The embodiments herein generally relate to electronic devices. More particularly to a screen grab method for multiple data items selection using a single operation in an electronic device. The present application is based on, and claims priority from an Indian Application Number 3007/DEL/2015 filed on 22nd September, 2015, the disclosure of 5 which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Portable electronic devices (such as gaming devices, smart phones, tablets, phablets, media players, digital assistants, electronic book reader devices, or the like consumer electronic devices, wearable devices 10 and so on) are becoming increasingly popular. It is generally known that the contents present in various applications in the electronic devices can be shared through Bluetooth, Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi), messenger or social media websites. The content in the applications has to be selected for sharing the selected content. For example, in a gallery application, image(s) 15 has to be selected and the selected images are shared.
[0003] In order to share content distributed among multiple applications in the electronic device, the content has to be selected from each application. This requires a user to undergo an extensive number of steps. More particularly, when a large number of contents has to be shared 20 then the user has to undergo multiple steps to separately select content in each application available at different locations which may become cumbersome and time consuming for the user thereby decreasing the overall user experience. Thus, there remains a need of robust and simple mechanism for selection of multiple contents in an electronic device, more 25 particularly, selection of multiple contents from various locations.
OBJECT OF INVENTION
[0004] The principal object of the embodiments herein is to provide a mechanism for selecting multiple data items in an electronic device.
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[0005] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a mechanism for causing to display a plurality of applications on a screen of the electronic device. Each application displays one or more data items on the screen of the electronic device.
[0006] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a 5 mechanism for grabbing one or more data items from the plurality of applications displayed on the electronic device.
[0007] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a mechanism that causes to display a data item selection list. The data item selection list includes the one or more data items displayed in each 10 application.
[0008] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a mechanism for performing one or more actions on the data item selection list.
[0009] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a 15 mechanism for grabbing the one or more data items displayed in each application based on a predefined criteria.
SUMMARY
[0010] Accordingly the embodiments herein provide a method for selecting multiple data items in an electronic device. The method includes causing to display a plurality of applications on a screen of the electronic device. Each application displays at least one data item on the screen of the electronic device. Further, the method includes grabbing, at least one data item displayed on the screen of the electronic device when a screen-grab function is activated. Furthermore, the method includes causing to display at least one data item selection list including the at least one data item displayed in each application.
[0011] Accordingly the embodiments herein provide a method for selecting data items from a plurality of electronic devices. The method includes sending, by a first electronic device, a screen grab request message
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to at least one second electronic device when a screen-grab function is activated on the first electronic device. Further, the method includes receiving, by the first electronic device, at least one data item grabbed from at least one application displayed on at least one second electronic device. Furthermore, the method includes causing to display a data item selection list comprising each data item received from at least one second electronic device.
[0012] Accordingly the embodiments herein provide an electronic device for selecting multiple data items. The electronic device includes a controller unit configured to cause to display a plurality of applications on a screen of the electronic device, wherein each application displays at least one data item on the screen of the electronic device. Further, the electronic device includes a screen-grab unit configured to grab at least one data item displayed on the screen of the electronic device when a screen-grab function is activated. Furthermore, the controller unit is configured to cause to display at least one data item selection list including the at least one data item displayed in each application.
[0013] Accordingly the embodiments herein provide an electronic device for selecting data items from a plurality of electronic devices. The electronic device includes a controller unit configured to send a screen grab request message to at least one electronic device when a screen-grab function is activated on the first electronic device. Further, the controller unit is configured to receive at least one data item grabbed from at least one application displayed on at least one electronic device. Furthermore, the controller unit is configured to cause to display a data item selection list including each data item received from at least one electronic device.
[0014] Accordingly the embodiments herein provide a computer program product including a computer executable program code recorded on a computer readable non-transitory storage medium. The computer
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executable program code when executed causing the actions including causing to display a plurality of applications on a screen of an electronic device. Each application displays at least one data item on the screen of the electronic device. The computer executable program code when executed causing the further actions including grabbing at least one data item displayed on the screen of the electronic device when a screen-grab function is activated. The computer executable program code when executed causing the further actions including causing to display at least one data item selection list including at least one data item displayed in each application.
[0015] Accordingly the embodiments herein provide a computer program product including a computer executable program code recorded on a computer readable non-transitory storage medium. The computer executable program code when executed causing the actions including sending a screen grab request message to at least one second electronic device when a screen-grab function is activated on a first electronic device. The computer executable program code when executed causing the further actions including receiving at least one data item grabbed from at least one application displayed on at least one second electronic device. The computer executable program code when executed causing the further actions including causing to display a data item selection list comprising each data item received from at least one second electronic device.
[0016] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing
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from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0017] This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which: 5
[0018] FIGS. 1a and 1b show an example scenario in which an electronic device displays a data item selection list having data items grabbed from each application displayed on the electronic device when a screen grab function is activated, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein; 10
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates various units in the electronic device for selection of data items, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for selecting data items in an electronic device, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein; 15
[0021] FIGS. 4a - 4d illustrates an example scenario in which a data item selection list having data items grabbed from each application is shared with another electronic device, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0022] FIG. 5a is a flow chart illustrating a method for grabbing 20 data items from a music player application, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0023] FIG. 5b is a flow chart illustrating a method for grabbing data items from a note application, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein; 25
[0024] FIG. 5c is a flow chart illustrating a method for grabbing location coordinates from a map application, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
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[0025] FIG. 5d is a flow chart illustrating a method for grabbing data items in a video application, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0026] FIG. 5e is a flow chart illustrating a method for grabbing data items in contact application, according to an embodiment as disclosed 5 herein;
[0027] FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate an action of selecting and de-selecting the data items in the data item selection list displayed on the electronic device, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0028] FIGS. 7a - 7c illustrate an action of closing of applications 10 displayed in the electronic device for generating a data item selection list, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0029] FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate an action of editing data items in a data item selection list displayed on the electronic device, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein; 15
[0030] FIGS. 9a - 9c illustrate an action of adding data items to a data item selection list displayed on the electronic device, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0031] FIG. 10a illustrates an action of prioritizing data items in a data item selection list displayed on the electronic device, according to an 20 embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0032] FIG. 10b illustrates an action of removing data items in a data item selection list displayed on the electronic device, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0033] FIGS. 11a and 11b illustrate an action of grouping data items 25 in a data item selection list displayed on the electronic device, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
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[0034] FIGS. 12a and 12b illustrate an action of sharing data items in a data item selection list displayed on the electronic device with multiple recipients, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0035] FIGS. 13a and 13b shows an example scenario in which the electronic device displays a data item selection list having data items 5 grabbed from a gallery application, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0036] FIG. 14 shows an example scenario in which the electronic device displays a data item selection list having data items grabbed from “My Files” application displayed on the electronic device when a screen 10 grab function is activated, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0037] FIGS. 15a and 15b shows an example scenario in which the electronic device displays a data item selection list having data items from each application browsed on the electronic device, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein; 15
[0038] FIG. 16 shows an example scenario in which multiple electronics are connected together to generate a data item selection list having data items grabbed from each application displayed on each electronic device when a screen grab function is activated, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein; 20
[0039] FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating a method for selecting multiple data items from a plurality of electronic devices, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0040] FIG. 18 illustrates an example scenario in which a data item selection list having data items grabbed from multiple electronic devices 25 connected to each other according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0041] FIGS. 19a and 19b illustrates an example scenario in which the electronic device displays a data item selection list received from
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multiple electronic devices, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein; and
[0042] FIG. 20 illustrates a computing environment implementing the screen grab method for multiple data items selection using a single operation in the electronic device, according to an embodiment as disclosed 5 herein.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0043] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-5 known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. Also, the various embodiments described herein are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as some embodiments can be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments. The term “or” as used herein, refers to a non-10 exclusive or, unless otherwise indicated. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein can be practiced and to further enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein. 15
[0044] Accordingly the embodiments herein achieve a method for selecting multiple data items in an electronic device. The method includes causing to display a plurality of applications on a screen of the electronic device. Each application displays at least one data item on the screen of the electronic device. Further, the method includes grabbing one or more data items displayed on the screen of the electronic device when a screen-grab function is activated. Furthermore, the method includes causing to display at least one data item selection list including the at least one data item displayed in each application.
