PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8892997-B2
Application Number: US-76061007-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Overflow stack user interface

Abstract:
Systems and methods for providing an overflow stack. An overflow stack can be generated based upon adjustments to a group display area and based upon application of one or more display criterion. An overflow stack can include representation of any system objects that can not be displayed in an adjusted group display area based upon the one or more display criterion.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
 providing for display, in a group display area, a first graphical representation of a first object at an original position, the group display area having a size adjustable by a user; 
 providing for display one or more second graphical representations each representing a separate second object in the group display area; 
 resizing the group display area, including reducing the size of the group display area upon receiving a user input; 
 determining that at least one second graphical representation is located in a portion of the group display area that is visible before the size of the group display area is reduced and invisible after the size of the group display area is reduced, and that the first graphical representation is located in a portion of the group display area that is visible both before and after the size of the group display area is reduced; 
 generating a stack item including a first stack element and one or more second stack elements, the first stack element representing the first object, each second stack element representing a second object; 
 excluding the first graphical representation and the one or more second graphical representations from the resized group display area such that both the first graphical representation and the one or more second graphical representations are invisible; and 
 providing for display, in the resized group display area, the stack item at the original position of the first graphical representation, wherein a greater reduction in the size of the group display area during the resizing causes more second graphical representations to be excluded from display and more second graphical objects be represented in the stack item. 
 
     
     
       2. The computer implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 prioritizing the first stack element and a second stack element based upon a prioritization of the first object and a second object. 
 
     
     
       3. The computer implemented method of  claim 2 , wherein the prioritization of the first object and the second object is based upon user input. 
     
     
       4. The computer implemented method of  claim 2 , wherein the prioritization of the first object and the second object is based upon a date associated with each of the first object and the second object. 
     
     
       5. The computer implemented method of  claim 2 , wherein the prioritization of the first object and the second object is based upon an application associated with each of the first object and the second object. 
     
     
       6. The computer implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 adjusting an aspect ratio associated with each of the first graphical representation and each second graphical representation based upon adjusting the group display area. 
 
     
     
       7. The computer implemented method of  claim 6 , comprising determining that the first graphical representation is to be excluded based on one or more display criteria, wherein the one or more display criteria comprise a minimum aspect ratio associated with the first graphical representation and each second graphical representation. 
     
     
       8. The computer implemented method of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more display criteria comprise a prioritization associated with the first object and each second object. 
     
     
       9. The computer implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the first stack element and the one or more second stack elements are aggregated in an overlapping arrangement. 
     
     
       10. The computer implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining that a display environment associated with the group display area has been terminated; and 
 displaying graphical representations of objects in the group in a new stack item in a second display environment. 
 
     
     
       11. The computer implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein each second graphical representation does not fit within the resized group display area. 
     
     
       12. The computer implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 resizing the resized group display area into a second resized group display area; 
 further determining, based upon one or more display criteria, that the first graphical representation and the first graphical representation are to be displayed in the second resized group display area; 
 in response to the further determining, removing the stack item; and 
 displaying the first representation and second representation in the second resized group display area. 
 
     
     
       13. The computer implemented method of  claim 1 , where resizing the group display area includes scaling the group display area. 
     
     
       14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that are executable by a processing device, and upon such execution cause the processing device to perform operations comprising:
 providing for display, in a group display area, a first graphical representation of a first object at an original position, the group display area having a size adjustable by a user; 
 providing for display one or more second graphical representations each representing a separate second object in the group display area; 
 resizing the group display area based upon a first user input, including reducing the size of the group display area upon receiving a user input; 
 determining that at least one second graphical representation is located in a portion of the group display area that is visible before the size of the group display area is reduced and invisible after the size of the group display area is reduced, and that the first graphical representation is located in a portion of the group display area that is visible both before and after the size of the group display area is reduced; 
 generating a stack item including a first stack element and one or more second stack elements, the first stack element representing the first object, each second stack element representing the second object; 
 excluding the first graphical representation and the one or more second graphical representations from the resized group display area such that both the first graphical representation and the one or more second graphical representations are invisible; and 
 providing for display, in the resized group display area, the stack item in the original position of the first graphical representation, wherein a greater reduction in the size of the group display area during the resizing causes more second graphical representations to be excluded from display and more second graphical objects be represented in the stack item. 
 
     
     
       15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 14 , the operations comprising:
 prioritizing the first stack element and a second stack element based upon a prioritization of the first object and a second object. 
 
     
     
       16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 14 , the operations comprising:
 adjusting an aspect ratio associated with each of the first graphical representation and each second graphical representation based upon adjusting the group display area. 
 
     
     
       17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , comprising determining that the first graphical representation is to be excluded based on one or more display criteria, wherein the one or more display criteria comprise a minimum aspect ratio associated with the first graphical representation and each second graphical representation. 
     
     
       18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more display criteria comprise a prioritization associated with the first object and each second object. 
     
     
       19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 14 , the operations comprising:
 associating the first graphical representation and each second graphical representation in response to a second user input. 
 
     
     
       20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 14 , the operations comprising:
 resizing the resized group display area into a second resized group display area; 
 further determining, based upon one or more display criteria, that the first graphical representation and the first graphical representation are to be displayed in the second resized group display area; 
 in response to the further determining, removing the stack item; and 
 displaying the first representation and second representation in the second resized group display area. 
 
     
     
       21. A system, comprising:
 one or more computers configured to perform operations comprising:
 providing for display, in a group display area, a first graphical representation of a first system object in an original position, the group display area having a size adjustable by a user; 
 providing for display one or more second graphical representations each representing a separate second object in the group display area; 
 resizing the group display area, including reducing the size of the group display area upon receiving a user input; 
 determining that at least one second graphical representation is located in a portion of the group display area that is visible before the size of the group display area is reduced and invisible after the size of the group display area is reduced, and that the first graphical representation is located in a portion of the group display area that is visible both before and after the size of the group display area is reduced; 
 generating a stack item including a first stack element and one or more second stack elements, the first stack element representing the first object, each second stack element representing a second object; 
 excluding the first graphical representation and the second graphical representation from the resized group display area such that both the first graphical representation and the one or more second graphical representations are invisible; and 
 providing for display, in the resized group display area, the stack item in the original position of the first graphical representation, wherein a greater reduction in the size of the group display area during the resizing causes more second graphical representations to be excluded from display and more second graphical objects be represented in the stack item. 
 
 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 21 , the operations further comprising:
 prioritizing the first stack element and a second stack element based upon a prioritization of the first object and a second object. 
 
     
     
       23. The system of  claim 21 , the operations further comprising:
 adjusting an aspect ratio associated with each of the first graphical representation and the second graphical representation based upon adjusting the group display area. 
 
     
     
       24. The system of  claim 21 , the operations further comprising:
 adjusting a spacing between each of the first graphical representation and the second graphical representation based upon adjusting the group display area. 
 
     
     
