Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090193364 | DISPLAYING THUMBNAIL COPIES OF RUNNING ITEMS - Methods, user interfaces, and computer-readable media for displaying thumbnail copies of running items for a particular running application on a display are provided. The displayed thumbnail copies are interactive, and provide the user with an easy and efficient way to identify and manage multiple items, such as windows, that are concurrently running. The thumbnail copies are either snapshots or real-time displays of the corresponding running items, depending on whether the running item is minimized or maximized at the time the thumbnail copies are displayed. The user interacts with the thumbnail copies by choosing to either close a particular running item by selecting the closing icon on the corresponding thumbnail copy, or view a particular running item on the display by selecting the corresponding thumbnail in any location other than the closing icon. | 07-30-2009 |
20100070922 | START MENU OPERATION FOR COMPUTER USER INTERFACE - Described is distinguishing between input mechanisms to determine which input mechanism was used to activate a start menu. A start menu is selected that corresponds to the input mechanism that was used to activate it. Further data corresponding to start menu interaction is received, and action is taken via based on the further interaction. For example, upon detecting activation of a start menu, how the start menu was activated from among activation types is used to present a first start menu/behavior for a first activation type, which may differ from a second start menu/behavior activated via a second activation type. For example, a determination may be made as to whether a start menu was invoked via a pointing device or via keyboard; when via keyboard, a search entry region may be provided, by which a user may directly enter search criteria via the keyboard. | 03-18-2010 |
20100077347 | DISPLAYING APPLICATION INFORMATION IN AN APPLICATION-SWITCHING USER INTERFACE - An application status system is described herein that informs the user about application-specific status updates and notifications through a changing status icon associated with an application-switching user interface displayed by an operating system when the application is running. When an application has focus, there is typically no way for another application to display status to the user without displaying a dialog box or a notification balloon that interrupts the user. The application status system takes advantage of the existing application-switching user interface to display a lightweight status icon overlay on the application-switching user interface itself. Thus, the application status system allows applications to provide application-specific status updates without interrupting a user's activity in another application and without adding additional UI for a user to process. | 03-25-2010 |
20120159382 | MANAGING AN IMMERSIVE ENVIRONMENT - This document describes techniques and apparatuses for managing an immersive environment. These techniques and/or apparatuses enable a user to select when, where, or under what conditions to present applications in this immersive environment. | 06-21-2012 |
20120299968 | MANAGING AN IMMERSIVE INTERFACE IN A MULTI-APPLICATION IMMERSIVE ENVIRONMENT - This document describes techniques and apparatuses for managing an immersive interface in a multi-application immersive environment. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses enable a user to alter sizes and/or a layout of multiple immersive interfaces with as little as one selection. | 11-29-2012 |
20120304092 | MULTI-APPLICATION ENVIRONMENT - This document describes techniques and apparatuses enabling a multi-application environment. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses enable multi-application environments having combinations of immersive interfaces, windows-based interfaces, and a desktop treated as an immersive interface. | 11-29-2012 |
20120304108 | MULTI-APPLICATION ENVIRONMENT - This document describes techniques and apparatuses enabling a multi-application environment. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses enable multi-application environments having combinations of immersive interfaces, windows-based interfaces, and a desktop treated as an immersive interface. | 11-29-2012 |
20120304114 | MANAGING AN IMMERSIVE INTERFACE IN A MULTI-APPLICATION IMMERSIVE ENVIRONMENT - This document describes techniques and apparatuses for managing an immersive interface in a multi-application immersive environment. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses enable a user to alter sizes and/or a layout of multiple immersive interfaces with as little as one selection. | 11-29-2012 |
20120304132 | SWITCHING BACK TO A PREVIOUSLY-INTERACTED-WITH APPLICATION - This document describes techniques and apparatuses for switching back to a previously-interacted-with application. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses enable selection of a user interface not currently exposed on a display through a simple gesture that is both easy-to-use and remember. | 11-29-2012 |
20130042203 | MANAGING AN IMMERSIVE INTERFACE IN A MULTI-APPLICATION IMMERSIVE ENVIRONMENT - This document describes techniques and apparatuses for managing an immersive interface in a multi-application immersive environment. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses enable a user to alter sizes and/or a layout of multiple immersive interfaces with as little as one selection. | 02-14-2013 |
20130047105 | MULTI-APPLICATION ENVIRONMENT - This document describes techniques and apparatuses enabling a multi-application environment. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses enable multi-application environments having combinations of immersive interfaces, windows-based interfaces, and a desktop treated as an immersive interface. | 02-21-2013 |
20130047126 | SWITCHING BACK TO A PREVIOUSLY-INTERACTED-WITH APPLICATION - This document describes techniques and apparatuses for switching back to a previously-interacted-with application. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses enable selection of a user interface not currently exposed on a display through a simple gesture that is both easy-to-use and remember. | 02-21-2013 |