[0045] In an embodiment, the data item selection list allows one or more actions performed on each of the data items.
[0046] In an embodiment, the action includes selecting the data items in the data item selection list, de-selecting the data items in the data item selection list, removing the data items in the data item selection list,
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adding the data items in the data item selection list, editing the data items in the data item selection list, prioritizing the data items in the data item selection list, previewing data items in the data item selection list, sharing the data items in the data item selection list, copying the data items in the data item selection list from one location to another location in the 5 electronic device, shifting the data items in the data item selection list from one location to another location in the electronic device, opening the data items in the data item selection list using an application in the electronic device, grouping two or more data items in the data item selection list, or the like. 10
[0047] Accordingly the embodiments herein achieve a method for selecting data items from a plurality of electronic devices. The method includes sending a screen grab request message to at least one second electronic device when a screen-grab function is activated on a first electronic device. Further, the method includes receiving at least one data 15 item grabbed from at least one application displayed on at least one of the second electronic device. Furthermore, the method includes causing to display a data item selection list comprising each of the data item received from at least one of the second electronic device.
[0048] Unlike the conventional systems and methods, the proposed 20 method can be used for multiple data items selection using a single operation in the electronic device. By performing a single screen-grab function or event, the data item(s) from each application displayed on the screen of the electronic device can be grabbed. More particularly, consider a scenario in which a user views different application in respective 25 windows of a multi-window environment or mode. The conventional screen-grab event or function can be used not only to capture the screenshot of all the windows displayed on the electronic device, but also to grab the possible content each open application can provide. Generally, the content
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viewed by the user in the multiple windows is more important to the user rather than the hidden content. So all the content, the user is viewing at that moment is grabbed based on type and shown to the user in the form of a data item selection list. Thus, preventing a huge number of file selection steps and menu traversals. 5
[0049] In order to implement the proposed method, the electronic device should have basic functionality to trigger the screen grab function or event by means of keys combination, a palm gesture on the screen, a hover gesture, a rail gesture, or the like. The electronic device should also have selection and communication mechanism for retrieving data items from 10 various applications and displaying them on the screen of the electronic device. The data item selection list including the retrieved data items are subjected to various actions as described thereon.
[0050] Instead of performing multiple steps for selecting multiple data items, the proposed method can be used to select multiple data items 15 using a single operation. More particularly, in scenarios where the user views content related to an event in multiple applications, the proposed system and method can be used quick multiple content selection using a single screen-grab operation. For example, consider a scenario, in which the user is viewing music files in a music player application, images in 20 gallery application, a notes application and YouTube videos in a YouTube application. Now consider, a scenario that the user wishes to share these data items with a friend who has similar interest. With the conventional methods, the user has to go to the music player application to select the desired music files to be shared. In case of the gallery application, the 25 images being displayed in the gallery application has two options of selection. With one user event, the user can select single image or all the images in the gallery application. Even if the user has to select multiple images from the images currently displayed on the screen (without
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scrolling), user has to individually perform action on each image to be selected. In case of the notes application, the user has to open each note and individually select the data items and then maintain the copied data items in a new note. Further, in case of the YouTube application, the user has to copy Uniform Resource Locator (URL) and then shares the URL of the 5 video to be shared. In case, if the user intends to share some other links, then each link has to be selected separately. Thus, the conventional methods require the user to undergo extensive number of steps for selecting the data items distributed in various applications.
[0051] Unlike the conventional systems and methods, the proposed 10 method can be used to grab the information displayed in each application window. The user can perform a single screen grab even to generate a data item selection. While viewing the above applications in a multi-window environment, the user can perform the screen-grab while. All the data items the user is viewing at that moment is grabbed and displayed to the user in 15 the form of a data item selection list. Thus, preventing a huge number of file selection steps and menu traversals. For example, when the user performs the screen-grab function, the music flies displayed in the music player are grabbed, the images in the galley application are selected, the data items from different notes being displayed are selected, and URL of 20 the video from the YouTube application is grabbed. The user can perform various actions such as but not limited to selecting or de-selecting the data items displayed in the data items selection list.
[0052] The proposed method allows the user to simultaneously select the data items (currently viewing by the user) using the screen-grab 25 operation. It is assumed that the data items which are viewed by the user on the screen of the electronic device are important or likable to the user than the data items which are hidden. Thus, the chances for sharing the data being shown to the user are higher than all the data items provided in the
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applications. Also, the user can view preferred data items in multiple windows, each with separate activity. By performing the screen-grab, the data items which are currently viewable on the screen are displayed in the data item selection list, which the user can easily share with other connected devices. 5
[0053] An application of the proposed method can include sharing of multiple music files in a playlist using a single operation. Whereas, in the conventional methods and systems, in order to share multiple music files, each music file has to be individually selected thereby decreasing the overall user experience. Similarly, the other application can include 10 grabbing content from different applications using a single operation while browsing, panning an event, working on a project, collaborative browsing, or the like.
[0054] Further, a person having ordinary skill in art understands that the proposed method can be extended to grab multiple data items from 15 different electronic devices connected together in a network. The electronic devices are connected together forming a network in which one among the electronic devices acts as a master electronic device and remaining acts as slave electronic devices. For example, one or more slave electronic devices connected to a master electronic device. In order to perform the screen-grab 20 operation on slave electronic devices, the master sends a screen-grab request message to the multiple electronic devices. The slave electronic devices perform the screen-grab operation, in response to the screen-grab request message received from the electronic device. Further, each of the slave electronic devices (which receives the screen-grab request message) 25 generates a data item selection list after receiving the screen-grab request message and sends each data item selection list to the master electronic device. The master electronic device receives the data item selection list from each of the slave electronic devices and generates a combined data
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item selection list. Thus, the proposed method allows the user to simultaneously select the data items (currently viewing by the user) on individual electronic devices using the screen-grab operation.
