System for automatically switching between two executable programs at a user's computer interface during processing by one of the executable programs
OwnerBenjamin Slotznickinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Automatic switching between two executable programs occurs between a first mode wherein a first executable program is visible and active, and a second mode wherein a second executable program is visible and active. Switching is triggered by detecting that the first executable program has initiated an information processing mode. The first mode is restored upon completion of information processing. In one particular embodiment of the present invention, the first executable program is a browser for requesting, receiving and displaying information obtained from remote information sources, the first mode is a browser mode, and the information processing mode is the requesting by the browser for information.
Claims99
A method of switching between two executable programs, the method comprising:
- (a) providing a first executable program which is visible and active at a user's computer interface during a first mode, the first program including an information processing mode, wherein a full range of user interaction cannot occur with the first program during the information processing mode;
- (b) providing a second executable program which is visible and active at a user's computer interface during a second mode, wherein the second program operates outside of, and independent of, the first program;
- (c) during the first mode, detecting initiation by the first executable program of the information processing mode;
- and
- (d) automatically switching from the first mode to the second mode upon detecting initiation of the information processing mode.
An apparatus for switching between two executable programs, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a first executable program which is visible and active at a user's computer interface during a first mode, the first program including an information processing mode, wherein a full range of user interaction cannot occur with the first program during the information processing mode;
- (b) a second executable program which is visible and active at a user's computer interface during a second mode, wherein the second program operates outside of, and independent of, the first program;
- (c) means for detecting initiation by the first program of the information processing mode during the first mode;
- and
- (d) means for automatically switching from the first mode to the second mode upon detecting initiation of the information processing mode.
A computer program product including at least one computer readable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon for switching between two executable programs, the at least one computer readable medium comprising:
- (a) a first executable program which is visible and active during a first mode, the first executable program including an information processing mode, wherein a full range of user interaction cannot occur with the first executable program during the information processing mode;
- (b) a second executable program which is visible and active during a second mode, wherein the second executable program operates outside of, and independent of, the first executable program;
- (c) means for detecting initiation by the first program of the information processing mode during the first mode;
- and
- (d) means for automatically switching from the first mode to the second mode upon detecting initiation of the information processing mode.
A method of switching between two information objects, the method comprising:
- (a) providing a first information object which is visible and active at a user's computer interface during a first mode, the first information object including an information processing mode, wherein a full range of user interaction cannot occur with the first information object during the information processing mode;
- (b) providing a second information object which is visible and active at a user's computer interface during a second mode, wherein the second information object operates outside of, and independent of, the first information object;
- (c) providing means for allowing the user to manually switch back and forth between the first information object and the second information object, depending upon which information object the user desires to be visible and active;
- (d) during the first mode, detecting initiation by the first information object of the information processing mode;
- and
- (e) automatically switching from the first mode to the second mode upon detecting initiation of the information processing mode.
An apparatus for switching between two information objects, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a first information object which is visible and active at a user's computer interface during a first mode, the first information object including an information processing mode, wherein a full range of user interaction cannot occur with the first information object during the information processing mode;
- (b) a second information object which is visible and active at a user's computer interface during a second mode, wherein the second information object operates outside of, and independent of, the first information object;
- (c) means for allowing the user to manually switch back and forth between the first information object and the second information object;
- (d) means for detecting initiation by the first information object of the information processing mode during the first mode;
- and
- (e) means for automatically switching from the first mode to the second mode upon detecting initiation of the information processing mode.
A computer program product including at least one computer readable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon for switching between two information objects, the at least one computer readable medium comprising:
- (a) a first information object which is visible and active during a first mode, the first information object including an information processing mode, wherein a full range of user interaction cannot occur with the first information object during the information processing mode;
- (b) a second information object which is visible and active during a second mode, wherein the second information object operates outside of, and independent of, the first information object;
- (c) means for allowing the user to manually switch back and forth between the first information object and the second information object;
- (d) means for detecting initiation by the first information object of the information processing mode during the first mode;
- and
- (e) means for automatically switching from the first mode to the second mode upon detecting initiation of the information processing mode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.