WO2022103472A1

WO2022103472A1 - Dynamically presenting application-related visual content

Info

Publication number: WO2022103472A1
Application number: PCT/US2021/048320
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ran BI; Wei Yang; Yingdi SUN
Original assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc
Priority date: 2020-11-13
Filing date: 2021-08-31
Publication date: 2022-05-19
Also published as: CN114489878A

Abstract

The present disclosure provides methods and apparatuses for dynamically presenting application-related visual content in a display screen of an electronic device. A dynamic element associated with at least one application may be set in the display screen. A visual content corresponding to the current state information and/or notification message of the at least one application may be obtained. The visual content may be presented in the dynamic element.

Description

DYNAMICALLY PRESENTING APPLICATION-RELATED VISUAL CONTENT

BACKGROUND

[0001] A display screen of an electronic device is an important way for interactions between a user and the electronic device. Through the display screen, the user may perform various operations to the electronic device and applications installed thereon, e.g., viewing states of the electronic device, setting functions of the electronic device, accessing applications, etc. In some scenarios, an application in the electronic device needs to provide the user with a prompt about the application in the case that the user is not currently viewing a user interface of the application, e.g., prompting the user to notice that the running or usage of the application has been updated, changed, etc.

SUMMARY

[0002] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the Detailed Description. It is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatuses for dynamically presenting application-related visual content in a display screen of an electronic device. A dynamic element associated with at least one application may be set in the display screen. A visual content corresponding to the current state information and/or notification message of the at least one application may be obtained. The visual content may be presented in the dynamic element.

[0004] It should be noted that the above one or more aspects comprise the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative features of the one or more aspects. These features are only indicative of the various ways in which the principles of various aspects may be employed, and this disclosure is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The disclosed aspects will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings that are provided to illustrate and not to limit the disclosed aspects.

[0006] FIG.l illustrates an existing example of providing prompts about applications on an electronic device.

[0007] FIG.2 illustrates an exemplary process for dynamically presenting application- related visual content in a display screen of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

[0008] FIG.3 illustrates an exemplary architecture for dynamically presenting application-related visual content based on dynamic icons according to an embodiment.

[0009] FIG.4 illustrates an exemplary process for dynamically presenting application- related visual content based on dynamic icons according to an embodiment.

[0010] FIG.5 illustrates an example for dynamically presenting application-related visual content based on dynamic icons according to an embodiment.

[0011] FIG.6 illustrates an exemplary architecture for dynamically presenting application-related visual content based on a dynamic user interface of a dynamic message hub according to an embodiment.

[0012] FIG.7 illustrates an exemplary process for dynamically presenting application- related visual content based on a dynamic user interface of a dynamic message hub according to an embodiment.

[0013] FIG.8 to FIG.12 illustrate examples for dynamically presenting application- related visual content based on a dynamic user interface of a dynamic message hub according to embodiments.

[0014] FIG.13 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method for dynamically presenting application-related visual content in a display screen of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

[0015] FIG.14 illustrates an exemplary apparatus for dynamically presenting application-related visual content in a display screen of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

[0016] FIG.15 illustrates an exemplary apparatus for dynamically presenting application-related visual content in a display screen of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The present disclosure will now be discussed with reference to several example implementations. It should be understood that these implementations are discussed only for enabling those skilled in the art to better understand and thus implement the embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than suggesting any limitations on the scope of the present disclosure.

[0018] There are some existing mechanisms that provide a user with prompts about applications in a display screen of an electronic device, such that the user can timely learn that the running or usage of an application has been updated, changed, etc. Herein, the electronic device may broadly refer to various types of smart device that have data processing capabilities and contain a display screen, e.g., smart phones, tablets, notebooks, desktop computers, personal digital assistants, wearable smart devices, Smart TVs, vehicle smart devices, etc. The display screen of the electronic device may include a home screen as the main or basic user interface, which may also be referred to as a launcher, a start screen, etc. Generally, various applications may be installed in the electronic device. Herein, the applications may broadly refer to software, programs, widgets, etc. The applications in the electronic device may comprise, e.g., system applications, third-party applications, etc. The system applications may refer to applications integrated into an operating system of the electronic device, e.g., a clock, a calendar, etc. in a smart phone. The third-party applications may refer to various non-system applications installed in the electronic device, e.g., a social software, a navigation application, etc., installed by a user as needed. It should be understood that although multiple parts of the present disclosure take a smart phone as an example for description, the same situation may also exist or be applied to any other types of electronic device. Next, some existing mechanisms for providing a user with prompts about applications in a display screen of an electronic device are illustrated by taking a smart phone as an example.