[0055] More particularly, in scenarios where different users views content related to an event on their individual electronic devices, the 5 proposed system and method can be used to grab the data item from applications displayed on each of the electronic devices for quick multiple content selection using a single screen-grab operation. The conventional methods require the user to undergo extensive number of steps for selecting the data items distributed in various applications on different electronic 10 devices in such scenarios. All the data items that is displayed on each of the electronic devices at that moment is grabbed and displayed in the form of a data item selection list on a master electronic device. Thus, preventing a huge number of file selection steps and menu traversals.
[0056] Throughout the description, the terms screen-grab operation 15 and screen-grab function will have the same meaning.
[0057] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 20, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments. 20
[0058] FIGS. 1a and 1b show an example scenario in which an electronic device 100 displays a data item selection list having data items grabbed from each application displayed on the electronic device when a screen grab function is activated, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. As depicted in the FIG. 1a, the plurality of applications namely 25 application 1, application 2, application 3, application 4 and application 5 are displayed on the screen of the electronic device 100. Each application displays the data items present in the application. In an embodiment, the data items can be selected from each application displayed on the screen of
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the electronic device 100 using a single-grab operation. For example, the user can perform a single screen-grab as an operation to grab all the data items from each application displayed on the electronic device 100. The screen grab operation described herein may, non-exclusively, refers to a mechanism for taking a screen shot of the screen of the electronic device 5 100 when a screen grab function is activated by means of a key combination, a palm gesture on the screen of the electronic device 100, a hover gesture, a rail gesture, or the like.
[0059] When the screen-grab function is activated on the electronic device 100, the data items of each application displayed on the electronic 10 device 100 are grabbed. Unlike the conventional methods, where each data item is selected individually from each application, with the proposed method, multiple data items displayed in each application can be selected by performing the screen-grab operation on the electronic device 100. Thus, the proposed method can reduce the number steps performed for 15 selecting multiple data items in various applications.
[0060] In an embodiment, a data item selection list is generated with data items grabbed from each application. The data item selection list is displayed on the screen of the electronic device 100 as shown in the FIG. 1a. The data item selection list displays the data items grabbed from each 20 application displayed on the electronic device.
[0061] It should be noted that, all the data items in the data item selection list are selected (by default, as shown with checkboxes in the FIG. 1b).
[0062] In an embodiment, the one or more actions can be performed 25 on the data item selection list displayed on the electronic device 100. In an embodiment, the action includes selecting the one or more data items in the data item selection list, de-selecting the one or more data items in the data item selection list, removing the one or more data items in the data item
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selection list, adding the one or more data items in the data item selection list, editing the one or more data items in the data item selection list, prioritizing the one or more data items in the data item selection list, previewing the one or more data items in the data item selection list, sharing the one or more data items in the data item selection list, copying 5 the one or more data items in the data item selection list from one location to another location in the electronic device, shifting the one or more data items in the data item selection list from one location to another location in the electronic device, opening the one or more data items in the data item selection list using an application in the electronic device, grouping two or 10 more data items in the data item selection list, or the like.
[0063] The one or more actions performed on the data item selection list are explained in conjunction with the figures in the later parts of the description.
[0064] FIG. 2 illustrates various units of the electronic device 100 15 for selection of data items, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the electronic device 100 includes a display unit 202, a screen-grab unit 204, a storage unit 206, a communication unit 208, and a controller unit 210.
[0065] In an embodiment, the display unit 202 can be configured to 20 display the plurality of applications on the screen of the electronic device 100. In an embodiment, the screen-grab unit 204 can be configured to grab the one or more data items from the plurality of applications displayed on the screen of the electronic device 100. The screen-grab unit 204 can be configured to determine the screen-grab event performed on the electronic 25 device 100. When the screen-grab event is performed, the screen-grab function is activated. The screen-grab unit 204 grabs the one or more data items from each application displayed on the electronic device 100 when the screen-grab function is activated.
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[0066] The storage unit 206 can be configured to store the data item selection list which includes the one or more data items grabbed from the plurality of applications. The storage unit 206 may include one or more computer-readable storage media. The storage unit 206 may include non-volatile storage elements. Examples of such non-volatile storage elements 5 may include magnetic hard discs, optical discs, floppy discs, flash memories, or forms of electrically programmable memories (EPROM) or electrically erasable and programmable (EEPROM) memories. In addition, the storage unit 106 may, in some examples, be considered a non-transitory storage medium. The term “non-transitory” may indicate that the storage 10 medium is not embodied in a carrier wave or a propagated signal. However, the term “non-transitory” should not be interpreted that the storage unit 206 is non-movable. In some examples, the storage unit 206 can be configured to store larger amounts of information than the memory. In certain examples, a non-transitory storage medium may store data that can, over 15 time, change (e.g., in Random Access Memory (RAM) or cache).
[0067] In an embodiment, the communication unit 208 can be configured to send the data item selection list to the electronic device 100a. The communication unit 208 can be configured to send the data item selection list to the electronic device 100a or 100b using one or more 20 communication means such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or the like.
[0068] In an embodiment, the controller unit can be configured to cause to display the plurality of applications on the screen of the electronic device 100. The controller unit 210 can be configured to communicate with the display unit 202 in order to cause the display unit to display the 25 plurality of applications on the screen of the electronic device 100. Further, the controller unit 210 can be configured to display the one or more data items selection list with the one or more data items displayed in each application. Furthermore, the controller unit 210 can be configured to
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communicate with the screen-grab unit 204 and the storage unit 206 for grabbing the data items displayed in each application.
[0069] The FIG. 2 shows a limited overview of the electronic device 100 but, it is to be understood that other embodiments are not limited thereto. The labels or names of the units are used only for 5 illustrative purpose and does not limit the scope of the invention. Further, the electronic device 100 can include any number of units or sub-units communicating among each other along with the other components. Likewise, the functionalities of one or more units can be combined by a single unit or can be distributed among each other in a manner different 10 than described herein without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0070] FIG. 3 is flow chart illustrating a method 300 for selecting data items in the electronic device 100, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. At step 302, the method 300 includes causing to display the plurality of applications on the screen of the electronic device 100. The 15 method 300 allows the controller unit 208 to cause to display the plurality of applications on the screen of the electronic device 100. The plurality of applications display the data items present in each application. At step 304, the method 300 includes grabbing the one or more data items displayed in the plurality of applications. The method 300 allows the screen-grab unit 20 202 to grab the one or more data items displayed in the plurality of applications. In an embodiment, the screen-grab unit 202 determines whether the screen-grab is performed on the electronic device 100. If the screen-grab unit 202 determines that the screen-grab is performed on the electronic device 100 then the screen garb-unit activates the screen-grab 25 function. When the screen-grab function is activated, the screen-grab unit 202 grabs one or more data items displayed on the plurality of applications. At step 306, the method 300 includes displaying one or more data item selection lists with the one or more data items. The method 300 allows the
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controller unit 210 to cause to display one or more data item selection list with the one or more data items displayed in each application. In an embodiment, when there are no connected devices to the electronic device 100 then the electronic device 100 displays a single data item selection list. In an embodiment when the electronic device 100 is connected with one or 5 more electronic devices (such as 100a- 100n) then the electronic device 100 receives data item selection list from each of the electronic devices. Further, the electronic device 100 displays each data item selection list received from each of the electronic devices.
