As described in greater
detail below, device 100 can be positioned in a number of different
ways each of which provides different functionality to a user. The
device 100 is a multi-screen device that includes a primary screen
104 and a secondary screen 108, both of which are touch sensitive.
In embodiments, the entire front surface of screens 104 and 108 may
be touch sensitive and capable of receiving input by a user
touching the front surface of the screens 104 and 108. Primary
screen 104 includes touch sensitive display 110, which, in addition
to being touch sensitive, also displays information to a user.
Secondary screen 108 includes touch sensitive display 114, which
also displays information to a user. In other embodiments, screens
104 and 108 may include more than one display area.
[0105] Primary screen 104 also includes a configurable area 112
that has been configured for specific inputs when the user touches
portions of the configurable area 112. Secondary screen 108 also
includes a configurable area 116 that has been configured for
specific inputs. Areas 112a and 116a have been configured to
receive a "back" input indicating that a user would like to view
information previously displayed. Areas 112b and 116b have been
configured to receive a "menu" input indicating that the user would
like to view options from a menu. Areas 112c and 116c have been
configured to receive a "home" input indicating that the user would
like to view information associated with a "home" view. In other
embodiments, areas 112a-c and 116a-c may be configured, in addition
to the configurations described above, for other types of specific
inputs including controlling features of device 100, some
non-limiting examples including adjusting overall system power,
adjusting the volume, adjusting the brightness, adjusting the
vibration, selecting of displayed items (on either of screen 104 or
108), operating a camera, operating a microphone, and
initiating/terminating of telephone calls. Also, in some
embodiments, areas 112a-C and 116a-C may be configured for specific
inputs depending upon the application running on device 100 and/or
information displayed on touch sensitive displays 110 and/or
114.
[0106] In addition to touch sensing, primary screen 104 and
secondary screen 108 may also include areas that receive input from
a user without requiring the user to touch the display area of the
screen. For example, primary screen 104 includes gesture capture
area 120, and secondary screen 108 includes gesture capture area
124. These areas are able to receive input by recognizing gestures
made by a user without the need for the user to actually touch the
surface of the display area. In comparison to touch sensitive
displays 110 and 114, the gesture capture areas 120 and 124 are
commonly not capable of rendering a displayed image.
[0107] The two screens 104 and 108 are connected together with a
hinge 128, shown clearly in FIG. 1C (illustrating a back view of
device 100). Hinge 128, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1J, is
a center hinge that connects screens 104 and 108 so that when the
hinge is closed, screens 104 and 108 are juxtaposed (i.e.,
side-by-side) as shown in FIG. 1B (illustrating a front view of
device 100). Hinge 128 can be opened to position the two screens
104 and 108 in different relative positions to each other. As
described in greater detail below, the device 100 may have
different functionalities depending on the relative positions of
screens 104 and 108.
[0108] FIG. 1D illustrates the right side of device 100. As shown
in FIG. 1D, secondary screen 108 also includes a card slot 132 and
a port 136 on its side. Card slot 132 in embodiments, accommodates
different types of cards including a subscriber identity module
(SIM). Port 136 in embodiments is an input/output port (I/O port)
that allows device 100 to be connected to other peripheral devices,
such as a display, keyboard, or printing device. As can be
appreciated, these are merely some examples and in other
embodiments device 100 may include other slots and ports such as
slots and ports for accommodating additional memory devices and/or
for connecting other peripheral devices. Also shown in FIG. 1D is
an audio jack 140 that accommodates a tip, ring, sleeve (TRS)
connector for example to allow a user to utilize headphones or a
headset.
[0109] Device 100 also includes a number of buttons 158. For
example, FIG. 1E illustrates the left side of device 100. As shown
in FIG. 1E, the side of primary screen 104 includes three buttons
144, 148, and 152, which can be configured for specific inputs. For
example, buttons 144, 148, and 152 may be configured to, in
combination or alone, control a number of aspects of device 100.
Some non-limiting examples include overall system power, volume,
brightness, vibration, selection of displayed items (on either of
screen 104 or 108), a camera, a microphone, and
initiation/termination of telephone calls. In some embodiments,
instead of separate buttons two buttons may be combined into a
rocker button. This arrangement is useful in situations where the
buttons are configured to control features such as volume or
brightness. In addition to buttons 144, 148, and 152, device 100
also includes a button 156, shown in FIG. 1F, which illustrates the
top of device 100. In one embodiment, button 156 is configured as
an on/off button used to control overall system power to device
100. In other embodiments, button 156 is configured to, in addition
to or in lieu of controlling system power, control other aspects of
device 100. In some embodiments, one or more of the buttons 144,
148, 152, and 156 are capable of supporting different user
commands. By way of example, a normal press has a duration commonly
of less than about 1 second and resembles a quick tap. A medium
press has a duration commonly of 1 second or more but less than
about 12 seconds. A long press has a duration commonly of about 12
seconds or more. The function of the buttons is normally specific
to the application that is currently in focus on the respective
display 110 and 114. In a telephone application for instance and
depending on the particular button, a normal, medium, or long press
can mean end call, increase in call volume, decrease in call
volume, and toggle microphone mute. In a camera or video
application for instance and depending on the particular button, a
normal, medium, or long press can mean increase zoom, decrease
zoom, and take photograph or record video.
[0110] There are also a number of hardware components within device
100. As illustrated in FIG. 1C, device 100 includes a speaker 160
and a microphone 164. Device 100 also includes a camera 168 (FIG.
1B). Additionally, device 100 includes two position sensors 172A
and 172B, which are used to determine the relative positions of
screens 104 and 108. In one embodiment, position sensors 172A and
172B are Hall effect sensors. However, in other embodiments other
sensors can be used in addition to or in lieu of the Hall effect
sensors. An accelerometer 176 may also be included as part of
device 100 to determine the orientation of the device 100 and/or
the orientation of screens 104 and 108. Additional internal
hardware components that may be included in device 100 are
described below with respect to FIG. 2.
[0111] The overall design of device 100 allows it to provide
additional functionality not available in other communication
devices. Some of the functionality is based on the various
positions and orientations that device 100 can have. As shown in
FIGS. 1B-1G, device 100 can be operated in an "open" position where
screens 104 and 108 are juxtaposed. This position allows a large
display area for displaying information to a user. When position
sensors 172A and 172B determine that device 100 is in the open
position, they can generate a signal that can be used to trigger
different events such as displaying information on both screens 104
and 108. Additional events may be triggered if accelerometer 176
determines that device 100 is in a portrait position (FIG. 1B) as
opposed to a landscape position (not shown).
[0112] In addition to the open position, device 100 may also have a
"closed" position illustrated in FIG. 1H. Again, position sensors
172A and 172B can generate a signal indicating that device 100 is
in the "closed" position. This can trigger an event that results in
a change of displayed information on screen 104 and/or 108. For
example, device 100 may be programmed to stop displaying
information on one of the screens, e.g., screen 108, since a user
can only view one screen at a time when device 100 is in the
"closed" position. In other embodiments, the signal generated by
position sensors 172A and 172B, indicating that the device 100 is
in the "closed" position, can trigger device 100 to answer an
incoming telephone call. The "closed" position can also be a
preferred position for utilizing the device 100 as a mobile
phone.
[0113] Device 100 can also be used in an "easel" position which is
illustrated in FIG. 1I. In the "easel" position, screens 104 and
108 are angled with respect to each other and facing outward with
the edges of screens 104 and 108 substantially horizontal. In this
position, device 100 can be configured to display information on
both screens 104 and 108 to allow two users to simultaneously
interact with device 100. When device 100 is in the "easel"
position, sensors 172A and 172B generate a signal indicating that
the screens 104 and 108 are positioned at an angle to each other,
and the accelerometer 176 can generate a signal indicating that
device 100 has been placed so that the edge of screens 104 and 108
are substantially horizontal. The signals can then be used in
combination to generate events that trigger changes in the display
of information on screens 104 and 108.
[0114] FIG. 1J illustrates device 100 in a "modified easel"
position. In the "modified easel" position, one of screens 104 or
108 is used as a stand and is faced down on the surface of an
object such as a table. This position provides a convenient way for
information to be displayed to a user in landscape orientation.
Similar to the easel position, when device 100 is in the "modified
easel" position, position sensors 172A and 172B generate a signal
indicating that the screens 104 and 108 are positioned at an angle
to each other. The accelerometer 176 would generate a signal
indicating that device 100 has been positioned so that one of
screens 104 and 108 is faced downwardly and is substantially
horizontal. The signals can then be used to generate events that
trigger changes in the display of information of screens 104 and
108. For example, information may not be displayed on the screen
that is face down since a user cannot see the screen.
[0115] Transitional states are also possible. When the position
sensors 172A and B and/or accelerometer indicate that the screens
are being closed or folded (from open), a closing transitional
state is recognized. Conversely when the position sensors 172A and
B indicate that the screens are being opened or folded (from
closed), an opening transitional state is recognized. The closing
and opening transitional states are typically time-based, or have a
maximum time duration from a sensed starting point. Normally, no
user input is possible when one of the closing and opening states
is in effect. In this manner, incidental user contact with a screen
during the closing or opening function is not misinterpreted as
user input. In embodiments, another transitional state is possible
when the device 100 is closed. This additional transitional state
allows the display to switch from one screen 104 to the second
screen 108 when the device 100 is closed based on some user input,
e.g., a double tap on the screen 110,114.
[0116] As can be appreciated, the description of device 100 is made
for illustrative purposes only, and the embodiments are not limited
to the specific mechanical features shown in FIGS. 1A-1J and
described above. In other embodiments, device 100 may include
additional features, including one or more additional buttons,
slots, display areas, hinges, and/or locking mechanisms.
Additionally, in embodiments, the features described above may be
located in different parts of device 100 and still provide similar
functionality. Therefore, FIGS. 1A-1J and the description provided
above are nonlimiting.
[0117] Hardware Features:
[0118] FIG. 2 illustrates components of a device 100 in accordance
with embodiments of the present disclosure. In general, the device
100 includes a primary screen 104 and a secondary screen 108. While
the primary screen 104 and its components are normally enabled in
both the opened and closed positions or states, the secondary
screen 108 and its components are normally enabled in the opened
state but disabled in the closed state. However, even when in the
closed state a user or application triggered interrupt (such as in
response to a phone application or camera application operation)
can flip the active screen, or disable the primary screen 104 and
enable the secondary screen 108, by a suitable command. Each screen
104, 108 can be touch sensitive and can include different operative
areas. For example, a first operative area, within each touch
sensitive screen 104 and 108, may comprise a touch sensitive
display 110, 114. In general, the touch sensitive display 110, 114
may comprise a full color, touch sensitive display. A second area
within each touch sensitive screen 104 and 108 may comprise a
gesture capture region 120, 124. The gesture capture region 120,
124 may comprise an area or region that is outside of the touch
sensitive display 110, 114 area, and that is capable of receiving
input, for example in the form of gestures provided by a user.
However, the gesture capture region 120, 124 does not include
pixels that can perform a display function or capability.
[0119] A third region of the touch sensitive screens 104 and 108
may comprise a configurable area 112, 116. The configurable area
112, 116 is capable of receiving input and has display or limited
display capabilities. In embodiments, the configurable area 112,
116 may present different input options to the user. For example,
the configurable area 112, 116 may display buttons or other
relatable items. Moreover, the identity of displayed buttons, or
whether any buttons are displayed at all within the configurable
area 112, 116 of a touch sensitive screen 104 or 108, may be
determined from the context in which the device 100 is used and/or
operated. In an exemplary embodiment, the touch sensitive screens
104 and 108 comprise liquid crystal display devices extending
across at least those regions of the touch sensitive screens 104
and 108 that are capable of providing visual output to a user, and
a capacitive input matrix over those regions of the touch sensitive
screens 104 and 108 that are capable of receiving input from the
user.
[0120] One or more display controllers 216a, 216b may be provided
for controlling the operation of the touch sensitive screens 104
and 108, including input (touch sensing) and output (display)
functions. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, a
separate touch screen controller 216a or 216b is provided for each
touch screen 104 and 108. In accordance with alternate embodiments,
a common or shared touch screen controller 216 may be used to
control each of the included touch sensitive screens 104 and 108.
In accordance with still other embodiments, the functions of a
touch screen controller 216 may be incorporated into other
components, such as a processor 204.
[0121] The processor 204 may comprise a general purpose
programmable processor or controller for executing application
programming or instructions. In accordance with at least some
embodiments, the processor 204 may include multiple processor
cores, and/or implement multiple virtual processors. In accordance
with still other embodiments, the processor 204 may include
multiple physical processors. As a particular example, the
processor 204 may comprise a specially configured application
specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or other integrated circuit, a
digital signal processor, a controller, a hardwired electronic or
logic circuit, a programmable logic device or gate array, a special
purpose computer, or the like. The processor 204 generally
functions to run programming code or instructions implementing
various functions of the device 100.
[0122] A communication device 100 may also include memory 208 for
use in connection with the execution of application programming or
instructions by the processor 204, and for the temporary or long
term storage of program instructions and/or data. As examples, the
memory 208 may comprise RAM, DRAM, SDRAM, or other solid state
memory. Alternatively or in addition, data storage 212 may be
provided. Like the memory 208, the data storage 212 may comprise a
solid state memory device or devices. Alternatively or in addition,
the data storage 212 may comprise a hard disk drive or other random
access memory.
[0123] In support of communications functions or capabilities, the
device 100 can include a cellular telephony module 228. As
examples, the cellular telephony module 228 can comprise a GSM,
CDMA, FDMA and/or analog cellular telephony transceiver capable of
supporting voice, multimedia and/or data transfers over a cellular
network. Alternatively or in addition, the device 100 can include
an additional or other wireless communications module 232. As
examples, the other wireless communications module 232 can comprise
a Wi-Fi, BLUETOOTH.TM., WiMax, infrared, or other wireless
communications link. The cellular telephony module 228 and the
other wireless communications module 232 can each be associated
with a shared or a dedicated antenna 224.
[0124] A port interface 252 may be included. The port interface 252
may include proprietary or universal ports to support the
interconnection of the device 100 to other devices or components,
such as a dock, which may or may not include additional or
different capabilities from those integral to the device 100. In
addition to supporting an exchange of communication signals between
the device 100 and another device or component, the docking port
136 and/or port interface 252 can support the supply of power to or
from the device 100. The port interface 252 also comprises an
intelligent element that comprises a docking module for controlling
communications or other interactions between the device 100 and a
connected device or component.
[0125] An input/output module 248 and associated ports may be
included to support communications over wired networks or links,
for example with other communication devices, server devices,
and/or peripheral devices. Examples of an input/output module 248
include an Ethernet port, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port,
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394, or
other interface.
[0126] An audio input/output interface/device(s) 244 can be
included to provide analog audio to an interconnected speaker or
other device, and to receive analog audio input from a connected
microphone or other device. As an example, the audio input/output
interface/device(s) 244 may comprise an associated amplifier and
analog to digital converter. Alternatively or in addition, the
device 100 can include an integrated audio input/output device 256
and/or an audio jack for interconnecting an external speaker or
microphone. For example, an integrated speaker and an integrated
microphone can be provided, to support near talk or speaker phone
operations.