       25. The system of  claim 21 , the operations further comprising:
 receiving user input requesting association of the first graphical representation and the second graphical representation into a group; and 
 associating the first graphical representation and the second graphical representation into the group based upon the user input.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     A graphical user interface allows a large number of graphical objects or items to be displayed on a display screen at the same time. Leading personal computer operating systems, such as the Apple Mac OS®, provide user interfaces in which a number of graphical representations of system objects can be displayed according to the needs of the user. Example system objects include system functions, alerts, windows, peripherals, files, and applications, Taskbars, menus, virtual buttons, a mouse, a keyboard, and other user interface elements provide mechanisms for accessing and/or activating the system objects corresponding to the displayed representations. 
     The graphical objects and access to the corresponding system objects and related functions, however, should be presented in a manner that facilitates an intuitive user experience. The use of metaphors that represent concrete, familiar ideas facilitate such an intuitive user experience. For example, the metaphor of a document or photo can be used to identify an electronic file; the metaphor of fife folders can be used for storing documents, etc. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed herein are methods, apparatus and systems including an overflow stack user interface. In an implementation, a computer-implemented method associates graphical representations of system objects into a group and displays the group in a group display area. The group display area can be adjusted, and a determination can he made whether the associated graphical representations of system objects can be displayed in the adjusted group display area based upon one or more display criterion. A representation of two or more of the associated graphical representations of system objects can be provided by a stack item if the associated graphical representations of system objects can not be displayed in the adjusted group display area based on the one or more display criterion. 
     In another implementation, a computer-readable medium stores instructions that upon execution cause a processing device to associate graphical representations of system objects in a group and display the graphical representations of system objects in a group display area. Adjustment of the group display area can be made based upon user input, and a determination can be made whether the associated graphical representations of system objects can be displayed in the adjusted group display area based upon one or more display criterion. A representation of two or more of the associated graphical representations of system objects can be provided in a stack item based on the display criterion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example system that can be utilized to implement the systems and methods described herein. 
         FIG. 2A  is a block diagram of an example user interface architecture. 
         FIG. 2B  is a block diagram depicting an example stack item. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an example system layer structure that can be utilized to implement the systems and methods described herein. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a display environment illustrating an example overflow stack. 
         FIGS. 5A-5C  are block diagrams depicting an example display environment adjustment generating an overflow stack. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are block diagrams depicting an example display environment adjustment including a prioritization. 
         FIGS. 6C and 6D  are block diagrams depicting an example display environment adjustment including an alternative prioritization. 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating an example method of providing an overflow stack. 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating an example method of providing a prioritization for an overflow stack. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example system  100 . The system  100  can, for example, be implemented in a computer device, such as any one of the personal computer devices available from Apple Computer, Inc., or other electronic devices. Other example implementations can also include video processing devices, multimedia processing devices, portable computing devices, portable communication devices, set fop boxes, personal digital assistants, and other electronic devices. 
     The example system  100  includes a processing device  102 , a first data store  104 , a second data store  106 , a graphics device  108 , input devices  110 , output devices  112 , and a network device  114 . A bus system  116 , such as a data bus and a motherboard, can be used to establish and control data communication between the components  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112  and  114 . Other example system architectures, however, can also be used. 
     The processing device  102  can, for example, include one or more microprocessors. The first data store  104  can, for example, include a random access memory storage device, such as a dynamic random access memory, or other types of computer-readable medium memory devices. The second data store  106  can, for example, include one or more hard drives, a flash memory, and/or a read only memory, or other types of computer-readable medium memory devices. 
     The graphics device  108  can, for example, include a video card, a graphics accelerator card, or a display adapter, and is configured to generate and output images to a display device. In one implementation, the graphics device  108  can be realized in a dedicated hardware card connected to the bus system  116 . In another implementation, the graphics device  108  can be realized in a graphics controller integrated into a chipset of the bus system  118 . Other implementations can also be used. 