[0071] The various actions, acts, blocks, steps, or the like in the 10 method 300 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some of the actions, acts, blocks, steps, or the like may be omitted, added, modified, skipped, or the like without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0072] FIGS. 4a - 4d illustrates an example scenario in which a data 15 item selection list having data items grabbed from each application is shared with another electronic device, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. As depicted in the FIG. 4a, the electronic device 100 displays a plurality of applications such as a Note application, a music application, a contact application, a maps application and a YouTube 20 application. For example, consider that the user of the electronic device 100 intends to plan a music night event and the user intends to share the details of the music night event with invitees of the music night event. In order to share the details of the music night event, the user performs the screen-grab event on the electronic device 100. When the screen-grab event is 25 performed on the electronic device 100, the data items present in each application is grabbed. The data items in each application are grabbed to generate the data item selection list. The data item selection list is displayed with check boxes as shown in the FIG. 4b. The data items (which is text)
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present in the note application, the music files displayed in the music player application, the location coordinates in the map application, a URL of the YouTube application and a contact group in the contact application are grabbed and displayed in the data item selection list as shown in the FIG. 4b. Thus, when screen-grab event is performed on the electronic device 5 100, the data items are grabbed from each application and the data items are displayed in the data item selection list. The various steps involved in grabbing the data items from each application are explained in conjunction with the FIGS. 5a-5d. Further, the data item selection list can be shared with the invites of the music night event. 10
[0073] The music night event can be planned with the single screen-grab operation on the electronic device 100. When the screen-grab operation is performed, the text in the notes application, which includes items to buy (for the music night event) such as drinks, wafers, glasses, food are grabbed and displayed in the data item selection list. Further, the 15 music files (which the user is interested to share with the invitees for the music night event) are grabbed from the music application). In a similar manner, the location coordinates for the music night event can be grabbed from the maps application. The contact group which includes invitees (Rajesh and shwetha) of the music night event is grabbed from the contact 20 application. The URL of the YouTube video is grabbed from the YouTube application. Thus, when the screen-grab operation is performed on the electronic device 100, the data items displayed in each application are grabbed and displayed in the data item selection list as shown in the FIG. 4b. 25
[0074] In an embodiment, the data items selection list can be shared with the electronic device 100a. The data item selection list can be shared with the electronic device 100a by performing an event on „share‟ button (not shown in the FIG. 4C). In an embodiment, the user can de-select the
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data items in the data item selection list before sharing the data item selection list. In an embodiment, the data item selection list can be shared with the electronic device 100a through any of the communication technologies such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or the like. Thus, the user can share the details of the music night event with the single screen-grab operation. 5 When the data item selection list is shared with the electronic device 100a, the electronic device 100a displays the data item selection list as shown in the FIG. 4D.
[0075] FIG. 5a is a flow chart illustrating a method for grabbing data items from a music player application, according to an embodiment as 10 disclosed herein. At step 502a, the method 500a includes detecting the screen-grab event performed on the electronic device 100. The method 500a allows the screen-grab unit 204 to detect the screen-grab performed on the electronic device 100.
[0076] At step 504a, the method 500a includes receiving an input 15 screen as playlist. The method 500a allows the controller unit 210 to receive the screen as playlist. At step 506a, the method 500 includes sending intent to a music player application. The method 500a allows the controller unit 210 to send the intent to the music player application. At step 508a, the method 500a includes determining data items displayed in 20 the music player application based on coordinates of the music player application. The method 500a allows the controller unit 210 to determine the data items displayed in the music player application based on coordinates of the music player application.
[0077] At step 510a, the method 500a includes grabbing the data 25 items for the window coordinates of the music player application. The method 500a allows the controller unit 210 to grab the data items for the window coordinates of the music player application. At step 512a, the method 500a includes determining whether the data item is related to online
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streaming. If it is determined that the data item is related to online streaming at step 512a then, at step 514a, the method 500a includes retrieving Uniform Resource Locator (URL), MP3 or ID3 tag of the data item. The method 500a allows the controller unit 210 to retrieve the URL, MP3 or ID3 tag of the data item. 5
[0078] At step 516a, the method 500a includes displaying the URL and MP3 or ID3 tag of the data item in the data item selection list with checkboxes. The method 500a allows the controller unit 210 to display the URL and MP3 or ID3 tag of the data item in the data item selection list with checkboxes. In case, it is determined that the data item is related to 10 offline streaming at step 512a then, at step 518a, the method 500a includes grabbing path of the data item and names of the data items. The method 500a allows the controller unit 210 to grab the path of the data items and the names of the data items. At step 520a, the method 500a includes displaying the path of the data items and names of the data items in the data 15 item selection list with check boxes. The method 500a allows the controller unit 210 to display the path of the data items and the names of the data items in the data item selection list with check boxes. The various actions, acts, blocks, steps, or the like in the method 500a may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some 20 embodiments, some of the actions, acts, blocks, steps, or the like may be omitted, added, modified, skipped, or the like without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0079] FIG. 5b is a flow chart illustrating a method for grabbing data items from a note application, according to an embodiment as 25 disclosed herein. At step 502b, the method 500b includes detecting the screen-grab event on the electronic device 100. The method 500b allows the screen-grab unit 204 to detect the screen-grab event on the electronic device 100. At step 504b, the method 500b includes receiving input screen
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as Note. The method 500b allows the controller unit 210 to receive the input screen as Note. At step 506b, the method 500b includes sending intent to a Note application. The method 500b allows the controller unit 210 to send the intent to the Note application. At step 508b, the method 500b includes determining coordinates for each data item in the Note 5 application. The method 500b allows the controller unit 210 to determine the coordinated for each data item in the Note application.
[0080] At step 510b, the method 500b includes grabbing text corresponding to each data item based on the determined coordinates. The method 500b allows the controller unit 210 to grab the text corresponding 10 to each data item based on the determined coordinates. At step 512b, the method 500b includes displaying grabbed text for each data item in the data item selection list with check boxes. The method 500b allows the controller unit 210 to display the grabbed text for each data item in the data item selection list. The various actions, acts, blocks, steps, or the like in the 15 method 500b may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some of the actions, acts, blocks, steps, or the like may be omitted, added, modified, skipped, or the like without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0081] FIG. 5c is a flow chart illustrating a method for grabbing 20 location coordinates from a map application, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. At step 502c, the method 500c includes detecting a screen-grab on the electronic device 100. The method 500c allows the screen-grab unit 204 to detect the screen-grab on the electronic device 100. At step 504c, the method 500c includes receiving input screen as Maps. 25 The method 500b allows the controller unit 210 to receive the input screen as Maps. At step 506c, the method 500c includes sending intent to the Maps application. The method 500c allows the controller unit 210 to send the intent to the Maps application. At step 508c, the method 500c includes
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determining Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates for a searched location or place. The method 500c allows the controller unit 210 to determine the GPS coordinates of the searched location or place
[0082] At step 510c, the method 500c includes displaying coordinates of location in the data item selection list. The method 500c 5 allows the controller unit 210 to display the coordinates of the location in the data item selection list. The various actions, acts, blocks, steps, or the like in the method 500c may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some of the actions, acts, blocks, steps, or the like may be omitted, added, modified, 10 skipped, or the like without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0083] FIG. 5d is a flow chart illustrating a method for grabbing data items in a video application, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. At step 502d, the method 500d includes detecting a screen-grab on the electronic device 100. The method 502d allows the screen-grab unit 204 15 to detect the screen-grab on the electronic device 100. At step 504d, the method 500d includes receiving input screen as YouTube screen. The method 500b allows the controller unit 210 to receive the input screen as YouTube screen. At step 506c, the method 500c includes sending intent to the Maps application. The method 500c allows the controller unit 210 to 20 send the intent to the Maps application.
