HANDLING APPLICATIONS ON A UNIFIED DESKTOP

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US None
App. No.: 13/436,826

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Abstract

Embodiments provide for a handheld device with a unified desktop for integrating the functionality of the handheld device with a larger computer system. When connected to a peripheral display and/or a display of the larger computer system, the handheld device provides a unified desktop displayed across the screen(s) of the handheld device and the peripheral display. The unified desktop unifies the functionality provided by the larger computer system and the handheld functionality, e.g., communication applications (e.g., phone, SMS, MMS). A user can seamlessly interact with applications, e.g., open, move, close, receive notifications, on the unified desktop whether the applications are displayed on the screens of the handheld device, or the peripheral display of the larger computer system.

Claims (61)

1 . A method, comprising

displaying a first desktop by at least one processor of a multi-screen device, wherein the desktop is displayed on at least one screen of the multi-screen device;

displaying a first window of a first open application on the first desktop;

determining that the multi-screen device is connected to a peripheral display;

in response to the determining that the multi-screen device is connected to a peripheral display:

displaying a unified desktop, wherein the first desktop is a second portion of the unified desktop, and a first portion of the unified desktop is displayed on the peripheral display; and

displaying a window of a second open application on the first portion of the unified desktop;

determining that the multi-screen device is disconnected from the peripheral display; and

in response to the determining that the multi-screen device is disconnected from the peripheral display:

maintaining display of the first window on the second portion of the unified desktop; and

removing the second window from display on the first portion of the unified desktop.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

after the determining that the multi-screen device is connected to a peripheral display, opening an additional application and displaying a third window of the additional application.

3 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

wherein the third window is displayed on the first portion of the unified desktop.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein in response to the determining that the multi-screen device is disconnected from the peripheral display, removing the third window from display on the first portion of the unified desktop.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

after the determining that the multi-screen device is connected to a peripheral display, opening an additional application and displaying a third window of the additional application.

6 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

wherein the third window is displayed on the second portion of the unified desktop.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein in response to the determining that the multi-screen device is disconnected from the peripheral display, maintain the third window displayed on the second portion of the unified desktop.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the peripheral display is part of a personal computer.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein in response to the determining that the multi-screen device is disconnected from the peripheral display, removing all displayed windows from display on the first portion of the unified desktop.

10 . A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer executable instructions that when executed by at least one processor perform a method comprising: