# US 11,907,013 B2 · Continuity of applications across devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,907,013 B2 - Document ID: US11907013B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/666,971 - Filed: 2022-02-08 - Published: 2022-05-26 - Granted: 2024-02-20 - Earliest claimed: 2014-05-30 - Assignees: Apple Inc. - Applicants: Apple Inc. - Inventors: Lawrence Y. Yang; Patrick L Coffman; Craig M. Federighi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11907013B2 ## CPC - G06F 1/163: {Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt} - G06F 3/041: Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means - G06F 3/0414: {using force sensing means to determine a position} - G06F 3/04817: using icons (graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34) - G06F 3/0482: Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus - G06F 3/0484: for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range - G06F 3/04842: Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements (G06F3/0482 takes precedence) - G06F 3/0488: using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures - G06F 3/04883: for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text - G06F 3/04892: Arrangements for controlling cursor position based on codes indicative of cursor displacements from one discrete location to another, e.g. using cursor control keys associated to different directions or using the tab key (arrangements for controlling cursor position based on coordinate signals G06F3/038) - G06F 3/1423: {controlling a plurality of local displays, e.g. CRT and flat panel display} - G06F 3/167: {Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback} - G06F 9/00: Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units (program control for peripheral devices G06F13/10) - G06F 9/445: Program loading or initiating (bootstrapping G06F9/4401; security arrangements for program loading or initiating G06F21/57) - G06F 9/4856: {resumption being on a different machine, e.g. task migration, virtual machine migration (G06F9/5088 takes precedence)} - G06F 21/31: User authentication - G06Q 10/10: Office automation; Time management - H04L 67/025: for remote control or remote monitoring of applications - H04L 67/535: {Tracking the activity of the user (network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34)} - H04W 4/00: Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor - G06F 9/451: Execution arrangements for user interfaces - G06F 2203/04108: Touchless 2D- digitiser, i.e. digitiser detecting the X/Y position of the input means, finger or stylus, also when it does not touch, but is proximate to the digitiser's interaction surface without distance measurement in the Z direction - H04L 67/1095: Replication or mirroring of data, e.g. scheduling or transport for data synchronisation between network nodes - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) ## Abstract At an electronic device, detecting a compatible external device, where the external device is executing or has executed a first application. The detection may be made wirelessly. The electronic device also receives usage information regarding the first application from the external device. Display an affordance for user selection based on the received information. When the affordance is selected, launch a second application on the electronic device, the second application corresponding to the first application. In some examples, the second application is a different version of the first application. Launching the second application may additionally include bringing the second application to the same state as the first application. For example, if e-mail is being drafted on the external device, the electronic device may launch an e-mail editor showing the draft. In this way, a user can seamlessly transition from the use of one electronic device to another electronic device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electronic device, comprising: a display; one or more processors; a memory; and one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for: detecting an external device, wherein the external device is executing an external application, the external application in a first state; receiving a first user input; in response to receiving the first user input: displaying, on the display, a first affordance and a second affordance, wherein the first affordance corresponds to a first recently opened application, and wherein the second affordance corresponds to a second recently opened application, the second recently opened application being different from the first recently opened application; and displaying, on the display, a third affordance corresponding to a respective local application and the external application, wherein: in accordance with a determination that a first external application has executed on the external device more recently than a second external application has executed on the external device, the third affordance corresponds to a first local application; and in accordance with a determination that the second external application has executed on the external device more recently than the first external application has executed on the external device, the third affordance corresponds to a second local application; receiving a second user input; and in response to receiving the second user input: in accordance with a determination that the second user input corresponds to the first affordance, launching the first recently opened application; in accordance with a determination that the second user input corresponds to the second affordance, launching the second recently opened application; in accordance with a determination that the second user input corresponds to the third affordance and that the third affordance corresponds to the first local application, launching the first local application in a second state corresponding to the first state; and in accordance with a determination that the second user input corresponds to the third affordance and that the third affordance corresponds to the second local application, launching the second local application in a third state corresponding to the first state. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein displaying the third affordance comprises displaying a thumbnail image indicating the external application. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the respective local application and the external application have at least one application feature in common. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first state of the external application corresponds to a position in a navigation hierarchy of the external application. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first state of the external application corresponds to a location in a document displayed in the external application. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first state of the external application corresponds to whether a feature of the external application is active. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the respective local application and the external application are versions of the same application. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, the one or more programs including instructions for: receiving, by the electronic device, application data of the external application; and displaying the application data via the respective local application. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the application data represents a portion of a message displayed by the external application, and wherein the one or more programs include instructions for: displaying the portion of the message in the respective local application. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the application data represents a portion of a web-page, and wherein the one or more programs include instructions for: displaying the portion of the web-page via the respective local application. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein at least one application feature is accessible only from one of the external application and the respective local application. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the external application performs at least one application feature, and wherein launching the respective local application comprises: displaying an affordance for invoking, wirelessly from the respective local application executing on the electronic device, an application feature of the external application executing on the external device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a laptop or desktop computer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a tablet computer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a phone. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the external device is a laptop or desktop computer. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the external device is a tablet computer. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the external device is a phone. ### Claim 19 A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs configured to be executed by one or more processors of an electronic device with a display, the one or more programs including instructions for: detecting an external device, wherein the external device is executing an external application, the external application in a first state; receiving a first user input; in response to receiving the first user input: displaying, on the display, a first affordance and a second affordance, wherein the first affordance corresponds to a first recently opened application, and wherein the second affordance corresponds to a second recently opened application, the second recently opened application being different from the first recently opened application; and displaying, on the display, a third affordance corresponding to a respective local application and the external application, wherein: in accordance with a determination that a first external application has executed on the external device more recently than a second external application has executed on the external device, the third affordance corresponds to a first local application; and in accordance with a determination that the second external application has executed on the external device more recently than the first external application has executed on the external device, the third affordance corresponds to a second local application; receiving a second user input; and in response to receiving the second user input: in accordance with a determination that the second user input corresponds to the first affordance, launching the first recently opened application; in accordance with a determination that the second user input corresponds to the second affordance, launching the second recently opened application; in accordance with a determination that the second user input corresponds to the third affordance and that the third affordance corresponds to the first local application, launching the first local application in a second state corresponding to the first state; and in accordance with a determination that the second user input corresponds to the third affordance and that the third affordance corresponds to the second local application, launching the second local application in a third state corresponding to the first state. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein displaying the third affordance comprises displaying a thumbnail image indicating the external application. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the respective local application and the external application have at least one application feature in common. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the first state of the external application corresponds to a position in a navigation hierarchy of the external application. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the first state of the external application corresponds to a location in a document displayed in the external application. ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the first state of the external application corresponds to whether a feature of the external application is active. ### Claim 25 (depends on 19) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the respective local application and the external application are versions of the same application. ### Claim 26 (depends on 19) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, the one or more programs including instructions for: receiving, by the electronic device, application data of the external application; and displaying the application data via the respective local application. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 26, wherein the application data represents a portion of a message displayed by the external application, and wherein the one or more programs include instructions for: displaying the portion of the message in the respective local application. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 26, wherein the application data represents a portion of a web-page, and wherein the one or more programs include instructions for: displaying the portion of the web-page via the respective local application. ### Claim 29 (depends on 19) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein at least one application feature is accessible only from one of the external application and the respective local application. ### Claim 30 (depends on 19) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the external application performs at least one application feature, and wherein launching the respective local application comprises: displaying an affordance for invoking, wirelessly from the respective local application executing on the electronic device, an application feature of the external application executing on the external device. ### Claim 31 (depends on 19) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the electronic device is a laptop or desktop computer. ### Claim 32 (depends on 19) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the electronic device is a tablet computer. ### Claim 33 (depends on 19) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the electronic device is a phone. ### Claim 34 (depends on 19) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the external device is a laptop or desktop computer. ### Claim 35 (depends on 19) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the external device is a tablet computer. ### Claim 36 (depends on 19) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the external device is a phone. ### Claim 37 A method, comprising: at an electronic device having a display: detecting an external device, wherein the external device is executing an external application, the external application in a first state; receiving a first user input; in response to receiving the first user input: displaying, on the display, a first affordance and a second affordance, wherein the first affordance corresponds to a first recently opened application, and wherein the second affordance corresponds to a second recently opened application, the second recently opened application being different from the first recently opened application; and displaying, on the display, a third affordance corresponding to a respective local application and the external application, wherein: in accordance with a determination that a first external application has executed on the external device more recently than a second external application has executed on the external device, the third affordance corresponds to a first local application; and in accordance with a determination that the second external application has executed on the external device more recently than the first external application has executed on the external device, the third affordance corresponds to a second local application; receiving a second user input; and in response to receiving the second user input: in accordance with a determination that the second user input corresponds to the first affordance, launching the first recently opened application; in accordance with a determination that the second user input corresponds to the second affordance, launching the second recently opened application; in accordance with a determination that the second user input corresponds to the third affordance and that the third affordance corresponds to the first local application, launching the first local application in a second state corresponding to the first state; and in accordance with a determination that the second user input corresponds to the third affordance and that the third affordance corresponds to the second local application, launching the second local application in a third state corresponding to the first state. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The method of claim 37, wherein displaying the third affordance comprises displaying a thumbnail image indicating the external application. ### Claim 39 (depends on 37) The method of claim 37, wherein the respective local application and the external application have at least one application feature in common. ### Claim 40 (depends on 37) The method of claim 37, wherein the first state of the external application corresponds to a position in a navigation hierarchy of the external application. ### Claim 41 (depends on 37) The method of claim 37, wherein the first state of the external application corresponds to a location in a document displayed in the external application. ### Claim 42 (depends on 37) The method of claim 37, wherein the first state of the external application corresponds to whether a feature of the external application is active. ### Claim 43 (depends on 37) The method of claim 37, wherein the respective local application and the external application are versions of the same application. ### Claim 44 (depends on 37) The method of claim 37, further comprising: receiving, by the electronic device, application data of the external application; and displaying the application data via the respective local application. ### Claim 45 (depends on 44) The method of claim 44, wherein the application data represents a portion of a message displayed by the external application, the method further comprising: displaying the portion of the message in the respective local application. ### Claim 46 (depends on 44) The method of claim 44, wherein the application data represents a portion of a web-page, the method further comprising: displaying the portion of the web-page via the respective local application. ### Claim 47 (depends on 37) The method of claim 37, wherein at least one application feature is accessible only from one of the external application and the respective local application. ### Claim 48 (depends on 37) The method of claim 37, wherein the external application performs at least one application feature, and wherein launching the respective local application comprises: displaying an affordance for invoking, wirelessly from the respective local application executing on the electronic device, an application feature of the external application executing on the external device. ### Claim 49 (depends on 37) The method of claim 37, wherein the electronic device is a laptop or desktop computer. ### Claim 50 (depends on 37) The method of claim 37, wherein the electronic device is a tablet computer. ### Claim 51 (depends on 37) The method of claim 37, wherein the electronic device is a phone. ### Claim 52 (depends on 37) The method of claim 37, wherein the external device is a laptop or desktop computer. ### Claim 53 (depends on 37) The method of claim 37, wherein the external device is a tablet computer. ### Claim 54 (depends on 37) The method of claim 37, wherein the external device is a phone.