Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
  • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
  • G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
  • G06F1/1615—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers with several enclosures having relative motions, each enclosure supporting at least one I/O or computing function
  • G06F1/1616—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers with several enclosures having relative motions, each enclosure supporting at least one I/O or computing function with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
  • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
  • G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
  • G06F1/1633—Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
  • G06F1/1637—Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
  • G06F1/1641—Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing the display being formed by a plurality of foldable display components
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
  • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
  • G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
  • G06F1/1633—Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
  • G06F1/1637—Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
  • G06F1/1647—Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing including at least an additional display
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
  • G06F3/0481—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
  • G06F3/0481—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
  • G06F3/0483—Interaction with page-structured environments, e.g. book metaphor
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
  • G06F3/0487—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
  • G06F3/0488—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
  • G06F3/04883—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/14—Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
  • G06F3/1423—Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units controlling a plurality of local displays, e.g. CRT and flat panel display

Definitions

• 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 small form factor of handheld computing devices requires a careful balancing between the displayed graphics and the area provided for receiving inputs.
• the small display constrains the display space, which may increase the difficulty of interpreting actions or results.
• 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.
• a computer readable medium includes instructions causing a processor to manage a window stack for a multi-screen device.
• the computer-executable instructions comprise instructions to receive an orientation change in the multi-screen device, wherein the orientation change causes the multi-screen device to transition from a closed state to an open state, wherein, in the closed state, a first display is active and, in the open state, both the first display and a second display are active; instructions to determine if a desktop should be displayed on the second display; and, after determining the desktop should be displayed on the second display, instructions to display the desktop on the second display and a first window on the first display.
• a device comprises at least two displays, a memory, and a processor in communication with the memory and each of the at least two displays.
• the device is operable to provide a composite display, wherein the composite display comprises one touch sensitive displays in a closed state; receive an orientation change in the multi-screen device, wherein the orientation change causes the multi-screen device to transition from a closed state to an open state, wherein, in the open state, the composite display comprises a first portion associated with the first touch sensitive display and a second portion associated with a second touch sensitive display; expand a desktop to cover the composite display; and determine a first window is displayed in a first portion of the composite display and the desktop is displayed in a second portion of the composite display; and display the desktop on the second touch sensitive display and the first window on the first touch sensitive display.
• a method for presenting a display for a multi-screen device comprises providing a composite display that spans at least a portion of a first touch sensitive display when the multi-screen device is in a closed state; displaying a first window at a top of a window stack when the device is in the closed state; receiving an orientation change for the multi-screen device, wherein the orientation change is a transition from the closed state to an open state; changing the composite display to span at least a portion of a first touch sensitive display and a second touch sensitive display of the multi-screen device, wherein a first portion of the composite display is associated with the first touch sensitive display and a second portion of the composite display is associated with the second touch sensitive display; determining that a desktop is associated with the composite display; modifying the desktop to expand over the composite display;
• determining the first window is at the top of the window stack in the first portion of the composite display; determining the desktop is at the top of the window stack in the second portion of the composite display; displaying the first window on the first touch sensitive display; and displaying the desktop on the second touch sensitive display.
• the present disclosure can provide a number of advantages depending on the particular aspect, embodiment, and/or configuration.
• the window stack arrangement provides the advantage of maintain a logical arrangement of windows that is easily understood by the user.
• the "deck of cards” arrangement allows the user to quickly navigate active and inactive windows between the two displays.
• 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.
• Non-volatile media includes, for example, NVRAM, or magnetic or optical disks.
• Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as main memory.
• 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.
• the computer-readable media is configured as a database
• 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
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• an electrical parameter e.g., resistance or capacitance
• acoustic wave variations infrared radiation proximity detection, light variation detection, and the like.
• a resistive touch screen normally separated conductive and resistive metallic layers in the screen pass an electrical current.
• 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.
• 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.
• a 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• the display 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).
• the longer dimension of the display is oriented substantially horizontal in landscape mode while the shorter dimension of the display is oriented substantially vertical.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• module 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.
• 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.
• a "multi-screen 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.