[0019] In a mechanism, prompts about applications may be provided through a status bar in a display screen of a smart phone. Generally, in a smart phone, a status bar will be provided at the top of a display screen. The status bar may present some types of system information, e.g., time, power, network signal, etc. Moreover, the status bar may also present prompts about applications. For example, if a status of an application is changed, a small icon corresponding to the application may be presented in the status bar. The small icon presented in the status bar cannot enable a user to learn any detailed information regarding a prompt about the application.

[0020] In a mechanism, a smart phone may provide prompts about applications through a notification drawer. The notification drawer is a collection of notifications from different applications. In response to a predetermined operation, e.g., sliding down, in a display screen performed by a user, the notification drawer may be displayed on the smart phone. The notification drawer may only present limited information about the applications. Moreover, in the case that the user does not perform the predetermined operation for displaying the notification drawer, the user may be unable to learn prompts about the applications timely. [0021] In a mechanism, application icons in a home screen of a smart phone may be used for providing prompts about applications. Generally, respective icons may be set for different applications in a home screen of a smart phone, to facilitate a user to access these applications. For example, when the user clicks on an icon, the smart phone may run an application associated with the icon. Existing application icon is static, and it can only indicate which application the icon is actually associated with, through static text, image, etc. associated with the application. In some cases, when the running or usage of an application is updated, changed, etc., an indicator may be presented at a certain position on an icon associated with the application so as to provide a user with a prompt about the application, e.g., a dot or number may be added at the upper right corner of the icon. The indicator may indicate receiving of a new message, the number of received notifications, existence of a software update, etc. Before the user accesses the application, it is difficult for the user to clearly learn any specific information about a prompt of the application through the indicator. Moreover, the appearance of the indicator on the application icon may bring a poor visual experience and cause the user's disgust.

[0022] In a mechanism, prompts about an application may be provided through an application-specific widget. For example, a widget may be developed for an application to provide an optional way for interacting with the application, and the widget may display information about the application when a user is not currently viewing a user interface of the application, e.g., providing the user with a prompt about the application. However, this mechanism requires separate development of a dedicated widget for each application, which will be costly. Moreover, a user needs to separately set and access such widgets in the display screen, which causes increased usage complexity and lack of convenience.

[0023] Embodiments of the present disclosure propose to dynamically present application-related visual content in a display screen of an electronic device. The application-related visual content may comprise, e.g., visual content corresponding to the current state information and/or notification message of applications in the electronic device. Compared with the aforementioned existing mechanisms, the visual content dynamically presented in the embodiments of the present disclosure enables a user to timely learn more information about applications in the display screen, e.g., the current state information of applications, notification messages of applications, etc. Herein, state information of an application may refer to the state of an event that occurs in the application. Taking a food delivery application as an example, assuming that a user places a food order in the food delivery application, the food delivery application will create an event for the order, and the state of the event may change continuously along with the processing of the order, e.g., a merchant accepts the order, the merchant is preparing food, the food is being delivered, etc. A notification message of an application may refer to various types of message that the application expects to notify a user, e.g., a software update message, a notification of newly received mail, etc. The notification message may be generated by the application or received by the application on behalf of the user. Different state information and different notification messages of the application may correspond to respective visual content, so that when the user sees a visual content in the display screen, the user may easily learn about the current state information and/or notification message of the application.