[0127] Hardware buttons 158 can be included for example for use in
connection with certain control operations. Examples include a
master power switch, volume control, etc., as described in
conjunction with FIGS. 1A through 1J. One or more image capture
interfaces/devices 240, such as a camera, can be included for
capturing still and/or video images. Alternatively or in addition,
an image capture interface/device 240 can include a scanner or code
reader. An image capture interface/device 240 can include or be
associated with additional elements, such as a flash or other light
source.
[0128] The device 100 can also include a global positioning system
(GPS) receiver 236. In accordance with embodiments of the present
invention, the GPS receiver 236 may further comprise a GPS module
that is capable of providing absolute location information to other
components of the device 100. An accelerometer(s) 176 may also be
included. For example, in connection with the display of
information to a user and/or other functions, a signal from the
accelerometer 176 can be used to determine an orientation and/or
format in which to display that information to the user.
[0129] Embodiments of the present invention can also include one or
more position sensor(s) 172. The position sensor 172 can provide a
signal indicating the position of the touch sensitive screens 104
and 108 relative to one another. This information can be provided
as an input, for example to a user interface application, to
determine an operating mode, characteristics of the touch sensitive
displays 110, 114, and/or other device 100 operations. As examples,
a screen position sensor 172 can comprise a series of Hall effect
sensors, a multiple position switch, an optical switch, a
Wheatstone bridge, a potentiometer, or other arrangement capable of
providing a signal indicating of multiple relative positions the
touch screens are in.
[0130] Communications between various components of the device 100
can be carried by one or more buses 222. In addition, power can be
supplied to the components of the device 100 from a power source
and/or power control module 260. The power control module 260 can,
for example, include a battery, an AC to DC converter, power
control logic, and/or ports for interconnecting the device 100 to
an external source of power.
[0131] Device State:
[0132] FIGS. 3A and 3B represent illustrative states of device 100.
While a number of illustrative states are shown, and transitions
from a first state to a second state, it is to be appreciated that
the illustrative state diagram may not encompass all possible
states and/or all possible transitions from a first state to a
second state. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the various arrows between
the states (illustrated by the state represented in the circle)
represent a physical change that occurs to the device 100, that is
detected by one or more of hardware and software, the detection
triggering one or more of a hardware and/or software interrupt that
is used to control and/or manage one or more functions of device
100.
[0133] As illustrated in FIG. 3A, there are twelve exemplary
"physical" states: closed 304, transition 308 (or opening
transitional state), easel 312, modified easel 316, open 320,
inbound/outbound call or communication 324, image/video capture
328, transition 332 (or closing transitional state), landscape 340,
docked 336, docked 344 and landscape 348. Next to each illustrative
state is a representation of the physical state of the device 100
with the exception of states 324 and 328, where the state is
generally symbolized by the international icon for a telephone and
the icon for a camera, respectfully.
[0134] In state 304, the device is in a closed state with the
device 100 generally oriented in the portrait direction with the
primary screen 104 and the secondary screen 108 back-to-back in
different planes (see FIG. 1H). From the closed state, the device
100 can enter, for example, docked state 336, where the device 100
is coupled with a docking station, docking cable, or in general
docked or associated with one or more other devices or peripherals,
or the landscape state 340, where the device 100 is generally
oriented with the primary screen 104 facing the user, and the
primary screen 104 and the secondary screen 108 being
back-to-back.
[0135] In the closed state, the device can also move to a
transitional state where the device remains closed by the display
is moved from one screen 104 to another screen 108 based on a user
input, e.g., a double tap on the screen 110, 114. Still another
embodiment includes a bilateral state. In the bilateral state, the
device remains closed, but a single application displays at least
one window on both the first display 110 and the second display
114. The windows shown on the first and second display 110, 114 may
be the same or different based on the application and the state of
that application. For example, while acquiring an image with a
camera, the device may display the view finder on the first display
110 and displays a preview for the photo subjects (full screen and
mirrored left-to-right) on the second display 114.
[0136] In state 308, a transition state from the closed state 304
to the semi-open state or easel state 312, the device 100 is shown
opening with the primary screen 104 and the secondary screen 108
being rotated around a point of axis coincidence with the hinge.
Upon entering the easel state 312, the primary screen 104 and the
secondary screen 108 are separated from one another such that, for
example, the device 100 can sit in an easel-like configuration on a
surface.
[0137] In state 316, known as the modified easel position, the
device 100 has the primary screen 104 and the secondary screen 108
in a similar relative relationship to one another as in the easel
state 312, with the difference being one of the primary screen 104
or the secondary screen 108 are placed on a surface as shown.
[0138] State 320 is the open state where the primary screen 104 and
the secondary screen 108 are generally on the same plane. From the
open state, the device 100 can transition to the docked state 344
or the open landscape state 348. In the open state 320, the primary
screen 104 and the secondary screen 108 are generally in the
portrait-like orientation while in landscaped state 348 the primary
screen 104 and the secondary screen 108 are generally in a
landscape-like orientation.
[0139] State 324 is illustrative of a communication state, such as
when an inbound or outbound call is being received or placed,
respectively, by the device 100. While not illustrated for clarity,
it should be appreciated the device 100 can transition to the
inbound/outbound call state 324 from any state illustrated in FIG.
3. In a similar manner, the image/video capture state 328 can be
entered into from any other state in FIG. 3, with the image/video
capture state 328 allowing the device 100 to take one or more
images via a camera and/or videos with a video capture device
240.
[0140] Transition state 322 illustratively shows primary screen 104
and the secondary screen 108 being closed upon one another for
entry into, for example, the closed state 304.
[0141] FIG. 3B illustrates, with reference to the key, the inputs
that are received to detect a transition from a first state to a
second state. In FIG. 3B, various combinations of states are shown
with in general, a portion of the columns being directed toward a
portrait state 352, a landscape state 356, and a portion of the
rows being directed to portrait state 360 and landscape state
364.
[0142] In FIG. 3B, the Key indicates that "H" represents an input
from one or more Hall Effect sensors, "A" represents an input from
one or more accelerometers, "T" represents an input from a timer,
"P" represents a communications trigger input and "I" represents an
image and/or video capture request input. Thus, in the center
portion 376 of the chart, an input, or combination of inputs, are
shown that represent how the device 100 detects a transition from a
first physical state to a second physical state.
[0143] As discussed, in the center portion of the chart 376, the
inputs that are received enable the detection of a transition from,
for example, a portrait open state to a landscape easel
state--shown in bold--"HAT." For this exemplary transition from the
portrait open to the landscape easel state, a Hall Effect sensor
("H"), an accelerometer ("A") and a timer ("T") input may be
needed. The timer input can be derived from, for example, a clock
associated with the processor.
[0144] In addition to the portrait and landscape states, a docked
state 368 is also shown that is triggered based on the receipt of a
docking signal 372. As discussed above and in relation to FIG. 3,
the docking signal can be triggered by the association of the
device 100 with one or more other device 100s, accessories,
peripherals, smart docks, or the like.
[0145] User Interaction:
[0146] FIGS. 4A through 4H depict various graphical representations
of gesture inputs that may be recognized by the screens 104, 108.
The gestures may be performed not only by a user's body part, such
as a digit, but also by other devices, such as a stylus, that may
be sensed by the contact sensing portion(s) of a screen 104, 108.
In general, gestures are interpreted differently, based on where
the gestures are performed (either directly on the display 110, 114
or in the gesture capture region 120, 124). For example, gestures
in the display 110,114 may be directed to a desktop or application,
and gestures in the gesture capture region 120, 124 may be
interpreted as for the system.
[0147] With reference to FIGS. 4A-4H, a first type of gesture, a
touch gesture 420, is substantially stationary on the screen
104,108 for a selected length of time. A circle 428 represents a
touch or other contact type received at particular location of a
contact sensing portion of the screen. The circle 428 may include a
border 432, the thickness of which indicates a length of time that
the contact is held substantially stationary at the contact
location. For instance, a tap 420 (or short press) has a thinner
border 432a than the border 432b for a long press 424 (or for a
normal press). The long press 424 may involve a contact that
remains substantially stationary on the screen for longer time
period than that of a tap 420. As will be appreciated, differently
defined gestures may be registered depending upon the length of
time that the touch remains stationary prior to contact cessation
or movement on the screen.
[0148] With reference to FIG. 4C, a drag gesture 400 on the screen
104,108 is an initial contact (represented by circle 428) with
contact movement 436 in a selected direction. The initial contact
428 may remain stationary on the screen 104,108 for a certain
amount of time represented by the border 432. The drag gesture
typically requires the user to contact an icon, window, or other
displayed image at a first location followed by movement of the
contact in a drag direction to a new second location desired for
the selected displayed image. The contact movement need not be in a
straight line but have any path of movement so long as the contact
is substantially continuous from the first to the second
locations.
[0149] With reference to FIG. 4D, a flick gesture 404 on the screen
104,108 is an initial contact (represented by circle 428) with
truncated contact movement 436 (relative to a drag gesture) in a
selected direction. In embodiments, a flick has a higher exit
velocity for the last movement in the gesture compared to the drag
gesture. The flick gesture can, for instance, be a finger snap
following initial contact. Compared to a drag gesture, a flick
gesture generally does not require continual contact with the
screen 104,108 from the first location of a displayed image to a
predetermined second location. The contacted displayed image is
moved by the flick gesture in the direction of the flick gesture to
the predetermined second location. Although both gestures commonly
can move a displayed image from a first location to a second
location, the temporal duration and distance of travel of the
contact on the screen is generally less for a flick than for a drag
gesture.
[0150] With reference to FIG. 4E, a pinch gesture 408 on the screen
104,108 is depicted. The pinch gesture 408 may be initiated by a
first contact 428a to the screen 104,108 by, for example, a first
digit and a second contact 428b to the screen 104,108 by, for
example, a second digit. The first and second contacts 428a,b may
be detected by a common contact sensing portion of a common screen
104,108, by different contact sensing portions of a common screen
104 or 108, or by different contact sensing portions of different
screens. The first contact 428a is held for a first amount of time,
as represented by the border 432a, and the second contact 428b is
held for a second amount of time, as represented by the border
432b. The first and second amounts of time are generally
substantially the same, and the first and second contacts 428 a, b
generally occur substantially simultaneously. The first and second
contacts 428 a, b generally also include corresponding first and
second contact movements 436 a, b, respectively. The first and
second contact movements 436 a, b are generally in opposing
directions. Stated another way, the first contact movement 436a is
towards the second contact 436b, and the second contact movement
436b is towards the first contact 436a. More simply stated, the
pinch gesture 408 may be accomplished by a user's digits touching
the screen 104,108 in a pinching motion.
[0151] With reference to FIG. 4F, a spread gesture 410 on the
screen 104,108 is depicted. The spread gesture 410 may be initiated
by a first contact 428a to the screen 104,108 by, for example, a
first digit and a second contact 428b to the screen 104,108 by, for
example, a second digit. The first and second contacts 428a,b may
be detected by a common contact sensing portion of a common screen
104,108, by different contact sensing portions of a common screen
104,108, or by different contact sensing portions of different
screens. The first contact 428a is held for a first amount of time,
as represented by the border 432a, and the second contact 428b is
held for a second amount of time, as represented by the border
432b. The first and second amounts of time are generally
substantially the same, and the first and second contacts 428 a, b
generally occur substantially simultaneously. The first and second
contacts 428 a, b generally also include corresponding first and
second contact movements 436a, b, respectively. The first and
second contact movements 436 a, b are generally in a common
direction. Stated another way, the first and second contact
movements 436 a, b are away from the first and second contacts
428a, b. More simply stated, the spread gesture 410 may be
accomplished by a user's digits touching the screen 104,108 in a
spreading motion.
[0152] The above gestures may be combined in any manner, such as
those shown by FIGS. 4G and 4H, to produce a determined functional
result. For example, in FIG. 4G a tap gesture 420 is combined with
a drag or flick gesture 412 in a direction away from the tap
gesture 420. In FIG. 4H, a tap gesture 420 is combined with a drag
or flick gesture 412 in a direction towards the tap gesture
420.
[0153] The functional result of receiving a gesture can vary
depending on a number of factors, including a state of the device
100, display 110, 114, or screen 104, 108, a context associated
with the gesture, or sensed location of the gesture. The state of
the device commonly refers to one or more of a configuration of the
device 100, a display orientation, and user and other inputs
received by the device 100. Context commonly refers to one or more
of the particular application(s) selected by the gesture and the
portion(s) of the application currently executing, whether the
application is a single- or multi-screen application, and whether
the application is a multi-screen application displaying one or
more windows in one or more screens or in one or more stacks.
Sensed location of the gesture commonly refers to whether the
sensed set(s) of gesture location coordinates are on a touch
sensitive display 110, 114 or a gesture capture region 120, 124,
whether the sensed set(s) of gesture location coordinates are
associated with a common or different display or screen 104,108,
and/or what portion of the gesture capture region contains the
sensed set(s) of gesture location coordinates.
[0154] A tap, when received by an a touch sensitive display 110,
114, can be used, for instance, to select an icon to initiate or
terminate execution of a corresponding application, to maximize or
minimize a window, to reorder windows in a stack, and to provide
user input such as by keyboard display or other displayed image. A
drag, when received by a touch sensitive display 110, 114, can be
used, for instance, to relocate an icon or window to a desired
location within a display, to reorder a stack on a display, or to
span both displays (such that the selected window occupies a
portion of each display simultaneously). A flick, when received by
a touch sensitive display 110, 114 or a gesture capture region 120,
124, can be used to relocate a window from a first display to a
second display or to span both displays (such that the selected
window occupies a portion of each display simultaneously). Unlike
the drag gesture, however, the flick gesture is generally not used
to move the displayed image to a specific user-selected location
but to a default location that is not configurable by the user.
[0155] The pinch gesture, when received by a touch sensitive
display 110, 114 or a gesture capture region 120, 124, can be used
to minimize or otherwise increase the displayed area or size of a
window (typically when received entirely by a common display), to
switch windows displayed at the top of the stack on each display to
the top of the stack of the other display (typically when received
by different displays or screens), or to display an application
manager (a "pop-up window" that displays the windows in the stack).
The spread gesture, when received by a touch sensitive display 110,
114 or a gesture capture region 120, 124, can be used to maximize
or otherwise decrease the displayed area or size of a window, to
switch windows displayed at the top of the stack on each display to
the top of the stack of the other display (typically when received
by different displays or screens), or to display an application
manager (typically when received by an off-screen gesture capture
region on the same or different screens).
[0156] The combined gestures of FIG. 4G, when received by a common
display capture region in a common display or screen 104,108, can
be used to hold a first window stack location in a first stack
constant for a display receiving the gesture while reordering a
second window stack location in a second window stack to include a
window in the display receiving the gesture. The combined gestures
of FIG. 4H, when received by different display capture regions in a
common display or screen 104,108 or in different displays or
screens, can be used to hold a first window stack location in a
first window stack constant for a display receiving the tap part of
the gesture while reordering a second window stack location in a
second window stack to include a window in the display receiving
the flick or drag gesture. Although specific gestures and gesture
capture regions in the preceding examples have been associated with
corresponding sets of functional results, it is to be appreciated
that these associations can be redefined in any manner to produce
differing associations between gestures and/or gesture capture
regions and/or functional results.
