US 8,543,931 B2 · Preview including theme based installation of user interface elements in a display environment

Abstract

Methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided including a method for displaying a user interface element in a display environment. The method includes receiving a selection of a user interface element to be displayed in a display environment, and selectively displaying the user interface element in a preview environment prior to installing the user interface element and prior to displaying the interface element in the display environment. Preview includes instantiating the user interface element in a preview environment including displaying the user interface element in a presentation window along with a preview designator and supporting interaction of the user interface element with a user; and selectively installing the user interface element in the display environment.

Claims55

Dependent claims

A method comprising:

receiving input to install a user interface element in a dashboard layer displayed over a desktop user interface;
in response to receiving the input to install the user interface element in the dashboard layer:
making the dashboard layer active;
making the desktop user interface temporarily inactive,
modifying an appearance of the desktop user interface relative to the dashboard layer to emphasize that the dashboard layer is active and that the desktop user interface is temporarily inactive;
determining an installation area in the dashboard layer to install the user interface element, the installation area including a presentation area and a frame bounding the presentation area, where the frame is provided to identify a displayed user interface element as being previewed;
displaying a preview of the user interface element to be installed in the installation area;
enabling at least some aspects of operation of the user interface element while displaying the preview;
and
installing the user interface element in the installation area without the frame.

7 more elements

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions contained thereon, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the operations of:

receiving input to install a user interface element in a dashboard layer displayed over a desktop user interface;
in response to receiving the input to install the user interface element in the dashboard layer:
making the dashboard layer active;
making the desktop user interface temporarily inactive,
modifying an appearance of the desktop user interface relative to the dashboard layer to emphasize that the dashboard layer is active and that the desktop user interface is temporarily inactive;
determining an installation area in the dashboard layer to install the user interface element, the installation area including a presentation area and a frame bounding the presentation area, where the frame is provided to identify a displayed user interface element as being previewed;
displaying a preview of the user interface element to be installed in the installation area;
enabling at least some aspects of operation of the user interface element while displaying the preview;
and
installing the user interface element in the installation area without the frame.

7 more elements

A system comprising:

a processor;
and
a computer-readable storage medium coupled to the processor and having instructions contained thereon, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the operation of:
receiving input to install a user interface element in a dashboard layer displayed over a desktop user interface;
in response to receiving the input to install the user interface element in the dashboard layer:
making the dashboard layer active;
making the desktop user interface temporarily inactive,
modifying an appearance of the desktop user interface relative to the dashboard layer to emphasize that the dashboard layer is active and that the desktop user interface is temporarily inactive;
determining an installation area in the dashboard layer to install the user interface element, the installation area including a presentation area and a frame bounding the presentation area, where the frame is provided to identify a displayed user interface element as being previewed;
displaying a preview of the user interface element to be installed in the installation area;
enabling at least some aspects of operation of the user interface element while displaying the preview;
and
installing the user interface element in the installation area without the frame.

10 more elements

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions contained thereon, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the operations of:

receiving input to install a user interface element in a dashboard layer overlaid on a desktop user interface;
in response to receiving the input to install the user interface element in the dashboard layer:
making the dashboard layer active;
making the desktop user interface temporarily inactive;
displaying the desktop user interface with a faded or darkened appearance to emphasize that the dashboard layer is active and that the desktop user interface is temporarily inactive;
determining an installation area in a user interface to install the user interface element, the installation area including a presentation area and a frame;
displaying, in the installation area, a preview designator, where the preview designator is distinct from the user interface element and is provided to identify the user interface element as being previewed and not installed;
displaying a preview of the user interface element;
enabling at least some aspects of operation of the user interface element while displaying the preview;
and
installing the user interface element in the installation area without the frame.

8 more elements

A system comprising:

a processor;
and
a computer-readable storage medium coupled to the processor and having instructions contained thereon, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the operations of:
receiving input to install a user interface element in a dashboard layer overlaid on a desktop user interface;
in response to receiving the input to install the user interface element in the dashboard layer:
making the dashboard layer active;
making the desktop user interface temporarily inactive;
displaying the desktop user interface with a faded or darkened appearance to emphasize that the dashboard layer is active and that the desktop user interface is temporarily inactive;
determining an installation area in a user interface to install the user interface element, the installation area including a presentation area and a frame;
displaying, in the installation area, a preview designator, where the preview designator is distinct from the user interface element and is provided to identify the user interface element as being previewed and not installed;
displaying a preview of the user interface element;
enabling at least some aspects of operation of the user interface element while displaying the preview;
and
installing the user interface element in the installation area without the frame.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Preview including theme based installation of user interface elements in a display environment

Life of this patent

Preview including theme based installation of user interface elements in a display environment

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims55