TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention generally relates to page indicators in a graphical user interface of
computing devices. More particularly, the invention relates to quick access of pages and
applications from such page indicators.
BACKGROUND
With increasing number of applications that can be installed in smart devices, such as
smartphones, tablets, phablets, smart TV, etc., number of pages, such as home screen pages
or other pages as well, that can be provided in a graphical user interface of such devices is
also increasing. All these pages contain application icons, widgets, etc. that provide access to
content. Originally, there used to be only one such page. Nowadays, any number of such
pages can be provided subject to computing and memory resources of a smart device.
Conventionally, page indicators basically indicate a total number of pages and a
current page as well. These page indicators are usually in for of a small circle or box or any
other shape. A page indicator for a current page is generally highlighted in terms of its
physical appearance to differentiate it from other page indicators. Additionally, some devices
provide menu screen in a 2D format that may be composed of multiple pages, and many
items may be arranged in multiple rows and columns in each of such page. While some
devices provide a feature of changing a shape of page indicators, in case, corresponding
pages contain a recently downloaded application. However, this is only for giving a visual
clue to a user, but does not enable quick access of that page or that recently downloaded
application. Some videoconferencing systems provide page indicators that are limited to a
very specific functionality, such as camera, volume, and calendar. However, this functionality
is permanently coupled to said page indicators.
Despite the previously mentioned teachings, it can be said that there is still need to
provide for improvements in this area of technology.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the purposes of the invention, the present invention as embodied
and broadly described herein, describes methods for providing quick access to applications
from page indicators in a graphical user interface and computing devices thereof.
According to one aspect of the invention, an application from amongst one or more
applications shown on a page of the graphical user interface in form of application icons is
determined based on a preconfigured criterion. An application icon corresponding to said
application is rendered as a page indicator for said page.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, a page indicator is rendered for each
page of the graphical user interface. An input event is received on the page indicator. An
action is performed according to the input event received on the page indicator.
The methods and devices, as per the invention, provide user quick access of any of
pages and/or applications with lesser efforts while enhancing overall navigation experience.
In one example, a double tap or click on any page indicator icon may be configured to launch
that application, without the need to navigate to that page. In another example, a single tap or
click on any page indicator icon may be configured to open a page associated with that page
indicator icon.
These and other aspects of the invention will be more clearly understood from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
To further clarify advantages and aspects of the invention, a more particular
description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof,
which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict
only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of
its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail
with the accompanying drawings in which:
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Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary method for providing quick access to applications
from page indicators in a graphical user interface of a computing device, in accordance with
an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 illustrates another exemplary method for providing quick access to
applications from page indicators in a graphical user interface of a computing device, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary computing device capable of providing quick access
to applications from page indicators in its graphical user interface, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 illustrates page indicators according to prior art.
Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary set of page indicators, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 illustrates a functionality coupled with said page indicators, in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 7 illustrates another functionality coupled with said page indicators, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 8 illustrates quick launch enabling/disabling feature, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
Figure 9 illustrates an exemplary use case for a preconfigured criterion, in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 10 illustrates an exemplary use case for viewing additional icons, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 11 illustrates an exemplary use case for a scroll bar for viewing additional
icons, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 12 illustrates a flow chart for a very specific implementation of the invention
It may be noted that to the extent possible, like reference numerals have been used to
represent like elements in the drawings. Further, those of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been
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necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the
drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of
aspects of the invention. Furthermore, the one or more elements may have been represented
in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific
details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the invention so as not to
obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art having benefit of the description herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
It should be understood at the outset that although illustrative implementations of the
embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated below, the present invention may be
implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The
present disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings,
and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary design and implementation
illustrated and described herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended
claims along with their full scope of equivalents.
The term “some” as used herein is defined as “none, or one, or more than one, or all.”
Accordingly, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all”
would all fall under the definition of “some.” The term “some embodiments” may refer to no
embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments.
Accordingly, the term “some embodiments” is defined as meaning “no embodiment, or one
embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments.”
The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching and
illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and does not limit,
restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents.
More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to “includes,”
“comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and grammatical variants thereof do NOT specify an exact
limitation or restriction and certainly do NOT exclude the possible addition of one or more
features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and furthermore must NOT be taken to exclude
the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise
stated with the limiting language “MUST comprise” or “NEEDS TO include.”