• 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
• the multi-screen application may present one window pane of information.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 is incapable of the several modes discussed with the multi-screen application.
• 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.
• FIG. 1 A includes a first view of an embodiment of a multi-screen user device
• FIG. IB includes a second view of an embodiment of a multi-screen user device
• FIG. 1C includes a third view of an embodiment of a multi-screen user device
• FIG. ID includes a fourth view of an embodiment of a multi-screen user device
• FIG. IE includes a fifth view of an embodiment of a multi-screen user device
• FIG. IF includes a sixth view of an embodiment of a multi-screen user device
• FIG. 1G includes a seventh view of an embodiment of a multi-screen user device
• FIG. 1H includes a eighth view of an embodiment of a multi-screen user device
• FIG. II includes a ninth view of an embodiment of a multi-screen user device
• FIG. 1J includes a tenth view of an embodiment of a multi-screen user device
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the hardware of the device
• 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
• FIG. 3B is a table of an embodiment of the state model for the device based on the device's orientation and/or configuration
• FIG. 4A is a first representation of an embodiment of user gesture received at a device
• FIG. 4B is a second representation of an embodiment of user gesture received at a device
• FIG. 4C is a third representation of an embodiment of user gesture received at a device
• FIG. 4D is a fourth representation of an embodiment of user gesture received at a device
• FIG. 4E is a fifth representation of an embodiment of user gesture received at a device
• FIG. 4F is a sixth representation of an embodiment of user gesture received at a device
• FIG. 4G is a seventh representation of an embodiment of user gesture received at a device
• FIG. 4H is a eighth representation of an embodiment of user gesture received at a device.
• FIG. 5A is a block diagram of an embodiment of the device software and/or firmware
• FIG. 5B is a second block diagram of an embodiment of the device software and/or firmware
• FIG. 6A is a first representation of an embodiment of a device configuration generated in response to the device state
• FIG. 6B is a second representation of an embodiment of a device configuration generated in response to the device state
• FIG. 6C is a third representation of an embodiment of a device configuration generated in response to the device state
• FIG. 6D is a fourth representation of an embodiment of a device configuration generated in response to the device state
• FIG. 6E is a fifth representation of an embodiment of a device configuration generated in response to the device state
• FIG. 6F is a sixth representation of an embodiment of a device configuration generated in response to the device state
• FIG. 6G is a seventh representation of an embodiment of a device configuration generated in response to the device state
• FIG. 6H is a eighth representation of an embodiment of a device configuration generated in response to the device state
• FIG. 61 is a ninth representation of an embodiment of a device configuration generated in response to the device state
• FIG. 6J is a tenth representation of an embodiment of a device configuration generated in response to the device state
• FIG. 7A is a representation of a logical window stack
• FIG. 7B is another representation of an embodiment of a logical window stack
• FIG. 7C is another representation of an embodiment of a logical window stack
• FIG. 7D is another representation of an embodiment of a logical window stack
• FIG. 7E is another representation of an embodiment of a logical window stack
• FIG. 7F is another representation of an embodiment of a logical window stack
• FIG. 7G is another representation of an embodiment of a logical window stack
• FIG. 7H is another representation of an embodiment of a logical window stack
• FIG. 71 is another representation of an embodiment of a logical window stack
• FIG. 7J is another representation of an embodiment of a logical window stack
• FIG. 8 is block diagram of an embodiment of a logical data structure for a window stack
• FIG. 9 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for changing a display based on a window stack
• the device can be a
• 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.
• Figs. 1A-1J illustrate a device 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
• 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.
• 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
• Secondary screen 108 includes touch sensitive display 114, which also displays information to a user.
• screens 104 and 108 may include more than one display area.
• 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
• 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.
• 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.
• primary screen 104 includes gesture capture area 120
• 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.
• the gesture capture areas 120 and 124 are commonly not capable of rendering a displayed image.
• Hinge 128 can be opened to position the two screens 104 and 108 in different relative positions to each other.
• the device 100 may have different functionalities depending on the relative positions of screens 104 and 108.
• Fig. ID illustrates the right side of device 100.
• 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.
• I/O port input/output port
• 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.
