Abstract: Techniques are described herein that are capable of providing universal back navigation for multiple windows. Universal back navigation allows universal back functionality to transition between operating in an in-application context and a cross-application context. In the in-application context, operation of the universal back functionality is restricted to functionality of an application (e.g., a single application) to which user instructions are to be currently directed by default. In the cross-application context, operation of the universal back functionality is not restricted to functionality of the application to which user instructions are to be currently directed by default.

Abstract: Computer-readable media, computerized methods, and computer systems for intuitively invoking a presentation action (e.g., rendering a menu) by applying a drag-operation at a top-level control button rendered at a touchscreen display are provided. Initially, aspects of a user-initiated input applied at the top-level control button are detected. These aspects may include an actuation location and a distance of a drag-movement therefrom. If a distance of the drag-movement at the touchscreen display is greater than a threshold distance in a particular radial direction from the actuation location, the user-initiated input is considered a drag-operation. Typically, a set of trigger boundaries are constructed based on system metrics to assist in disambiguating the drag-operation from a tap-type operation. If a drag-operation is identified, the presentation action is invoked; otherwise, a principle action associated with the top-level control button (e.g., manipulating content of an application) may be invoked.

Abstract: Computer-readable media, computerized methods, and computer systems for intuitively invoking a presentation action (e.g., rendering a menu) by applying a drag-operation at a top-level control button rendered at a touchscreen display are provided. Initially, aspects of a user-initiated input applied at the top-level control button are detected. These aspects may include an actuation location and a distance of a drag-movement therefrom. If a distance of the drag-movement at the touchscreen display is greater than a threshold distance in a particular radial direction from the actuation location, the user-initiated input is considered a drag-operation. Typically, a set of trigger boundaries are constructed based on system metrics to assist in disambiguating the drag-operation from a tap-type operation. If a drag-operation is identified, the presentation action is invoked; otherwise, a principle action associated with the top-level control button (e.g., manipulating content of an application) may be invoked.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein that are capable of providing universal back navigation for multiple windows. Universal back navigation allows universal back functionality to transition between operating in an in-application context and a cross-application context. In the in-application context, operation of the universal back functionality is restricted to functionality of an application (e.g., a single application) to which user instructions are to be currently directed by default. In the cross-application context, operation of the universal back functionality is not restricted to functionality of the application to which user instructions are to be currently directed by default.

Abstract: In graphical computing environments, applications are often presented as windows and other regions with visual controls that enable standardized region management functions, including repositioning the regions. However, in some scenarios (particularly devices with small displays), such user interface “chrome” may undesirable diminish the size of the region devoted to the output of the application, and removing such visual controls without eliminating repositioning functionality may be advantageous. Presented herein are repositioning gestures that may be invoked to request repositioning of a selected region by “hovering” a pointer near an edge of the display that is near the selected region; optionally by activating the pointer; and by moving the pointer away from the edge of the display (e.g., “dragging” the pointer while depressing a mouse button).

Abstract: An application status system is described herein that informs the user about application-specific status updates and notifications through a changing status icon associated with an application-switching user interface displayed by an operating system when the application is running. When an application has focus, there is typically no way for another application to display status to the user without displaying a dialog box or a notification balloon that interrupts the user. The application status system takes advantage of the existing application-switching user interface to display a lightweight status icon overlay on the application-switching user interface itself. Thus, the application status system allows applications to provide application-specific status updates without interrupting a user's activity in another application and without adding additional UI for a user to process.

Abstract: In graphical computing environments, applications are often presented as windows and other regions with visual controls that enable standardized region management functions, including repositioning the regions. However, in some scenarios (particularly devices with small displays), such user interface “chrome” may undesirable diminish the size of the region devoted to the output of the application, and removing such visual controls without eliminating repositioning functionality may be advantageous. Presented herein are repositioning gestures that may be invoked to request repositioning of a selected region by “hovering” a pointer near an edge of the display that is near the selected region; optionally by activating the pointer; and by moving the pointer away from the edge of the display (e.g., “dragging” the pointer while depressing a mouse button).

Abstract: Systems and methods for use with a pointer invocable navigational user interface are provided. The system may include a navigational module configured to provide a navigational user interface having a hidden invocation region positioned along a logical left edge of a display. Application program graphical user interfaces (GUIs) may be ordered in an application order. The navigational module may be configured to detect an invocation pointer input in the hidden invocation region. Upon detecting the invocation pointer input, the navigational module may be to configured display a visible GUI selector element of the navigational user interface including a preview of a most recently used application program GUI not currently in focus. While the preview is displayed, a focus switching input from the pointer device may be received. In response to the focus switching input, focus may be switched to the application program GUI for which the preview is displayed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method, system, and media for intelligently presenting buttons that correspond to running windows as well as a set of application launchers that launch instances of software applications. One version of the method includes receiving an indication that an instance of a software application has been invoked by a launching mechanism, which leads to creating a windowed process in which to present the instance of the software application; determining that at least one of the application launchers was the launching mechanism; automatically removing the launcher(s) from view; and presenting a button that corresponds to the windowed process.