[0024] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, application-related visual content, e.g., visual content corresponding to the current state information and/or notification message of applications, may be presented through a dynamic element that is set in a display screen of an electronic device. The dynamic element may refer to various types of element capable of dynamically presenting visual content in the display screen of the electronic device. Preferably, the dynamic element may be set in a home screen of the electronic device. When the running or usage of an application is updated, changed, etc., the dynamic element may change the presented visual content accordingly, e.g., dynamically presenting a visual content corresponding to the current state information and/or notification message of the application. Moreover, the visual content itself may be dynamic, e.g., animation, video, etc., so that such visual content may be presented in the dynamic element more vividly and intuitively.

[0025] In an aspect, the dynamic element may be a dynamic icon that is associated with an application and set in the display screen. Each application may have an associated dynamic icon. A dynamic icon associated with an application may dynamically present visual content corresponding to the application. As the running or usage of the application is updated, changed, etc., different visual contents may be displayed on the dynamic icon, to indicate the current state information and/or notification message of the application.

[0026] In an aspect, the dynamic element may be a dynamic user interface of a dynamic message hub that is associated with one or more applications and set in the display screen. The dynamic message hub may be implemented though, e.g., a widget. The dynamic user interface of the dynamic message hub may dynamically present visual content corresponding to one or more applications. For example, the dynamic user interface may comprise one or more pages associated with one or more applications, and visual content for each application may be displayed on a page associated with the application. As the running or usage of these applications is updated, changed, etc., different visual contents may be displayed in the dynamic user interface, to indicate the current state information and/or notification message of these applications. Optionally, the dynamic user interface may also provide various processing controls. The dynamic user interface may support various flexible user operations, to facilitate a user to view information in applications, trigger execution of processing, etc. Moreover, the dynamic user interface may be rendered in a three-dimension (3D) approach, thereby supporting a variety of vivid 3D visual effects.

[0027] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, through dynamically presenting application-related visual content in a display screen of an electronic device, a user may be enabled to timely and conveniently learn about the current state information and/or notification message of applications, thereby significantly enhancing usage efficiency of the electronic device and improving user experience.

[0028] FIG.l illustrates an existing example of providing prompts about applications on an electronic device. FIG. l illustrates a mechanism for providing prompts about applications, by taking application icons in a home screen of a smart phone as an example. [0029] Diagram 110 is an exemplary home screen of a smart phone. Icons associated with different applications are set in the home screen, e.g., an icon 112 associated with a food delivery application. These icons are static pictures for visually indicating associated applications.

[0030] Diagram 120 illustrates that, in the home screen, indicators on application icons are used for providing prompts about applications. For example, a dot 124 is displayed on the icon associated with the food delivery application, which may indicate that, e.g., the state of an order event in the food delivery application is changed, there is a software update for the food delivery application, etc. Moreover, for example, a number 122 is displayed on an icon associated with a mail application, which may indicate, e.g., 2 new mails are received, there are 2 mailbox state updates, etc.

[0031] It may be seen from the example in FIG. l that although indicators on application icons may provide a user with prompts about applications, such indicators can only provide limited information. The user still needs to click an icon to enter an application to learn about what happened in the application, e.g., the current state information, the current notification message, etc.

[0032] Moreover, although not shown, the smart phone in FIG. l may also adopt the existing mechanisms, e.g., status bar, notification drawer, application-specific widgets, for providing prompts about applications; however, these mechanisms still have various limitations as described above.

[0033] FIG.2 illustrates an exemplary process 200 for dynamically presenting application-related visual content in a display screen of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

[0034] At 210, a dynamic element associated with at least one application may be set in a display screen of an electronic device. For example, the dynamic element may be set in a home screen of the electronic device. The at least one application may be system application, third-party application, etc. The dynamic element may have a predetermined display area for presenting visual content.

[0035] According to the process 200, after the dynamic element is set, when the state of the application is changed or there is a new notification in the application, visual content corresponding to the current state information and/or notification message of the application may be obtained. In an implementation, visual content may be timely obtained by using an interface with the application. For example, at 220, an interface with the application may be monitored. Different applications may have their respective interfaces. An interface may be configured to communicate with an application. When the state of the application is changed or there is a new notification in the application, the application may send or broadcast a visual content corresponding to the current state information and/or notification message via the corresponding interface.