• an audio jack 140 that accommodates a tip, ring, sleeve
• TRS TRS connector for example to allow a user to utilize headphones or a headset.
• Device 100 also includes a number of buttons 158.
• Fig. IE illustrates the left side of device 100.
• the side of primary screen 104 includes three buttons 144, 148, and 152, which can be configured for specific inputs.
• 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.
• two buttons may be combined into a rocker button.
• button 156 is configured as an on/off button used to control overall system power to device 100.
• button 156 is configured to, in addition to or in lieu of controlling system power, control other aspects of device 100.
• one or more of the buttons 144, 148, 152, and 156 are capable of supporting different user commands.
• 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.
• a normal, medium, or long press can mean end call, increase in call volume, decrease in call volume, and toggle microphone mute.
• a normal, medium, or long press can mean increase zoom, decrease zoom, and take photograph or record video.
• device 100 includes a speaker 160 and a microphone 164.
• Device 100 also includes a camera 168 (Fig. IB).
• device 100 includes two position sensors 172 A and 172B, which are used to determine the relative positions of screens 104 and 108.
• position sensors 172A and 172B are 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.
• 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. IB) as opposed to a landscape position (not shown).
• device 100 may also have a "closed” position illustrated in Fig. 1H.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Device 100 can also be used in an "easel" position which is illustrated in Fig. II.
• screens 104 and 108 are angled with respect to each other and facing outward with the edges of screens 104 and 108 substantially horizontal.
• device 100 can be configured to display information on both screens 104 and 108 to allow two users to simultaneously interact with device 100.
• 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.
• Fig. 1J illustrates device 100 in a "modified easel" position.
• 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.
• position sensors 172A and 172B 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.
• Transitional states are also possible.
• a closing transitional state is recognized.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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
• Figs. 1A-1J and the description provided above are nonlimiting.
• Fig. 2 illustrates components of a device 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
• 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.
• Each screen 104, 108 can be touch sensitive and can include different operative areas.
• a first operative area, within each touch sensitive screen 104 and 108, may comprise a touch sensitive display 110, 114.
• 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.
• 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.
• the configurable area 112, 116 may present different input options to the user.
• the configurable area 112, 116 may display buttons or other relatable items.
• 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.
• 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.
• a separate touch screen controller 216a or 216b is provided for each touch screen 104 and 108.
• a common or shared touch screen controller 216 may be used to control each of the included touch sensitive screens 104 and 108.
• the functions of a touch screen controller 216 may be incorporated into other components, such as a processor 204.
• the processor 204 may comprise a general purpose programmable processor or controller for executing application programming or instructions.
• the processor 204 may include multiple processor cores, and/or implement multiple virtual processors.
• the processor 204 may include multiple physical processors.
• 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.
• ASIC application specific integrated circuit
• the processor 204 generally functions to run programming code or instructions implementing various functions of the device 100.
• 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.
• the memory 208 may comprise RAM, DRAM, SDRAM, or other solid state memory.
• 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.
• the device 100 can include a cellular telephony module 228.
• 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.
• the device 100 can include an additional or other wireless communications module 232.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• the audio input/output interface/device(s) 244 may comprise an associated amplifier and analog to digital converter.
• the device 100 can include an integrated audio input/output device 256 and/or an audio jack for interconnecting an external speaker or microphone.
• an integrated speaker and an integrated microphone can be provided, to support near talk or speaker phone operations.
• 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. 1 A through 1 J.
• One or more image capture interfaces/de vices 240 such as a camera, can be included for capturing still and/or video images.
• 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.
• the device 100 can also include a global positioning system (GPS) receiver 236.
• GPS global positioning system
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Communications between various components of the device 100 can be carried by one or more buses 222.
• 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.
• Figs. 3 A 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.
• 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.
• transition 308 or opening transitional state
• easel 312 modified easel 316
• open 320 open 320
• inbound/outbound call or communication 324 open 320
• inbound/outbound call or communication 324 image/ video capture 328
• transition 332 or closing transitional state
• landscape 340 landscape 340
• docked 336 docked 344
• landscape 348 landscape 348
• 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).
