Application-centric user interface techniques

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9610498-B2
Application number	US-201213525309-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 16, 2012
Priority date	Mar 27, 2003
Publication date	Apr 4, 2017
Grant date	Apr 4, 2017

Abstract

Various application-centric user interface techniques are described. A user can easily launch, add, or update applications. An application-centric activity center can be presented as part of a user interface for an operating system shell. A file defining metadata for an application can be defined. The techniques can be applied to game-related software.

First claim

We claim:

1. A computer-implemented method for displaying saved states of one or more applications, the method, executed by a processor, comprising:
executing a first application to generate a first graphical representation in a graphical user interface;
capturing the first graphical representation of the executed first application, wherein the first graphical representation is representative of a first operative state of the first application during execution;
generating a first tile that comprises the captured first graphical representation;
displaying, the first generated tile;
executing a second application to generate a second graphical representation in the graphical user interface;
capturing the second graphical representation of the executed second application, wherein the second graphical representation is representative of a second operative state of the second application during execution;
generating a second tile that comprises the second captured graphical representation;
displaying in a user interface for the most recently launched applications, wherein the user interface includes the first and second generated tiles displayed in an order based on an order of execution of the first application and the second application;
receiving a selection of the first generated tile displayed in the user interface concurrently with the second generated tile; and
in response to receiving the selection, directly executing the application from the first operative state.

2. The method of claim 1 , where the first graphical representation is associated with a web page.

3. The method of claim 1 , where the first application is a web application.

4. The method of claim 1 , where the first graphical representation comprises a photograph.

5. The method of claim 1 , where the first application comprises a cell phone application.

6. The method of claim 1 , where the first application comprises a game.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying a third tile displaying a graphical representation of a different operative state of the first application.

8. At least one computer storage device storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform a method for displaying saved states of one or more applications, the method comprising:
executing a first application to generate a first graphical representation in a graphical user interface;
capturing the first graphical representation of the executed first application, wherein the first graphical representation is representative of an operative state of the first application during execution;
generating a first tile that comprises the captured first graphical representation;
displaying the first generated tile;
executing a second application to generate a second graphical representation in the graphical user interface;
capturing the second graphical representation of the executed second application, wherein the second graphical representation is representative of a second operative state of the second application during execution;
generating a second tile that comprises the second captured graphical representation;
displaying in a user interface for the most recently launched applications, wherein the user interface includes the first and second generated tiles displayed in an order based on an order of execution of the first application and the second application;
receiving a selection of the displayed first generated tile; and
in response to receiving the selection, directly executing the application from the first operative state.

9. The at least one computer storage device of claim 8 , where the first graphical representation is a screen shot of a web page.

10. The at least one computer storage device of claim 8 , where the first application is a web application.

11. The at least one computer storage device of claim 8 , where the first graphical representation comprises a photograph.

12. The at least one computer storage device of claim 8 , where the first application comprises phone features.

13. The at least one computer storage device of claim 8 , where the first application and the second application comprise gaming applications.

14. The at least one computer storage device of claim 13 , wherein the method further comprises displaying a third tile displaying a graphical representation of an additional operative state for the first application.

15. A system comprising a computing device having a processor configured for:
executing a first application to generate a first graphical representation in a graphical user interface;
capturing the graphical representation of the executed first application, wherein the first graphical representation is representative of an operative state of the first application during execution;
generating a first tile that comprises the captured first graphical representation;
displaying the first generated tile;
executing a second application to generate a second graphical representation in the graphical user interface;
capturing the second graphical representation of the executed second application, wherein the second graphical representation is representative of a second operative state of the second application during execution;
generating a second tile that comprises the second captured graphical representation;
displaying in a user interface the most recently launched application, wherein the user interface includes the first and second generated tiles displayed in an order based on an order of execution of the first application and the second application;
receiving a selection of the displayed first generated tile; and
in response to receiving the selection, directly executing the application from the first operative state.

16. The system of claim 15 , where the first graphical representation is a screen shot of a web page.

17. The system of claim 15 , where the first application is a web application.

18. The system of claim 15 , where the first graphical representation comprises a photograph.

19. The system of claim 15 , where the first application comprises a game or phone features.

20. The system of claim 15 , wherein the processor is further configured for displaying a third tile displaying a graphical representation of an additional operative state for a game.

Assignees

• Evans C Shane
• Toll Roderick M
• Johnston Ii G Andrew
• Microsoft Technology Licensing Llc

Inventors

• Evans C Shane
• Toll Roderick M
• Johnston Ii G Andrew

Classifications

• G06F9/451

  Execution arrangements for user interfaces · CPC title

• B27L11/06

  of wood powder or sawdust (grinding-stones B24D) · CPC title

• B27L11/005 Primary

  Tools therefor · CPC title

• G06T11/60 Primary

  Creating or editing images; Combining images with text · CPC title

• A63F13/493

  Resuming a game, e.g. after pausing, malfunction or power failure · CPC title