An embodiment provides a method, including: displaying, on a first display, an application view; providing an area of the first display that is associated with a second display; receiving, from a user, an input associating the application view with the area of the first display; and repositioning, using a processor, the application view from the first display to a second display after receiving the input. Other aspects are described and claimed.

BACKGROUND

Information handling devices (“devices”), for example desktop computers, workstations, or even laptop, tablet and smart phone computing devices often are used in connection with multiple displays. In this use scenario, a device is connected (wired or wireless connections may be used) to more than one display, e.g., to provide a better viewing experience, to separate different application views or windows onto different displays, etc.

Currently, a user can arrange windows across displays by dragging them using, e.g., input via the keyboard and/or mouse, to the intended displays. Although the user can use the keyboard and/or mouse to move an application window to another display, this can be cumbersome to do for every application window. Moreover, many users are also unaware of advanced keyboard application switching that is available via use of key inputs.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In summary, one aspect provides a method, comprising: displaying, on a first display, an application view; providing an area of the first display that is associated with a second display; receiving, from a user, an input associating the application view with the area of the first display; and repositioning, using a processor, the application view from the first display to a second display after receiving the input.

Another aspect provides a device, comprising: at least one display; a processor operatively coupled to the at least one display; and a memory operatively coupled to the processor that stores instructions executable by the processor, the instructions comprising: instructions that display, on a first display, an application view; instructions that provide an area of the first display that is associated with a second display; instructions that receive, from a user, an input associating the application view with the area of the first display; and instructions that reposition the application view from the first display to a second display after receiving the input.

A further aspect provides a program product, comprising: a storage device having program code embodied therewith, the program code being executable by a processor and comprising: program code that displays, on a first display, an application view; program code that provides an area of the first display that is associated with a second display; program code that receives, from a user, an input associating the application view with the area of the first display; and program code that repositions using a processor, the application view from the first display to a second display after receiving the input.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Currently, a user can arrange windows across displays by dragging them using touch/keyboard/mouse to the intended displays. It is worth mentioning that a display, as used herein, may take a variety of forms, including but not limited to a monitor, an OLED display, an LCD display, a television, a projection display, etc. In this description, the term “monitor” is used throughout as a non-limiting example of one type of display. However, other types of displays may be used, and different types of displays may be used in various combinations.

While dragging windows to different displays or monitors is available, however, using touch input alone, there is no way to drag a window to a non-touch monitor. Moreover, while a user can use the keyboard/mouse to move the window, this can be cumbersome to do for every application. Many users are also unaware of advanced keyboard application window switching (between monitors) is available, e.g., via pressing the “WINDOWS” key and an arrow key at the same time. WINDOWS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.

While there are manual options (e.g., use of mouse, a combination of keyboard key presses, etc.) for arranging windows or views in a multi-monitor environment, a few problems persist. For example, although possible to move windows with conventional arrangements, it is often a tedious process to arrange windows across multiple monitors upon connect/disconnect of a new monitor. Moreover, transferring windows from touch to non-touch monitors can't be done using just touch input. Still further, even if a user manages to arrange the windows or views as he or she desires, after disconnecting a monitor from a multi-monitor environment, applications have no memory (or profile) as to which monitor they should appear on. This is especially true when a different number of monitors exist at different work environments.

Accordingly, an embodiment allows multi-selection of applications or windows/views in a virtual monitor view, allowing the user to quickly move multiple applications/windows at once, e.g., using an action similar to a copy/paste operation.

An embodiment may offer the user helpful monitor suggestions, e.g., made based on the size of a current window or content within the window. For example, if window content does not fit without scrolling, and another monitor exists that makes more content visible, an embodiment may prompt or notify the user that the window or view might best be moved to that other monitor for a view of more of the content.

An embodiment creates application or location profiles based on a variety of factors, e.g., home, work, etc., so that applications are directed to preset monitors or monitors of a predetermined type. An embodiment may change a currently active profile, e.g., based on which applications are open, which applications are in use, or based on the current location of the primary device, the user, etc. Thus, an embodiment may automatically arrange windows or views across monitors based on user preference. Windows or views also may be re-arranged when interaction with a new set of applications is detected. Switching between different sets of applications for example may trigger a suggested re-arranging of monitors, communicated to the user. Monitor profiles may vary based on the number/resolution of monitors available and may be adjusted to meet a particular user's preferences.

