18368531. Devices, Methods, and Graphical User Interfaces for Navigating Between User Interfaces, Displaying a Dock, and Displaying System User Interface Elements simplified abstract (Apple Inc.)
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Brandon M. Walkin of San Francisco CA (US)
Wan Si Wan of Sunnyvale CA (US)
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18368531 titled 'Devices, Methods, and Graphical User Interfaces for Navigating Between User Interfaces, Displaying a Dock, and Displaying System User Interface Elements
Simplified Explanation
An electronic device is described that can display two applications along an edge of the display. It can also detect an edge-swipe gesture while both applications are being displayed.
- The device associates a standard edge-swipe gesture criteria with a respective application if the location of the edge-swipe gesture corresponds to the location of the application on the display.
- If the edge-swipe gesture meets the standard edge-swipe gesture criteria, the device performs a system operation. This operation includes displaying a system user interface at a portion of the display previously occupied by at least a portion of the first and second applications.
- If the edge-swipe gesture does not meet the enhanced edge-swipe gesture criteria associated with the respective application, the device does not perform the system operation.
Potential applications of this technology:
- Multitasking: The ability to display and interact with multiple applications simultaneously along the edge of the display can enhance multitasking capabilities on electronic devices.
- Quick access to system functions: The edge-swipe gesture can be used to quickly access system functions or settings without interrupting the current application being used.
Problems solved by this technology:
- Limited screen space: By displaying applications along the edge of the display, the device maximizes the available screen space for content while still providing access to multiple applications.
- Efficient multitasking: The edge-swipe gesture allows users to switch between applications quickly and seamlessly, improving multitasking efficiency.
Benefits of this technology:
- Enhanced user experience: Users can easily access and interact with multiple applications without the need to switch between screens or interrupt their current tasks.
- Improved productivity: The ability to display and interact with multiple applications simultaneously along the edge of the display can enhance productivity by allowing users to perform multiple tasks at once.
Original Abstract Submitted
An electronic device displays a first application and a second application along an edge of the display and, while concurrently displaying the first and second applications, detects an edge-swipe gesture. in response, if the location corresponds to a location of a respective application on the display, the respective application is associated with standard edge-swipe gesture criteria, and the edge-swipe gesture meets the standard edge-swipe gesture criteria, the device performs a system operation that includes displaying a system user interface at a portion of the display previously occupied by at least a portion of the first application and at least a portion of the second application; if the location of the edge-swipe gesture corresponds to a location of the respective application, the respective application is associated with enhanced edge-swipe gesture criteria, and the edge-swipe gesture does not meet the enhanced edge-swipe gesture criteria, the device forgoes performing the system operation.