[0084] At step 508d, the method 500d includes determining coordinates for each data item on the YouTube screen. The method 500d allows the controller unit 210 to determine coordinated for each data item on the YouTube screen. At step 510d, the method 500d includes 25 determining whether the data item is a text. The method 500d allows the controller unit 210 to determine whether the data item is a text. If it is determined that the data item is text at step 510d then, at step 512d, the method 500d includes grabbing text for the data item displayed on the
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YouTube screen. The method 500d allows the controller unit 210 to grab the text for the data item displayed on the YouTube screen.
[0085] At step 514d, the method 500d includes displaying the grabbed text in the data item selection list with a check box. The method 500d allows the controller unit to display the grabbed text in the data item 5 selection list with a check box. In case, it is determined that the data item is a URL at step 512d then, at step 514d, the method 500d includes grabbing the URL of YouTube Video. The method 500d allows the controller unit 210 to grab the URL of YouTube video. The various actions, acts, blocks, steps, or the like in the method 500d may be performed in the order 10 presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some of the actions, acts, blocks, steps, or the like may be omitted, added, modified, skipped, or the like without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0086] FIG. 5e is a flow chart illustrating a method for grabbing 15 data items in contact application, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. At step 502e, the method 500e includes detecting a screen-grab on the electronic device 100. The method 502e allows the screen-grab unit 204 to detect the screen-grab on the electronic device 100. At step 504e, the method 500d includes receiving input screen as contact application screen. 20 The method 500b allows the controller unit 210 to receive the input screen as the contact application screen. At step 506e, the method 500e includes sending intent to the contact application. The method 500e allows the controller unit 210 to send the intent to the contact application.
[0087] At step 508e, the method 500d includes determining 25 coordinates for each data item in the contact application. The method 500d allows the controller unit 210 to determine coordinates for each data item in the contact application. At step 510e, the method 500e includes determining whether the data item is a contact group. The method 500e
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allows the controller unit 210 to determine whether the data item is a contact group.
[0088] If it is determined that the data item is a contact group at step 510e then, at step 512e, the method 500e includes grabbing the group name. The method 500e allows the controller unit 210 to grab the group 5 name. At step 514e, the method 500e includes displaying the grabbed group name in a data item selection list with a check box. The method 500e allows the controller unit 210 to display the grabbed group name in the data item selection list with the check box.
[0089] If it is determined that the data item is a single contact at 10 step 510e then, at step 516e, the method 500e includes grabbing the single contact. The method 500e allows the controller unit 210 to grab the singe contact. At step 518e, the method 500e includes displaying contact name in the data item selection list. The method 500e allows the controller unit 210 to display the contact name in the data item selection list. The various 15 actions, acts, blocks, steps, or the like in the method 500e may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some of the actions, acts, blocks, steps, or the like may be omitted, added, modified, skipped, or the like without departing from the scope of the invention. 20
[0090] FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate selecting and de-selecting the data items in the electronic device 100, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. It should be noted that the data item selection list displayed on the electronic device 100 includes the one or more data items which are grabbed from each application displayed on the electronic device 25 100. Further, the data items in the data item selection list can be selected or deselected by the user. As depicted in the FIG. 6a, the data items can be selected in the data item selection list. The user can select the one or more data items in the data item selection list. Further, the user can de-select the
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one or more data items from the data item selection list. When the one or more data items are de-selected from the data item selection list, the remaining data items (other than the de-selected data items) in the data item selection list are displayed on the screen of the electronic device 100 as shown in the FIG. 6b. 5
[0091] FIGS.7a - 7c illustrate closing of applications displayed in the electronic device 100 for selecting the data items, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. As depicted in the FIG. 7a, the applications displayed on the screen of the electronic device 100 can be closed. When an application displayed on the electronic device 100 is 10 closed, the remaining the applications (which are not closed) are displayed on the electronic device 100 as shown in the FIG. 7b. Further, the screen-grab event can be performed on the on the electronic device 100 to grab the data items from the remaining applications. When the screen-grab event is performed, the data items in each of the remaining applications are 15 grabbed. The data item selection list is generated with the data items in each of the remaining applications and the data item selection is displayed as shown in the FIG. 7c.
[0092] In an embodiment, an application displayed on the screen of the electronic device 100 (in the FIG. 7a) can be selected and the selected 20 application can be dragged to a bin, in order to close the application displayed on the screen of the electronic device 100.
[0093] FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate an action of editing the data items in the data item selection list displayed in the electronic device 100, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. The data item selection 25 list displayed in the electronic device 100 can be edited for updating or modifying the content in each data item. For example, if the data item includes location details obtained from a Maps application, the location details can be edited by adding additional information to the location
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details. As depicted in the FIG. 8a, the data item to be edited in the data item selection list is selected. When the data item is selected for editing, the selected data item is displayed in a window as shown in the FIG. 8b. The data item can be edited (as desired) and then the window can be closed by tapping on the 'done' button. 5
[0094] FIGS. 9a - 9c illustrate adding the data items to the data item selection list displayed in the electronic device 100, according to the embodiments as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the data items can be added to the data item selection list. As depicted in the FIG. 9a, the data items can be added to the data item selection list, by tapping on the 'add 10 data items' button. When the 'add data items' button is tapped, the plurality of applications are displayed on the electronic device 100 as shown in the FIG. 9b. The screen-grab operation can be performed on the electronic device 100 in order to add the data items to the data item selection list. When the screen-grab operation is performed on the electronic device 100, 15 the data items are added to the data item selection list and the data item selection list is displayed on the electronic device 100 as shown in the FIG. 9c.
[0095] FIG. 10a illustrates prioritizing the data items in the data item selection list, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. In an 20 embodiment, the data items in the data item selection list can be prioritized. As depicted in the FG. 10a, the data items in the data item selection list can be prioritized by dragging the selected data items to upside or downside on the screen of the electronic device 100. For example, if the selected data item is dragged to upside, the selected data item is prioritized in the data 25 item selection list. The priority is assigned to the data items based on a position or order of the data items (which is affected by dragging the data items). From the FIG. 10b, it should be understood that the priority of the data items is assigned as per the position or the order of the data items in
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the data item selection list. Further, it should be noted that, the data item which is dragged to upside in the data item selection list is displayed as a first data item to a recipient, when the data item selection list is shared with the recipient.
