IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,575,629
Granted Patent B1
US 9,575,629 · App. 14/072,066 · Granted Feb 21, 2017

Switching between electronic desktops on multiple displays

Inventors: Andrew S. Hansen (Bountiful, UT); Scott B. Hansen (Jupiter, FL)
G06F3/0482
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,575,629
App. No.
14/072,066
Granted
Feb 21, 2017
Kind
B1
Abstract

A computer implemented method includes providing an operating system for controlling electronic desktops displayed on multiple monitors. The methods include providing a plurality of electronic desktops for a first monitor and a different plurality of electronic desktops for a second monitor and allowing independent switching of desktops on the first and second monitors. The methods also include moving electronic desktops between monitors.

Claims (37)

1. A computer implemented method for displaying a plurality of electronic desktops on a plurality of monitors, the method comprising:

providing a personal computing operating system that displays electronic desktops on at least a first monitor and a second monitor of a personal computer and receives gestures as input from a user on a touch sensitive input device;

providing a first plurality of electronic desktops that are selectably displayed on the first monitor, wherein in response to a first gesture input, the operating system switches the particular desktop being displayed on the first monitor, the switch occurring between electronic desktops of the first plurality of electronic desktops;

providing a second plurality of electronic desktops separate from the first plurality of desktops, the second plurality of electronic desktops selectably displayed on a second monitor, wherein in response to a second gesture input, the operating system switches the particular desktop being displayed on the second monitor, the switch occurring between electronic desktops of the second plurality of electronic desktops; and

wherein the first gesture input and/or the second gesture input is a swipe gesture received on the touch sensitive device.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the input device is a touch sensitive trackpad.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and/or second gesture input includes a multi-touch gesture.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first gesture input is a different gesture than the gesture received for the second gesture input.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the different gesture differs by a number of fingers used to make a swipe on a trackpad.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second plurality of electronic desktops each includes at least three electronic desktops in a particular order.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the switching for the first and second monitors is each separately caused by a left or right swipe gesture that causes a switch to an electronic desktop towards the corresponding left or right in the order of the electronic desktops.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the operating system is configured to display the first plurality of electronic desktops in a first list of electronic desktops and display the second plurality of electronic desktops in a second list of electronic desktops.

9. A personal computer comprising a CPU, RAM, a first monitor, a second monitor, and an operating system configured to display two different electronic desktops on the first and second monitors, respectively, the personal computer including computer executable instructions configured to perform the method of claim 1 .

10. A computing system for displaying a plurality of electronic desktops of a computer operating system on a plurality of monitors, comprising:

a plurality of monitors;

one or more processors; and

one or more non-transitory storage devices having stored thereon computer-executable instructions which, when executed by the one or more computer processors implement a method comprising:

providing a personal computing operating system that displays electronic desktops on at least a first monitor and a second monitor of a personal computer and receives gestures as input from a user on a touch sensitive input device;

providing a first plurality of electronic desktops that are selectably displayed on the first monitor, wherein in response to a first gesture input, the operating system switches the particular desktop being displayed on the first monitor, the switch occurring between electronic desktops of the first plurality of electronic desktops;

providing a second plurality of electronic desktops separate from the first plurality of desktops, the second plurality of electronic desktops selectably displayed on a second monitor, wherein in response to a second gesture input, the operating system switches the particular desktop being displayed on the second monitor, the switch occurring between electronic desktops of the second plurality of electronic desktops; and

wherein the first gesture input and/or the second gesture input is a swipe gesture received on the touch sensitive device.

11. The computing system of claim 10 , wherein the first gesture and the second gesture input receives are a same type of gesture.

12. The computing system of claim 10 , wherein the first and/or second gesture input includes a multi-touch gesture.

13. The computing system of claim 10 , wherein the first and second plurality of electronic desktops each includes at least three electronic desktops in a particular order and wherein the switching for the first and second monitors is each separately caused by a left or right swipe gesture that causes a switch to an electronic desktop towards the corresponding left or right in the order of the electronic desktops.

14. A computing system for displaying a plurality of electronic desktops of a computer operating system on a plurality of monitors, comprising:

a plurality of monitors including at least a first monitor and a second monitor;

one or more processors; and

one or more non-transitory storage devices having stored thereon computer-executable instructions which, when executed by the one or more computer processors implement a method comprising:

providing a personal computing operating system that displays a plurality of electronic desktops on the plurality of monitors and receives gestures as input from a user on a touch sensitive input device;

displaying on the plurality of monitors a first list of electronic desktops that are selectable through a first gesture input by the user, wherein upon selection, by the user, of a first particular electronic desktop from the first list, the operating system causes display of the first particular electronic desktop on the first monitor, thereby providing switching of electronic desktops among the electronic desktops of the first list;

displaying on the plurality of monitors a second list of electronic desktops that are selectable through a second gesture input by the user, wherein upon selection, by the user, of a second particular electronic desktop from the second list, the operating system causes display of the second particular electronic desktop on the second monitor, thereby providing switching of electronic desktops among the electronic desktops of the second list; and

wherein the first gesture input and/or the second gesture input is a swipe gesture received on the touch sensitive device.

15. The computing system of claim 14 , wherein the first gesture and the second gesture are a same type of gesture.

16. The computing system of claim 14 , wherein the first and/or second gesture input includes a multi-touch gesture.

17. The computing system of claim 14 , wherein the first gesture input is a different gesture than the gesture received for the second gesture input.

18. The computing system of claim 14 , wherein the first and second plurality of electronic desktops each includes at least three electronic desktops in a particular order.

19. The computing system of claim 18 , wherein the switching for the first and second monitors is each separately caused by a left or right swipe gesture that causes a switch to an electronic desktop towards the corresponding left or right in the order of the electronic desktops.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 26, 2017
From: HANSEN, ANDREW S; HANSEN, SCOTT B
To: PEAR SOFTWARE, LLC
Reel/Frame 044480/0368 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 13625843 · Sep 24, 2012
Provisional Application 61538758 · Sep 23, 2011