[0157] Firmware and Software:
[0158] With reference to FIG. 5, the memory 508 may store and the
processor 504 may execute one or more software components. These
components can include at least one operating system (OS) 516, an
application manager 562, a desktop 566, and/or one or more
applications 564a and/or 564b from an application store 560. The OS
516 can include a framework 520, one or more frame buffers 548, one
or more drivers 512, previously described in conjunction with FIG.
2, and/or a kernel 518. The OS 516 can be any software, consisting
of programs and data, which manages computer hardware resources and
provides common services for the execution of various applications
564. The OS 516 can be any operating system and, at least in some
embodiments, dedicated to mobile devices, including, but not
limited to, Linux, ANDROID.TM., iPhone OS (IOS.TM.), WINDOWS PHONE
7.TM., etc. The OS 516 is operable to provide functionality to the
phone by executing one or more operations, as described herein.
[0159] The applications 564 can be any higher level software that
executes particular functionality for the user. Applications 564
can include programs such as email clients, web browsers, texting
applications, games, media players, office suites, etc. The
applications 564 can be stored in an application store 560, which
may represent any memory or data storage, and the management
software associated therewith, for storing the applications 564.
Once executed, the applications 564 may be run in a different area
of memory 508.
[0160] The framework 520 may be any software or data that allows
the multiple tasks running on the device to interact. In
embodiments, at least portions of the framework 520 and the
discrete components described hereinafter may be considered part of
the OS 516 or an application 564. However, these portions will be
described as part of the framework 520, but those components are
not so limited. The framework 520 can include, but is not limited
to, a Multi-Display Management (MDM) module 524, a Surface Cache
module 528, a Window Management module 532, an Input Management
module 536, a Task Management module 540, an Application Model
Manager 542, a Display Controller, one or more frame buffers 548, a
task stack 552, one or more window stacks 550 (which is a logical
arrangement of windows and/or desktops in a display area), and/or
an event buffer 556.
[0161] The MDM module 524 includes one or more modules that are
operable to manage the display of applications or other data on the
screens of the device. An embodiment of the MDM module 524 is
described in conjunction with FIG. 5B. In embodiments, the MDM
module 524 receives inputs from the other OS 516 components, such
as, the drivers 512, and from the applications 564 to determine
continually the state of the device 100. The inputs assist the MDM
module 524 in determining how to configure and allocate the
displays according to the application's preferences and
requirements, and the user's actions. Once a determination for
display configurations is made, the MDM module 524 can bind the
applications 564 to a display. The configuration may then be
provided to one or more other components to generate a window with
a display.
[0162] The Surface Cache module 528 includes any memory or storage
and the software associated therewith to store or cache one or more
images of windows. A series of active and/or non-active windows (or
other display objects, such as, a desktop display) can be
associated with each display. An active window (or other display
object) is currently displayed. A non-active windows (or other
display objects) were opened and, at some time, displayed but are
now not displayed. To enhance the user experience, before a window
transitions from an active state to an inactive state, a "screen
shot" of a last generated image of the window (or other display
object) can be stored. The Surface Cache module 528 may be operable
to store a bitmap of the last active image of a window (or other
display object) not currently displayed. Thus, the Surface Cache
module 528 stores the images of non-active windows (or other
display objects) in a data store.
[0163] In embodiments, the Window Management module 532 is operable
to manage the windows (or other display objects) that are active or
not active on each of the displays. The Window Management module
532, based on information from the MDM module 524, the OS 516, or
other components, determines when a window (or other display
object) is visible or not active. The Window Management module 532
may then put a non-visible window (or other display object) in a
"not active state" and, in conjunction with the Task Management
module Task Management 540 suspends the application's operation.
Further, the Window Management module 532 may assign, through
collaborative interaction with the MDM module 524, a display
identifier to the window (or other display object) or manage one or
more other items of data associated with the window (or other
display object). The Window Management module 532 may also provide
the stored information to the application 564, the Task Management
module 540, or other components interacting with or associated with
the window (or other display object). The Window Management module
532 can also associate an input task with a window based on window
focus and display coordinates within the motion space.
[0164] The Input Management module 536 is operable to manage events
that occur with the device. An event is any input into the window
environment, for example, a user interface interactions with a
user. The Input Management module 536 receives the events and
logically stores the events in an event buffer 556. Events can
include such user interface interactions as a "down event," which
occurs when a screen 104, 108 receives a touch signal from a user,
a "move event," which occurs when the screen 104, 108 determines
that a user's finger is moving across a screen(s), an "up event,
which occurs when the screen 104, 108 determines that the user has
stopped touching the screen 104, 108, etc. These events are
received, stored, and forwarded to other modules by the Input
Management module 536. The Input Management module 536 may also map
screen inputs to a motion space which is the culmination of all
physical and virtual display available on the device.
[0165] The motion space is a virtualized space that includes all
touch sensitive displays 110,114 "tiled" together to mimic the
physical dimensions of the device 100. For example, when the device
100 is unfolded, the motion space size may be 960.times.800, which
may be the number of pixels in the combined display area for both
touch sensitive displays 110, 114. If a user touches on a first
touch sensitive display 110 on location (40, 40), a full screen
window can receive touch event with location (40, 40). If a user
touches on a second touch sensitive display 114, with location (40,
40), the full screen window can receive touch event with location
(520, 40), because the second touch sensitive display 114 is on the
right side of the first touch sensitive display 110, so the device
100 can offset the touch by the first touch sensitive display's 110
width, which is 480 pixels. When a hardware event occurs with
location info from a driver 512, the framework 520 can up-scale the
physical location to the motion space because the location of the
event may be different based on the device orientation and state.
The motion space may be as described in U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 13/187,026, filed Jul. 20, 2011, entitled "Systems and
Methods for Receiving Gesture Inputs Spanning Multiple Input
Devices," which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety
for all that it teaches and for all purposes.
[0166] A task can be an application and a sub-task can be an
application component that provides a window with which users can
interact to do something, such as dial the phone, take a photo,
send an email, or view a map. Each task may be given a window in
which to draw a user interface. The window typically fills a
display (for example, touch sensitive display 110,114), but may be
smaller than the display 110,114 and float on top of other windows.
An application usually consists of multiple sub-tasks that are
loosely bound to each other. Typically, one task in an application
is specified as the "main" task, which is presented to the user
when launching the application for the first time. Each task can
then start another task or sub-task to perform different
actions.
[0167] The Task Management module 540 is operable to manage the
operation of one or more applications 564 that may be executed by
the device. Thus, the Task Management module 540 can receive
signals to launch, suspend, terminate, etc. an application or
application sub-tasks stored in the application store 560. The Task
Management module 540 may then instantiate one or more tasks or
sub-tasks of the application 564 to begin operation of the
application 564. Further, the Task Management Module 540 may
launch, suspend, or terminate a task or sub-task as a result of
user input or as a result of a signal from a collaborating
framework 520 component. The Task Management Module 540 is
responsible for managing the lifecycle of applications (tasks and
sub-task) from when the application is launched to when the
application is terminated.
[0168] The processing of the Task Management Module 540 is
facilitated by a task stack 552, which is a logical structure
associated with the Task Management Module 540. The task stack 552
maintains the state of all tasks and sub-tasks on the device 100.
When some component of the operating system 516 requires a task or
sub-task to transition in its lifecycle, the OS 516 component can
notify the Task Management Module 540. The Task Management Module
540 may then locate the task or sub-task, using identification
information, in the task stack 552, and send a signal to the task
or sub-task indicating what kind of lifecycle transition the task
needs to execute. Informing the task or sub-task of the transition
allows the task or sub-task to prepare for the lifecycle state
transition. The Task Management Module 540 can then execute the
state transition for the task or sub-task. In embodiments, the
state transition may entail triggering the OS kernel 518 to
terminate the task when termination is required.
[0169] Further, the Task Management module 540 may suspend the
application 564 based on information from the Window Management
Module 532. Suspending the application 564 may maintain application
data in memory but may limit or stop the application 564 from
rendering a window or user interface. Once the application becomes
active again, the Task Management module 540 can again trigger the
application to render its user interface. In embodiments, if a task
is suspended, the task may save the task's state in case the task
is terminated. In the suspended state, the application task may not
receive input because the application window is not visible to the
user.
[0170] The frame buffer 548 is a logical structure(s) used to
render the user interface. The frame buffer 548 can be created and
destroyed by the OS kernel 518. However, the Display Controller 544
can write the image data, for the visible windows, into the frame
buffer 548. A frame buffer 548 can be associated with one screen or
multiple screens. The association of a frame buffer 548 with a
screen can be controlled dynamically by interaction with the OS
kernel 518. A composite display may be created by associating
multiple screens with a single frame buffer 548. Graphical data
used to render an application's window user interface may then be
written to the single frame buffer 548, for the composite display,
which is output to the multiple screens 104,108. The Display
Controller 544 can direct an application's user interface to a
portion of the frame buffer 548 that is mapped to a particular
display 110,114, thus, displaying the user interface on only one
screen 104 or 108. The Display Controller 544 can extend the
control over user interfaces to multiple applications, controlling
the user interfaces for as many displays as are associated with a
frame buffer 548 or a portion thereof. This approach compensates
for the multiple physical screens 104,108 that are in use by the
software component above the Display Controller 544.
[0171] The Application Manager 562 is an application that provides
a presentation layer for the window environment. Thus, the
Application Manager 562 provides the graphical model for rendering
by the Task Management Module 540. Likewise, the Desktop 566
provides the presentation layer for the Application Store 560.
Thus, the desktop provides a graphical model of a surface having
selectable application icons for the Applications 564 in the
Application Store 560 that can be provided to the Window Management
Module 556 for rendering.
[0172] Further, the framework can include an Application Model
Manager (AMM) 542. The Application Manager 562 may interface with
the AMM 542. In embodiments, the AMM 542 receives state change
information from the device 100 regarding the state of applications
(which are running or suspended). The AMM 542 can associate bit map
images from the Surface Cache Module 528 to the tasks that are
alive (running or suspended). Further, the AMM 542 can convert the
logical window stack maintained in the Task Manager Module 540 to a
linear ("film strip" or "deck of cards") organization that the user
perceives when the using the off gesture capture area 120 to sort
through the windows. Further, the AMM 542 may provide a list of
executing applications to the Application Manager 562.
[0173] An embodiment of the MDM module 524 is shown in FIG. 5B. The
MDM module 524 is operable to determine the state of the
environment for the device, including, but not limited to, the
orientation of the device, whether the device 100 is opened or
closed, what applications 564 are executing, how the applications
564 are to be displayed, what actions the user is conducting, the
tasks being displayed, etc. To configure the display, the MDM
module 524 interprets these environmental factors and determines a
display configuration, as described in conjunction with FIGS.
6A-6J. Then, the MDM module 524 can bind the applications 564 or
other device components to the displays. The configuration may then
be sent to the Display Controller 544 and/or the other components
within the OS 516 to generate the display. The MDM module 524 can
include one or more of, but is not limited to, a Display
Configuration Module 568, a Preferences Module 572, a Device State
Module 574, a Gesture Module 576, a Requirements Module 580, an
Event Module 584, and/or a Binding Module 588.
[0174] The Display Configuration Module 568 determines the layout
for the display. In embodiments, the Display Configuration Module
568 can determine the environmental factors. The environmental
factors may be received from one or more other MDM modules 524 or
from other sources. The Display Configuration Module 568 can then
determine from the list of factors the best configuration for the
display. Some embodiments of the possible configurations and the
factors associated therewith are described in conjunction with
FIGS. 6A-6F.
[0175] The Preferences Module 572 is operable to determine display
preferences for an application 564 or other component. For example,
an application can have a preference for Single or Dual displays.
The Preferences Module 572 can determine an application's display
preference (e.g., by inspecting the application's preference
settings) and may allow the application 564 to change to a mode
(e.g., single screen, dual screen, max, etc.) if the device 100 is
in a state that can accommodate the preferred mode. However, some
user interface policies may disallow a mode even if the mode is
available. As the configuration of the device changes, the
preferences may be reviewed to determine if a better display
configuration can be achieved for an application 564.
[0176] The Device State Module 574 is operable to determine or
receive the state of the device. The state of the device can be as
described in conjunction with FIGS. 3A and 3B. The state of the
device can be used by the Display Configuration Module 568 to
determine the configuration for the display. As such, the Device
State Module 574 may receive inputs and interpret the state of the
device. The state information is then provided to the Display
Configuration Module 568.
[0177] The Gesture Module 576 is shown as part of the MDM module
524, but, in embodiments, the Gesture module 576 may be a separate
Framework 520 component that is separate from the MDM module 524.
In embodiments, the Gesture Module 576 is operable to determine if
the user is conducting any actions on any part of the user
interface. In alternative embodiments, the Gesture Module 576
receives user interface actions from the configurable area 112,116
only. The Gesture Module 576 can receive touch events that occur on
the configurable area 112,116 (or possibly other user interface
areas) by way of the Input Management Module 536 and may interpret
the touch events (using direction, speed, distance, duration, and
various other parameters) to determine what kind of gesture the
user is performing. When a gesture is interpreted, the Gesture
Module 576 can initiate the processing of the gesture and, by
collaborating with other Framework 520 components, can manage the
required window animation. The Gesture Module 576 collaborates with
the Application Model Manager 542 to collect state information with
respect to which applications are running (active or paused) and
the order in which applications must appear when a user gesture is
performed. The Gesture Module 576 may also receive references to
bitmaps (from the Surface Cache Module 528) and live windows so
that when a gesture occurs it can instruct the Display Controller
544 how to move the window(s) across the display 110,114. Thus,
suspended applications may appear to be running when those windows
are moved across the display 110,114.
[0178] Further, the Gesture Module 576 can receive task information
either from the Task Manage Module 540 or the Input Management
module 536. The gestures may be as defined in conjunction with
FIGS. 4A through 4H. For example, moving a window causes the
display to render a series of display frames that illustrate the
window moving. The gesture associated with such user interface
interaction can be received and interpreted by the Gesture Module
576. The information about the user gesture is then sent to the
Task Management Module 540 to modify the display binding of the
task.
[0179] The Requirements Module 580, similar to the Preferences
Module 572, is operable to determine display requirements for an
application 564 or other component. An application can have a set
display requirement that must be observed. Some applications
require a particular display orientation. For example, the
application "Angry Birds" can only be displayed in landscape
orientation. This type of display requirement can be determined or
received, by the Requirements Module 580. As the orientation of the
device changes, the Requirements Module 580 can reassert the
display requirements for the application 564. The Display
Configuration Module 568 can generate a display configuration that
is in accordance with the application display requirements, as
provided by the Requirements Module 580.
[0180] The Event Module 584, similar to the Gesture Module 576, is
operable to determine one or more events occurring with an
application or other component that can affect the user interface.
