Methods and systems for interactive user interface objects
View Patent ↗Methods and systems for interactive user interface objects are provided. The user interface allows for users to manipulate different objects represented by icons within a user interface, such as that of an iPhone or iPad or other touch screen devices. Users may bump objects together, flick one object towards another, bump an object against the edge of a screen, flick an object towards a certain area such as a dock, or otherwise manipulate the objects. The user's actions or manipulations of objects may result in an action by the objects or may have no effect. Depending on the compatibility of objects, the objects may be neutral towards one another, may attract each other, or may repel. The objects that attract may share content or communicate with each other via a one-time interaction, or may establish links or connections with each other that enable longer term communication or broadcasts that occur upon pre-determined triggers.
1. A system for displaying interoperability objects, comprising:
a display screen comprising a user interface that displays at least a first object and a second object, wherein said first object is a graphical depiction of a first application and the second object is a graphical depiction of a second application, and wherein said first and second applications are executable on a user device upon input from a user on a respective one of said first or second object; and
a computer processor that is programmed to initiate an action that is specific to at least one of the first application and the second application based on an interoperability dynamic of the first object with the second object and upon input from said user on said first or second object;
wherein the interoperability dynamic is for the first and second objects to repel, attract or remain neutral with respect to each other on the user interface and based on compatibility of outputs of the first application with inputs of the second application, and
wherein if said first and second objects attract each other on said display screen, then said first application outputs and shares content with said second application.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the graphical depiction of each object is an icon.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the interoperability dynamic of the objects is determined by a plurality of input and output parameters of the objects.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the interoperability dynamic is to repel, and the first application does not share content with the second application for display on the display screen.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the user may move the position of each object within the display screen.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the user may rearrange the positions of objects within the display screen.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the input from the user is the action of bumping the first object with the second object.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the input from the user is the action of flicking the at least one object onto the second object.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the input from the user is the action of placing the first object on top of the second object.
10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a graphical depiction of a link established between the first object and the second object, wherein the link enables the at least one object first application and the second application to share content.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the graphical depiction of the link is a display of the second object orbiting the first object.
12. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a graphical depiction of a link established between the first object and the second object, wherein the link enables the at least onefirst object to communicate with the second object based on pre-defined trigger events.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the link is configured to be sustained for a pre-defined period of time.
14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the link is configured to be sustained only for a limited period of time to allow for a brief sharing of content.
15. The system of claim 12 , wherein the link further enables the first object to share messages with the second object.
16. The system of claim 1 , wherein said first application is different from said second application.
17. The system of claim 1 , wherein said content comprises one or more pictures and/or video.
18. A method for displaying interoperability of user interface icons comprising:
displaying a first object that is a graphical depiction of a first application on a user interface of a display screen of a user device, wherein said first application is executable on said user device upon input from a user on said first object;
receiving an input from said user to associate the first object with a second object, wherein the second object is a graphical depiction of a second application that is executable on the user device, which first application is different from the second application;
displaying on the user interface an action that is specific to at least one of the first application and the second application based on an interoperability dynamic of the first object with the second object;
wherein the interoperability dynamic is for the first and second objects to repel, attract or remain neutral with respect to each other on the user interface and based on compatibility of outputs of the first application with inputs of the second application, and
wherein if said first and second objects attract each other on said display screen, then said first application outputs and shares content with said second application.
19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon for execution by a processor to perform a method for displaying interoperability of user interface icons comprising:
displaying a first object that is a graphical depiction of a first application on a user interface of a display screen of a user device, wherein said first application is executable on said user device upon input from a user on said first object;
receiving an input from said user to associate the first object with a second object, wherein the second object is a graphical depiction of a second application that is executable on the user device, which first application is different from the second application;
displaying on the user interface an action that is specific to at least one of the first application and the second application based on an interoperability dynamic of the first object with the second object;
wherein the interoperability dynamic is for the first and second objects to repel, attract or remain neutral with respect to each other on the user interface and based on compatibility of outputs of the first application with inputs of the second application, and
wherein if said first and second objects attract each other on said display screen, then said first application outputs and shares content with said second application.