     Example input devices  110  can include a keyboard, a mouse, a stylus, a video camera, a multi-touch surface, etc., and example output devices  112  can include a display device, an audio device, etc. 
     The network interface  114  can, for example, include a wired or wireless network device operable to communicate data to and from a network  118 . The network  118  can include one or more local area networks (LANs) or a wide area network (WAN), such as the internet. 
     In an implementation, the system  100  includes instructions defining an operating system stored in the first data store  104  and/or the second data store  108 . Example operating systems can include the MAC OS® X series operating system, the WINDOWS® based operating system, or other operating systems. Upon execution of the operating system instructions, access to various system objects is enabled. Example system objects include data files, applications, functions, windows, etc. To facilitate an intuitive user experience, the system  100  includes a graphical user interface that provides the user access to the various system objects and conveys information about the system  100  to the user in an intuitive manner. 
       FIG. 2A  is a block diagram of an example user interface architecture  200 . The user interface architecture  200  includes a user interface (UI) engine  202  that provides the user access to the various system objects  204  and conveys information about the system  100  to the user. 
     Upon execution, the UI engine  202  can cause the graphics device  108  to generate a graphical user interface on an output device  112 , such as a display device. In one implementation, the graphical user interface can include a multidimensional desktop  210  and a multidimensional application environment  212 . In an implementation, the multidimensional desktop  210  and the multidimensional application environment  212  include x-, y- and z-axis aspects, e.g., a height, width and depth aspect. The x-, y- and z-axis aspects may define a three-dimensional environment, e.g., a “3D” or “2.5D” environment that includes a z-axis, e.g., depth, aspect. 
     In an implementation, the multidimensional desktop  210  can include visualization objects  220 , a visualization object receptacle  222 , and stack items  224 . An example implementation of a visualization object receptacle  300  is the “Dock” user interface in the MAC OS® X Leopard operating system. Other implementations can also be used. In some implementations, the visualization objects  220 , the visualization object receptacle  222  and the stack items  224  can be presented in a pseudo-three dimensional (i.e., “2.5D”) or a three-dimensional environment as graphical objects having a depth aspect. 
     A visualization object  220  can, for example, be a visual representation of a system object, in some implementations, the visualization objects  220  are icons. Other visualization objects can also be used, e.g., alter notification windows, menu command bars, windows, or other visual representations of system objects. 
     In an implementation, the multidimensional application environment  212  can include an application environment distributed along a depth aspect. For example, a content frame, e.g., an application window, can be presented on a first surface, and control elements, e.g., toolbar commands, can be presented on a second surface. 
       FIG. 2B  is a block diagram depicting an example stack item  230 . Stack items are described in detail in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/760,595, entitled “MULTIDIMENSIONAL DESKTOP,” filed on Jun. 8, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference, in one implementation, the stack item  230  is a system object that includes a plurality of stack elements, e.g., stack elements  232 ,  234 ,  236  and  238 , such as icons corresponding to system objects. The stack item  230  is associated with the stack elements  232 ,  234 ,  236  and  238  so that selection of the stack item can provide access to any of the stack elements  232 ,  234 ,  236  and  238 . In one implementation, a stack element can, for example, be realized by a corresponding icon of a system object. In another implementation, a stack element can, for example, be realized by a corresponding thumbnail icon of a system object, in another implementation, a stack element can, for example, be realized by a different corresponding icon of a system object. In another implementation, a stack element can, for example, be realized by a common stack element icon. Other stack element realizations can also be used. 
     In one implementation, the stack elements  232 ,  234 ,  236  and  238  are aggregated in an overlapping arrangement as shown in  FIG. 2B . Other stack arrangements can also be used. In one implementation, each stack element  232 ,  234 ,  236  and  238  displays a corresponding unique indicium  232 ,  234 ,  236  and  238 , e.g., a thumbnail preview of an image associated with the stack element or the first page of a document associated with the stack element. Other unique indicium or unique indicia can also be used. For example, stack items corresponding to images can be of the same aspect of the image, e.g., a 4×5 aspect, and 9×12 aspect, etc. Likewise, stack items corresponding to documents can be of the same aspect of a paper selection, e.g., an 8.5×11 aspect, an A4 aspect, etc. Other unique indicium or indicia can also be used, e.g., a document size and/or a document date can be displayed in each stack element, etc. 
     The stack item  230  can include icons related to different types of system objects. For example, a stack item can include stack elements related to peripheral devices, e.g., hard drives, universal serial bus devices, etc.; or can include stack elements related to application windows; or can include stack elements related to system functions, e.g., menus, a shutdown function, a sleep function, a backup function, etc.; or can includes stack elements related to recent system alerts; or other system objects. 
       FIG. 3  is block diagram of example system layers  600  that can be utilized to implement the systems and methods described herein. Other system layer implementations, however, can also be used. 