Thus, the Event Module 584 can receive event information either
from the event buffer 556 or the Task Management module 540. These
events can change how the tasks are bound to the displays. The
Event Module 584 can collect state change information from other
Framework 520 components and act upon that state change
information. In an example, when the phone is opened or closed or
when an orientation change has occurred, a new message may be
rendered in a secondary screen. The state change based on the event
can be received and interpreted by the Event Module 584. The
information about the events then may be sent to the Display
Configuration Module 568 to modify the configuration of the
display.
[0181] The Binding Module 588 is operable to bind the applications
564 or the other components to the configuration determined by the
Display Configuration Module 568. A binding associates, in memory,
the display configuration for each application with the display and
mode of the application. Thus, the Binding Module 588 can associate
an application with a display configuration for the application
(e.g. landscape, portrait, multi-screen, etc.). Then, the Binding
Module 588 may assign a display identifier to the display. The
display identifier associated the application with a particular
display of the device 100. This binding is then stored and provided
to the Display Controller 544, the other components of the OS 516,
or other components to properly render the display. The binding is
dynamic and can change or be updated based on configuration changes
associated with events, gestures, state changes, application
preferences or requirements, etc.
[0182] User Interface Configurations:
[0183] With reference now to FIGS. 6A-J, various types of output
configurations made possible by the device 100 will be described
hereinafter.
[0184] FIGS. 6A and 6B depict two different output configurations
of the device 100 being in a first state. Specifically, FIG. 6A
depicts the device 100 being in a closed portrait state 304 where
the data is displayed on the primary screen 104. In this example,
the device 100 displays data via the touch sensitive display 110 in
a first portrait configuration 604. As can be appreciated, the
first portrait configuration 604 may only display a desktop or
operating system home screen. Alternatively, one or more windows
may be presented in a portrait orientation while the device 100 is
displaying data in the first portrait configuration 604.
[0185] FIG. 6B depicts the device 100 still being in the closed
portrait state 304, but instead data is displayed on the secondary
screen 108. In this example, the device 100 displays data via the
touch sensitive display 114 in a second portrait configuration
608.
[0186] It may be possible to display similar or different data in
either the first or second portrait configuration 604, 608. It may
also be possible to transition between the first portrait
configuration 604 and second portrait configuration 608 by
providing the device 100 a user gesture (e.g., a double tap
gesture), a menu selection, or other means. Other suitable gestures
may also be employed to transition between configurations.
Furthermore, it may also be possible to transition the device 100
from the first or second portrait configuration 604, 608 to any
other configuration described herein depending upon which state the
device 100 is moved.
[0187] An alternative output configuration may be accommodated by
the device 100 being in a second state. Specifically, FIG. 6C
depicts a third portrait configuration where data is displayed
simultaneously on both the primary screen 104 and the secondary
screen 108. The third portrait configuration may be referred to as
a Dual-Portrait (PD) output configuration. In the PD output
configuration, the touch sensitive display 110 of the primary
screen 104 depicts data in the first portrait configuration 604
while the touch sensitive display 114 of the secondary screen 108
depicts data in the second portrait configuration 608. The
simultaneous presentation of the first portrait configuration 604
and the second portrait configuration 608 may occur when the device
100 is in an open portrait state 320. In this configuration, the
device 100 may display one application window in one display 110 or
114, two application windows (one in each display 110 and 114), one
application window and one desktop, or one desktop. Other
configurations may be possible. It should be appreciated that it
may also be possible to transition the device 100 from the
simultaneous display of configurations 604, 608 to any other
configuration described herein depending upon which state the
device 100 is moved. Furthermore, while in this state, an
application's display preference may place the device into
bilateral mode, in which both displays are active to display
different windows in the same application. For example, a Camera
application may display a viewfinder and controls on one side,
while the other side displays a mirrored preview that can be seen
by the photo subjects. Games involving simultaneous play by two
players may also take advantage of bilateral mode.
[0188] FIGS. 6D and 6E depicts two further output configurations of
the device 100 being in a third state. Specifically, FIG. 6D
depicts the device 100 being in a closed landscape state 340 where
the data is displayed on the primary screen 104. In this example,
the device 100 displays data via the touch sensitive display 110 in
a first landscape configuration 612. Much like the other
configurations described herein, the first landscape configuration
612 may display a desktop, a home screen, one or more windows
displaying application data, or the like.
[0189] FIG. 6E depicts the device 100 still being in the closed
landscape state 340, but instead data is displayed on the secondary
screen 108. In this example, the device 100 displays data via the
touch sensitive display 114 in a second landscape configuration
616. It may be possible to display similar or different data in
either the first or second portrait configuration 612, 616. It may
also be possible to transition between the first landscape
configuration 612 and second landscape configuration 616 by
providing the device 100 with one or both of a twist and tap
gesture or a flip and slide gesture. Other suitable gestures may
also be employed to transition between configurations. Furthermore,
it may also be possible to transition the device 100 from the first
or second landscape configuration 612, 616 to any other
configuration described herein depending upon which state the
device 100 is moved.
[0190] FIG. 6F depicts a third landscape configuration where data
is displayed simultaneously on both the primary screen 104 and the
secondary screen 108. The third landscape configuration may be
referred to as a Dual-Landscape (LD) output configuration. In the
LD output configuration, the touch sensitive display 110 of the
primary screen 104 depicts data in the first landscape
configuration 612 while the touch sensitive display 114 of the
secondary screen 108 depicts data in the second landscape
configuration 616. The simultaneous presentation of the first
landscape configuration 612 and the second landscape configuration
616 may occur when the device 100 is in an open landscape state
340. It should be appreciated that it may also be possible to
transition the device 100 from the simultaneous display of
configurations 612, 616 to any other configuration described herein
depending upon which state the device 100 is moved.
[0191] FIGS. 6G and 6H depict two views of a device 100 being in
yet another state. Specifically, the device 100 is depicted as
being in an easel state 312. FIG. 6G shows that a first easel
output configuration 618 may be displayed on the touch sensitive
display 110. FIG. 6H shows that a second easel output configuration
620 may be displayed on the touch sensitive display 114. The device
100 may be configured to depict either the first easel output
configuration 618 or the second easel output configuration 620
individually. Alternatively, both the easel output configurations
618, 620 may be presented simultaneously. In some embodiments, the
easel output configurations 618, 620 may be similar or identical to
the landscape output configurations 612, 616. The device 100 may
also be configured to display one or both of the easel output
configurations 618, 620 while in a modified easel state 316. It
should be appreciated that simultaneous utilization of the easel
output configurations 618, 620 may facilitate two-person games
(e.g., Battleship.RTM., chess, checkers, etc.), multi-user
conferences where two or more users share the same device 100, and
other applications. As can be appreciated, it may also be possible
to transition the device 100 from the display of one or both
configurations 618, 620 to any other configuration described herein
depending upon which state the device 100 is moved.
[0192] FIG. 6I depicts yet another output configuration that may be
accommodated while the device 100 is in an open portrait state 320.
Specifically, the device 100 may be configured to present a single
continuous image across both touch sensitive displays 110, 114 in a
portrait configuration referred to herein as a Portrait-Max (PMax)
configuration 624. In this configuration, data (e.g., a single
image, application, window, icon, video, etc.) may be split and
displayed partially on one of the touch sensitive displays while
the other portion of the data is displayed on the other touch
sensitive display. The Pmax configuration 624 may facilitate a
larger display and/or better resolution for displaying a particular
image on the device 100. Similar to other output configurations, it
may be possible to transition the device 100 from the Pmax
configuration 624 to any other output configuration described
herein depending upon which state the device 100 is moved.
[0193] FIG. 6J depicts still another output configuration that may
be accommodated while the device 100 is in an open landscape state
348. Specifically, the device 100 may be configured to present a
single continuous image across both touch sensitive displays 110,
114 in a landscape configuration referred to herein as a
Landscape-Max (LMax) configuration 628. In this configuration, data
(e.g., a single image, application, window, icon, video, etc.) may
be split and displayed partially on one of the touch sensitive
displays while the other portion of the data is displayed on the
other touch sensitive display. The Lmax configuration 628 may
facilitate a larger display and/or better resolution for displaying
a particular image on the device 100. Similar to other output
configurations, it may be possible to transition the device 100
from the Lmax configuration 628 to any other output configuration
described herein depending upon which state the device 100 is
moved.
[0194] The device 100 manages desktops and/or windows with at least
one window stack 700, 728, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. A window
stack 700, 728 is a logical arrangement of active and/or inactive
windows for a multi-screen device. For example, the window stack
700, 728 may be logically similar to a deck of cards, where one or
more windows or desktops are arranged in order, as shown in FIGS.
7A and 7B. An active window is a window that is currently being
displayed on at least one of the touch sensitive displays 110, 114.
For example, windows 104 and 108 are active windows and are
displayed on touch sensitive displays 110 and 114. An inactive
window is a window that was opened and displayed but is now
"behind" an active window and not being displayed. In embodiments,
an inactive window may be for an application that is suspended, and
thus, the window is not displaying active content. For example,
windows 712, 716, 720, and 724 are inactive windows.
[0195] A window stack 700, 728 may have various arrangements or
organizational structures. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7A, the
device 100 includes a first stack 760 associated with a first touch
sensitive display 110 and a second stack associated with a second
touch sensitive display 114. Thus, each touch sensitive display
110, 114 can have an associated window stack 760, 764. These two
window stacks 760, 764 may have different numbers of windows
arranged in the respective stacks 760, 764. Further, the two window
stacks 760, 764 can also be identified differently and managed
separately. Thus, the first window stack 760 can be arranged in
order from a first window 704 to a next window 720 to a last window
724 and finally to a desktop 722, which, in embodiments, is at the
"bottom" of the window stack 760. In embodiments, the desktop 722
is not always at the "bottom" as application windows can be
arranged in the window stack below the desktop 722, and the desktop
722 can be brought to the "top" of a stack over other windows
during a desktop reveal. Likewise, the second stack 764 can be
arranged from a first window 708 to a next window 712 to a last
window 716, and finally to a desktop 718, which, in embodiments, is
a single desktop area, with desktop 722, under all the windows in
both window stack 760 and window stack 764. A logical data
structure for managing the two window stacks 760, 764 may be as
described in conjunction with FIG. 8.
[0196] Another arrangement for a window stack 728 is shown in FIG.
7B. In this embodiment, there is a single window stack 728 for both
touch sensitive displays 110, 114. Thus, the window stack 728 is
arranged from a desktop 758 to a first window 744 to a last window
756. A window can be arranged in a position among all windows
without an association to a specific touch sensitive display 110,
114. In this embodiment, a window is in the order of windows.
Further, at least one window is identified as being active. For
example, a single window may be rendered in two portions 732 and
736 that are displayed on the first touch sensitive screen 110 and
the second touch sensitive screen 114. The single window may only
occupy a single position in the window stack 728 although it is
displayed on both displays 110, 114.
[0197] Yet another arrangement of a window stack 760 is shown in
FIGS. 7C through 7E. The window stack 760 is shown in three
"elevation" views. In FIG. 7C, the top of the window stack 760 is
shown. Two sides of the window stack 760 are shown in FIGS. 7D and
7E. In this embodiment, the window stack 760 resembles a stack of
bricks. The windows are stacked on each other. Looking from the top
of the window stack 760 in FIG. 7C, only the top most windows in
the window stack 760 are seen in different portions of the
composite display 764. The composite display 764 represents a
logical model for the entire display area of the device 100, which
can include touch sensitive display 110 and touch sensitive display
114. A desktop 786 or a window can occupy part or all of the
composite display 764.
[0198] In the embodiment shown, the desktop 786 is the lowest
display or "brick" in the window stack 760. Thereupon, window 1
782, window 2 782, window 3 768, and window 4 770 are layered.
Window 1 782, window 3 768, window 2 782, and window 4 770 only
occupy a portion of the composite display 764. Thus, another part
of the stack 760 includes window 8 774 and windows 5 through 7
shown in section 790. Only the top window in any portion of the
composite display 764 is actually rendered and displayed. Thus, as
shown in the top view in FIG. 7C, window 4 770, window 8 774, and
window 3 768 are displayed as being at the top of the display in
different portions of the window stack 760. A window can be
dimensioned to occupy only a portion of the composite display 760
to "reveal" windows lower in the window stack 760. For example,
window 3 768 is lower in the stack than both window 4 770 and
window 8 774 but is still displayed. A logical data structure to
manage the window stack can be as described in conjunction with
FIG. 8.
[0199] When a new window is opened, the newly activated window is
generally positioned at the top of the stack. However, where and
how the window is positioned within the stack can be a function of
the orientation of the device 100, the context of what programs,
functions, software, etc. are being executed on the device 100, how
the stack is positioned when the new window is opened, etc. To
insert the window in the stack, the position in the stack for the
window is determined and the touch sensitive display 110, 114 to
which the window is associated may also be determined. With this
information, a logical data structure for the window can be created
and stored. When user interface or other events or tasks change the
arrangement of windows, the window stack(s) can be changed to
reflect the change in arrangement. It should be noted that these
same concepts described above can be used to manage the one or more
desktops for the device 100.
[0200] A logical data structure 800 for managing the arrangement of
windows or desktops in a window stack is shown in FIG. 8. The
logical data structure 800 can be any data structure used to store
data whether an object, record, file, etc. The logical data
structure 800 can be stored in any type of database or data storage
system, regardless of protocol or standard. In embodiments, the
logical data structure 800 includes one or more portions, fields,
attributes, etc. that store data in a logical arrangement that
allows for easy storage and retrieval of the information.
Hereinafter, these one or more portions, fields, attributes, etc.
shall be described simply as fields. The fields can store data for
a window identifier 804, dimensions 808, a stack position
identifier 812, a display identifier 816, and/or an active
indicator 820. Each window in a window stack can have an associated
logical data structure 800. While only a single logical data
structure 800 is shown in FIG. 8, there may be more or fewer
logical data structures 800 used with a window stack (based on the
number of windows or desktops in the stack), as represented by
ellipses 824. Further, there may be more or fewer fields than those
shown in FIG. 8, as represented by ellipses 828.
[0201] A window identifier 804 can include any identifier (ID) that
uniquely identifies the associated window in relation to other
windows in the window stack. The window identifier 804 can be a
globally unique identifier (GUID), a numeric ID, an alphanumeric
ID, or other type of identifier. In embodiments, the window
identifier 804 can be one, two, or any number of digits based on
the number of windows that can be opened. In alternative
embodiments, the size of the window identifier 804 may change based
on the number of windows opened. While the window is open, the
window identifier 804 may be static and remain unchanged.
[0202] Dimensions 808 can include dimensions for a window in the
composite display 760. For example, the dimensions 808 can include
coordinates for two or more corners of the window or may include
one coordinate and dimensions for the width and height of the
window. These dimensions 808 can delineate what portion of the
composite display 760 the window may occupy, which may the entire
composite display 760 or only part of composite display 760. For
example, window 4 770 may have dimensions 880 that indicate that
the window 770 will occupy only part of the display area for
composite display 760, as shown in FIGS. 7c through 7E. As windows
are moved or inserted in the window stack, the dimensions 808 may
change.