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Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once,
either way it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or
“at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or
more” or “at least one” feature or element do NOT preclude there being none of that feature
or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language such as “there NEEDS to be one
or more . . . ” or “one or more element is REQUIRED.”
Unless otherwise defined, all terms, and especially any technical and/or scientific
terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one
having an ordinary skill in the art.
Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an
embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements
presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of
illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements
of the attached claims fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility and non-obviousness.
Use of the phrases and/or terms such as but not limited to “a first embodiment,” “a
further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,”
“multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further
embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or variants thereof do
NOT necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more
particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments
may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be
found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more
features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment,
or alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the
context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately
or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements
described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing
together in the context of a single embodiment.
Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some
embodiments and therefore should NOT be necessarily taken as limiting factors to the
attached claims. The attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context
of embodiments other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below.
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Embodiments described herein focus on a mobile device, such as a mobile phone.
However, the described embodiments can be applied to any device with a touch screen or
non-touch screen, including laptop computers, tablets, phablets, desktop computers,
televisions, set top box (STB), gaming devices, wearable devices, etc.
Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary method (100) for providing quick access to
applications from page indicators in a graphical user interface of a computing device.
In one embodiment, the method (100) comprises determining (101), based on a
preconfigured criterion, an application from amongst one or more applications shown on a
page of the graphical user interface in form of application icons; and rendering (102) an
application icon corresponding to said application as a page indicator for said page.
In a further embodiment, the preconfigured criterion is to determine a most frequently
used application shown in said page, or a most popular application shown in said page, or a
last used application shown in said page, or a recently downloaded application shown in said
page, or a last updated application shown in said page, or a user selected application shown in
said page.
In a further embodiment, the method (100) further comprises receiving (103) an input
event on the application icon rendered as the page indicator; and performing (104) an action
according to the input event received on the application icon.
In a further embodiment, the input event is a single click or a double click or a long
press.
In a further embodiment, the action is to open the page or to launch the application or
display icons of other applications from amongst the one or more application shown on said
page that match the preconfigured criterion.
In a further embodiment, the method further comprises providing (105) an option to
enable or disable the rendering of the application icon as the page indicator.
In a further embodiment, the method further comprises rendering (106) a default page
indicator when the preconfigured criterion is unsatisfied.
Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary method (200) for providing quick access to
applications from page indicators in a graphical user interface of a computing device.
In one embodiment, the method (200) comprises rendering (201) a page indicator for
each page of the graphical user interface; receiving (202) an input event on the page
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indicator; and performing (203) an action according to the input event received on the page
indicator.
In a further embodiment, the input event is a single tap event, or a double tap event, or
a long press event.
In a further embodiment, rendering (201) the page indicator comprises: rendering
(204) an application icon as the page indicator for a page showing an application
corresponding to the application icon.
In a further embodiment, the method (200) further comprises determining (205),
based on a preconfigured criterion, an application from amongst one or more applications
shown on said page of the graphical user interface in form of application icons.
In a further embodiment, the method (200) further comprises rendering (206) a
default page indicator when the preconfigured criterion is unsatisfied.
In a further embodiment, the preconfigured criterion is to determine a most frequently
used application shown in said page, or a most popular application shown in said page, or a
last used application shown in said page, or a recently downloaded application shown in said
page, or a last updated application shown in said page, or a user selected application shown in
said page.
In a further embodiment, the action is to open the page or to launch the application or
display icons of other applications from amongst the one or more application shown on said
page that match the preconfigured criterion.
In a further embodiment, the method (200) further comprises providing (207) an
option to enable or disable the rendering of the application icon as the page indicator.
Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary computing device (300) for providing quick access
to applications from page indicators in its graphical user interface. The computing device
may comprise one or more of a data processor (301), a data storage (302), a GUI, i.e.,
Graphical User Interface (303), an IO, i.e., Input Output interface (304), a rendering engine
(305), and an event handler (306).
In one embodiment, the computing device (300) comprises a data processor (301)
configured to determine, based on a preconfigured criterion, an application from amongst one
or more applications shown on a page of the graphical user interface in form of application
icons; and a rendering engine (305) configured to render an application icon corresponding to
said application as a page indicator for said page.
