Apple Inc.

Apple Computer, Inc.

Andrew M. Grignon

John Louch

Imran A. Chaudhri

Gregory N. Christie

Andrew M Grignon

John Owen Louch

Imran A Chaudhri

Gregory N Christie

Eric Steven Peyton

Timothy Wayne Bumgarner

Bas Ording

Aram M Lindahl

Maxwell Oliver Drukman

Max Drukman

Chris McKillop

Muthy K Girish

A user-activatable dashboard (also referred to as a unified interest layer) contains any number of user interface elements, referred to herein as 'widgets,' for quick access by a user. In response to a command from a user, the dashboard is invoked and the widgets are shown on the screen. The user can activate the dashboard at any time, causing the dashboard to temporarily replace the existing user interface display on the user's screen. Once the dashboard has been activated, the user can interact with any or all of the widgets, and can configure the dashboard by adding, deleting, moving, or configuring individual widgets as desired. When the user wishes to return to the normal user interface he or she was working with, the user issues a command causing the dashboard to be dismissed. Once the dashboard has been dismissed, the previous user interface state is restored, allowing the user to resume normal interactions with the operating system.

Visual characteristics of user interface elements in a unified interest layer

A user-activatable dashboard (also referred to as a unified interest layer) contains any number of user interface elements, referred to herein as 'widgets,' for quick access by a user. In response to a command from a user, the dashboard is invoked and the widgets are shown on the screen. The user can activate the dashboard at any time, causing the dashboard to temporarily replace the existing user interface display on the user's screen. Once the dashboard has been activated, the user can interact with any or all of the widgets, and can configure the dashboard by adding, deleting, moving, or configuring individual widgets as desired. When the user wishes to return to the normal user interface he or she was working with, the user issues a command causing the dashboard to be dismissed.

Remote access to layer and user interface elements

A multifunctional handheld device capable of operating in different modes includes a single input arrangement that provides inputs for each mode of the multifunctional handheld device. The single input arrangement includes at least an input pad that provides signals when touched or pressed. The input pad may for example be a touch pad. The input pad is divided into one or more input areas that change in accordance with the current mode of the multifunctional handheld device. The multifunctional handheld device also includes a display device that presents graphical elements to indicate the configuration of the input areas at the input pad. Each mode of the multifunctional handheld device provides a different configuration of input areas and graphical elements associated therewith.

Touch pad with symbols based on mode

Configuration bar for launching layer for accessing user interface elements

Desktop widgets for presentation in a layer

An authoring environment for creating and/or editing user interface elements such as widgets used in a unified interest layer. The authoring environment facilitates creation of widgets that have a consistent appearance and mechanism, and allows third-party developers to easily create widgets that have a look and feel that is consistent with a predefined set of widgets.

Widget authoring and editing environment

Layer for accessing user interface elements

Web view layer for accessing user interface elements

Configuration bar for lauching layer for accessing user interface elements

Unified interest layer for user interface

User interface element with auxiliary function

Systems and methods for directing pickup of media content by way of user input are disclosed. These systems and methods enable desired media content to be more effectively acquired. The user input can be locally provided or remotely provided. The systems and methods for directing pickup of media content are particularly suitable for video conferencing systems. The media content being directed is, for example, video or audio.

Video conferencing system having focus control

Growing community of inventors

Campbell, CA, United States of America

Andrew M Grignon