[0203] A stack position identifier 812 can be any identifier that
can identify the position in the stack for the window or may be
inferred from the window's control record within a data structure,
such as a list or a stack. The stack position identifier 812 can be
a GUID, a numeric ID, an alphanumeric ID, or other type of
identifier. Each window or desktop can include a stack position
identifier 812. For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, window 1 704 in
stack 1 760 can have a stack position identifier 812 of 1
identifying that window 704 is the first window in the stack 760
and the active window. Similarly, window 6 724 can have a stack
position identifier 812 of 3 representing that window 724 is the
third window in the stack 760. Window 2 708 can also have a stack
position identifier 812 of 1 representing that window 708 is the
first window in the second stack 764. As shown in FIG. 7B, window 1
744 can have a stack position identifier 812 of 1, window 3,
rendered in portions 732 and 736, can have a stack position
identifier 812 of 3, and window 6 756 can have a stack position
identifier 812 of 6. Thus, depending on the type of stack, the
stack position identifier 812 can represent a window's location in
the stack.
[0204] A display identifier 816 can identify that the window or
desktop is associated with a particular display, such as the first
display 110 or the second display 114, or the composite display 760
composed of both displays. While this display identifier 816 may
not be needed for a multi-stack system, as shown in FIG. 7A, the
display identifier 816 can indicate whether a window in the serial
stack of FIG. 7B is displayed on a particular display. Thus, window
3 may have two portions 732 and 736 in FIG. 7B. The first portion
732 may have a display identifier 816 for the first display while
the second portion 736 may have a display identifier 816 for the
second display 114. However, in alternative embodiments, the window
may have two display identifier 816 that represent that the window
is displayed on both of the displays 110, 114, or a display
identifier 816 identifying the composite display. In another
alternate embodiment, the window may have a single display
identifier 816 to represent that the window is displayed on both of
the displays 110, 114.
[0205] Similar to the display identifier 816, an active indicator
820 may not be needed with the dual stack system of FIG. 7A, as the
window in stack position 1 is active and displayed. In the system
of FIG. 7B, the active indicator 820 can indicate which window(s)
in the stack is being displayed. Thus, window 3 may have two
portions 732 and 736 in FIG. 7. The first portion 732 may have an
active indicator 820 while the second portion 736 may also have an
active indicator 820. However, in alternative embodiments, window 3
may have a single active indicator 820. The active indicator 820
can be a simple flag or bit that represents that the window is
active or displayed.
[0206] An embodiment of a method 900 for creating a window stack is
shown in FIG. 9. While a general order for the steps of the method
900 is shown in FIG. 9. Generally, the method 900 starts with a
start operation 904 and ends with an end operation 928. The method
900 can include more or fewer steps or can arrange the order of the
steps differently than those shown in FIG. 9. The method 900 can be
executed as a set of computer-executable instructions executed by a
computer system and encoded or stored on a computer readable
medium. Hereinafter, the method 900 shall be explained with
reference to the systems, components, modules, software, data
structures, user interfaces, etc. described in conjunction with
FIGS. 1-8.
[0207] A multi-screen device 100 can receive activation of a
window, in step 908. In embodiments, the multi-screen device 100
can receive activation of a window by receiving an input from the
touch sensitive display 110 or 114, the configurable area 112 or
116, a gesture capture region 120 or 124, or some other hardware
sensor operable to receive user interface inputs. The processor may
execute the Task Management Module 540 may receive the input. The
Task Management Module 540 can interpret the input as requesting an
application task to be executed that will open a window in the
window stack.
[0208] In embodiments, the Task Management Module 540 places the
user interface interaction in the task stack 552 to be acted upon
by the Display Configuration Module 568 of the Multi-Display
Management Module 524. Further, the Task Management Module 540
waits for information from the Multi-Display Management Module 524
to send instructions to the Window Management Module 532 to create
the window in the window stack.
[0209] The Multi-Display Management Module 524, upon receiving
instruction from the Task Management Module 540, determines to
which touch portion of the composite display 760, the newly
activated window should be associated, in step 912. For example,
window 4 770 is associated with the a portion of the composite
display 764 In embodiments, the device state module 574 of the
Multi-Display Management Module 524 may determine how the device is
oriented or in what state the device is in, e.g., open, closed,
portrait, etc. Further, the preferences module 572 and/or
requirements module 580 may determine how the window is to be
displayed. The gesture module 576 may determine the user's
intentions about how the window is to be opened based on the type
of gesture and the location of where the gesture is made.
[0210] The Display Configuration Module 568 may use the input from
these modules and evaluate the current window stack 760 to
determine the best place and the best dimensions, based on a
visibility algorithm, to open the window. Thus, the Display
Configuration Module 568 determines the best place to put the
window at the top of the window stack 760, in step 916. The
visibility algorithm, in embodiments, determines for all portions
of the composite display, which windows are at the top of the
stack. For example, the visibility algorithm determines that window
3 768, window 4 770, and window 8 774 are at the top of the stack
760 as viewed in FIGS. 7C through 7E. Upon determining where to
open the window, the Display Configuration Module 568 can assign a
display identifier 816 and possibly dimensions 808 to the window.
The display identifier 816 and dimensions 808 can then be sent back
to the Task Management Module 540. The Task Management Module 540
may then assign the window a stack position identifier 812
indicating the windows position at the top of the window stack.
[0211] In embodiments, the Task Management Module 540 sends the
window stack information and instructions to render the window to
the Window Management Module 532. The Window Management Module 532
and the Task Management Module 540 can create the logical data
structure 800, in step 924. Both the Task Management Module 540 and
the Window Management Module 532 may create and manage copies of
the window stack. These copies of the window stack can be
synchronized or kept similar through communications between the
Window Management Module 532 and the Task Management Module 540.
Thus, the Window Management Module 532 and the Task Management
Module 540, based on the information determined by the
Multi-Display Management Module 524, can assign dimensions 808, a
stack position identifier 812 (e.g., window 1 782, window 4 770,
etc.), a display identifier 816 (e.g., touch sensitive display 1
110, touch sensitive display 2 114, composite display identifier,
etc), and an active indicator 820, which is generally always set
when the window is at the "top" of the stack. The logical data
structure 800 may then be stored by both the Window Management
Module 532 and the Task Management Module 540. Further, the Window
Management Module 532 and the Task Management Module 540 may
thereinafter manage the window stack and the logical data
structure(s) 800.
[0212] Demand for portable electronic devices with high levels of
functionality continues to rise and personal electronic devices
continue to become increasingly more portable. While computer
power, battery life, screen size and overall functionality of
portable phones and smart phones continues to increase, user
reliance on these devices increases. Many users of such devices
rely heavily on such devices for general communication, accessing
the internet, cloud computing, and accessing various locally stored
information such as contact information, files, music, pictures and
the like. It is often desirable therefore to connect such heavily
relied on devices to an additional computing device or display,
such as a monitor or tablet device, such as a SmartPad (SP) 1000
(see FIG. 10).
[0213] Accordingly, it is desirable for the device 100 to be able
to interface with an additional device, such as the SmartPad 1000,
that enables functionality similar to, for example, both a tablet
computer system and smart phone. Furthermore, a need exists for the
above-described device to allow for various pre-existing features
of both devices, such as sending and receiving phone calls and
further allowing for the accessibility of applications running on
the device 100. A need also exists for the above device 100 to
provide the benefits of both a tablet computer system and cellular
phone in one integrative device by allowing for common operations
and functionality without compromising the form factor of the
device.
[0214] One exemplary embodiment is directed toward a selectively
removable device and smartpad system. The smartpad system is
discussed in greater detail hereinafter, and can have various
features for complementing the communications device, such as a
smart phone or device 100. For example, the smartpad may supplement
the device 100 by providing increased screen size, increased
processor size, increased battery or power supply, or the like.
Similarly, the device 100 may compliment the SP 1000 by providing
connectivity through one or more wireless networks, access to
various stored information, and the like. It will expressly
recognized therefore that two or more devices of the present
invention may be provided in a connected or docked and generally
symbiotic relationship. It will further be recognized that the
devices provide various features, benefits and functionality in
their independent state(s).
[0215] In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the device 100
is capable of being received by the SP 1000 through a recessed
feature of the SP 1000 having corresponding dimensions to the
device 100. In one exemplary embodiment, the SP 1000 is provided
and preferably sized for receiving a predetermined device 100. In
alternative embodiments, however, it is contemplated that the SP
1000 is provided, the smartpad capable of receiving a plurality of
communications devices of different sizes. In such embodiments, the
SP 1000 may receive communications devices of various sizes by, for
example, the inclusion of additional elements, such as spacers and
various adjustable features.
[0216] In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the device 100
and SP 1000 have a docking relationship that is established when
the device 100 is connected to the SP 1000 during various modes of
operation. For example, in one embodiment, a system is provided
comprising the SP 1000 and the device 100, the SP 1000 capable of
physically receiving the device 100, wherein the device 100 is
operable as the primary computing device. In such an embodiment,
the SP 1000 may, for example, simply provide enhanced audio and
visual features for the device 100 that comprises its own CPU,
memory, and the like. It is further contemplated that the system
can be placed in a mode of operation wherein the device 100 docked
to the SP 1000 provide it in a more passive mode where, for
example, the device 100 draws power from the SP 1000 such as to
recharge a battery of the device 100.
[0217] In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, the device
100 and SP 1000 are provided wherein the device 100 is received or
docked with the SP 1000 and wherein a substantial area of the
device 100 is positioned within one or more compartments of the SP
1000. For example, where as various known devices comprise docking
features which require or result in the docked item to be generally
exposed, thereby substantially altering the external dimensions of
the host device and/or creating a potential for damaging one or
both devices upon impact, an exemplary embodiment contemplates the
SP 1000 which receives the device 100 in a manner such that the
external dimensions of the SP 1000 are not substantially altered
when the devices are connected. In such an arrangement, the device
100 and associated connection means are generally protected and the
SP 1000 is allowed to substantially maintain its original shape. In
accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the SP 1000 is capable of
receiving and/or docking the device 100 wherein the device 100 is
received in lockable association with the SP 1000. As used herein,
the term "lockable" is not intended to designate or limit it to any
particular arrangement. Rather, lockable is intended to refer to
various embodiments as described herein and will be recognized by
one of ordinary skill in the art. In one embodiment, the device 100
is connectable to the SP 1000 wherein the SP 1000 comprises
extension springs for first electively securing the device 100 in a
docked manner and an ejection feature for releasing the device 100
from the SP 1000. Moreover, as will be described in greater detail
below, it should be appreciated that the device 100 and SP 1000 can
communicate using wired and/or wireless technology(ies) with equal
success. Moreover, and in accordance with another exemplary
embodiment, the hinged device 100 is selectively connectable to the
SP 1000 wherein the device 100 is received by the SP 1000 in an
open position and where in one or more preexisting ports of the SP
1000 correspond with internal receiving features of the SP 1000,
such that the device 100 and the SP 1000 may be operated
simultaneously in various modes of use.
[0218] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the SP 1000
is provided with an eject or release button to facilitate the
removal of a stored or docked device 100.
[0219] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary SmartPad (SP) 1000
according to an exemplary embodiment. The exemplary SmartPad at
least provides a larger touch sensitive display operatively
coupleable to device 100.
[0220] While the following description uses the term "smart" in
conjunction with the display device 1000, it is to be appreciated
that this term does not necessarily connotate that there is
intelligence in the SmartPad. Rather, it is to be appreciated that
there can be "intelligence," including one or more of a
processor(s), memory, storage, display drivers, etc., in the
SmartPad, and/or one or more of these elements shared with the
device 100 via, for example, one or more of a port, bus,
connection, or the like. In general, any one or more of the
functions of the device 100 is extendable to the SmartPad 700 and
vice versa.
[0221] The exemplary SmartPad 700 includes a screen 1004, a SP
touch sensitive display 1010, a SP configurable area 1008, a SP
gesture capture region(s) 1012 and a SP camera 1016. The SP 1000
also includes a port (not visible in this orientation) adapted to
receive the device 100 as illustrated at least in FIG. 11.
[0222] The device 100 docks with the SmartPad 1000 via the port on
the SP 1000 and the corresponding port 136 on device 100. As
discussed, port 136 in some embodiments is an input/output port
(I/O port) that allows the device 100 to be connected to other
peripheral devices, such as a display, keyboard, printing device
and/or SP 1000. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the
docking is accomplished by the device 100 sliding into the
left-hand side of the SP 1000, with the device 100 being in an open
state and the device 100 engaging a port in the SP 1000
corresponding to port 136. In accordance with one exemplary
embodiment, the device 100 engages a doored cassette-like slot in
the SP 1000 into which the device 100 slides. (See for example FIG.
13) It should be appreciated however that there may be other
configurations for physically and electrically engaging the two
devices--in general, the manner of engagement is not important
provided the device 100 and SP 1000 are in electrical communication
with one another.
[0223] The SP 1000 includes a screen 1004. In some embodiments, the
entire front surface of the SP 1000 may be touch sensitive and
capable of receiving input by a user touching the front surface of
the screen 1004. The screen 1004 includes touch sensitive display
1010, which, in addition to being touch sensitive, is also capable
of displaying information to a user.
[0224] The screen 1004 also includes a configurable area 1008 that
has been configured for specific inputs when the user touches
portions of the configurable area 1008. Area 1012a is configured to
receive a "back" input indicating that a user would like to view
information previously displayed. Area 1012b is configured to
receive a "menu" input indicating that the user would like to view
options from a menu. Area 1012c is configured to receive a "home"
input indicating that the user would like to view information
associated with a "home" view.
[0225] In other embodiments, areas 1012a-c may be configured, in
addition to the configurations described above, for other types of
specific inputs including controlling features of device 100 and/or
device 1000, some non-limiting examples including adjusting overall
system power, adjusting the volume, adjusting the brightness,
adjusting the vibration, selecting of displayed items on screen
1004, operating the SP camera 1016, operating a microphone, and
initiating/terminating of telephone calls. Also, in some
embodiments, areas 1012a-c may be configured for specific inputs
depending upon the application running on device 100/SP 1000 and/or
information displayed on the touch sensitive displays 1010.
[0226] In addition to touch sensing, screen 1004 may also include
areas that receive input from a user without requiring the user to
touch the display area of the screen. For example, screen 1004 can
include gesture capture area 1012. These areas are able to receive
input by recognizing gestures made by a user without the need for
the user to actually touch the surface of the display area. In
comparison to touch sensitive display 1010 and 1014, the gesture
capture area 1012 may not be capable of rendering a displayed
image.
[0227] While not illustrated, there may also be a number of
hardware components within SP 1000. As illustrated in FIG. 10, SP
1000 can include a speaker, a microphone and one or more cameras
1016. Upon docking the device 100 in the SP 1000, the corresponding
device(s) (e.g., the speaker) in the device 100 could be disabled
in favor of the speaker in the SP 1000. Similarly, other
components, such as the screen 1004, microphone, speaker, etc,
could be disabled on the device 100 in favor of the SP 1000.
[0228] In general, the touch sensitive display 1010 may comprise a
full color, touch sensitive display. A second area within each
touch sensitive screen 1004 may comprise the SP gesture capture
region 1012. The SP gesture capture region 1012 may comprise an
area or region that is outside of the SP touch sensitive display
1010 area that is capable of receiving input, for example in the
form of gestures provided by a user. However, the SP gesture
capture region 1012 does not necessarily include pixels that can
perform a display function or capability.