• 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.
• the device can also move to a transitional state where the device remains closed but 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.
• 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.
• 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 easellike configuration on a surface.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.”
• a Hall Effect sensor H
• an accelerometer A
• a timer T
• the timer input can be derived from, for example, a clock associated with the processor.
• a docked state 368 is also shown that is triggered based on the receipt of a docking signal 372.
• 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.
• Figs. 4 A 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.
• 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.
• a first type of gesture 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• a pinch gesture 408 on the screen 104,108 is depicted.
• the pinch gesture 408 may be initiated by a first contact 428 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
• 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.
• the pinch gesture 408 may be accomplished by a user's digits touching the screen 104,108 in a pinching motion.
• 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
• 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.
• the spread gesture 410 may be accomplished by a user's digits touching the screen 104,108 in a spreading motion.
• a tap gesture 420 is combined with a drag or flick gesture 412 in a direction away from the tap gesture 420.
• a tap gesture 420 is combined with a drag or flick gesture 412 in a direction towards the tap gesture 420.
• 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.
• 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
• 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).
• 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.
• 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).
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• the framework 520 may be any software or data that allows the multiple tasks running on the device to interact.
• 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.
• MDM Multi-Display Management
• 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.
• 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 can be associated with each display.
• An active window or other display object
• a non-active windows or other display objects
• a "screen shot" of a last generated image of the window 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.
• the Surface Cache module 528 stores the images of non-active windows (or other display objects) in a data store.
• 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.
• 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
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• the motion space is a virtualized space that includes all touch sensitive displays
• the motion space size may be 960x800, which may be the number of pixels in the combined display area for both touch sensitive displays 110,
• 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.
• the framework 520 can upscale 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 No. 13/187,026, filed July 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.
• 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.
• the Task Management module 540 is operable to manage the operation of one or more applications 564 that may be executed by the device.
• 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.
• 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.
• Task Management Module 540 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.
• 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.
• the state transition may entail triggering the OS kernel 518 to terminate the task when termination is required.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• the Application Manager 562 is an application that provides a presentation layer for the window environment.
• the Application Manager 562 provides the graphical model for rendering by the Task Management Module 540.
• the Desktop 566 provides the presentation layer for the Application Store 560.
• 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.
• the framework can include an Application Model Manager (AMM) 542.
• the Application Manager 562 may interface with the AMM 542.
• 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).
• 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.
• the AMM 542 may provide a list of executing applications to the Application Manager 562.
• 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.
• 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.
• the Preferences Module 572 is operable to determine display preferences for an application 564 or other component.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 112,1 16 (or possibly other user interface areas) by way of the Input Management Module 536 and may interpret the touch events
• Module 576 can initiate the processing of the gesture and, by collaborating with other
• 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 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 Display Controller 544 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.
• suspended applications may appear to be running when those windows are moved across the display 110,114.
• 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.
• the Requirements Module 580 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.
• the Event Module 584 is operable to determine one or more events occurring with an application or other component that can affect the user interface.
• 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.
• 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.
• the Binding Module 588 can associate an application with a display configuration for the application (e.g. landscape, portrait, multiscreen, etc.).
• the Binding Module 588 may assign a display identifier to the display.
• 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.
• Figs. 6 A 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.
• Fig. 6B depicts the device 100 still being in the closed portrait state 304, but instead data is displayed on the secondary screen 108.
• the device 100 displays data via the touch sensitive display 114 in a second portrait configuration 608.
• first or second portrait configuration 604, 608 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.
• a user gesture e.g., a double tap gesture
• Other suitable gestures may also be employed to transition between configurations.
• the device 100 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.
• FIG. 6C depicts a third portrait configuration where data is displayed simultaneously on both the primary screen 104 and the secondary screen
• the third portrait configuration may be referred to as a Dual-Portrait (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.
• 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.
• 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.
• a Camera application may display a viewfmder 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.
• 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.
• Fig. 6E depicts the device 100 still being in the closed landscape state 340, but instead data is displayed on the secondary screen 108.
• 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.
• 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
• 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.