[0096] Although the figures are not shown for certain actions 5 performed on the data item selection list displayed on the screen of the electronic device 100, it should be understood that the actions of copying the one or more data items in the data item selection list from one location to another location in the electronic device 100, shifting the one or more data items in the data item selection list from one location to another 10 location in the electronic device 100, opening the one or more data items in the data item selection list using an application in the electronic device 100 can be performed without deviating from the scope of the invention.
[0097] FIG. 10b illustrates removing the data items in the data item selection list, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. In an 15 embodiment, the data items in the data item selection list can be removed. As depicted in the FIG. 10b, initially, a data item to be removed can be selected in the data item selection list. Further, the selected data item can be removed by dragging or swiping the selected data item to right side of the screen of the electronic device 100. When the selected data item is dragged 20 to the right side of the screen of the electronic device 100, the selected data item is removed from the data item selection list as shown in the FIG. 10b.
[0098] In an embodiment, the data items in the data item selection list can be previewed by clicking on a „preview‟ button (provided for each data item). When the preview button is clicked on a data item, the data 25 items displays a pop up containing a snapshot of an application window from which the data item is grabbed. The pop up can be closed by tapping (anywhere on) the screen of the electronic device 100. Thus, the data items in the data item selection list can be previewed and a source application
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(from which the data item is grabbed) can be viewed in the data item selection list.
[0099] FIGS. 11a -11b illustrate an action of grouping the data items in the data item selection list, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the data items can be grouped based 5 on the applications, from which the data items are grabbed. As depicted in the FIG. 11a, a similar color can be assigned to the applications displayed on the screen of the electronic device 100. In order to assign a color to the applications displayed on the screen of the electronic device 100, by tapping the application. For example, red color can be assigned to some 10 applications and green color to other applications by tapping on those applications. When the screen-grab operation is performed on the electronic device 100, the data item selection list is generated with the data items grabbed from the applications. The data item selection list displays the data items with the similar color (as assigned to those applications from which 15 the data items are grabbed). As depicted in the FIG. 11b, the data items in the data item selection list are grouped with the color (assigned to the applications from which the data items are grabbed).
[00100] FIGS. 12a - 12b illustrate an action of sharing the data items with multiple users, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. 20 In an embodiment, the data items in the data item selection list can be shared with multiple users. As depicted in the FIG. 12a, the share button can be clicked to view the list of users (recipients) to which the data item selection list can be shared. A long press on a selected data item, reduces width of the data item selection list and the width of list of users increases. 25 Further, the selected data item can be dragged on to the user name (recipient name) for sharing the selected data item. In case, the data items are grouped with color (as described in the FIG. 11a and FIG. 11b), the grouped data items are shared with a user at a single instance.
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[00101] FIGS. 13a and 13b shows an example scenario in which the electronic device 100 displays a data item selection list having data items grabbed from a gallery application, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the data items from each application displayed on the screen of the electronic device 100 is grabbed based on a 5 predefined criteria. As depicted in the FIG. 13A, in the gallery application, the one or more images can be grabbed based on the images which are closer to a vertical centre of a gallery application window. It should be noted that the horizontal center is not considered, as the images are displayed as per sorting mechanism aligned to left. In case of rotation, the 10 gallery application window also rotates, thus changing vertical centre accordingly.
[00102] In an embodiment, the images which are displayed closer to vertical centre of the gallery window are selected. The user can configure the distance from vertical centre to be used for selecting the images in the 15 gallery window. The proposed method can be used along with zoom to control number of images displayed for selection of images.
[00103] A following example is described herein for grabbing the images in a gallery application. Consider that a user is previewing the gallery application. The conventional methods enable the user to long-press 20 on an image to select the image. In order to select all images, the user has to perform another action. In an embodiment, if the user is viewing a set of images, it can be inferred that the user wants to share those images. With the proposed method, the screen-grab event can be performed on the electronic device 100 to select the images which are displayed to the user 25 on the screen of the electronic device. Hence, with a single screen-grab event, the user can select the images without undergoing extensive number of steps.
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[00104] In another example, from the gallery application, the data item selection list can be generated with recently used or modified images in the gallery application. When the screen grab operation is performed, the data item selection list is generated with recently used or modified images in the gallery application and only those recently used or modified images 5 are displayed to the user in the data item selection list.
[00105] FIGS. 14a and 14 b shows an example scenario in which the electronic device 100 displays a data item selection list having data items grabbed from “My Files” application displayed on the electronic device 100 when a screen grab function is activated, according to an 10 embodiment as disclosed herein. As depicted in the FIG. 14a, the MY Files application displays music (audio) files and video files on the screen of the electronic device 100. If the user intends to share the music files and video files, the screen grab event can be performed on the electronic device 100. When the screen-grab event is performed on the electronic device 100, the 15 music files and the video files displayed on the screen of the electronic device 100 are grabbed. The music files and video files are displayed in the data item selection list with checkboxes as shown in the FIG. 14b. One or more actions such as selecting or de-selecting the music files and video files can be performed on the data item selection list. The data item 20 selection list can be copied or shared through messenger, social media using available communication technologies.
[00106] FIGS. 15a and 15b shows an example scenario in which the electronic device 100 displays a data item selection list having data items from each application browsed on the electronic device, according to an 25 embodiment as disclosed herein. As depicted in the FIG. 15a, the electronic device 100 displays three applications windows. A first application window displays a bookmyshow application, a second application window displays
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a movie trailer in a YouTube application and a third application displays a review of a movie in a browser.
[00107] The data items (which include contents) displayed in each window can be selected by performing the screen grab operation on the electronic device 100. When the screen grab operation is performed on the 5 electronic device 100 the data items from the bookmyshow application (i.e., the content displayed in the bookmyshow application), the trailer of the movie (which is a URL of the content in the YouTube application), and review of the movie (i.e., URL in the browser) are grabbed. In an embodiment, a data item selection list is generated with the content 10 displayed in the bookmyshow application, a URL of the movie trailer displayed in the YouTube application and a URL displayed in the browser. The data item selection list is displayed on the screen of the electronic device 100 as shown in the FIG. 15b. Thus, with a single operation, the user can grab the data items displayed in the three application windows by 15 performing the screen grab operation on the electronic device 100.
[00108] Although it is not shown, from the FIG. 15a, it should be understood that the user can book tickets from the bookmyshow application and can share the tickets with friends. Unlike the conventional methods, the content or the data items in the applications browsed by the user can be 20 shared instantly with the single operation of screen grab, without undergoing extensive number of steps and thereby improving overall user experience.
[00109] Thus, with the proposed method, as depicted in the FIG. 15a, the snapshot of the first application (i.e., bookmyshow), the second 25 application (i.e., YouTube application) and the third application (i.e., review of a movie in browser) can shared instantly by performing the single screen grab operation on the electronic device 100.
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[00110] A following example depicts another use case scenario for the proposed method. Consider that a user is working on a website through a browser on the electronic device 100. A chat application and a design document are also opened on the electronic device 100. In this scenario, the user can share the data items or contents displayed in the website, text from 5 chat application and the contents in the design document with a single screen grab operation on the electronic device 100. In an embodiment, a URL in the browser, snapshot of the website, text in the chat application and the design document can be grabbed when the single screen grab operation is performed on the electronic device 100. In an embodiment, the 10 text grabbed from the chat application can be grabbed and shared as a rich text format (RTF) and the design document can be shared as a portable document format (PDF).
