Interface for a computer platform
AssigneeMicrosoft Technology Licensing, LLC
InventorsKerem B. Karatal, Michael G. Sheldon, Marc M. Miller, Chris J. Guzak, Timothy P. McKee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A programming interface for a computer platform may include various functionality. In certain embodiments, the programming interface may include a sidebar that provides dynamic communication access and information awareness in an integrated interactive peripheral display. Specified communication contacts and information elements may be dynamically tracked or received and provided to a user on an ongoing basis. This capability may be provided via a customizable dynamic thumbnail displayed in one or more columns in a persistent display strip along one edge of a display device. Information may be updated according to rules set by a user.
Claims19
A method comprising:
- providing, by one or more processors, an interactive display including dynamic thumbnails, the dynamic thumbnails comprising a combination of tiles, at least one of the combination of tiles describing a contact or an informational element;
- setting, by the one or more processors, at least one rule for displaying a notification, the at least one rule associated with a plurality of applications that use the notification and the at least one rule being set centrally in a namespace so that the at least one rule is applicable to each of the plurality of applications that use the notification, wherein the namespace defines a collection of at least two of interfaces, delegates, and enumerations;
- and
- causing, by the one or more processors, the notification related to the contact or the informational element to be represented on the combination of tiles, the notification represented in accordance with the at least one rule.
A system comprising:
- one or more processors;
- a display;
- and
- one or more computer-readable media storing one or more programming instructions, which when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to:
- display a customizable thumbnail on the display, the customizable thumbnail for extending functionality of the display, the extending of the functionality comprising providing access to a combination of tiles in which at least one of the tiles describes at least one of a contact or an informational element;
- receive notifications related to the at least one of the contact or the informational element;
- set at least one rule for displaying the notifications, the at least one rule associated with a plurality of applications that use the notifications, and the at least one rule being set centrally in a namespace so that the at least one rule is applicable to each of the plurality of applications that use the notifications, wherein the namespace defines a collection of at least two of interfaces, delegates, and enumerations;
- and
- display, on the combination of tiles, at least one notification of the notifications, the at least one notification related to the at least one of the contact or the informational element and the at least one notification displayed in accordance with the at least one rule.
A computer-readable storage media for storing instructions which when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
- cause a user interface to be displayed, the user interface extending functionality of a desktop by providing access to a plurality of tiles displayed on a portion of the desktop, at least one tile of the plurality of tiles providing notifications for a plurality of applications;
- set at least one rule for displaying the notifications, the at least one rule being set centrally in a namespace for the plurality of applications that use the notifications, wherein the namespace defines a collection of at least two of interfaces, delegates, and enumerations;
- track notifications relating to the plurality of applications;
- and
- update the visual representation in response to receiving the notifications relating to the plurality of applications and based in part on the at least one rule.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.