• FIGs. 6G and 6H depict two views of a device 100 being in yet another state.
• 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.
• both the easel output configurations 618, 620 may be presented
• 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.
• simultaneous utilization of the easel output configurations 618, 620 may facilitate two-person games (e.g., Battleship®, chess, checkers, etc.), multi-user conferences where two or more users share the same device 100, and other applications.
• Fig. 61 depicts yet another output configuration that may be accommodated while the device 100 is in an open portrait state 320.
• the device 100 may be configured to present a single continuous image across both touch sensitive displays 110,
• PMax Portrait-Max
• data e.g., a single image, application, window, icon, video, etc.
• data 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.
• Fig. 6J depicts still another output configuration that may be accommodated while the device 100 is in an open landscape state 348.
• the device 100 may be configured to present a single continuous image across both touch sensitive displays 1 10, 1 14 in a landscape configuration referred to herein as a Landscape-Max (LMax) configuration 628.
• data e.g., a single image, application, window, icon, video, etc.
• 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
• the device 100 manages desktops and/or windows with at least one window stack 700, as shown in Figs. 7A and 7B.
• a window stack 700 is a logical arrangement of active and/or inactive windows or display objects for a multi-screen device.
• the window stack 700 may be logically similar to a deck of cards or a stack of bricks, where one or more windows or display objects (e.g., desktops) are arranged in an order, as shown in Figs. 7 A and 7B.
• An active window is a window that is currently being displayed on at least one of the touch sensitive displays 1 10, 1 14.
• window 1 708 is an active windows and displayed on only one of the touch sensitive displays 1 14. In the embodiment shown in Fig.
• an inactive window is a window that was opened and displayed but is now "behind" an active window and not being displayed.
• an inactive window may be for an application that is suspended, and thus, the window is not displaying active content.
• window 2 712 and window 3 716 are inactive windows.
• a window stack 700 may have various arrangements or organizational structures.
• the device 100 includes a first stack 704 associated with a first touch sensitive display 114, while the device 100 is in the closed state 304 in the second portrait configuration 608.
• each touch sensitive display 114 can have an associated window stack 704.
• the composite display is a logical structure that defines the entire display space including the two touch sensitive displays 110, 114.
• the device 100 can have a single stack for the composite display where the windows or display objects are sized to occupy a portion or all of the composite display.
• the stack 704 can represent a portion of a larger composite window stack, part of which is not shown because the device 100 is in a closed state 304.
• the two window stacks (or two portions of the window stack) 704, 724 may have a different number of windows or display objects arranged in the respective stacks 704, 724. Further, the two window stacks 704, 724 can also be identified differently and managed separately. As shown in Fig. 7A, the first window stack 704 can be arranged in order from a first window 708 to a next window 712 to a last window 716 and finally to a desktop 720, which, in embodiments, is at the "bottom" of the window stack 704.
• the desktop 720 is not always at the "bottom" as application windows can be arranged in the window stack below the desktop 720, and the desktop 720 can be brought to the "top" of a stack over other windows during a desktop or other orientation change.
• the device 100 transitions to an open state 320.
• the device 100 transitions to a display configuration as shown in Fig. 6C.
• the touch sensitive display 110 has no windows associated with the touch sensitive display 110. Therefore, the desktop 720 is displayed for touch sensitive display 110.
• the second stack 724 can includes on the desktop 720, which, in embodiments, is a single desktop area, with desktop 720 under all the windows in both window stack 704 and window stack 724.
• a logical data structure for managing the two window stacks or single window stack having two portions 704, 724 may be as described in conjunction with Fig. 8.
• Figs. 7C through 7E The window stack 704 is shown in three "elevation" views. In Fig.
• the window stack 704/724 is shown. Two adjacent sides of the window stack 704/724 are shown in Fig. 7D and 7E.
• Fig. 704/724 resembles a stack of bricks.
• the windows are stacked on each other. Looking from the top of the window stack 704/724 in Fig, 7C, only the top most windows in the window stack 704/724 are seen in different portions of a composite display 728.
• a desktop 786 or a window can occupy part or all of the composite display 728.
• Fig. C shows a composite display 728.
• the composite display 728 encompasses or includes the display area of all the touch sensitive displays 110,114.
• the size of the composite display 728 can change based on the orientation of the device 100. For example, the size of the composite display 728 of the device 100 when in the closed state may only include the area for one of the touch sensitive displays 110 or 114, as shown in Fig. 7A.
• the composite display 728 expands to include both touch sensitive displays 110,114 when the device 100 is opened, as shown in Fig. 7B and 7C.
• Some windows or display objects are associated with the composite display 728 and also change dimensions when the composite display 728 changes dimensions.
• one such display object may be the desktop 720, which can change dimensions upon a device 100 open to fill the composite display 728.
• the desktop 720 is the lowest display object, window, or "brick" in the window stack 704/724.
• window 1 708, window 2 712, and window 3 716 are layered.
• Window 1 708, window 2 712, and window 3 716 only occupy a portion of the composite display 728.
• another part of the stack 724 includes only the desktop 718. Only the top window or display object in any portion of the composite display 728 is actually rendered and displayed.
• window 1 708 and the desktop 718 are displayed by being at the top of the different portions of the window stack 704/724.
• a window can be dimensioned to occupy only a portion of the composite display 728 to "reveal" windows lower in the window stack 704.
• the desktop 718 is lower in the stack that window 1 708, window 2 712, and window 3 716 but is still displayed. This arrangement of windows and the desktop occurs when the device is opened when displaying top window in the window stack 704.
• Where and how the desktop 718 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 device 100 is opened, etc.
• a logical data structure associated with the desktop 718 or the other windows may not change when the device 100 opens, but the logical data structures can determine how to display the windows and the desktop.
• the logical structures of the windows or desktop(s) can be changed to reflect the change in arrangement.
• FIG. 7F Another embodiment of a window stack arrangement 724, which has changed because a device has opened from a different configuration from Figs. 7A-7C, is shown in Figs. 7F through 7 J.
• the device 100 is in a closed state 304 displaying window 1 708 in configuration 608.
• Window 2 712 and window 3 716 are inactive windows.
• the device 100 includes a second stack 724 associated with a second touch sensitive display 110, while the device 100 is in the closed state 304 in first portrait configuration 604.
• the touch sensitive display 110 can have an associated window stack 724.
• the device 100 can have a single stack for the composite display where the windows or display objects are sized to occupy a portion or all of the composite display.
• the stack 724 can represent a portion of a larger composite display stack, part of which is not shown because the device 100 is in a closed state 304.
• the second window stack 724 may have a different number of windows or display objects arranged in the respective stacks 704, 724. Further, the two window stacks 704, 724 can also be identified differently and managed separately. As shown in Fig. 7F, the second window stack 724 can be arranged in order from a first window 708 to a next window 712 to a last window
• a desktop 720 which, in embodiments, is at the "bottom" of the window stack 704.
• the desktop 720 is not always at the "bottom” as application windows can be arranged in the window stack below the desktop 720, and the desktop 720 can be brought to the "top" of a stack over other windows, such as during an orientation change. For example, as shown in Fig. 7G, the device 100 transitions to an open state 320.
• the device 100 transitions to a display configuration as shown in Fig. 6C.
• the touch sensitive display 114 has no windows associated with the touch sensitive display
• the desktop 720 is displayed for touch sensitive display 114.
• the second stack 704 can include the desktop 720, which, in embodiments, is a single desktop area, with desktop 720 under all the windows in both window stack 704 and window stack
• a logical data structure for managing the two window stacks or single window stack, having two portions 704, 724, may be as described in conjunction with Fig. 8.
• Figs. 7H through 7J The window stack 704 is shown in three "elevation" views.
• Fig. 7H through 7J The window stack 704 is shown in three "elevation" views.
• the top of the window stack 704/724 is shown.
• Two adjacent "sides" of the window stack 704/724 are shown in Fig. 71 and 7J.
• the window stack 704/724 resembles a stack of bricks. The windows are stacked on each other. Looking from the top of the window stack 704/724 in Fig, 7H, only the top most windows/display objects in the window stack 704/724 are seen in different portions of a composite display 728.