     In an implementation, a user interface engine, such as the UI engine  202 , or another UI engine capable of generating a three-dimensional user interface environment, operates at an application level  602  and implements graphical functions and features available through an application program interface (API) layer  804 . Example graphical functions and features include graphical processing, supported by a graphics API, image processing, support by an imaging API, and video processing, supported by a video API. 
     The API layer  604 , in turn, interfaces with a graphics library layer  606 . The graphics library layer  604  can, for example, be implemented as a software interface to graphics hardware, such as an implementation of the OpenGL specification. A driver/hardware layer  808  includes drivers and associated graphics hardware, such as a graphics card and associated drivers. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an example display environment illustrating an example overflow stack. One or more stack items (e.g., overflow stack  406 ) can enable the user to adjust a display environment from a size  400   a  to a size  400   b  while retaining a views associated with a group of system objects  402   a - h ,  404   a - h . In some implementations, graphical representations of system objects can be scaled during an adjustment to fit within the display environment. In further implementations, an overflow stack  406  can be generated based upon display criteria associated with the group or with the graphical representation of system objects. 
     In some implementations, a display environment  400   a  can be reduced to a scaled display environment  400   b  based upon user input. In such implementations, display criteria can be used to determine whether the graphical representations of the system objects can be displayed in the scaled display environment  400   b . In some implementations, an aspect ratio associated with the graphical representations of system objects can be reduced in size to fit the graphical representations within the display environment. In some implementations, a minimum size and/or maximum size can be associated with the graphical representations. In other implementations, a spacing between the graphical representations of system objects can be reduced. In further implementations, a minimum or maximum spacing between graphical representations of system objects can be specified. The minimum size, maximum size, minimum spacing and maximum spacing can be included as display criteria. 
     In those implementations where the display criteria prevents the graphical representation of each of the system objects from being displayed in the display environment  400   b , an overflow stack  406  can be generated. The overflow stack  406  can include those graphical representations of system objects, which are not displayed in the scaled display environment  400   b  based on the display criteria, e.g.,  402   a - h . Those graphical representations of system objects  404   a - h  which can be displayed in the adjusted display environment  400   b  can retain their position within the scaled display environment  400   b.    
     In other implementations, a display environment  400   b  can be enlarged to a scaled display environment  400   a  based upon user input. In such implementations, display criteria can be used to determine whether the graphical representations of the system objects included in an overflow stack  406  can be displayed in the scaled display environment  400   a . In some implementations, the graphical representations of system objects can be enlarged in size to fit the graphical representations within the display environment. In some implementations, a user or a programmer can set a minimum size or maximum size associated with the graphical representations. In some implementations, such scaling and spacing adjustments can be performed until the display environment is operable to display of the graphical representation of each of the system objects  402   a - h  included in the overflow stack  406  based upon the display criteria. 
     In extensions to the above implementations, the display environment can be adjusted based upon system constraints. For example, a new application launched by the system or a user might reduce any display environment available for the display environment from display environment  400   a  to display environment  400   b . Thus, the system might adjust the display environment  400   a  to scaled display environment  400   b . Alternatively, an existing application can be reduced or terminated, enabling the system to use additional display environment. Thus, the system might adjust the display environment  400   b  to scaled display environment  400   a.    
     In further examples, a display environment might be terminated. For example a display device (e.g., a monitor) might be disconnected from the system. In some implementations, when a display environment is terminated, the graphical representations of those system objects being viewed in the terminated display environment can be transferred to a second display environment (e.g., a second display device). The graphical representations of those system objects transferred to the second display environment can be represented, in some implementations, using a stack item (e.g., an overflow stack). Thus, the graphical representations of those system objects and the association between those system objects in the terminated display environment are not lost, but instead can be transferred to a remaining display environment as an overflow stack. 
       FIGS. 5A-5C  are block diagrams depicting an example display environment adjustment generating an overflow stack. The display environment  500   a  can include a number of graphical representations  502   a - p  of system objects grouped together based upon an association (e.g., user input common file type, creation date, etc.). In some implementations, the display environment  500   a  can result from a user selecting and associating a number of graphical representations  502   a - p  of system objects. In other implementations, the display environment  500   a  can result from the selection of a group stack representation. In some implementations, the display environment  500   a  can represent each of the system objects in a matrix including the graphical representations of the system objects, in some implementations, the system objects might not be grouped, but rather those system objects included in a window, such as for example, when the user is viewing contents associated with a directory. 