[0229] A third region of the SP touch sensitive screen 1004 may
comprise the configurable area 1012. The configurable area 1012 is
capable of receiving input and has display or limited display
capabilities. In embodiments, the configurable area 1012 may
present different input options to the user. For example, the
configurable area 1012 may display buttons or other relatable
items. Moreover, the identity of displayed buttons, or whether any
buttons are displayed at all within the configurable area 1012 of
the SP touch sensitive screen 1004 may be determined from the
context in which the device 1000 is used and/or operated. In an
exemplary embodiment, the touch sensitive screen 1004 comprise
liquid crystal display devices extending across at least those
regions of the touch sensitive screen 1004 that is capable of
providing visual output to a user, and a capacitive input matrix
over those regions of the touch sensitive screen 1004 that is
capable of receiving input from the user.
[0230] As discussed above with reference to FIGS. 4A through 4H,
the various graphical representations of gesture inputs that may be
recognized by the screens 104, 108 are also recognizable by screen
1004. As discussed, the gestures may be performed not only by a
user's body part, such as a digit, but also by other devices, such
as a stylus, that may be sensed by the contact sensing portion(s)
of a screen 1004. In general, gestures are interpreted differently,
based on where the gestures are performed (either directly on the
display 1004 or in the gesture capture region 1020). For example,
gestures in the display 1010 may be directed to a desktop or
application, and gestures in the gesture capture region 1020 may be
interpreted as for the system.
[0231] In addition to the above, the SP touch sensitive screen 1004
may also have an area that assists a user with identifying which
portion of the screen is in focus. This could be a bar of light or
in general and indicator that identifies which one or more portions
of the SP touch sensitive screen 1004 are in focus. (See for
example, FIG. 29)
[0232] One or more display controllers (such as display controllers
216a, 216b and/or dedicated display controller(s) on the SP 1000)
may be provided for controlling the operation of the touch
sensitive screen 1004 including input (touch sensing) and output
(display) functions.
[0233] In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, a separate
touch screen controller is provided for the SP 1000 in addition to
each of the controllers for the touch screens 104 and 108. In
accordance with alternate embodiments, a common or shared touch
screen controller may be used to control any one or more of the
touch sensitive screens 104 and 108, and/or 1004. In accordance
with still other embodiments, the functions of the touch screen
controllers may be incorporated into other components, such as a
processor and memory or dedicated graphics chip(s).
[0234] In a similar manner, the SP 1000 may include a processor
complementary to the processor 204, either of which may comprise a
general purpose programmable processor or controller for executing
application programming or instructions. In accordance with at
least some embodiments, the processors may include multiple
processor cores, and/or implement multiple virtual processors. In
accordance with still other embodiments, the processors may include
multiple physical processors. As a particular example, the
processors may comprise a specially configured application specific
integrated circuit (ASIC) or other integrated circuit, a digital
signal processor, a controller, a hardwired electronic or logic
circuit, a programmable logic device or gate array, a special
purpose computer, or the like. The processors generally function to
run programming code or instructions implementing various functions
of the device 100 and/or SP 1000.
[0235] The SP 1000 can also optionally be equipped with an audio
input/output interface/device(s) (not shown) to provide analog
audio to an interconnected speaker or other device, and to receive
analog audio input from a connected microphone or other device. As
an example, the audio input/output interface/device(s) 256 may
comprise an associated amplifier and analog to digital converter
usable with SP 1000. Alternatively or in addition, the device 100
can include an integrated audio input/output device 256 and/or an
audio jack for interconnecting an external speaker or microphone
via SP 1000. For example, an integrated speaker and an integrated
microphone can be provided, to support near talk or speaker phone
operations.
[0236] Hardware buttons (not shown) but similar to hardware buttons
158 can be included for example for use in connection with certain
control operations. Examples include a master power switch, volume
control, etc., as described in conjunction with FIGS. 1A through
1J. One or more image capture interfaces/devices 1016, such as a
camera, can be included for capturing still and/or video images.
Alternatively or in addition, an image capture interface/device
1016 can include a scanner or code reader. An image capture
interface/device 1016 can include or be associated with additional
elements, such as a flash or other light sources.
[0237] Communications between various components of the device 100
and SP 1000 can be carried by one or more buses and/or
communications channels. In addition, power can be supplied to one
or more of the components of the device 100 and Sp 1000 from a
power source and/or power control module 260. The power control
module 260 and/or device 100 and/or SP 1000 can, for example,
include a battery, an AC to DC converter, power control logic,
and/or ports for interconnecting the device 100/1000 to an external
source of power.
[0238] The middleware 520 may also be any software or data that
allows the multiple processes running on the devices to interact.
In embodiments, at least portions of the middleware 520 and the
discrete components described herein may be considered part of the
OS 516 or an application 564. However, these portions will be
described as part of the middleware 520, but those components are
not so limited. The middleware 520 can include, but is not limited
to, a Multi-Display Management (MDM) class 524, a Surface Cache
class 528, a Window Management class 532, an Activity Management
class 536, an Application Management class 540, a display control
block, one or more frame buffers 548, an activity stack 552, and/or
an event buffer 556--all of the functionality thereof extendable to
the SP 1000. A class can be any group of two or more modules that
have related functionality or are associated in a software
hierarchy.
[0239] The MDM class 524 also includes one or more modules that are
operable to manage the display of applications or other data on the
screen of the SP 1000. An embodiment of the MDM class 524 is
described in conjunction with FIG. 5B. In embodiments, the MDM
class 524 receives inputs from the OS 516, the drivers 512 and the
applications 564. The inputs assist the MDM class 524 in
determining how to display the information required by the user.
Once a determination for display configurations is determined, the
MDM class 524 can bind the applications 564 to a display
configuration. The configuration may then be provided to one or
more other components to generate the display on the SP 1000.
[0240] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary embodiment showing the
device 100 docking with the SP 1000. More specifically, the device
100 is being inserted into a slot (not shown) on the SP 1000. On
completion of the inserting of device 100 into SP 1000 (See FIG.
12), device 100 communicates with the SP 1000 via bus or other
wired or wireless electrical means 1204. The device 100 is also
connected with, for example, the camera/video camera 1016,
microphone (Mic), and power port 1208.
[0241] In conjunction with the docking of device 100 with SP 1000,
one or more of the devices can begin power management. For example,
one or more of the device 100 and SP 1000 can include power
supplies, such as batteries, solar, or in general any electrical
supply, any one or more of which being usable to supply one or more
of the device 100 and SP 1000. Furthermore, through the use of, for
example, an AC power adaptor connected to port 1208, the SP 1000
can supply power to device 100, such as to charge device 100. It
will be appreciated that the power management functionality
described herein can be distributed between one or more of the
device 100 and SP 1000, with power being sharable between the two
devices.
[0242] In addition to power management functions, upon the device
100 being docked with the SP 1000, the displays on device 100 can
be turned off to, for example, save power. Furthermore, electrical
connections are established between the device 100 and SP 1000 such
that the speaker, microphone, display, input capture region(s),
inputs, and the like, received by SP 1000 are transferrable to
device 100. Moreover, the display on device 1000 is enabled such
that information that would have been displayed on one or more of
the touch sensitive displays 110 and 114 is displayed on touch
sensitive display 1010. As will be discussed in greater detail
herein, the SP 1000 can emulate the dual display configuration of
the device 100 on the single display 1010.
[0243] The SP 1000 can optionally be equipped with the headphone
jack 1212 and power button 1216. Moreover, any hardware buttons or
user input buttons on the device 100 could be extended to and
replicated on the SP 1000.
[0244] This dock event between the device 100 and SP 1000 can be
seen as states 336 or 344 in FIG. 3A. As will be appreciated, and
in accordance with one of the illustrative embodiments herein, the
device 100 is docked with SP 1000 with the device being in the open
state 210. However, it is to be appreciated that the device 100 can
be docked with the SP 1000 in the closed state 304, or docked via,
for example, a cable without the device 100 necessarily being
inserted into the SP 1000.
[0245] FIGS. 13A-B illustrate application reorientation according
to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In particular, FIG.
13A illustrates the device 100 being inserted into the SP 1000.
Before being associated with the SP 1000, the device 100 has two
applications, both in the landscape mode, represented by
application "B" in landscape on a first screen and application "C"
in landscape on a second screen (partially obscured by SP
1000).
[0246] FIG. 13B illustrates the re-orientation of the windows for
the two applications based on the device 100 being associated with
the SP 1000, the SP 1000 being in the landscape orientation. In
accordance with this exemplary embodiment, application "B" on the
device 100 is re-oriented to be in the portrait orientation on the
SP 1000, and in a similar manner, application "C" on the device 100
is reoriented to the portrait orientation on the right-hand side
the touch sensitive display 1010. As will be appreciated, the
reorientation of the application(s) from the device 100 to the SP
1000 can occur in a similar manner for a single application running
on the device 100. For example, if there is only one application
running on device 100, and the application is running in landscape
mode, when the device 100 is docked with the SP 1000, the
orientation of the application is reoriented to be appropriate for
the current orientation of the SP 1000. For example, if the
application on the device 100 is in portrait mode, and the SP 1000
is in landscape mode, the application is reoriented from portrait
mode on the device 100 to landscape mode on the SP 1000. In a
similar manner, if the application on the device is in landscape
mode, and upon being docked to the SP 1000 in portrait mode, the
application is reoriented into portrait mode for appropriate
viewing on the SP 1000.
[0247] In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the
accelerometer 176 on device 100 is used to determine the
orientation of both the device 100 and SP 1000, and consequently
the orientation of the touch screen display 1010. Therefore, the
accelerometer(s) 176 outputs a signal that is used in connection
with the display of information to control the orientation and/or
format in which information is to be displayed to the user on
display 1010. As is to be appreciated, reorientation can include
one or more of a portrait to landscape conversion, a landscape to
portrait conversion, a resizing, a re-proportioning and/or a
redrawing of the window(s) associated with the application(s).
[0248] On reorienting of the running application(s), the
application(s) is displayed on display 1010 on SP 1000.
[0249] In accordance with an optional exemplary embodiment,
priority can be given to the application that is in focus. For
example, and using again applications "B" and "C" as illustrated in
FIG. 13B, if instead application C was in focus before docking,
application C could be reoriented and displayed on the left-hand
portion of display 1010, and application B, which was not in focus
before docking, displayed on the right-hand portion of display 1010
upon docking.
[0250] In accordance with another optional embodiment, the
application in focus could be displayed in full-screen mode on
display 1010 with the application(s) not in focus placed into a
window stack that is, for example, in a carousel-type arrangement
as discussed hereinafter.
[0251] FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a single
application mode for the SP 1000. In the single application mode,
all applications are launched and displayed in full screen. The
single application mode can be indicated by a multi-tasking icon in
the annunciator bar, or at some other location on screen 1004.
[0252] Displaying of the application(s) are managed by one or more
of the display controller 544, framework 520, window management
module 532, display configuration module 568, as well as middleware
520 and associated classes. In single application mode, all dual
screen capable applications can be launched in either a dual screen
or max mode, where the application is displayed substantially
filling the display 1010. This is applicable to when the SP 1000 is
either in the portrait mode, as illustrated in FIG. 14, or in the
landscape mode, as illustrated in FIG. 15. In these figures, the
"A" represents the single application with the X1, X2 being
variables representing the coordinates and/or location of the
window in which the application "A" is to be displaced. A similar
notation is used hereinafter for the multi-application mode, with
it being appreciated that, for example, X1 may contain the
coordinate information for the displaying of the window for a first
application, and X2 may contain the coordinate information for the
displaying of a window corresponding to a second application, and
so on.
[0253] Therefore, in one exemplar embodiment, when a single
application is executed, a single application can launch in the
full screen mode and can be correlated to the max mode as discussed
in relation to FIG. 6I where a single application spans both
screens of the device 100. This max mode is applicable to both the
portrait and landscape orientations as illustrated in FIG. 14 and
FIG. 15 with the display configuration module 568 appropriately
(re)sizing the window for the application to fit on substantially
all or all of the display 1010.
[0254] This resizing can occur regardless of whether a native
application on the device 100 actually supports the orientation of
the SP 1000. Therefore, even if the application does not support a
particular orientation on device 100, the display configuration
module 568 can appropriately re-render and/or re-size the window
for the application for appropriate display on the SP 1000.
[0255] FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 illustrate an exemplary method of
rending a single application that is a dual screen application, in
the portrait max mode and landscape max mode, respectively. More
specifically, in FIG. 16, the rendering of a dual screen
application in portrait mode will display on display 1010 one of
the two screens substantially or completely filling display 1010. A
user then, for example using a gesture, could scroll between the
two screens of the single application. In the landscape mode, as
illustrated in FIG. 17, the screen 1010 is divided into a first
portion 1704 and a second portion 1708. In this exemplary
embodiment, the first screen of the dual screen application is
rendered in first portion 1704, and the second screen of the dual
screen application is rendered in the second portion 1708. While a
certain portion of the screen 1010 is illustratively logically
divided for the first portion 1704 and the second portion 1708, it
should be appreciated that the screen real estate assigned to each
portion can vary, for example, based on one or more of optimum
display for the window(s), type of information being displayed in
each portion, user preferences, rules associated with the
application, and/or the like.
[0256] In accordance with a first example, the first portion is
allocated one third of the screen 1010's resolution, while the
second portion 1708 is allocated two thirds of the screen real
estate. In accordance with another example, the screen 1010 is
split 50/50. In accordance with yet another example, the first
portion could be allocated 70% of the screen 1010's real estate,
while the second portion 1708 could be allocated 30%. The managing
and resizing of these windows can again be done in cooperation with
the display configuration module 568, as well as the windows
management module 532 and display controllers for successful
rendering of the location of the window(s) on the SP 1000.
[0257] As will be appreciated, and in a manner similar to the
operation of device 1000, should the SP 1000 change orientation
(e.g., from landscape to portrait or vice versa) the window(s) for
the application(s) can be redrawn in the appropriate orientation
taking into account window prioritization based on whether a
particular application and current focus is for a dual screen
application or a single screen application.
[0258] Focus can also be taken into consideration when determining
which window of the application should be displayed when the SP
1000 is in the portrait position. For example, if the application
is an e-mail client, and the application natively is displayed on
dual screens on device 1000 (a first screen being directed toward
showing inbox content, and the second screen being a preview window
for a specific item in the inbox) the system can evaluate which
window is currently in focus, and ensure that window is displayed
in the portrait max mode when the SP 1000 is in the portrait
orientation.
[0259] In FIG. 17 the SP 1000 is configured to merge windows from
the dual screen application on to a single display 1010. In this
landscape orientation, data (e.g., a single image, application,
window, icon, video, etc.) from a first window is displayed in a
first portion of the display 1010 while data (e.g., a single image,
application, window, icon, video, etc.) is shown in a second
portion of the display 1010. Similar to other output
configurations, it may be possible to transition the SP 1000 from
the shown output configuration to any other output configuration
described herein, depending on, for example, into which state the
SP 1000 is moved.
