Repositioning gestures for chromeless regions

Abstract

In graphical computing environments, applications are often presented as windows and other regions with visual controls that enable standardized region management functions, including repositioning the regions. However, in some scenarios (particularly devices with small displays), such user interface 'chrome' may undesirable diminish the size of the region devoted to the output of the application, and removing such visual controls without eliminating repositioning functionality may be advantageous. Presented herein are repositioning gestures that may be invoked to request repositioning of a selected region by 'hovering' a pointer near an edge of the display that is near the selected region; optionally by activating the pointer; and by moving the pointer away from the edge of the display (e.g., “dragging” the pointer while depressing a mouse button). This gesture may easily and unambiguously invoke a region repositioning mode for the selected region, despite the absence of visual repositioning controls confluent with the region.