Patent ID: 7120914

Claim:
A method implemented by a computing device for navigating between electronic programs comprising the steps of: providing a first state index comprising a first adjustable counter in an originating program, said first adjustable counter tracking a state of the originating program as the state changes among a plurality of different states of the originating program; providing a second state index comprising a second adjustable counter in a target program; in response to a navigation request, saving current state data of the originating program; adjusting the first state index stored in the originating program to an appropriate value corresponding to the navigation request, wherein the appropriate value is indicated by the first adjustable counter; generating a safe mode image for the originating program; removing a storage medium containing display information for the originating program; displaying the safe mode image while the storage medium is removed; generating a message identifying one of a target program and the originating program; forwarding the message to the target program; adjusting the second state index stored in the target program to an appropriate value corresponding to the navigation request, wherein the appropriate value is indicated by the second adjustable counter; and generating a display based upon one of saved state data of the target program and data contained within the message, whereby navigation between the originating program and target program is substantially seamless while programming for the navigation is substantially minimized.