[0260] Some other exemplary embodiments of windows management
within the SP 1000 upon the device 100 docking with the SP 1000 are
as follows: For example, a device 100 is docked to the SP 1000,
with the SP 1000 in a portrait orientation and there are two
single-screen applications running on the device 1000, the
application in focus is placed in a lower portion of the display
1010, and the application not in focus is placed on an upper
portion of the display 1010. Another exemplary scenario, where the
device 100 is docked to a portrait-oriented SP 1000 where one
dual-screen application is running on the device 100 and the SP
1000 is in a dual application mode, applies gravity drop as
discussed herein.
[0261] In another exemplary scenario, where the device 100 is
running two single-screen applications, and the SP 1000 is in a
landscape dual application mode, the first application is assigned
to a first portion of the display 1010 and the second application
is assigned to a second portion of the display 1010.
[0262] In yet another exemplary scenario where the device 100 is
running one dual-screen application and the SP 1000 is in dual
application landscape mode, both screens of the dual screen
application can be shown on the SP 1000.
[0263] Stickiness can also apply to the SP 1000 such that, for
example, when a first application is in focus, upon docking to a
single application mode SP 1000, the application remains visible
after docking. As another example of stickiness, if a second
application is in focus upon docking to a single application mode
SP 1000, application two remains visible after docking.
[0264] In accordance with another example, the device 100 is
running one dual-screen application and is docked to a
landscape-oriented SP 1000 in max mode, the windows are re-oriented
to be side-by-side, opposed to one above the other.
[0265] FIG. 18 through FIG. 21 generally illustrate the management
and display of a virtual keyboard 1804 on display 1010. More
specifically, in FIG. 18, in portrait mode, the virtual keyboard
1804 is positioned below application area 1808, where an
application is displayed in, for example, max mode. In general, it
is preferred that the keyboard can be glued to the lower-portion of
the display 1010, regardless of whether the SP is in the landscape
or portrait mode. However, it is to be appreciated that, for
example, based on user preferences, the screen can be glued to
another portion of the screen, or can be moved to another location
via, for example, a gesture. In FIG. 18, the application area 1808
displays, for example, a standard application with the virtual
keyboard 1804 being displayed in the lower portion of display 1010.
In FIG. 19, for example, the application area 1908 is showing a
dual-screen enabled application in max mode. The keyboard 1804 is
again similarly displayed in the lower portion of the display
1010.
[0266] In FIG. 20, in SP landscape mode, the keyboard 1804 is
displayed in the lower portion of display 1010 with the application
area 2004 substantially or completely filling the displayable area
above the keyboard 1804. In FIG. 21, the SP is again in landscape
mode and displaying a dual-screen enabled application in max mode,
the application area 1 2104 and application area 2 2108, the
keyboard 1804 is displayed below the two application areas.
[0267] In general, in the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 18
through FIG. 21, a first determination is made as to whether a
keyboard should be displayed. If the keyboard is to be displayed,
the next determination is made as to the orientation of the SP. If
the SP is in a portrait mode, the virtual keyboard is presented
also in a portrait mode, preferable on the lower portion of the
screen. If the SP is in a landscape mode, the keyboard is
optionally re-sized to be substantially displayed on a lower
portion of the display with, for example, one or more application
windows being located above the virtual keyboard. With the
orientation of the SP change, the keyboard is also reoriented to be
coincident with the orientation of the SP. Similarly, when the
keyboard is no longer required, the keyboard is hidden with the
application area(s) being expanded to again substantially fill the
display 1010.
[0268] FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 illustrate exemplary methods of managing
window positions on the SP 1000. In particular, in FIG. 22,
application X 2204 is in view on display 1010. On receiving user
input, such as the swipe motion represented by 2208 in the gesture
capture region 1020, application X is "scrolled" to the left to be
replaced with the dual-screen application A1|A2, as shown in FIG.
23. If the same gesture 2208 were to be repeated again, application
Z would come into view. Similarly, if in FIG. 22 gesture 2208 was
in the opposite direction, to the right, application Y would come
into view on display 1010. Scrolling through available windows is
of course applicable to both the landscape and portrait mode of the
SP in a similar manner. For example, in portrait mode, instead of
the gesture traversing from left to right or right to left, the
gesture could traverse in a downward motion, or in an upward
motion, with the virtual stacks of the windows being located
"above" or "below" the device, similar to a rolodex. Thus, when the
user initiates a downward type gesture, the next application
"above" is displayed on display 1010.
[0269] FIG. 24 illustrates the multi application mode of the SP
1000, wherein in the multi application mode the SP 1000 emulates
the device 100 in its mini-tablet form--with this mode optionally
being invoked by selection of a multi application button (shown and
described hereinafter). A simplified way of understanding this mode
is to appreciate that the mode emulates the device 100 being
opened. In this multi application mode, the SP 1000 can inherit the
rules regarding the display of information on the device 100--For
example, that all applications are launched in single screen mode.
One exception could be applications that support a max mode can be
by default automatically expanded to this mode if provided the
opportunity.
[0270] In this mode, each application has the ability to determine
how the application appears in each orientation (e.g., portrait and
landscape).
[0271] FIG. 26 illustrates an exemplary method of managing the
multiple application mode of the SP 1000. In the multiple
application mode, multiple applications can be managed and
displayed within the display 1010. In multi application mode, the
SP 1000 having the single screen emulates the dual screens of the
device 100. To initiate the multiple application mode, a
button/toggle 2618 is selected, which allows the user to select
multiple applications for display in the display 1010. In this
exemplary embodiment, a first application 2604 C, is shown in the
upper-portion of the portrait mode SP 1000 and a second application
2608 D, is shown in a lower-portion of screen 1010. In conjunction
with the displaying of multiple applications in the multiple
application mode, focus indicator 2616 can be provided to assist
the user with identifying which application is in focus. As
discussed, this focus indicator can be a light bar, or other
indicator (such as an indicator in the screen 1010 or beside 2608)
drawing the user's attention to which application is in focus. In
the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 26, application D 2608 is in focus
as represented by the focus bar 2616. In accordance with this
exemplary embodiment, and while the focus bar 2616 is shown in the
gesture capture region 1020, it should be appreciated that the
focus indicator could be located in some other portion of the SP
1000. For example, the window for the application in focus could be
slightly re-sized to allow for the display of a bar of pixels
adjacent to the window, which would similarly alert the user to the
fact that that application is in focus. Similarly, the application
in focus could appear at normal brightness while the application
not in focus could be slightly dimmed. In general, any technique
could be used to assist the user in readily determining which
application is in focus.
[0272] To change focus, a user could use any of the gestures
discussed herein or could, for example, simply touch the area where
application C is displayed, thereby changing focus to application
C, at which point a corresponding relocation of the focus indicator
2616 to adjacent to application C would occur.
[0273] FIG. 27 illustrates a similar scenario for a landscape mode
SP 1000. In particular, and upon selection of the multi application
mode, the display 1010 is divided between, in this example, a first
application D 2712, and a second application F 2708. Here,
application D is displayed on the right-hand portion of display
1010 and application F displayed on the left-hand portion of
display 1010. While in this exemplary embodiment, the display real
estate is split 50/50 between the two applications, it should be
appreciated that one application could be displayed on a larger
portion of the display 1010 than the other. In this particular
exemplary embodiment, application D is in focus, as represented by
focus indicator 2416.
[0274] In the multiple application mode, in both portrait and
landscape orientations, each application could have its own
associated window stack as show in FIG. 22 and FIG. 23, or there
could be one stack shared between all of the displayed
applications. More specifically, if each application has its own
stack, with a stack structure similar to that illustrated in FIG.
22, a stack would be available for the first application, such as
application C, and a similar stack would be available for
application D. Each of these stacks could be independently scrolled
through using, for example, a gesture as discussed above.
[0275] FIG. 28 illustrates an exemplary method for managing screen
display characteristics according to another embodiment of this
invention. In accordance with this embodiment, a determination is
made whether an application can be maximized, and if it can be
maximized, it is expanded to the dual screen mode or max mode, as
appropriate, to substantially fill the display 1010 as illustrated
in the figure. Here, application E1, which is an application that
can be maximized, has been expanded using the max mode to
substantially or completely fill display 1010.
[0276] In FIG. 28, button 2618 allows a user to toggle between a
single screen mode (as illustrated in FIG. 28) and an emulated dual
screen mode, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 26 and FIG. 27.
Here, button 2618 does not include the "|" therefore indicating to
the user the SP 1000 is in single screen mode.
[0277] FIG. 29 illustrates an exemplary method of managing windows.
In this exemplary embodiment, and similar to the operation of the
device 100, when the last application in the stack is moved to the
side, the desktop is displayed. Even more specifically, as shown in
FIG. 29, application F 2908 is displayed in an upper portion of
display 1010 and the desktop 2912 is displayed in the lower portion
of display 1010. Here the desktop is in focus, as illustrated by
the focus indicator 2916. This configuration is available since the
user has selected the dual-screen emulation mode button 2618.
[0278] FIG. 30 illustrates an exemplary method of displaying a
keyboard according to one embodiment. In particular, when the SP is
in portrait mode, the SP will have a keyboard area 3004 and an
application area 3008. Upon display of the keyboard 3004, the
application in application area 3008 is resized to substantially or
completely fill the area of the screen not occupied by the keyboard
3004.
[0279] FIG. 31A and FIG. 31B illustrate desktop availability in
both the single application mode and dual application mode in both
the SP landscape mode and SP portrait mode. In particular, and in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the desktop 3104 will
occupy the entirety of the screen 1010. Additionally, and in
accordance with this exemplary embodiment where the desktop is
shown in a full-screen mode, the annunciator bar 1312 can be
expanded across the entirety of the screen 1010. This can occur in
both the portrait mode as shown in FIG. 31A as well as the
landscape mode as illustrated in FIG. 31B. From here, upon
selection of the application launcher 3116, the application
launcher can optionally expand across the entirety of the screen
1010 in either the portrait or landscape mode. Similarly, the file
explorer, which is launched by pressing the file explorer button
3120, can be similarly expanded into substantially all or all of
the screen 1010 space.
[0280] FIG. 32A and FIG. 32B illustrate screen redrawing that may
required to transition the desktop from the device 100 to the SP
1000. In particular, in FIG. 32A, six exemplary desktop panels are
shown 3204-3224. These desktop panels are moveable in a
carousel-like fashion based on gesture input from a user. However,
it may not be possible to directly translate these panels to
display correctly on the SP 1000 without the panels being distorted
or not occupying the entirety of the screen 1010. Accordingly, in
accordance with one exemplary embodiment, one or more of the panels
3204-3224 can be resized when displayed on the SP 1000 to
accommodate all or substantially all of the screen 1010. In
accordance with another exemplary embodiment, more than two of the
panels can be shown on the screen 1010, such as a portion of panel
D2 3208, a portion of panel D3 3212 and a portion of panel D4 3216.
In this manner, the desktop illustrated on the SP 1000 will have a
similar look-and-feel to the desktop panels shown on device 100.
The same carousel-like motion is available via a gesture input to
the SP 1000 such that a user can scroll to the one or more panels
of the desktop.
[0281] FIG. 33A depicts a device 100 with first 104 and second 108
screens. In this example, the screens 104, 108 are in a dual
portrait mode or orientation. Moreover, the device 100 is shown
executing or accessing a first application 564a. In the state
depicted in FIG. 33A, the first screen 104 displays a first set of
information comprising a first page 3708 of the first application
564a. The second screen 108 displays a second set of information
comprising a second page 3712 of the first application 564a. As an
example, and without limitation, the first application 564a may
comprise a browser application. Moreover, the first page 3708 may
comprise a control page or other ancillary page 3710. For example,
and without limitation, the control page 3710 may present a list of
bookmarks, a list of most visited websites, or a browsing history.
The second page 3712 may comprise a content page or other primary
page 3714. As examples, and without limitation, the content page
3714 may comprise the content of a website accessed by the browser
application, or a landing page generated by the browser
application. The gesture 3716 shown in FIG. 33A depicts a gesture
or other touch input provided by a user to minimize the view of the
first application 564a from two pages to one. As shown, the gesture
3716 may be entered in an area or region of the screens 104, 108
that is outside of the areas or regions of the screens 104, 108 in
which the pages 3708, 3712 of the first application 564a are
presented or displayed. For instance, the gesture 3716 can be
received in the gesture capture region 120 of the first screen 104
or the gesture capture region 124 of the second screen 108. As a
further example, the gesture 3716 may be entered in the touch
sensitive display region 110 of a first screen 104 or the touch
sensitive display region 114 of the second screen 108. Although the
specific gesture 3716 illustrated in the figure comprises a drag
gesture 400, other gestures or inputs can be used, depending on the
configuration of the device 100.
[0282] FIG. 33B depicts the output of the screens 104, 108 after
the receipt of the gesture 3716 from the user. In particular, the
first screen 104 now displays a page or other output 3720 related
to a second application 564b in a stack 760, or alternatively a
desktop view, for example where a second application 564b is not
active. The second screen 108 continues to display the second page
3712 of the first application 564a. Accordingly, the minimization
operation command entered with respect to the display generated in
association with the first application 564a has the effect of
discontinuing or dismissing the first page 3708 of the first
application 564a. The display of the second page 3712 of the first
application 564a continues. In particular, any minimization
operation performed with respect to the first application 564a
while the first 3708 and second 3712 pages are displayed results in
the first page 3708 (in this example the control or ancillary page
3710) being closed, while the second page 3712 (in this example the
content or primary page 3714) persists.
[0283] FIG. 34A depicts an output configuration similar or the same
as that depicted in FIG. 33B. However, in FIG. 34A, input, in this
example in the form of a gesture 3724, comprising a maximization
operation command is received with respect to the first application
564a. In this example, the gesture 3724 is depicted as a drag
gesture 400 received in the gesture capture region 124 of the
second screen 108. Alternatively, the input to perform a
maximization operation could have been entered through any other
gesture or command operable to maximize the first application 564a.
The result of the receipt of the gesture 3724 is depicted in FIG.
34B. In particular, the maximization command results in the display
of the first page 3708 associated with the first application 564a
in the first screen 104, while the second screen 108 continues to
display the second page 3712 associated with the first application
564a. Accordingly, when a maximization command is received with
respect to the first application 564a, and while the second page
3712 associated with the first application 564a is being displayed,
the first page 3708 is displayed by the first screen 104, in place
of the page 3720 associated with the second application 564b. In
accordance with further embodiments, where the command to maximize
the first application 564a is received while the second page 3712
is displayed in the first screen, the maximization operation
results in the first page 3708 being displayed in the first screen
104, and the second page 3712 being displayed in the second screen
108.
[0284] FIG. 35A depicts another exemplary output of the screens
104, 108 of the device 100 in accordance with embodiments of the
present invention. In this example, the device has been controlled
such that the first screen 104 displays the second page 3712
associated with the first application 564a in the first screen 104
of the device 100, while the second screen 108 has been controlled
to display a page 3720 associated with a second application 564b,
or a desktop view. A gesture 3728 or other input comprising a
maximization command is depicted. The result of the maximization
operation performed in response to that command is shown in FIG.
