Adaptive user interface pane objects

Abstract

Aspects of a system for automatically managing a pane in a user interface on a small form factor computing device include an adaptive pane module for determining when an event that affects the canvas size occurs, such as changing the display configuration or reorienting the display, which in turn affects pane management, or the opening or closing of a pane. The adaptive pane module manages the pane. After managing the pane, the system resizes the canvas and reflows the content as appropriate for a small form factor computing device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of managing a pane configuration in a user interface of an application for a small form factor computing device, the method comprising:
 determining that an application is to be used on a small form factor computing device;   adapting one or more application user interfaces of the application for the small form factor computing device, including:
 displaying at least one of the adapted one or more application user interfaces on the small form factor computing device, wherein the displayed adapted at least one application user interface is defined by a top edge and an opposing bottom edge, and by a left edge and an opposing right edge, 
 displaying within the displayed adapted at least one application user interface:
 at least a portion of exactly one currently editable document; and 
 one or more user interface elements that are selectable to interact with the exactly one document; 
 
   receiving a selection of one of the one or more user interface elements; and   in response to the selection, additionally displaying exactly one partial pane, wherein the partial pane abuts at least two of the top, bottom, left or right edges of the displayed adapted application user interface while maintaining at least partial visibility to the portion of the exactly one document and wherein the displayed exactly one partial pane includes one or more user interface elements to interact with the exactly one currently editable document, wherein the one or more user interface elements of the displayed exactly one partial pane are different from the one more user interface elements of the displayed adapted at least one application user interface.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the application comprises a word processing application. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the application comprises a spreadsheet application. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the display of the exactly one partial pane orients consistent with an orientation of the small form factor computing device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more user interface elements of the displayed exactly one partial pane include at least one non-editing user interface element. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , the method further comprising, receiving an indication to scroll the exactly one currently editable document and, responsive to the indication, scrolling the exactly one currently editable document within the displayed adapted at least one application user interface 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the indication to scroll is received while the exactly one partial pane is displayed. 
     
     
         8 . A system to manage a pane configuration in a user interface of an application for a small form factor computing device, the system comprising:
 a memory, wherein executable instructions are stored in the memory;   a processor, wherein the processor executes the instructions stored in memory and execution of the instructions causes the processor to:
 determine that an application is to be used on a small form factor computing device; 
 adapt one or more application user interfaces of the application for the small form factor computing device, including:
 display at least one of the adapted one or more application user interfaces on the small form factor computing device, wherein the displayed adapted at least one application user interface is defined by a top edge and an opposing bottom edge, and by a left edge and an opposing right edge, 
 display within the displayed adapted at least one application user interface:
 at least a portion of exactly one currently editable document; and 
 one or more user interface elements that are selectable to interact with the exactly one document; 
 
 
 receive a selection of one of the one or more user interface elements; and 
 in response to the selection, additionally display exactly one partial pane, wherein the partial pane abuts at least two of the top, bottom, left or right edges of the displayed adapted application user interface while maintaining at least partial visibility to the portion of the exactly one document and wherein the displayed exactly one partial pane includes one or more user interface elements to interact with the exactly one currently editable document, wherein the one or more user interface elements of the displayed exactly one partial pane are different from the one more user interface elements of the displayed adapted at least one application user interface. 
   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the application comprises a word processing application. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the application comprises a spreadsheet application. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the display of the exactly one partial pane orients consistent with an orientation of the small form factor computing device. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more user interface elements of the displayed exactly one partial pane include at least one non-editing user interface element. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the processor is further caused to receive an indication to scroll the exactly one currently editable document and, responsive to the indication, scrolling the exactly one currently editable document within the displayed adapted at least one application user interface 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the indication to scroll is received while the exactly one partial pane is displayed. 
     
     
         15 . A computer storage media containing instructions that when executed by a small form factor computing device, cause the small form factor computing device to:
 determine that an application is to be used on a small form factor computing device;   adapt one or more application user interfaces of the application for the small form factor computing device, including:
 display at least one of the adapted one or more application user interfaces on the small form factor computing device, wherein the displayed adapted at least one application user interface is defined by a top edge and an opposing bottom edge, and by a left edge and an opposing right edge, 
 display within the displayed adapted at least one application user interface:
 at least a portion of exactly one currently editable document; and 
 one or more user interface elements that are selectable to interact with the exactly one document; 
 
   receive a selection of one of the one or more user interface elements; and   in response to the selection, additionally display exactly one partial pane, wherein the partial pane abuts at least two of the top, bottom, left or right edges of the displayed adapted application user interface while maintaining at least partial visibility to the portion of the exactly one document and wherein the displayed exactly one partial pane includes one or more user interface elements to interact with the exactly one currently editable document, wherein the one or more user interface elements of the displayed exactly one partial pane are different from the one more user interface elements of the displayed adapted at least one application user interface.   
     
     
         16 . The computer storage media of  claim 15 , wherein the application comprises a word processing application. 
     
     
         17 . The computer storage media of  claim 15 , wherein the application comprises a spreadsheet application. 
     
     
         18 . The computer storage media of  claim 15 , wherein the display of the exactly one partial pane orients consistent with an orientation of the small form factor computing device. 
     
     
         19 . The computer storage media of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more user interface elements of the displayed exactly one partial pane include at least one non-editing user interface element. 
     
     
         20 . The computer storage media of  claim 15 , wherein the small form factor computing device is further caused to receive an indication to scroll the exactly one currently editable document and, responsive to the indication, scrolling the exactly one currently editable document within the displayed adapted at least one application user interface