Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Kyle Matthew Miller

Taylor Alexis Guerra

Yu He

Hariharan Ragunathan

Tai Xin

Lia Johansen

Jianjun Yan

Yang Huangfu

Systems and methods that implement a framework for providing a detachable browser interface (sidebar) for context-aware web services. The present framework allows for a user to detach the detachable sidebar from a web browser window and dock the sidebar to a desktop of an operating system. As a result, the context-aware web services of the sidebar can be used in conjunction with the web browser application and with other applications (e.g., browser or non-browser applications).

Detachable browser interface for context-aware web services

Systems and methods for generating dynamic quick actions for an application in a web browser. The dynamic quick actions correspond to various functions of an application accessible via a web browser sidebar interface. When a hover event is detected in association with an icon of the application, a quick-actions card is generated that includes quick actions of the application from which the user can select. For instance, a selection of a quick action triggers the web browser to execute an action that causes the application function to be performed. Thus, application functions are able to be surfaced and controlled via a single input device selection (e.g., a mouse click).

Dynamically configured quick actions in a sidebar

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an animated notification indicator, which may be used to provide an indication of a notification. The animated notification indicator may be less distracting than displaying the notification itself, while, compared to a static indicator, the animated notification indicator may have a higher likelihood of catching the user's attention. The indicator may be animated for a predetermined amount of time, after which it may transition to a static indicator. Interaction with the indicator may display an associated notification, perform an associated action, or present a notification preview and/or set of quick actions, among other examples. In some instances, a context associated with the user's computing device may be processed by a notification platform, and the notification may thus be determined remotely. As a result, the animated notification indicator may be presented at the user's computing device as a result of such a remote determination.

Animated notification indicator

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Lynnwood, WA, United States of America

Kyle Matthew Miller