       FIG. 5B  depicts an example display environment adjustment being initiated. The display environment adjustment is operable to adjusting the original display environment  500   a  to a scaled display environment  500   b . This example shows a reduction of the display environment size. However, other examples can include an enlargement of the display environment size. Display criteria associated with the group can be operable to determine whether the graphical representation of each of the system objects can be include in the scaled display environment  500   b . In this example, graphical representations  502   a ,  502   b ,  502   c ,  502   d ,  502   h ,  502   i ,  502   o  and  502   p  are excluded from the scaled display environment  500   b  based upon the display criteria. Graphical representations  502   a ,  502   b ,  502   c ,  502   d ,  502   h ,  502   i ,  502   o  and  502   p  can be collapsed into an overflow slack  504 . The overflow stack  504  in various implementations, can include a stacked representation of each of the graphical representations  502   a ,  502   b ,  502   c ,  502   d ,  502   h ,  502   i ,  502   o  and  502   p  excluded from the scaled display environment  502   b  by the display criteria. 
       FIG. 5C  depicts the scaled display environment. The sealed display environment  500   b  can include those graphical representations  502   e ,  502   f ,  502   g ,  502   i ,  502   j ,  502   k ,  502   m ,  502   n  which can be included within the scaled display environment  500   b  based upon the display criteria. The scaled display environment  500   b  can also include a stack representation  504  of those graphical representations of display objects which are not included in the display environment based upon the display criteria. 
     In some implementations, a system can include a prioritization associated with the system objects represented by a grouping.  FIGS. 6A and 6B  show an example display environment adjustment based upon a prioritization of associated system objects. The graphical representations  610   a - p  of system objects include a prioritization. In various implementations, the system objects can be prioritized based upon any metric associated with the objects. For example, the prioritization can be based upon alphabetical order of the object names, creation date, last modified date, file type, etc. In other implementations, the prioritization can be based upon user input. In the example shown, system objects represented by graphical representations  610   a - h  are higher in priority than those system objects represented by graphical representations  610   i - p . Thus, the system objects represented by graphical representations  610   i - p  are used to generate a stack item (e.g., an overflow stack  630   a ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 6B , the system objects that remain in the group display area  600   b  are represented by graphical representations  610   a - h  and are accompanied by the overflow stack  630   a . In some implementations, the graphical representations  610   a - h  can be rearranged based upon the new group display area  600   b.    
     In another example prioritization,  FIGS. 6C and 6D  show another example display environment adjustment based upon a prioritization of associated system objects. The graphical representations  650   a - p  of system objects include a prioritization. In this example, system objects represented by graphical representations  850   a - h  are higher in priority than those system objects represented by graphical representations  650   i - p  based upon the prioritization of the system objects. Thus, the system objects represented by graphical representations  650   i - p  are used to generate a stack item (e.g., an overflow stack  630   b ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 6D , the system objects that remain in the group display area  600   d  are represented by graphical representations  610   a - h  and are accompanied by the overflow stack  630   b . In some implementations, the graphical representations  650   a - h  can be rearranged based upon the new group display area  600   d.    
     In some implementations, the overflow stack  630   a ,  630   b  can be displayed in a variety of ways. For example, in some implementations, the overflow stack can include stack representations depicting each of the system objects included in the overflow stack  630   a ,  630   b . In further implementations, the overflow stack can expand or rotate to show graphical representations associated with each of the system objects included in the overflow stack  630   a ,  630   b . In other implementations, the overflow stack  630   a ,  630   b  might not include stack representations associated with each of the system objects, but instead merely serve as an indication that the group includes more system objects not displayed by within the group display area  600   b ,  600   d.    
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating an example method  700  for displaying graphical objects on a display space including providing an overflow stack. At stage  702 , graphical representations of system objects are associated with a group. The graphical representations of system objects can be associated with a group, for example, by a user interface engine (e.g., UI engine  202 ,  302  of  FIGS. 2-3 ). In various implementations, the graphical representations can be associated based upon user input, system rules, etc. 