• a desktop 720 or a window can occupy part or all of the composite display 728.
• the desktop 720 is the lowest display object, window, or "brick" in the window stack 704/724.
• window 1 708, window 2 712, and window 3 716 are layered.
• Window 1 708, window 2 712, and window 3 716 only occupy a portion of the composite display 728.
• another part of the stack 724 includes only the desktop 718. Only the top window or display object in any portion of the composite display 728 is actually rendered and displayed.
• window 1 708 and the desktop 720 are displayed by being at the top of the different portions of the window stack 704/724.
• a window can be dimensioned to occupy only a portion of the composite display 728 to "reveal" windows lower in the window stack 704.
• the desktop 718 is lower in the stack that window 1 708, window 2 712, and window 3 716 but is still displayed. This arrangement of windows and the desktop occurs when the device is opened when displaying a top window in the window stack 704.
• Where and how the desktop 718 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 device 100 is opened, etc.
• a logical data structure associated with the desktop 718 or the other windows may not change when the device 100 opens, but the logical data structures can determine how to display the windows and the desktop.
• the logical structures of the windows or desktop(s) can be changed to reflect the change in arrangement.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• a window identifier 804 can include any identifier (ID) that uniquely identifies the associated window or display object in relation to other windows or display objects 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.
• GUID globally unique identifier
• the window identifier 804 can be one, two, or any number of digits based on the number of windows or display objects that can be opened.
• the size of the window identifier 804 may change based on the number of windows or display objects opened. While the window or display object is open, the window identifier 804 may be static and remain unchanged.
• Dimensions 808 can include dimensions for a window or display object in the composite display 704.
• the dimensions 808 can include coordinates for two or more corners of the window or display object or may include one coordinate and dimensions for the width and height of the window or display object. These dimensions 808 can delineate what portion of the composite display 704 the window or display object may occupy, which may the entire composite display 704 or only part of composite display 704.
• window 1 708 may have dimensions 880 that indicate that the window 1 708 will occupy only part of the display area for composite display 728, as shown in Figs. 7C and 7H. As windows or display objects are moved or inserted in the window stack, the dimensions 808 may change.
• a stack position identifier 812 can be any identifier that can identify the position in the stack for the window or display object 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 display object can include a stack position identifier 812. For example, as shown in Fig. 7A, window 1 708 in stack 1 704 can have a stack position identifier 812 of 1 identifying that window 708 is the first window in the stack 704 and the active window.
• window 2 712 can have a stack position identifier 812 of 2 representing that window 2 712 is the second window in the stack 704.
• the stack position identifier 812 can represent a window's or display object's location in the stack.
• a display identifier 816 can identify that the window or display object is associated with a particular display, such as the first display 110, the second display 114, or the composite display 728 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 or display object in the serial stack of Fig. 7B is displayed on a particular display.
• the desktop 720 may have two portions shown in Fig. 7C. The first portion may have a display identifier 816 for the first display 110 while the second portion may have a display identifier 816 for the second display 114.
• the desktop 720 may have a single display identifier 816 identifying the composite display 728.
• an active indicator 820 may not be needed with the dual stack system of Fig. 7A, as the window or display object in stack position 1 is active and displayed.
• the active indicator 820 can indicate which window(s) in the stack is being displayed.
• window 1 708 may be shown and have an active indicator 820.
• the active indicator 820 can be a simple flag or bit that represents that the window or display object is active or displayed.
• FIG. 9 An embodiment of a method 900 for changing 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 924. 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.
• a multi-screen device 100 can receive an orientation change, as described in
• Figs. 3A-3B which changes the device 100 from a closed state 304 to an open state 320, in step 908.
• the orientation change can be detected and signaled by a hardware input from Hall Effect sensors, a timer, etc.
• the orientation change can be received by the Task
• Multi-Display Management Module 524 may interpret the change to changes the configuration of the display from a closed portrait display 604, 608 to an open portrait display (as shown in Fig. 6C) or from a landscape closed display 612, 616 to an open landscape configuration (as shown in Fig. 6F, as described in conjunction with Figs. 6A through 6F.