20130057572 | Multiple Display Device Taskbars - Multiple display device taskbars are described. A system is described that includes at least one or more modules implemented at least partially in hardware. The one or more modules are operable to configure a display environment of a computing device to display a first taskbar for display on a first display device of the display environment, the first taskbar configured to include a representation of a plurality of applications that are executed by the computing device. The one or more modules are also operable to configure a second taskbar for display on a second display device of the display environment, the second taskbar configured to include a representation of at least one application that corresponds to a user interface configured for output on the second display device and does not include a representation of another application that corresponds to a user interface configured for output on the first display device. | 03-07-2013 |
20130113703 | SHARED EDGE FOR A DISPLAY ENVIRONMENT - A shared edge for a display environment is described. In one or more implementations, a display environment of a computing device that is implemented using a plurality of display devices is configured to include a shared edge defined through a described arrangement of at least two of the display devices in relation to each other. Responsive to an input that describes movement of a cursor across at least a portion of the shared edge, an element is displayed in the display environment. | 05-09-2013 |
20130167058 | CLOSING APPLICATIONS - Application closing techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a computing device recognizes an input as involving selection of an application displayed in a display environment by the computing device and subsequent movement of a point of the selection toward an edge of the display environment. Responsive to the recognizing of the input, the selected application is closed by the computing device. | 06-27-2013 |
20130219343 | THUMBNAIL-IMAGE SELECTION OF APPLICATIONS - This document describes techniques and apparatuses enabling thumbnail-image selection of applications. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses enable a user interface having selectable thumbnail images for applications not currently exposed on a display. The techniques and apparatuses may enable selection of this user interface through a simple gesture that is both easy-to-use and remember. Further, selection of applications not currently exposed on the display may be selected through thumbnail images representing each application's application interface as it will appear on selection. | 08-22-2013 |
20130290903 | START MENU OPERATION FOR COMPUTER USER INTERFACE - A distinction is made between input mechanisms to determine which input mechanism was used to activate a start menu. A start menu is selected that corresponds to the input mechanism that was used to activate it. Further data corresponding to start menu interaction is received, and action is taken via based on the further interaction. For example, upon detecting activation of a start menu, how the start menu was activated from among activation types is used to present a first start menu/behavior for a first activation type, which may differ from a second start menu/behavior activated via a second activation type. For example, a determination may be made as to whether a start menu was invoked via a pointing device or via keyboard; when via keyboard, a search entry region may be provided, by which a user may directly enter search criteria via the keyboard. | 10-31-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090183107 | WINDOW MINIMIZATION TRIGGER - A method and computer-storage media for minimizing application windows based on a triggering event are provided. Embodiments of the present invention include determining that a triggering event has occurred with respect to a target window, automatically minimizing all of the minimizable application windows except the target application window, and generating an undo record that may be used to restore the minimized windows upon the determination that a second triggering event has occurred with respect to the target window. In one embodiment, the triggering event is shaking the target application window. | 07-16-2009 |
20090288044 | ACCESSING A MENU UTILIZING A DRAG-OPERATION - Computer-readable media, computerized methods, and computer systems for intuitively invoking a presentation action (e.g., rendering a menu) by applying a drag-operation at a top-level control button rendered at a touchscreen display are provided. Initially, aspects of a user-initiated input applied at the top-level control button are detected. These aspects may include an actuation location and a distance of a drag-movement therefrom. If a distance of the drag-movement at the touchscreen display is greater than a threshold distance in a particular radial direction from the actuation location, the user-initiated input is considered a drag-operation. Typically, a set of trigger boundaries are constructed based on system metrics to assist in disambiguating the drag-operation from a tap-type operation. If a drag-operation is identified, the presentation action is invoked; otherwise, a principle action associated with the top-level control button (e.g., manipulating content of an application) may be invoked. | 11-19-2009 |
20100063967 | UNIFIED SEARCHING AND RUNNING OF FILES - A unified user interface is described that allows a user to search, browse, and launch items from the same user interface. For example, a single text input box may be provided that allows the user to perform all these functions by typing in a portion of an item name or an entire item name. The various functions may be selectively performed depending upon the text inputted by the user into the text input box. For example, where the text appears to be the beginning of an item name, then those items matching the input text will dynamically appear as the user types. Or, where the text appears to be the beginning of a file path, then items in that file path may be presented. In addition, advanced items such as system files may be suppressed so that inexperienced users do not accidentally stumble across these items. | 03-11-2010 |