Abstract: Computer-readable media, computerized methods, and computer systems for intuitively invoking a presentation action (e.g., rendering a menu) by applying a drag-operation at a top-level control button rendered at a touchscreen display are provided. Initially, aspects of a user-initiated input applied at the top-level control button are detected. These aspects may include an actuation location and a distance of a drag-movement therefrom. If a distance of the drag-movement at the touchscreen display is greater than a threshold distance in a particular radial direction from the actuation location, the user-initiated input is considered a drag-operation. Typically, a set of trigger boundaries are constructed based on system metrics to assist in disambiguating the drag-operation from a tap-type operation. If a drag-operation is identified, the presentation action is invoked; otherwise, a principle action associated with the top-level control button (e.g., manipulating content of an application) may be invoked.

Abstract: A system and method for public consumption of communication events between arbitrary processes. In one embodiment, mechanisms are provided by which the system can effectively act to broker a user's communications and thus act as a type of automated assistant. The invention is provided in a notification user context system which determines when it is appropriate or not appropriate to interrupt a user with a notification based on the user's context (i.e., availability to interruption). The system provides for processes to be informed when these notification events are occurring, thus allowing the processes to act on these types of events on the user's behalf. In one example embodiment, a calendaring program may be a type of process that is registered to be informed when communication events occur. When the calendaring program is informed that a notification from another program (e.g., e-mail, instant messaging, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method to facilitate providing computer users with efficient access to electronic notifications while minimizing disruption in the context of ongoing tasks. A notification system provides visual information heralds that provide summarizations of notifications to users. An information controller considers the importance or urgency of content and a user's current and/or recent activities in decisions about the rendering and positioning of the information herald on a display screen or screens in order to facilitate user processing of the summarized notifications with minimal disruption to ongoing tasks.

Abstract: An application status system is described herein that informs the user about application-specific status updates and notifications through a changing status icon associated with an application-switching user interface displayed by an operating system when the application is running. When an application has focus, there is typically no way for another application to display status to the user without displaying a dialog box or a notification balloon that interrupts the user. The application status system takes advantage of the existing application-switching user interface to display a lightweight status icon overlay on the application-switching user interface itself. Thus, the application status system allows applications to provide application-specific status updates without interrupting a user's activity in another application and without adding additional UI for a user to process.

Abstract: Computer-readable media, computerized methods, and computer systems for intuitively invoking a presentation action (e.g., rendering a menu) by applying a drag-operation at a top-level control button rendered at a touchscreen display are provided. Initially, aspects of a user-initiated input applied at the top-level control button are detected. These aspects may include an actuation location and a distance of a drag-movement therefrom. If a distance of the drag-movement at the touchscreen display is greater than a threshold distance in a particular radial direction from the actuation location, the user-initiated input is considered a drag-operation. Typically, a set of trigger boundaries are constructed based on system metrics to assist in disambiguating the drag-operation from a tap-type operation. If a drag-operation is identified, the presentation action is invoked; otherwise, a principle action associated with the top-level control button (e.g., manipulating content of an application) may be invoked.

Abstract: A system and method for public consumption of communication events between arbitrary processes. In one embodiment, mechanisms are provided by which the system can effectively act to broker a user's communications and thus act as a type of automated assistant. The invention is provided in a notification user context system which determines when it is appropriate or not appropriate to interrupt a user with a notification based on the user's context (i.e., availability to interruption). The system provides for processes to be informed when these notification events are occurring, thus allowing the processes to act on these types of events on the user's behalf. In one example embodiment, a calendaring program may be a type of process that is registered to be informed when communication events occur. When the calendaring program is informed that a notification from another program (e.g., e-mail, instant messaging, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method to facilitate providing computer users with efficient access to electronic notifications while minimizing disruption in the context of ongoing tasks. A notification system provides visual information heralds that provide summarizations of notifications to users. An information controller considers the importance or urgency of content and a user's current and/or recent activities in decisions about the rendering and positioning of the information herald on a display screen or screens in order to facilitate user processing of the summarized notifications with minimal disruption to ongoing tasks.