• the Task Management Module 540 places the user interface interaction in the task stack 552 to be acted upon by 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 704.
• the Multi-Display Management Module 524 upon receiving instruction from the Task Management Module 540, determines whether to reveal the desktop 786, in step 912.
• the desktop 786 may be at the bottom of the window stack 704/724 before the device 100 is opened.
• the device 100 may be displaying the last window in the stack 704/724.
• the top window in the stack 704/724 is being displayed and there are no windows in a position to fill the newly exposed display in the open state. For example, in Fig. 7A, there are no windows to the "left" of window 1 708.
• the Multi-Display Management Module 524 needs to present the desktop 720 in display 110, as shown in Fig. 7B.
• the desktop 720 As the desktop 720 generally is spread across the composite display 728, the desktop 720 is always display on a device 100 open unless another window covers the desktop 720. As there are no windows covering the desktop 720, as shown in Figs. 7B and 7F, the Multi-Display Management Module 524 determines to display the desktop 720 in the opened display.
• 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 desktop 786 is to be displayed based on the preferences of the desktop 786. The Display Configuration Module 568 may then use the input from the device state module 574, preferences module 572, and/or other framework components 520 to evaluate the current window stack 704/724. The desktop 720 being shown in the new display typically does not affect other windows in the window stack 704/724 because the other windows do not move. However, the dimensions 808 of the desktop 720 can change as the desktop 720 is modified to fill the composite display 728, which expanded upon the opening of the device 100.
• the visibility algorithm determines for all portions of the composite display 728, which windows/display objects are at the top of the stack 704/724.
• the visibility algorithm determines that, after the device 100 is opened, the desktop 786 is revealed in one portion of the stack 704, as viewed in Figs. 7B or 7F.
• window 1 708 is displayed in the other portion of the stack 704, as viewed in Figs. 7B or 7F. Upon determining where to reveal the desktop 720, the Display
• the Configuration Module 568 can change the display dimensions 808, display identifiers 816, and/or stack position identifiers 812 for the desktop 720.
• the Multi-Display Management Module 524 can then send the dimensions 808, display identifiers 816, and/or stack position identifiers 812 back to the Task Management Module 540.
• the Task Management Module 540 sends the dimensions 808, display identifiers 816, and/or stack position identifiers 812, and/or other information and instructions to render the desktop 786 to the Window Management Module 532.
• the Window Management Module 532 and the Task Management Module 540 can change the logical data structure(s) 800, in step 920.
• Both the Task Management Module 540 and the Window Management Module 532 may manage copies of the window stack 704/724. These copies of the window stack 704/724 can be synchronized or kept similar through communications between the Window Management Module 532 and the Task
• the Window Management Module 532 and the Task Management Module 540 can change dimensions 808, display identifiers 816, and/or stack position identifiers 812 for the desktop 720 and the one or more window(s).
• 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 704/724and the logical data structure(s) 800.
• 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.
• a distributed network such as a LAN and/or the Internet
• the components of the system can be combined in to one or more devices, such as the software modules of Figs. 5 A and 5B, 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.
• the components of the system can be arranged at any location within a distributed network of components without affecting the operation of the system.
• 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.
• 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.
• one or more functional portions of the system could be distributed between a telecommunications device(s) and an associated computing device.
• 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 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.
• the window stack 700 resembles a carousel or rolodex rather than a deck of cards.
• windows may circulate from one touch sensitive display 110 to another touch sensitive display 114.
• window may be push to the right and end up at the end of stack behind another window. If the stack continues to move to the right, eventually the window would appear on the second touch sensitive display even though the window was opened in the first touch sensitive display 110.
• These movements and changes in the stacks may be managed using the methods and logical data structures discussed above.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• the systems and methods of this disclosure can be implemented as program embedded on personal computer such as an applet, JAVA® 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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
• 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.

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• 2011
  • 2011-09-29 JP JP2013531852A patent/JP6073793B2/ja active Active
  • 2011-09-29 EP EP11829897.5A patent/EP2622597A4/de not_active Ceased

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