When disconnecting/reconnecting one or more monitors, application windows or views may retain their assigned monitor so that they go back to (launch to, open to) that monitor when it gets re-connected. Also, windows or views created by a single application (e.g., an OUTLOOK email client application main window or view, a new message window or view, etc.) may be directed to the same monitor containing the main application window or view. OUTLOOK is a registered trademark of Microsoft corporation in the United States and other countries.

While various other circuits, circuitry or components may be utilized in information handling devices, with regard to smart phone and/or tablet circuitry100, an example illustrated inFIG. 1includes a system design found for example in tablet or other mobile computing platforms. Software and processor(s) are combined in a single unit110. Internal busses and the like depend on different vendors, but essentially all the peripheral devices (120) may attach to a single unit110. The circuitry100combines the processor, memory control, and I/O controller hub all into a single unit110. Also, systems100of this type do not typically use SATA or PCI or LPC. Common interfaces for example include SDIO and I2C.

System100typically includes one or more of a WWAN transceiver150and a WLAN transceiver160for connecting to various networks, such as telecommunications networks and wireless Internet devices, e.g., access points. Additional devices120are commonly included. Additional devices may include short range wireless radio(s), such as BLUETOOTH radios, for communicating with other devices, or other communication devices or ports, e.g., for connecting to an external monitor. Near field communication element(s) may also be included as additional device(s)120. Commonly, system100will include a touch screen/controller170for primary data input and display. System100also typically includes various memory devices, for example flash memory180and SDRAM190.

FIG. 2, for its part, depicts a block diagram of another example of information handling device circuits, circuitry or components. The example depicted inFIG. 2may correspond to computing systems such as the THINKPAD series of personal computers sold by Lenovo (US) Inc. of Morrisville, N.C., or other devices. As is apparent from the description herein, embodiments may include other features or only some of the features of the example illustrated inFIG. 2.

The example ofFIG. 2includes a set210(a group of integrated circuits that work together) with an architecture that may vary depending on manufacturer (for example, INTEL, AMD, ARM, etc.). INTEL is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation in the United States and other jurisdictions. AMD is a registered trademark of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. in the United States and other jurisdictions. ARM is a trademark of ARM Holdings plc in various jurisdictions.

The architecture of the set210includes a core and memory control group220and an I/O controller hub250that exchanges information (for example, data, signals, commands, etc.) via a direct management interface (DMI)242or a link controller244. InFIG. 2, the DMI242is an interface (sometimes referred to as being a link between a “northbridge” and a “southbridge”). The core and memory control group220include one or more processors222(for example, single or multi-core) and a memory controller hub226that exchange information via a front side bus (FSB)224; noting that components of the group220may be integrated in a unit that supplants the conventional “northbridge” style architecture.

Information handling device circuitry, as for example outlined inFIG. 1orFIG. 2, may be used in devices such as desktop computers, laptop computers, tablet or other mobile computing devices, etc. As will be readily apparent to those having skill in the art, such devices may be used in connection with multiple monitors. That is, two or more monitors may be operatively coupled to such devices such that data may be rendered on the two or more monitors, e.g., in a coordinated fashion.

Referring toFIG. 3(A-B), an example of a virtual multi-monitor system is illustrated. As illustrated inFIG. 3A, two monitors301and301are operatively connected to a computing device303. Here the connection is shown to be a wired connection, although this is not a requirement.

In the first of the multiple monitors, i.e., monitor301, two application windows or views304,305are displayed. Also displayed are two virtual monitor icons306,307. In an embodiment, a user may rearrange an application window, e.g., window305, to another monitor, e.g., monitor302, by virtue of touch input. As illustrated, a user may drag window305to virtual monitor icon307in order to place application view305on monitor302. It should be noted that while dragging view305to virtual monitor icon307is used in this illustration, other touch inputs may be used, e.g., a first touch on view305followed by a touch on virtual monitor icon307, the reverse of this input sequence, etc.