[0036] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, visual contents may be previously created for an application. For example, a developer of an application may create different visual contents for different state information of the application, may create different visual contents for different notification messages, etc. A visual content may be created so as to intuitively and vividly indicate a corresponding state information and/or notification message. Visual contents may adopt the form of animation, video, image, etc., wherein visual contents in the form of animation or video facilitate to improve presenting effects of the visual contents in a dynamic approach. Optionally, a visual content may also comprise at least a part of the current state information and/or notification message of an application.

[0037] The interface with the application may be continuously monitored at 220. If a communication from the application is monitored at the interface, a visual content from the application may be obtained in the communication at 230. [0038] At 240, the obtained visual content may be presented on a dynamic element associated with the application sending the visual content. The visual content may be presented in a display area of the dynamic element through various approaches. For example, after obtaining the visual content, the visual content may be presented for only once, the visual content may be presented for multiple times, the visual content may be presented circularly, etc.

[0039] In some implementations, the embodiments of the present disclosure may also support various operations by a user on the dynamic element, so as to facilitate the user to view application information, trigger execution of processing, etc. At 250, a response may be made to an operation on the dynamic element. For example, if the user performs, on the dynamic element, a predetermined operation for viewing application information, a user interface corresponding to the visual content in the application may be presented in the display screen. For example, if the user performs, on the dynamic element, a predetermined operation about a certain processing, the processing may be performed.

[0040] After the step 250, the process 200 may return to the step 220 to continue monitoring the interface with the application.

[0041] It should be understood that all the steps in the process 200 and their sequence are exemplary, and according to actual application scenarios and requirements, addition, deletion, modification, etc. may be arbitrarily performed to the steps in the process 200. For example, although the process 200 is shown as including the step 250, the step 250 may also be omitted.

[0042] As described above, a dynamic element may be a dynamic icon that is associated with an application and set in a display screen. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present disclosure may dynamically present application-related visual content in a display screen of an electronic device based on dynamic icons.

[0043] FIG.3 illustrates an exemplary architecture 300 for dynamically presenting application-related visual content based on dynamic icons according to an embodiment.

[0044] Each application may have an associated dynamic icon. For example, a dynamic icon 1 is associated with an application 1, a dynamic icon 2 is associated with an application 2, ... , a dynamic icon n is associated with an application //, etc.

[0045] In an implementation, the n dynamic icons may be controlled by an operating system 310 of an electronic device. For example, the operating system 310 may have a system launcher, and the system launcher may set the n dynamic icons in, e.g., a home screen. The operating system 310 may provide n interfaces connected with the n applications respectively, so as to communicate with each application.

[0046] In another implementation, the n dynamic icons may be controlled by a launcher management application 320 installed on an electronic device. Herein, the launcher management application may refer to a third-party application that provides a launcher function. The launcher management application 320 may set the n dynamic icons in, e.g., a home screen. The launcher management application 320 may provide n interfaces connected with the n applications respectively, so as to communicate with each application.

[0047] When the running or usage of an application z among the n applications is updated, changed, etc., the application z may send a visual content to the operating system 310 or the launcher management application 320 through an interface. The operating system 310 or the launcher management application 320 may present the obtained visual content on a dynamic icon associated with the application z. A visual content may comprise an animation, video, image, etc. that intuitively and vividly indicates a corresponding state information and/or notification message. Moreover, a visual content may also comprise at least a part of the current state information and/or notification message of an application.

[0048] FIG.4 illustrates an exemplary process 400 for dynamically presenting application-related visual content based on dynamic icons according to an embodiment.

[0049] At 410, multiple dynamic icons associated respectively with multiple applications may be set in a display screen of an electronic device. For example, these dynamic icons may be set in a home screen of the electronic device. The dynamic icons may be set by an operating system of the electronic device or a launcher management application installed in the electronic device. The step 410 is an exemplary implementation of the step 210 in FIG.2.

