System and method for display notification in a tabbed window setting

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for informing users that data associated with one or more concurrently-running components has changed. In a preferred embodiment, the system and method comprise a GUI that includes a plurality of tabs associated with independently selectable components. When data associated with a particular component changes, the component's tab is made to flash. The flashing continues until the user selects the component. In a second preferred embodiment, when the tab associated with the component whose data has changed is not currently displayed, a different GUI element is made to flash until the tab is displayed. Further, a user may be informed of the change in data by vibration of the electronic device or by an audible sound.

1 . A method, implemented at least in part in software, for informing a user that data associated with one or more unselected components of a single application has changed, comprising: 
 providing a plurality of tabs, each tab associated with an independent component running on an electronic device, each independent component having data associated therewith;    receiving a signal representative of a selection of a first component from the plurality of independent components;    in response to the signal, displaying a GUI associated with the selected component on a display screen of the electronic device;    detecting that the tab associated with an unselected component whose data has changed is not currently displayed on the electronic device's display screen; and    in response to the second detecting step, display an arrow on the electronic device's display screen.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the unselected component whose data has changed results in one or more of causing the tab to flash, causing the electronic device to vibrate, and causing the electronic device to emit an audible sound.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the tab continues to flash until the user selects the unselected component corresponding to the flashing tab.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the arrow continues to flash until the tab associated with the unselected component whose data has changed is displayed on the electronic device's display screen.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the arrow does not resume flashing when the tab associated with the unselected component whose data has changed ceases to be displayed on the electronic device's display screen.  
   
   
       6 . A method of informing a user that data associated with one or more unselected components of a single application has changed, comprising: 
 providing a plurality of tabs, each tab associated with an independent component running on an electronic device, each independent component having data associated therewith;    receiving a signal representative of a selection of a first component from the plurality of independent components;    in response to the signal, displaying a GUI associated with the selected component on a display screen of the electronic device;    detecting that data associated with an unselected component has changed; and    in response to the step of detecting, modifying the display of the tab associated with the unselected component whose data has changed;    detecting that the tab associated with the unselected component whose data has changed is not currently displayed on the electronic device's display screen; and    in response to the second detecting step, displaying another element on the electronic device's display screen.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the another element is an arrow.  
   
   
       8 . An electronic device with a user interface for informing a user that data associated with one or more unselected components of a single application has changed, comprising: 
 a plurality of tabs, each tab associated with an independent component running on the electronic device, each independent component having data associated therewith, the electronic device being adapted to respond to a signal representative of a selection of a first component from the plurality of independent components and, in response to the signal, display a GUI associated with the selected component on a display screen of the electronic device;    means for detecting that data associated with an unselected component has changed; and    means for informing the user that data associated with the unselected component has changed.    
   
   
       9 . The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein the means for informing causes a GUI element to flash.  
   
   
       10 . The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the GUI element is a tab.  
   
   
       11 . The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the means for informing causes the electronic device to emit an audible sound.  
   
   
       12 . The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the means for informing causes the electronic device to vibrate.  
   
   
       13 . The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein the means for informing causes the electronic device to emit an audible sound.  
   
   
       14 . The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein the means for informing causes the electronic device to vibrate.