     At stage  704 , associated graphical representations can be displayed in a group display area. The graphical representations can be displayed in a group display area, for example, by a user interface engine (e.g., UI engine  202 ,  302  of  FIGS. 2-3 ) in conjunction with an API layer (e.g., API layer  304  of  FIG. 3 ), a graphics library (e.g., graphics library  306  of  FIG. 3 ) and a graphics card and display device (e.g., drivers/hardware  308  of  FIG. 3 ). In some implementations, the group display area can include a matrix display of the graphical representations of those system objects included in the group and/or stack items (e.g., an overflow stack) based upon display criteria. 
     At stage  706 , the group display area can be adjusted. The group display area can be adjusted, for example, by a user interface (e.g., UI engine  202 ,  302  of  FIGS. 2-3 ). In some implementations, the group display area is adjusted based upon user input. In additional implementations, the group display area can be adjusted based upon system constraints (e.g., a new application launch). 
     At stage  708 , a determination is made whether the associated graphical representations can be displayed in the adjusted group display area. The determination can be made, for example, by a user interface engine (e.g., UI engine  202 ,  302  of  FIGS. 2-3 ). In some implementations, the determination can be made based upon display criteria associated with the system, with the group, or with the system objects themselves. Display criteria, in various implementations, can include a minimum or maximum graphical representation associated with system objects, minimum or maximum spacing distance between graphical representations of system objects, etc. Other display criteria are possible. 
     At stage  710 , two or more of the graphical representations of system objects can be represented in a stack item based upon the determination. Two or more of the graphical representations of system objects can represented in a stack item, for example, by a user interface engine (e.g., UI engine  202 ,  302  of  FIGS. 2-3 ), in some. implementations, the stack item can include a stack representation associated with each of the system objects represented by the stack item. In some implementations, the stack item can rotate to enable a user to see the system objects represented by the stack item. In further implementations, the stack item can be expanded to view the system objects represented by the stack item. 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating an example method of providing a prioritization for an overflow stack. At stage  802 , system objects can be prioritized based upon a prioritization. The system objects can be prioritized, for example, by a user interface engine (e.g., UI engine  202 ,  302  of  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ). In some implementations, the prioritization can be provided, for example, by a user. The prioritization can be based upon measurable object characteristics (e.g., size, object name, creation date, modified date, etc.). In other implementations, the user can provide user input prioritizing the system objects based upon the user&#39;s own interpretation of the priority of the system objects. 
     At stage  804 , a determination can be made as to whether the associated graphical representations can be displayed in an adjusted group display area. The determination can be made, for example, by a user interface engine (e.g., user interface engine  202 ,  302  of  FIGS. 2-3 ). In some implementations, the determination can be made based upon display criteria associated with the system, group, or the system objects. 
     At stage  806 , two or more of the graphical representations of system objects with the lowest priority can be represented in a stack item based upon the determination. The representation of system objects in a stack item can be performed, for example, by a user interface engine (e.g., UI engine  202 ,  302  of  FIGS. 2-3 ). In some implementations, the system objects with lowest priority among a group can be represented by a stack representation. In further implementations, additional system objects can be added to the stack, based upon additional adjustment of a group display area. In these implementations, graphical representations associated with the lowest priority system objects are added to the stack item first, and graphical representations of the next lowest priority can be added to the stack item second, etc. 
     In various implementations, an overflow stack can be removed from the group display area based upon the group display area being enlarged and based upon the display criteria. When the group display area is enlarged enough to display each of the graphical representations of system objects included in the group in accordance with the display criteria, the overflow stack can be removed and the graphical representation of ail system objects within the group can be displayed. 
     The apparatus, methods, flow diagrams, and structure block diagrams described in this patent document may be implemented in computer processing systems including program code comprising program instructions that are executable by the computer processing system. Other implementations may also be used. Additionally, the flow diagrams and structure block diagrams described in this patent document, which describe particular methods and/or corresponding acts in support of steps and corresponding functions in support of disclosed structural means, may also be utilized to implement corresponding software structures and algorithms, and equivalents thereof. 
     This written description sets forth the best mode of the invention and provides examples to describe the invention and to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. This written description does not limit the invention to the precise terms set forth. Thus, while the invention has been described in detail with reference to the examples set forth above, those of ordinary skill in the art may effect alterations, modifications and variations to the examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20070608
Publication Date: 20141118
Grant Date: 20141118
Priority Date: 20070608
Inventors: LOUCH JOHN O.
HYNES CHRISTOPHER
BUMGARNER TIMOTHY WAYNE
PEYTON ERIC STEVEN
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F3/0481", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0481", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 40097006