[0050] According to the process 400, visual content may be timely obtained by using interfaces with respective applications. For example, at 420, the operating system or the launcher management application may monitor the interfaces with respective applications. The step 420 is an exemplary implementation of the step 220 in FIG.2.

[0051] The interfaces with respective applications may be continuously monitored at 420. If a communication from an application is monitored at an interface with the application, the operating system or the launcher management application may obtain a visual content from the application in the communication at 430. The step 430 is an exemplary implementation of the step 230 in FIG.2. [0052] At 440, the operating system or the launcher management application may present the obtained visual content on a dynamic icon associated with the application. The visual content may be presented on the dynamic icon through various approaches. For example, in response to that the user opens or returns to the display screen in which the dynamic icon is set, the operating system or the launcher management application may present the visual content for only once, present the visual content for multiple times, present the visual content circularly, etc. The step 440 is an exemplary implementation of the step 240 in FIG.2.

[0053] The operating system or the launcher management application may support various operations by the user on the dynamic icon. Accordingly, at 450, the operating system or the launcher management application may make a response to an operation on the dynamic icon. For example, if the user performs, on the dynamic icon, a predetermined operation, e.g., clicking, double-clicking, etc., a user interface corresponding to the visual content in the application may be presented in the display screen. The step 450 is an exemplary implementation of the step 250 in FIG.2.

[0054] After the step 450, the process 400 may return to the step 420 to continue monitoring the interfaces with respective applications.

[0055] It should be understood that all the steps in the process 400 and their sequence are exemplary, and according to actual application scenarios and requirements, addition, deletion, modification, etc. may be arbitrarily performed to the steps in the process 400. For example, the step 450 may be omitted from the process 400.

[0056] FIG.5 illustrates an example for dynamically presenting application-related visual content based on dynamic icons according to an embodiment.

[0057] Diagram 510 is an exemplary home screen of a smart phone. Multiple dynamic icons associated respectively with multiple applications are set in the home screen, e.g., a dynamic icon 512 associated with a food delivery application, a dynamic icon 514 associated with a mail application, etc.

[0058] It is assumed that a user clicks on the dynamic icon 512 in the diagram 510, enters the food delivery application, places a food order, and then returns to the home screen. According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, content presented by the dynamic icon 512 will change as the state of an event related to the order is updated. As shown in diagram 520, when a merchant accepts the user's order, i.e., the current state information of the food delivery application is changed to "A merchant accepts the order", the dynamic icon 512 will present a visual content corresponding to the current state information "A merchant accepts the order", e.g., a piece of paper containing text, etc. As the status of the event related to the order is further updated, the visual content presented in the dynamic icon 512 will also change accordingly.

[0059] It is assumed that the mail application receives a new mail sent to the user, visual content presented on the dynamic icon 514 associated with the mail application will be changed to a visual content shown in the diagram 520, which corresponds to the current notification message about the receiving of the new mail.

[0060] In the lower half of FIG.5, taking the food delivery application as an example, different exemplary visual contents corresponding to different state information of the food delivery application are shown. A visual content 542 corresponds to initial state information of the food delivery application, e.g., there is no order in the food delivery application. At 532, it is assumed that, in the case that the dynamic icon presenting the visual content 542, the user enters the food delivery application and places a food order. At 534, the current state information of the food delivery application is updated to "A merchant accepts the order", and accordingly, the dynamic icon may present a visual content 544 corresponding to the state information "A merchant accepts the order". At 536, the current state information of the food delivery application is updated to "The merchant is preparing food", and accordingly, the dynamic icon may present a visual content 546 corresponding to the state information "The merchant is preparing food". At 538, the current state information of the food delivery application is updated to "The food is being delivered", and accordingly, the dynamic icon may present a visual content 548 corresponding to the state information "The food is being delivered". It should be understood that although the visual contents 542, 544, 546 and 548 are shown in FIG.5 as adopting the form of image, these visual contents may also adopt the form of, e.g., animation, video, etc. Taking the visual content 548 as an example, in the case of adopting the form of animation, the bicycle in the visual content 548 may have animation effects such as rolling wheels, distance switching, etc.

