Patent ID: 7797645
Filing Date: 2010-09-14
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method performed by a computing device having a memory and a processor for providing a sidebar user interface for an application program having a conventional user interface with panes, the method comprising: with a processor, displaying the conventional user interface in which multiple panes of the application program are displayed simultaneously, each pane having associated functionality, wherein the conventional user interface provides no sidebar for selecting panes of the application program so that when the conventional user interface is displayed, a sidebar is not displayed; upon receiving from the user an indication to display the sidebar user interface, while the sidebar user interface is being displayed, wherein the sidebar user interface allows the user to selectively control the panes that are displayed, wherein when an indication to display the sidebar user interface is received, automatically removing the conventional user interface from the display, and wherein when an indication to display the conventional user interface is received, automatically removing the sidebar user interface from the display.