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In a further embodiment, the computing device (300) comprises an event handler
(306) configured to receive an input event on the application icon rendered as the page
indicator.
In a further embodiment, the data processor (301) is further configured to perform an
action according to the input event received on the application icon.
In a further embodiment, the action is to open the page, or to launch the application,
or display icons of other applications from amongst the one or more application shown on
said page that match the preconfigured criterion.
In a further embodiment, the graphical user interface (303) is configured to provide an
option to enable or disable the rendering of the application icon as the page indicator.
In a further embodiment, the rendering engine (305) is configured to render a default
page indicator when the preconfigured criterion is unsatisfied.
In one embodiment, the computing device (300) comprises: a rendering engine (305)
configured to render a page indicator for each page of the graphical user interface; an event
handler (306) configured to receive an input event on the page indicator; and a data processor
(301) configured to perform an action according to the input event received on the page
indicator.
In a further embodiment, the rendering engine (305) is further configured to render an
application icon as the page indicator for a page showing an application corresponding to the
application icon.
In a further embodiment, the graphical user interface (303) is configured to provide an
option to enable or disable the rendering of the application icon as the page indicator.
In a further embodiment, the action is to open said page showing the application
corresponding to the application icon, or launch the application corresponding to the
application icon, or display an icon of another application from amongst one or more
applications shown on said page in form of application icons.
In a further embodiment, the data processor (301) is configured to determine, based
on a preconfigured criterion, an application from amongst one or more applications shown on
said page in form of application icons.
In a further embodiment, the rendering engine is further configured to render a default
page indicator when the preconfigured criterion is unsatisfied.
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Figure 4 illustrates a use case (400) as per prior art. In said use case (400), default
page indicators (401) for various pages of graphical user interface are displayed on a current
screen. A page indicator for a current page, such a home screen, may be highlighted by
increasing the size, changing the colour, or modifying a parameter related to physical
appearance of the default page indicators (401).
Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary use case (500) as per the invention. In said use case
(500), an icon (501) of an application, which is determined according to a preconfigured
criterion, in each page of the graphical user interface is displayed as a page indicator for
respective page. The preconfigured criterion includes but is not limited to determining a most
frequently used application, or a most popular application, or a last used application, or a
recently downloaded application, or a last updated application, or a user selected application.
In case of only one application is shown in a page, an icon of that application may be shown
as the page indicator for said page. In case of empty page, a default icon may be shown as the
page indicator for that page. A page indicator for a current page, such a home screen, may be
highlighted by increasing the size, changing the colour, or modifying a parameter related to
physical appearance of the application icon.
In one example, a computing device may be configured to show most frequently used
application shortcut icons in place of the conventional page indicator cons (dots or squares)
for that particular page. These page indicator icons can be used for quick access of that page
or quick launch of a frequently used application on that page.
Figure 6 illustrates another exemplary use case (600) as per the invention. In said use
case (600), a user may provide an input event on any of the page indicator icons (501). The
examples of said input event include but are not limited to touch input and any of non-touch
inputs. Touch input may be provided using fingers, thumb, stylus, S-pen®, etc. While nontouch
inputs include inputs, such as a hover input, a gaze input, a look-and-blink input, a
voice input, or any combination thereof. In one example, the input event may be single click
or single tap on a page indicator icon that is preconfigured to open the page associated with
that page indicator icon. This provides quick access of GUI pages as compared to existing
systems. For example, in existing systems, in order to access fifth page from a first page, a
user has to provide four input events, such as four swipe events (left or right). On the other
hand, as per the present invention, the user can directly reach to fifth page from the first page
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just by providing a single input event, such a single tap or single click, on the icon of the fifth
page.
Similarly, Figure 7 illustrates another use case (700) as per the invention. In said use
case, the input event is a double click or double tap on a page indicator icon (501) that is
preconfigured to launch the application associated with that page indicator icon (501). In one
embodiment, a database (not shown in figures) can be maintained, for instance, in the data
storage (302) or in an external storage, to implement the invention. This database may be
created with a page wise entry for each application, where opening an application from a
home screen shortcut increments the launch count of that application for that particular day
corresponding to that page. While opening an application from application drawer,
increments the launch count of that application for that particular day for all the pages on
which that application is present. Such data may be monitored on a weekly basis and the icon
of application with maximum launch count in a week may be displayed as page indicator icon
instead of default page indicator on the home screen. Whenever, the system date changes,
following actions can be performed: (1) an event notification for the same is received; and (2)
launch count for all the applications corresponding to the day, which is a week before, is reset
to zero.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the functionality associated with single tap
and double tap can be reverse implemented. For example, the single tap may be used to
launch an associated application, while double tap to launch an associated page.
Figure 8 illustrates another use case (800) as per the invention. In said use case (800),
the graphical user interface of a device may configured to provide an option (801) to enable
or disable the rendering of the application icon as the page indicator. Such an option (801)
maybe provided as part of home screen settings of the device.
Figure 9 illustrates another use case (900) as per the invention. In said use case (900),
a default page indicator is shown for a page till the time the preconfigured criterion is not
satisfied by an application shown on that page (step 901). Once the preconfigured criterion is
satisfied by an application, then the default page indicator may be replaced by a small icon of
that application (step 902). At any point of time, if the preconfigured criterion is unsatisfied,
then the default page indicator is restored (step 903). Here, the preconfigured criterion
includes but is not limited to determining a most frequently used application, or a most
popular application, or a last used application, or a recently downloaded application, or a last
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updated application, or a user selected application. In one implementation, a threshold value
may be associated for satisfaction of the preconfigured criterion. For example, an application
launched less than 10 times, may not be considered as a most frequently used application. In
case, more than one application has been launched 10 times on a single page, then the
application with highest number of launch count may be considered as the most frequently
used applications. However, if an application is not used for more than 7 days, then its page
indicator icon (501) may be reset to the default page indicator (401).
Figure 10 illustrates another use case (1000) as per the invention. In said use case
(1000), an application icon as per a predefined criterion, for example, an application icon of a
most frequently used application in a page, is shown as a page indicator icon for that page.
All such icons corresponding to a most frequent application in each page are displayed as
page indicator icons (501) for corresponding pages in a row wise manner. However, if a user
would like to explore other most frequent icons of a particular page, then the user may
provide an input, for instance, a long press on any page indicator icon in the row of page
indicator icons. Such a user input may be configured to display icons of top 5 or top 10 or all
of the most frequently used applications in a page corresponding to the page indictor icon that
received the long press input. Said icons (1001) for the top 5 or top 10 or all of the most
frequently used applications can be displayed in a column wise manner as shown in the
figure. Here, the icon of most frequently used application may be displayed in the centre, that
is, at its original position, while other icons may be displayed in the column in a predefined
sequence. If required, as shown in the use case (1100) of Figure 11, a scroll bar (1101) may
be displayed to comfortably view the icons (1001) in the column. An option for enabling or
disabling the column wise display of all most frequent icons of a page may be provided as
parts of home screen settings, described earlier in conjunction with Figure 8.
Figure 12 illustrates a flow chart (1200) of the invention for a very specific example,
but not for the invention as a whole. With quick launch setting turned on/off (step 1201), a
user may create application shortcuts on various pages of home screen (step 1202). If the
quick launch setting is on, then a database entry is done for such applications on that page
(step 1203). Whenever a user open application from such shortcuts or from the main
application menu (step 1204), corresponding count value is incremented in the database (step
1205). If said count value is greater than the threshold value (step 1206), then the application
icon is set as the page indicator icon (step 1207). Now the user can either single tap the page
indicator icon to open that page or double tap to directly launch the application (step 1208). If
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the application is not used for 7 days (step 1209), then the default page indicator icon can be
restored (step 1210).
Advantageous of the invention include but are not limited to personalization and
convenience. Further, it makes use of the page indicators to enhance the consumers’
application browsing experience and keeping the applications more handy. The applications
may be distributed over different pages, but are made available at a single place. Further, it
provides an overlay most frequently used app icon. Further, it allows for double tap on the
overlay icon from any page to launch the app and single tap to open that page. Further, it
provides enable/disable feature as a part of settings. Further, it results into de-cluttering of
information as frequently used app icon is simply over-layered on an otherwise passive
default page indicator, usually a white box or circle. In this way, grouping or overburdening
over a single page is minimized.
While certain present preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated
and described herein, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Clearly,
the invention may be otherwise variously embodied, and practiced within the scope of the
following claims.

