Patent ID: 8239779

Claim:
A method, comprising: displaying an object using a graphical user interface of a computer, wherein the object allows control of a plurality of applications, the object having a first sensitive area; receiving a first user input at the first sensitive area; providing access to one or more applications via a plurality of icons displayed in response to the first input; receiving a second user input corresponding at least one of the plurality of icons; displaying information associated with the at least one of the plurality of icons in response to the second input, wherein the information includes one or more user controls configured to control at least one of the one or more applications corresponding to the at least one of the plurality of icons; providing a second sensitive area of the object, wherein the second sensitive area is configured to receive user input, wherein receiving a third user input at the second sensitive area of the object results in the object minimizing and a tab state icon appearing; and providing a third sensitive area of the object, wherein the third sensitive area is configured to receive user input, wherein receiving a fourth user input at the third sensitive area of the object results in the object closing and a tool state icon appearing in a tool tray of the graphical user interface of the computer.