20120249579 | WINDOW MINIMIZATION TRIGGER - A method and computer-storage media for minimizing application windows based on a triggering event are provided. Embodiments of the present invention include determining that a triggering event has occurred with respect to a target window, automatically minimizing all of the minimizable application windows except the target application window, and generating an undo record that may be used to restore the minimized windows upon the determination that a second triggering event has occurred with respect to the target window. In one embodiment, the triggering event is shaking the target application window. | 10-04-2012 |
20130042207 | ACCESSING A MENU UTILIZING A DRAG-OPERATION - Computer-readable media, computerized methods, and computer systems for intuitively invoking a presentation action (e.g., rendering a menu) by applying a drag-operation at a top-level control button rendered at a touchscreen display are provided. Initially, aspects of a user-initiated input applied at the top-level control button are detected. These aspects may include an actuation location and a distance of a drag-movement therefrom. If a distance of the drag-movement at the touchscreen display is greater than a threshold distance in a particular radial direction from the actuation location, the user-initiated input is considered a drag-operation. Typically, a set of trigger boundaries are constructed based on system metrics to assist in disambiguating the drag-operation from a tap-type operation. If a drag-operation is identified, the presentation action is invoked; otherwise, a principle action associated with the top-level control button (e.g., manipulating content of an application) may be invoked. | 02-14-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140073234 | CHASSIS WITH AN AIRFLOW ADJUSTMENT - An apparatus and method is provided for conveying heat away from an electronic component. In one embodiment, an adjustable vane is positioned so that air in a channel is diverted from a first cooling zone to a second cooling zone by the adjustable vane to another part of the chassis using a control mechanism. The apparatus can be controlled in a way that regulates temperature of an electronic component by adjusting airflow within the chassis. | 03-13-2014 |
20140083094 | IMPLEMENTING MICROSCALE THERMOACOUSTIC HEAT AND POWER CONTROL FOR PROCESSORS AND 3D CHIPSTACKS - A method and apparatus are provided for implementing microscale thermoacoustic heat and power control for processors and three dimensional (3D) chip stacks. A thermoacoustic heat engine is integrated with a 3D chip-stack and high power processors. The thermoacoustic heat engine is used in cooperation with a heat sink associated with the 3D chip-stack. Predefined connecting layers connect the 3D chip-stack to a cooling end of a thermoacoustic stack of the thermoacoustic heat engine, allowing the cooled end of the resonator to maintain temperature within the 3D chip-stack and to increase the efficiency of the heat sink. | 03-27-2014 |
20140170898 | RECEPTACLE WITH HEAT MANAGEMENT FOR ELECTRONIC AND OPTICAL SYSTEMS - An apparatus that is a receptacle adapted for receiving a connector. The apparatus may further include a hinged heat sink included in the receptacle. The hinged heat sink adapted in an open position for insertion and removal of a cable. The hinged heat sink further adapted in a closed position to make thermal contact with a thermally active location of the connector wherein a thermal path is provided for a dissipation point on the outside of the electronic receptacle. | 06-19-2014 |
20140312750 | COMPUTER SYSTEM COMPONENT BAY - An apparatus includes a component bay having an operational height and an expanded height. The component bay is moveable between the operational height and the expanded height. A thermal element divides the component bay into one or more compartments, each compartment configured to receive a system component. The component bay at the operational height provides thermal contact between the received system component and the thermal element. | 10-23-2014 |
20150092349 | IMPLEMENTING REDUNDANT AND HIGH EFFICIENCY HYBRID LIQUID AND AIR COOLING FOR CHIPSTACKS - A method and apparatus are provided for implementing redundant and high efficiency hybrid liquid and air cooling for chipstacks. The apparatus includes an electronic module having a chipstack of one or more semiconductor chips; a liquid heat sink lid over the chipstack; an inlet flow and an outlet flow enabling a low viscosity dielectric liquid to pass through the lid and around the chipstack of the electronic module; a top of said electronic module providing an airflow heat sink support surface for airflow cooling used in parallel to under-lid liquid cooling. | 04-02-2015 |
20150156922 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE COOLING - A continuous loop of thermally conductive material is provided with a first portion in frictional contact with a casing of an electronic device and a second portion located within a cooling region. The loop is advanced such that the first portion is located within the cooling region and the second portion is in frictional contact with the casing. | 06-04-2015 |
20150156923 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE COOLING - A continuous loop of thermally conductive material is provided with a first portion in frictional contact with a casing of an electronic device and a second portion located within a cooling region. The loop is advanced such that the first portion is located within the cooling region and the second portion is in frictional contact with the casing. | 06-04-2015 |
20150192219 | AIR VALVE FOR ELECTRONICS ENCLOSURES - An air valve includes a frame and a sheet of thin material. The frame may have an outlet-side member configured mounted on a fan housing and an inlet-side member rotatably coupled to the outlet-side member. The material may have top and bottom edges, and a plurality of folds perpendicular to the top and bottom side edges that divide the sheet into a plurality of sections. The material may be attached to the outlet-side member and the inlet-side member, and configurable between folded and expanded positions. An attraction between a magnetic component on the inlet-side member and a magnetic component on a rotating fan blade may cause the inlet-side member to rotate, moving the material into the folded configuration. When the fan blade is not rotating, a spring attached at a pivot point may cause the inlet-side member to rotate in an opposite direction, moving the material into the expanded position. | 07-09-2015 |