WE CLAIMS:-
1. A method for providing quick access to applications from page indicators in a graphical
user interface of a computing device, the method comprising:
determining, based on a preconfigured criterion, an application from amongst one
or more applications shown on a page of the graphical user interface in form of
application icons; and
rendering an application icon corresponding to said application as a page
indicator for said page.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the preconfigured criterion is to determine a
most frequently used application shown in said page, or a most popular application
shown in said page, or a last used application shown in said page, or a recently
downloaded application shown in said page, or a last updated application shown in said
page, or a user selected application shown in said page.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:
receiving an input event on the application icon rendered as the page indicator;
and
performing an action according to the input event received on the application
icon.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the input event is a single click or a double
click or a long press.
5. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the action is to open the page or to launch the
application or display icons of other applications from amongst the one or more
application shown on said page that match the preconfigured criterion.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:
providing an option to enable or disable the rendering of the application icon as
the page indicator.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:
rendering a default page indicator when the preconfigured criterion is unsatisfied.
8. A method for providing quick access to applications from page indicators in a graphical
user interface of a computing device, the method comprising:
rendering a page indicator for each page of the graphical user interface;
receiving an input event on the page indicator; and
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performing an action according to the input event received on the page indicator.
9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the input event is a single tap event, or a
double tap event, or a long press event.
10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein rendering the page indicator comprises:
rendering an application icon as the page indicator for a page showing an application
corresponding to the application icon.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10 further comprising:
determining, based on a preconfigured criterion, the application from amongst
one or more applications shown on said page in form of application icons.
12. The method as claimed in claim 11 further comprising:
rendering a default page indicator when the preconfigured criterion is unsatisfied.
13. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the preconfigured criterion is to determine a
most frequently used application shown in said page, or a most popular application
shown in said page, or a last used application shown in said page, or a recently
downloaded application shown in said page, or a last updated application shown in said
page, or a user selected application shown in said page.
14. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the action is to open said page showing the
application corresponding to the application icon, or launch the application
corresponding to the application icon, or display an icon of another application from
amongst one or more applications shown on said page in form of application icons.
15. The method as claimed in claim 10 further comprising:
providing an option to enable or disable the rendering of the application icon as
the page indicator.
16. A computing device for providing quick access to applications from page indicators in its
graphical user interface, the computing device comprising:
a data processor configured to determine, based on a preconfigured criterion, an
application from amongst one or more applications shown on a page of the graphical user
interface in form of application icons; and
a rendering engine configured to render an application icon corresponding to said
application as a page indicator for said page.
17. The computing device as claimed in claim 16 further comprising:
an event handler configured to receive an input event on the application icon
rendered as the page indicator.
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18. The computing device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the data processor is further
configured to perform an action according to the input event received on the application
icon.
19. The computing device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the action is to open the page, or
to launch the application, or display icons of other applications from amongst the one or
more application shown on said page that match the preconfigured criterion.
20. The computing device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the graphical user interface is
configured to provide an option to enable or disable the rendering of the application icon
as the page indicator.
21. The computing device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the rendering engine is further
configured to render a default page indicator when the preconfigured criterion is
unsatisfied.
22. A computing device for providing quick access to applications from page indicators in its
graphical user interface, the computing device comprising:
a rendering engine configured to render a page indicator for each page of the
graphical user interface;
an event handler configured to receive an input event on the page indicator; and
a data processor configured to perform an action according to the input event
received on the page indicator.
23. The computing device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the rendering engine is further
configured to render an application icon as the page indicator for a page showing an
application corresponding to the application icon.
24. The computing device as claimed in claim 23, wherein the graphical user interface is
configured to provide an option to enable or disable the rendering of the application icon
as the page indicator.
25. The computing device as claimed in claim 23, wherein the action is to open said page
showing the application corresponding to the application icon, or launch the application
corresponding to the application icon, or display an icon of another application from
amongst one or more applications shown on said page in form of application icons.
26. The computing device as claimed in claim 23, wherein the data processor is further
configured to determine, based on a preconfigured criterion, said application from
amongst one or more applications shown on said page in form of application icons.
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27. The computing device as claimed in claim 26, wherein the rendering engine is further
configured to render a default page indicator when the preconfigured criterion is
unsatisfied.