Patent · US Active

Smart icon placement across desktop size changes

US7730422B2 · kind B2 · utility

27Cited by
41References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 25, 2006
Grant dateJun 1, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 28, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F2200/1614
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Intelligent rearrangement of icons on a desktop in response to changes in desktop size, such as orientation, may be provided using a number of approaches. Desktop area in multiple orientations may be divided into a grid having equal numbers of rows and columns, and placement of icons in each orientation may use common grid coordinates. Icons may alternatively be reflected along a diagonal of desktops in different orientations, such that some icon positional relationships may be maintained. Placement of icons on a desktop may be restricted to a predefined subset region of the desktop, where the subset region will fit in multiple orientations without requiring adjustment. Additionally, areas of a desktop in multiple orientations may be reserved for predefined types of icons, and changes in orientation may result in placement of icons in corresponding reserved areas based on icon attribute.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.