System and method for display notification in a tabbed window setting

a technology of tabbed window and notification system, applied in the field of system and method for display notification in a tabbed window setting, can solve the problems of user having no way of knowing that the information has changed, and less than satisfactory in certain cases

Inactive Publication Date: 2006-07-20
VAULTUS MOBILE TECH
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Enhances user awareness of data changes by providing visual and potentially auditory or vibrational notifications, ensuring timely recognition of updates without requiring manual navigation through each component.

Problems solved by technology

Although tabbed components as presently designed are quite useful, they suffer from a significant drawback that makes them less than satisfactory in certain cases.
In particular, when data associated with one or more of the independent components is subject to change without user intervention, the user has no way of knowing that the information has changed, unless the user by chance selects the component.

Method used

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  • System and method for display notification in a tabbed window setting
  • System and method for display notification in a tabbed window setting
  • System and method for display notification in a tabbed window setting

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0013] FIGS. 2A-B illustrate a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2A, the GUI displayed to the user preferably comprises a plurality of tabs 202, each associated with an independent component of a single application that may be individually selected by the user. The tab associated with the currently selected component (in this case tab 202a) is typically distinguished from the other tabs by displaying the tab in a different color, as shown in the figure. A GUI 204 associated with the selected component fills much of the remainder of the device's display screen.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, when data associated with an unselected component changes, the component's tab is modified in some way, such as by being made to flash. For example, if data associated with a component named “jornada3” changes, the background of tab 202c may be caused to alternate between its usual color, as shown in FIG. 2A, and a second color, as shown in FIG. 2B. Once the...

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PUM

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Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for informing users that data associated with one or more concurrently-running components has changed. In a preferred embodiment, the system and method comprise a GUI that includes a plurality of tabs associated with independently selectable components. When data associated with a particular component changes, the component's tab is made to flash. The flashing continues until the user selects the component. In a second preferred embodiment, when the tab associated with the component whose data has changed is not currently displayed, a different GUI element is made to flash until the tab is displayed. Further, a user may be informed of the change in data by vibration of the electronic device or by an audible sound.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 098,866, filed Mar. 14, 2002, entitled System and Method for Display Notification in a Tabbed Window Setting which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 275,916, filed Mar. 15, 2001, entitled System and Method for Display Notification in a Tabbed Window Setting, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Tabbed components are a common graphical user interface (GUI) metaphor in which graphical “tabs” are used to identify independent components of a single application running concurrently on a user device. For example, a single application may include a first component for accessing e-mail and a second component that maintains a calendar, each identified by a graphical tab displayed on the device's display screen. [0003] When a user wishes to select a particular component, he or she chooses the...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & AuthorityApplications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): G06F17/00
CPCG06F3/0483
InventorJOHNSTON, BRUCEMILLER, RYAN
OwnerVAULTUS MOBILE TECH