[00111] Another example scenario of the proposed method is as described herein. Consider that a user working in a marketing and search 15 department and the user finds that there are some offers on a product available on three websites. The user can share the screenshot of the three websites by performing single the screen grab on the electronic device 100. In an embodiment, URLs and the prices from each website can be grabbed and shared to multiple users collectively or separately. 20
[00112] FIGS. 16a-16c shows an example scenario in which multiple electronic devices are connected together to generate a data item selection list having data items grabbed from each application displayed on each electronic device when a screen grab function is activated, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. As depicted in the FIG. 16a and 16b, 25 the screen grab operation can be performed on the electronic devices 100a and 100b respectively. When the screen grab operation is performed on the electronic devices 100a and 100b, the data items are grabbed from the plurality of applications displayed in the electronic device 100a and the
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electronic device 100b respectively. In an embodiment, the electronic device 100a generates the data item selection list from the data items grabbed from the plurality of applications displayed in the electronic device 100a. In an embodiment, the electronic device 100b generates the data item selection list from the data items grabbed from the plurality of applications 5 displayed in the electronic device 100.
[00113] The electronic device 100a and the electronic device 100b send the generated data item selection list to the electronic device 100. The electronic device 100 displays the data item selection list (which includes the data item selection received from the electronic device 100a and 100b) 10 received from the electronic device 100a and the electronic device 100b.
[00114] Although the FIGS. 1 through 15 are describe the screen grab method for multiple data items selection using single operation on a single electronic device but it is to be understood that the other embodiments are not limited thereon. A person having ordinarily skill in 15 the art can quick identity that the screen grab method can be easily implemented on a group of devices connected together in network. The FIGS. 17-19 describes some examples thereon.
[00115] FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating a method 1700 for selecting multiple data items from a plurality of electronic devices, 20 according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. At step 1702, the method 1700 includes sending the screen grab request message to the second electronic devices 100a-100n. The method 1300 allows the controller unit 210 to send the screen grab request message to the second electronic devices 100a-100n. At step 1704, the method 1700 includes receiving the 25 data items grabbed from the one or more applications displayed on the second electronic devices 100a-100n. The method 1700 allows the controller unit 210 to receive the data items grabbed from the applications displayed on the second electronic devices 100a-100n.
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[00116] At step 1706, the method 1700 includes displaying a data item selection list with the one or more data items received from the second electronic devices 100a-100n. The method 1700 allows the controller unit 210 to display the data item selection list with the data items received from the second electronic devices 100a-100n. 5
[00117] The various actions, acts, blocks, steps, or the like in the method 1700 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some of the actions, acts, blocks, steps, or the like may be omitted, added, modified, skipped, or the like without departing from the scope of the invention. 10
[00118] FIG. 18 illustrates an example scenario in which a data item selection list having data items grabbed from multiple electronic devices connected to each other according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. The proposed method can be extended to grab multiple data items from different electronic devices connected together in a network. The 15 electronic devices are connected together forming a network in which one among the electronic devices acts as a master electronic device 100 and remaining acts as slave electronic devices 100a and 100b. For example, one or more slave electronic devices are connected to a master electronic device. In order to perform the screen grab operation on slave electronic 20 devices, as depicted in the FIG. 18, the master electronic device 100 sends a screen grab request message to the slave electronic devices 100a and 100b. The slave electronic devices 100a and 100b perform the screen grab operation, in response to the screen grab request message received from the master 100 electronic device. Further, each of the slave electronic devices 25 (which receive the screen grab request message) generates a data item selection list after receiving the screen grab request message and sends each data item selection list to the master electronic device 100. The master electronic device 100 receives the data item selection list from each of the
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slave electronic devices (i.e., 100a and 100b) and generates a combined data item selection list.
[00119] A following use case scenario for grabbing the data items displayed in the plurality of applications on multiple electronic devices is as described herein. When a team of members are collectively working on a 5 project, a team member can send a screen grab request message through the master electronic device 100 to the remaining team members. The remaining team members receive the screen grab request on their respective electronic devices. Each team member can perform the screen grab operation after receiving the screen-grab request message from the master 10 electronic device 100. In response to the screen grab operation, each of the slave electronic devices generates a data item selection list. Further, the data item selection list, generated at each of the slave electronic devices, is shared with the master electronic device 100. Thus, the master electronic device 100 receives the data item selection list from each of the slave 15 electronic devices and combines each data item selection list to generate a combined data item selection list.
[00120] In another use case scenario, consider that team of members are collaboratively browsing on their electronic devices. A screen-grab request message can be sent from the electronic device 100 20 (which is a master electronic device) to the electronic devices which are connected with the electronic device 100. Each slave electronic device receives the screen grab request message. A screen grab operation is performed on each of the slave electronic devices to grab the data item displayed thereon. The grabbed information at each of the slave electronic 25 devices can be shared with the master electronic device 100. Thus, with the proposed method, users can collectively browse and can share the content among each other by performing a screen grab operation.
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[00121] FIGS. 19a and 19b illustrates an example scenario in which the master electronic device 100 displays a data item selection list received from multiple salve electronic devices, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. As depicted in the FIG. 19a, each of the data item selection lists, received from each of the slave electronic devices (i.e., the 5 electronic device 100a and the electronic device 100b) is displayed on the screen of the master electronic device 100. The data item selection list received from the salve electronic devices can be swiped to view or to edit the data item selection list. Further, the data items in each data item selection list can be selected or de-selected. After selecting or de-selecting 10 the data items in the data item selection list, a „done‟ button can be clicked. When the „done‟ button is clicked, a combined data item selection list (which includes the data item selection list received from each of the slave electronic devices) is displayed on the screen of the master electronic device 100 as shown in the FIG. 19b. The combined data item selection list 15 is displayed with a device name from where the data item selection list is received.
[00122] The device name (displayed in the data item selection list) can be tapped to view each data item selection list as shown in the FIG. 19b. When tapped on the device name, each data item selection list is 20 displayed on the screen of the electronic device 100 as shown in the FIG. 19a.
[00123] Although the above description provides a limited overview of the actions and features of the invention but, it is to be understood that other embodiments are not limited thereon. For example, 25 list of recently accessed items from various application can be captured using a single screen grab operation. In another example, the selected item(s) can deleted, shuffled, prioritized, or the like.
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[00124] Further, with the proposed method, the screen-grab operation can be performed for selecting the data items from recent applications window in case the electronic device 100 doesn‟t support multi-window. When the screen-grab operation is performed on the recent applications window, automatically the most recent applications are 5 relaunched one by one and the screenshot for each application is captured. From the screenshot the content is be fetched and displayed to the user.
[00125] When the screen of the recent applications window is grabbed by performing the screen grab operation on the electronic device 100, the user can select a starting point by selecting an application from the 10 recent applications list by either dragging the application such that the application is on the vertical center or some other way (like just selecting the application). From the selected application to the most recent application, the data items in each application can be grabbed.
