The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 18, 2008
Filed:
Dec. 21, 2001
Paul S. Hellyar, Kirkland, WA (US);
Kelly E. Rollin, Seattle, WA (US);
Daniel J. Shapiro, Redmond, WA (US);
Giampiero M. Sierra, Seattle, WA (US);
Jae Pum Park, Redmond, WA (US);
Paul S. Hellyar, Kirkland, WA (US);
Kelly E. Rollin, Seattle, WA (US);
Daniel J. Shapiro, Redmond, WA (US);
Giampiero M. Sierra, Seattle, WA (US);
Jae Pum Park, Redmond, WA (US);
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
Generally described, a method is provided for use in a computer system that allows users to navigate quickly through multiple applications. In accordance with the method, when the computer receives a signal from the user, it extracts a preview representing a screen shot for each window open within the operating system. It then displays the preview, a description, and an icon for the next window in the activation hierarchy and a description and an icon for the remaining open windows. In other embodiments, the previews for all open windows with corresponding descriptions and icons are displayed utilizing several different arrangements. The computer then receives a designation from the user of the next window he or she wants to make active and brings to the foreground the top level window corresponding to the selection.