InFIG. 3Bthe effect of such user input is illustrated. Following touch input to application view305and virtual monitor icon307, inFIG. 3Bthe application window or view for “App2”305has been rearranged to appear on monitor302rather than monitor301. Although not illustrated in this example, virtual monitor icons may be displayed as well on monitor302.

Thus, an embodiment permits easily rearranging application windows or views between monitors301and302. This may be accomplished via simple touch input, e.g., by use of virtual monitor icons306and307. Therefore, a user need not manually drag the application views304,305to respective monitors, e.g., using a mouse input device, nor does the user have to recall complex short cut key arrangements for moving the application views304,305. Rather, a user may place the application windows304,305on a monitor of choice via simple touch interface.

As described herein, an embodiment provides a capability to suggest which monitor, e.g.,301or302, an application view, e.g.,304or305, should be displayed on. A variety of factors may be used in this regard, with the result being helpful suggestions as to which monitor might be used for display. For example, the size and/or underlying content of an application window or view may be matched to an appropriately sized monitor or a monitor with other capabilities (e.g., screen resolution, built in speakers, etc.) An embodiment also may track and store user preferences with respect to monitor choices (monitory type, specific monitor identification, etc.) that a user has made such that a suggestion of that monitor (or monitor type) might be made when next a multi-monitor scenario is encountered for application views or windows. In some cases (e.g., according to user preferences or in cases of high confidence of a suggested monitor), an embodiment may automatically rearrange one or more application windows or views.

FIG. 4outlines a general method of using a virtual multi-monitor icon to rearrange application views or windows. Illustrated is a method in which a plurality of application views are displayed at410on a first monitor in a multiple monitor environment. Additionally, an embodiment displays at420, on the first monitor, a virtual monitor icon.

At430it is determined if an input is received from a user associating an application view of the plurality of application views with the virtual monitor icon on the first display. For example, an embodiment detects if a user has touched or interfaced with an application view and a corresponding virtual monitor icon at430. If not, of course the current display may be maintained.

However, if such a user input is received, an embodiment repositions at440the application view the user has interfaced with from the first monitor to a second monitor, as indicated by the virtual monitor icon that has been selected by the user. This permits a user to easily use touch interface with the display (e.g., a touch screen display) to reposition an application window from a first monitor to a second monitor.

One or more virtual monitor icons may be displayed. For example, the displaying of a virtual monitor icon may include displaying a number of virtual icons matching a number of connected monitors. This way, the visual appearance of the virtual monitor icons will logically match the physical landscape of the virtual monitor environment, assisting the user in making choices as to which virtual monitor icon to select.

As described herein, an embodiment may suggest a monitor for an application view displayed on the first monitor. Thus, the displaying of a virtual monitor icon may include displaying a virtual monitor icon in accordance with a suggested monitor. This may be implemented in a variety of ways, e.g., color highlighting or flashing an application window and a virtual monitor icon. This acts to indicate (visually in this example) which physical monitor is suggested for which application window, e.g., by virtue of indicating a corresponding virtual monitor icon.

As described herein, an embodiment may suggest a monitor (and indicate a corresponding virtual icon) in a variety of ways. For example, the suggested monitor may be selected based on a size of an application view. As another example, the suggested monitor may be selected based on content within an application view. As a further example, the suggested monitor may be selected based on application type associated with an application view. A combination of factors may be used in selecting a monitor for suggestion, including use of historical data, e.g., as for example stored in a user profile.

Any combination of one or more non-signal device readable storage medium(s) may be utilized. A storage medium may be, for example, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of a storage medium would include the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a storage medium is not a signal and “non-transitory” includes all media except signal media.

Example embodiments are described herein with reference to the figures, which illustrate example methods, devices and program products according to various example embodiments. It will be understood that the actions and functionality may be implemented at least in part by program instructions. These program instructions may be provided to a processor of an information handling device or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via a processor of the device implement the functions/acts specified.

As used herein, the singular “a” and “an” may be construed as including the plural unless clearly indicated otherwise.