[00126] FIG. 20 illustrates a computing environment implementing 15 the method for selecting data items in the electronic device, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. As depicted in the figure, the computing environment 2002 comprises at least one processing unit 2008 that is equipped with a control unit 2004 and an Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) 2006, a memory 2010, a storage unit 2012, plurality of networking devices 20 2016 and a plurality Input output (I/O) devices 2014. The processing unit 2008 is responsible for processing the instructions of the technique. The processing unit 1608 receives commands from the control unit in order to perform its processing. Further, any logical and arithmetic operations involved in the execution of the instructions are computed with the help of 25 the ALU 2006.
[00127] The overall computing environment 2002 can be composed of multiple homogeneous and/or heterogeneous cores, multiple CPUs of different kinds, special media and other accelerators. The processing unit
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1608 is responsible for processing the instructions of the technique. Further, the plurality of processing units 2008 may be located on a single chip or over multiple chips.
[00128] The technique comprising of instructions and codes required for the implementation are stored in either the memory unit 2010 5 or the storage 2012 or both. At the time of execution, the instructions may be fetched from the corresponding memory 2010 or storage 2012, and executed by the processing unit 2008.
[00129] In case of any hardware implementations various networking devices 2016 or external I/O devices 2014 may be connected to 10 the computing environment to support the implementation through the networking unit and the I/O device unit.
[00130] The embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented through at least one software program running on at least one hardware device and performing network management functions to control the 15 elements. The elements shown in the FIGS. 1 through 16 include blocks which can be at least one of a hardware device, or a combination of hardware device and software module.
[00131] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, 20 by applying current knowledge, readily modify or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or 25 terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that
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the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

STATEMENT OF CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A method for selecting multiple data items in an electronic device, the method comprising:
causing to display, by a controller unit, a plurality of applications on a screen of said electronic device, wherein each said application displays at least one data item on said screen of said electronic device;
grabbing, by a screen-grab unit, said at least one data item displayed on said screen of said electronic device when a screen-grab function is activated; and
causing to display, by said controller unit, at least one data item selection list comprising said at least one data item displayed in each said application.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said data item selection list allows at least one action to be performed on each said data item.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said action comprising selecting at least one said data item in said data item selection list, de-selecting at least one said data item in said data item selection list, removing at least one said data item in said data item selection list, adding at least one said data item in said data item selection list, editing at least one said data item in said data item selection list, prioritizing at least one said data item in said data item selection list, previewing at least one said data item in said data item selection list, sharing at least one said data item in said data item selection list, sharing at least one said data item in said data item selection list with multiple users, copying at least one said data item in said data item selection list from one location to another location in said electronic device, shifting at least one said data item in said data item selection list from one location to another location in said electronic device, opening at least one said data item in
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said data item selection list using an application in said electronic device, and grouping at least two data items in said data item selection list.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one data item displayed on said screen of said electronic device is grabbed based on a predefined criteria.
5. A method for selecting data items from a plurality of electronic devices, the method comprising:
sending, by a first electronic device, a screen grab request message to at least one second electronic device when a screen-grab function is activated on said first electronic device;
receiving, by said first electronic device, at least one data item grabbed from at least one application displayed on at least one said second electronic device; and
causing to display a data item selection list comprising each said data item received from at least one said second electronic device.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein said second electronic device displays at least one said application, wherein each said application displays at least one said data item on a screen of said second electronic device.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein said data item selection list allows at least one action to be performed on each said data item.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein said action comprising selecting at least one said data item in said data item selection list, de-selecting at least one said data item in said data item selection list, removing at least one said data item in said data item selection list, adding at least one said data item in said data item selection list, editing at least one said data item in said data item selection list, prioritizing at least one said data item in said data item selection list, previewing at least one said data item in said data item selection list, sharing at least one said data
item in said data item selection list, copying at least one said data item in said data item selection list from one location to another location in said electronic device, shifting at least one said data item in said data item selection list from one location to another location in said electronic device, opening at least one said data item in said data item selection list using an application in said electronic device, and grouping at least one data item in said data item selection list.
9. The method of claim 5, wherein at least one data item is grabbed from at least one application displayed on at least one said second electronic device based on a predefined criteria.
10. An electronic device for selecting multiple data items, the electronic device comprises:
a controller unit configured to:
cause to display a plurality of applications on a screen of said electronic device, wherein each said application displays at least one data item on said screen of said electronic device.
a screen grab unit configured to:
grab said at least one data item displayed on said screen of said electronic device when a screen-grab function is activated.
said controller unit configured to:
cause to display at least one data item selection list comprising said at least one data item displayed in each said application.
11. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein said data item selection list allows at least one action to be performed on each said data item.
12. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein said action comprising selecting at least one said data item in said data item selection list, de-selecting at least one said data item in said data item selection list, removing at least one said data item in said data item selection list,
adding at least one said data item in said data item selection list, editing at least one said data item in said data item selection list, prioritizing at least one said data item in said data item selection list, previewing at least one said data item in said data item selection list, sharing at least one said data item in said data item selection list, copying at least one said data item in said data item selection list from one location to another location in said electronic device, shifting at least one said data item in said data item selection list from one location to another location in said electronic device, opening at least one said data item in said data item selection list using an application in said electronic device, and grouping at least two data items in said data item selection list.
13. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein said controller unit is configured to grab each data item displayed on said screen of said electronic device based on a predefined criteria.
14. An electronic device for selecting data items from a plurality of electronic devices, wherein said electronic device comprises a controller unit configured to:
send a screen grab request message to at least one electronic device when a screen-grab function is activated on said electronic device;
receive at least one data item grabbed from at least one application displayed on at least one electronic device; and
cause to display a data item selection list comprising each said data item received from at least one said electronic device.
15. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein said data item selection list allows at least one action to be performed on each said data item.
16. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein said action comprising selecting at least one said data item in said data item selection list, de-selecting at least one said data item in said data item selection list,
removing at least one said data item in said data item selection list, adding at least one said data item in said data item selection list, editing at least one said data item in said data item selection list, prioritizing at least one said data item in said data item selection list, previewing at least one said data item in said data item selection list, sharing at least one said data item in said data item selection list, copying at least one said data item in said data item selection list from one location to another location in said electronic device, shifting at least one said data item in said data item selection list from one location to another location in said electronic device, opening at least one said data item in said data item selection list using an application in said electronic device, and grouping at least one data item in said data item selection list.
17. A computer program product comprising computer executable program code recorded on a computer readable non-transitory storage medium, said computer executable program code when executed causing the actions including:
causing to display a plurality of applications on a screen of an electronic device, wherein each said application displays at least one data item on said screen of said electronic device;
grabbing said at least one data item displayed on said screen of said electronic device when a screen-grab function is activated; and
causing to display at least one data item selection list comprising said at least one data item displayed in each said application.
18. A computer program product comprising computer executable program code recorded on a computer readable non-transitory storage medium, said computer executable program code when executed causing the actions including:
sending a screen grab request message to at least one second electronic device when a screen-grab function is activated on a first electronic device;
receiving at least one data item grabbed from at least one application displayed on at least one said second electronic device; and
causing to display a data item selection list comprising each said data item received from at least one said second electronic device.