35B. In particular, the receipt of the maximization command has
resulted in the display of the second page 3712 associated with the
first application 564a in the second screen 108 of the device 100,
in place of the page 3720 associated with the second application
564b or the desktop display. In addition, the first page 3708 of
the first application 564a is displayed in the first screen
104.
[0285] With reference now to FIG. 36, aspects of a method for
minimizing or maximizing a display of application information with
respect to an application 564 that presents information in primary
and ancillary pages are depicted. Initially, at step 4004, a
determination is made as to whether a command to open an
application 564 has been received. A command to open an application
564 can be entered by a user providing input to the device 100.
Alternatively or in addition, a command to open an application 564
can be received through operation of programming associated with or
executed by the device 100, or through a command received by an
interconnected device. Until a command to open an application 564
is received, the process may idle at step 4004. After a command to
open an application 564 is received, the device 100 presents first
and second pages of output associated with the opened application
564 (e.g., a first application 564a) in the first 104 and second
108 screens of the device 108 (step 4008). Moreover, in accordance
with embodiments of the present invention, one of the pages 3708 or
3712 is a preferred or primary page 3714, while the other of the
pages 3708 or 3712 is an ancillary or secondary page 3710.
[0286] At step 4012, a determination is made as to whether input
has been received from a user minimizing the opened application
564. If such input has been received, presentation of the preferred
or primary page 3714 is continued, while the presentation of the
ancillary or secondary page 3710 is discontinued (step 4016). In
accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the preferred
page 3714 can occupy either the first 104 or second 108 screen of
the device 100. Moreover, following the receipt of the minimization
command, the preferred or primary 3714 page can continue to be
presented in the screen 104 or 108 that originally presented that
page 3714. Alternatively, the screen 104 or 108 used to present the
primary page 3714 can be changed. Whether the screen 104 or 108
used to present the primary page is switched or not can depend on
the nature of the minimization command. For example, if the device
100 is switched from a dual portrait mode to a single portrait
mode, the screen 104 or 108 remaining as the primary screen
following the change to the single portrait mode can be used to
display the primary page 3714.
[0287] After performing minimization, a determination can be made
as to whether input from a user in the form of a maximization
command has been received (step 4020). If a command to perform a
maximization operation with respect to the application 564 has been
received, the first 3708 and second 3712 pages of the application
564 are presented by the device 100 (step 4024). That is, in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention, both the
primary 3714 and the secondary 3710 pages are displayed as a result
of the maximization operation. Moreover, the maximization command
can result in the display of the primary page 3714 in a
predetermined one of the first 104 and second 108 screens, without
regard to whether doing so results in moving an auxiliary page 3710
displayed when the maximization command was received to a different
screen 104 or 108.
[0288] After acting on a maximization command at step 4024, or
after determining that no input has been received at steps 4012 or
4020, a determination may be made as to whether the device 100 has
been powered off (step 4028). If the device 100 has not been
powered off, the process can return to step 4004. Alternatively,
the process can end.
[0289] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention,
methods disclosed herein can be performed by the execution of
application programming stored in memory 208, 508 and by a
processor 204, 504. For example, a windows management module or
class 532 can include functionality to receive and act on input
received from a user. Moreover, such input can include window
management input, and can include the execution of steps to open or
close applications 564, or windows presenting pages associated with
such application 564, for example in connection with minimization
and maximization operations. In addition, although certain
embodiments have been described in connection with operation on a
device 100 having first 104 and second 108 screens, the invention
is not limited to operation on such a device. For example,
embodiments of the present invention can be performed on a device
or a combination of devices operating in concert with one another
that have more than two screens, and/or in connection with a screen
comprising virtual screens or windows.
[0290] In accordance with other embodiments of the present
invention, the device 100 is capable of displaying an output
generated by a user input selected to launch a web browser
application. In launching the web browser application, two general
categories of views may be provided to the user, namely, a web page
view that displays a webpage, and a control page view that displays
a control page enabling various control functions for the user.
[0291] In one particular embodiment, the web page view and the
control page view are provided on respective screens 104 and 108,
as described below with respect to FIG. 37. In yet another
embodiment as described with respect to FIG. 38, a user may select
to have a browser full screen view in which the selected web page
view fills both screens. Additionally, both the single screen view
and the full screen view of the displayed web page can be viewed
either in the portrait or landscape states depending upon how the
user orients the device during use.
[0292] Now specifically referring to FIG. 37, the device 100 is
shown in the portrait state in which a control page is displayed on
the screen 104, and a web page is displayed on the screen 108.
[0293] For the control page, the FIG. 37 illustrates a number of
functional features for the user enabling the user to control the
web browser application. A notification bar 4100 is provided which
may graphically show, for example, a battery status, a wireless
connection status, and other connectivity statuses. A tab bar 4102
is also shown. The tab bar 4102 provides a quick method for a user
to access multiple web pages. For example, each of the buttons
shown in the tab bar 4102 may include links to other websites or
may include other functional capabilities such as tabs to access
bookmarks, web browsing history, and most visited web pages. The
user may execute a tap gesture on a selected button within the tab
bar 4102 to then view on the control page the selected function.
The control page also provides other functional features to include
selected bookmark thumbnail views 4108, which may include a user's
pre-selected web browser bookmarks. Again, the user executing a tap
gesture on any of the buttons 4108 would result in launching that
particular bookmark. In addition to bookmarks 4108, the FIG. 37
also illustrates a plurality of other favorite or pre-designated
applications 4109 that may be displayed for the user as a short-cut
access for launching. The control page also may display an action
bar 4112. The action bar provides access to commonly used functions
for a web browser application, such as a back function, a forward
function, a share function, the browser full screen view function,
a print function, a find function, and others. By the user
executing a tap gesture on the corresponding button for the desired
function, this allows the user to navigate the selected web page,
or conduct other functions.
[0294] For the web page or browser view displayed on the screen
108, it may also include various functions for the user to use to
include the notification bar 4100 and the action bar 4112.
Additionally, the browser or web page view may include a browser
tab bar 4104 that may incorporate functions the same as or similar
to those provided on the tab bar 4102 of the control page. The
browser or web page view also includes an address bar 4106 that
shows the particular web address for the displayed web page. The
browser canvas or browser main display 4110 displays the content of
the particular web page selected by the user. As shown, the browser
canvas 4110 fills the majority of the area of the screen 108.
[0295] Optionally, the browser canvas 4110 may also include an
overlay portion that remains stationary as the user navigates one
or more selected web pages. For example, this stationary portion of
the display could include various sponsored advertising which
accompanies a particular selected web page, or the overlay may be
incorporated with the particular web browser application itself.
The web browser canvas 4110 will "float" or move in accordance with
the gestures executed by the user on the area defined by the
browser canvas 4110, while the overlay portion remains static and
stationary on the screen. In the FIG. 37, a top overlay 4120 has
been selected in which the stationary overlay occupies the top
portion of the browser canvas 4110. Also in a preferred embodiment,
the tab bar and the action bar remain in view during scrolling,
zooming and panning. Additionally, if the device is in the dual
display configuration with the control page illustrated on the
screen 104 and the web page on screen 108, user actions executed on
the browser canvas 4110 do not impact the control panel page.
Accordingly, the control page and the web page behave as they would
in respective single screen views. Although the control page is
described as being on the left screen 104, it shall be understood
that the control page could also be displayed on the right screen
108 and the web page could therefore be displayed on the left
screen 104 in yet another preferred embodiment.
[0296] In another embodiment of the invention, referring now to
FIG. 38, executing a tap gesture on a full screen button of the
action bar 4112 results in both screens being filled with the
browser full screen view. Accordingly, as shown in the FIG. 38, the
features illustrated on the control page are not displayed in favor
of the browser full screen view that fills both of the screens. The
browser full screen view incorporates the same functionality as
described with respect to the Pmax configuration 624 shown in the
FIG. 6I. As described, the Pmax configuration facilitates a larger
display and/or better resolution for displaying a particular image
on the device 100. Accordingly, the web page is displayed as a
single continuous image on both the first and second screens 104
and 108. As also shown in FIG. 38, the notification bar 4100 is
still displayed. Further, the user has the option to display either
a top overlay 4120 or a bottom overlay 4122 in which the overlay is
therefore located on the screen at either of the selected top or
bottom locations. Although the FIG. 38 illustrates the device
configured in the portrait state, the device may also be configured
in the landscape state, and the browser full screen view will still
be maintained in the landscape state.
[0297] Additional functions are provided on the browser full screen
view enabling the user to move the location of the overlay. For
example, a top overlay button 4114 is provided for locating the
stationary overlay towards the top of the screen(s), such as shown
in the FIG. 37. Button 4116 is provided for orienting the overlay
at the bottom of the screen(s), such as shown in the FIG. 38. An
exit button 4118 is also provided enabling the user to exit the
full screen view, which results in the device returning to the dual
screen view or default view shown in the FIG. 37.
[0298] Therefore, it is apparent with respect to the embodiments
illustrated in the FIGS. 37 and 38 that the user is provided with
not only advanced control and navigation for a web browser
application, but also with the ability to selectively increase or
decrease the size of the web page being viewed by selecting either
the single screen view or browser full screen view. Particularly
for web pages in which there are a number of "hot" or navigational
buttons that can be selected, the browser full screen view provides
better navigational capability as well as enhancing and enlarging
an overall view of the entire web page thereby reducing the need to
zoom into smaller portions of the webpage to obtain better image
resolution. In summary, the increased area in which web pages can
be viewed in the browser full screen view inherently provides
additional capabilities for the user, and eases web browsing
without sacrificing control that the user maintains by using the
functions available on the browser full screen view. In the event
the user wishes to access increased functional control, the user
simply toggles between the browser full screen view and the single
display view by executing a single tap function.
[0299] Furthermore, while the exemplary aspects, embodiments,
and/or configurations illustrated herein show the various
components of the system collocated, certain components of the
system can be located remotely, at distant portions of a
distributed network, such as a LAN and/or the Internet, or within a
dedicated system. Thus, it should be appreciated, that the
components of the system can be combined in to one or more devices,
such as a tablet-like device, or collocated on a particular node of
a distributed network, such as an analog and/or digital
telecommunications network, a packet-switch network, or a
circuit-switched network. It will be appreciated from the preceding
description, and for reasons of computational efficiency, that the
components of the system can be arranged at any location within a
distributed network of components without affecting the operation
of the system. For example, the various components can be located
in a switch such as a PBX and media server, gateway, in one or more
communications devices, at one or more users' premises, or some
combination thereof. Similarly, one or more functional portions of
the system could be distributed between a telecommunications
device(s) and an associated computing device.
[0300] Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the various links
connecting the elements can be wired or wireless links, or any
combination thereof, or any other known or later developed
element(s) that is capable of supplying and/or communicating data
to and from the connected elements. These wired or wireless links
can also be secure links and may be capable of communicating
encrypted information. Transmission media used as links, for
example, can be any suitable carrier for electrical signals,
including coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, and may
take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated
during radio-wave and infra-red data communications.
[0301] Also, while the flowcharts have been discussed and
illustrated in relation to a particular sequence of events, it
should be appreciated that changes, additions, and omissions to
this sequence can occur without materially affecting the operation
of the disclosed embodiments, configuration, and aspects.
[0302] In yet another embodiment, the systems and methods of this
disclosure can be implemented in conjunction with a special purpose
computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and
peripheral integrated circuit element(s), an ASIC or other
integrated circuit, a digital signal processor, a hard-wired
electronic or logic circuit such as discrete element circuit, a
programmable logic device or gate array such as PLD, PLA, FPGA,
PAL, special purpose computer, any comparable means, or the like.
In general, any device(s) or means capable of implementing the
methodology illustrated herein can be used to implement the various
aspects of this disclosure. Exemplary hardware that can be used for
the disclosed embodiments, configurations and aspects includes
computers, handheld devices, telephones (e.g., cellular, Internet
enabled, digital, analog, hybrids, and others), and other hardware
known in the art. Some of these devices include processors (e.g., a
single or multiple microprocessors), memory, nonvolatile storage,
input devices, and output devices. Furthermore, alternative
software implementations including, but not limited to, distributed
processing or component/object distributed processing, parallel
processing, or virtual machine processing can also be constructed
to implement the methods described herein.
[0303] In yet another embodiment, the disclosed methods may be
readily implemented in conjunction with software using object or
object-oriented software development environments that provide
portable source code that can be used on a variety of computer or
workstation platforms. Alternatively, the disclosed system may be
implemented partially or fully in hardware using standard logic
circuits or VLSI design. Whether software or hardware is used to
implement the systems in accordance with this disclosure is
dependent on the speed and/or efficiency requirements of the
system, the particular function, and the particular software or
hardware systems or microprocessor or microcomputer systems being
utilized.
[0304] In yet another embodiment, the disclosed methods may be
partially implemented in software that can be stored on a storage
medium, executed on programmed general-purpose computer with the
cooperation of a controller and memory, a special purpose computer,
a microprocessor, or the like. In these instances, the systems and
methods of this disclosure can be implemented as program embedded
on personal computer such as an applet, JAVA.RTM. or CGI script, as
a resource residing on a server or computer workstation, as a
routine embedded in a dedicated measurement system, system
component, or the like. The system can also be implemented by
physically incorporating the system and/or method into a software
and/or hardware system.
[0305] Although the present disclosure describes components and
functions implemented in the aspects, embodiments, and/or
configurations with reference to particular standards and
protocols, the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations are not
limited to such standards and protocols. Other similar standards
and protocols not mentioned herein are in existence and are
considered to be included in the present disclosure. Moreover, the
standards and protocols mentioned herein and other similar
standards and protocols not mentioned herein are periodically
superseded by faster or more effective equivalents having
essentially the same functions. Such replacement standards and
protocols having the same functions are considered equivalents
included in the present disclosure.
[0306] The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments,
and/or configurations, includes components, methods, processes,
systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described
herein, including various aspects, embodiments, configurations
embodiments, subcombinations, and/or subsets thereof. Those of
skill in the art will understand how to make and use the disclosed
aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations after understanding the
present disclosure. The present disclosure, in various aspects,
embodiments, and/or configurations, includes providing devices and
processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described
herein or in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations
hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been
used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving
performance, achieving ease and/or reducing cost of
implementation.
[0307] The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of
illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to
limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the
foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the
disclosure are grouped together in one or more aspects,
embodiments, and/or configurations for the purpose of streamlining
the disclosure. The features of the aspects, embodiments, and/or
configurations of the disclosure may be combined in alternate
aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations other than those
discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted
as reflecting an intention that the claims require more features
than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following
claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of
a single foregoing disclosed aspect, embodiment, and/or
configuration. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated
into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own
as a separate preferred embodiment of the disclosure.
[0308] Moreover, though the description has included description of
one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations and certain
variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and
modifications are within the scope of the disclosure, e.g., as may
be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after
understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain
rights which include alternative aspects, embodiments, and/or
configurations to the extent permitted, including alternate,
interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or
steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate,
interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or
steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly
dedicate any patentable subject matter.
* * * * *