[0061] As described above, a dynamic element may be a dynamic user interface of a dynamic message hub associated with one or more applications set in a display screen. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present disclosure may dynamically present application-related visual content in a display screen of an electronic device based on the dynamic user interface of the dynamic message hub.

[0062] FIG.6 illustrates an exemplary architecture 600 for dynamically presenting application-related visual content based on a dynamic user interface of a dynamic message hub according to an embodiment.

[0063] The dynamic message hub 610 may be implemented through, e.g., a widget. The dynamic message hub 610 has a dynamic user interface 620 that is set in, e.g., a home screen of an electronic device. The dynamic user interface 620 may include pages presented in association with each application, e.g., a page 1 associated with an application 1, a page 2 associated with an application 2, ..., a page n associated with an application //, etc. The dynamic message hub 610 may provide n interfaces connected with the n applications respectively, so as to communicate with each application.

[0064] When the running or usage of an application z among the n applications is updated, changed, etc., the application z may send a visual content to the dynamic message hub 610 through an interface. The dynamic message hub 610 may present the obtained visual content on a page associated with the application z.

[0065] In an implementation, considering that the dynamic user interface 620 of the dynamic message hub 610 may have a larger display area than dynamic icons, a visual content presented based on the dynamic user interface 620 may have a more complex structure and include more information. For example, the visual content may comprise at least one of a title section, a main body section, a main view section, an animation section, etc. Moreover, for example, the visual content may also comprise at least a part of the current state information and/or notification message of an application. Taking a mail application as an example, it is assumed that the mail application receives a new mail sent to a user and generates a notification message associated with the receiving of the new mail, a visual content corresponding to the current notification message may comprise not only a prompt about the receiving of the new mail, but may also comprise information such as a sender, a subject, etc. of the new mail.

[0066] Moreover, in an implementation, the dynamic user interface 620 of the dynamic message hub 610 may further include one or more processing controls for performing system processing and/or application processing. The system processing may refer to processing performed by an operating system of the electronic device, e.g., adjusting display mode, setting volume, etc. The application processing may refer to processing performed by an application in the electronic device, e.g., canceling an order in a food delivery application, deleting a new mail in a mail application, etc. The processing controls are shortcuts that trigger execution of system processing and/or application processing, which may adopt the form of, e.g., a button with text description, etc. A corresponding page may be set for each processing control, so that the dynamic user interface 620 may comprise one or more pages associated respectively with the one or more processing controls. The dynamic user interface 620 may present pages associated with the processing controls and pages associated with the applications in different views, respectively. For example, multiple pages associated respectively with multiple applications may be presented in a first view of the dynamic user interface 620, and multiple pages associated respectively with multiple processing controls may be presented in a second view. Different views may have relatively independent content display and operation approaches. For example, the user may sequentially view multiple pages associated respectively with multiple applications through a predetermined operation in the first view, and view multiple pages associated respectively with multiple processing controls through a predetermined operation in the second view. Moreover, optionally, the dynamic user interface 620 may present pages associated with the processing controls and pages associated with the applications in the same view, i.e., the first view and the second view described above may be the same view.

[0067] Moreover, in an implementation, the dynamic user interface 620 may be rendered in a three-dimension approach. Accordingly, the dynamic message hub 610 may provide various 3D visual effects in the dynamic user interface 620 in response to predetermined operations by the user.

[0068] FIG.7 illustrates an exemplary process 700 for dynamically presenting application-related visual content based on a dynamic user interface of a dynamic message hub according to an embodiment.

[0069] At 710, the dynamic user interface of the dynamic message hub may be set in a display screen of an electronic device. For example, the dynamic user interface of the dynamic message hub may be set in a home screen of the electronic device. The step 710 is an exemplary implementation of the step 210 in FIG.2.

[0070] According to the process 700, visual content may be timely obtained by using interfaces with respective applications. For example, at 720, the dynamic message hub may monitor the interfaces with respective applications. The step 720 is an exemplary implementation of the step 220 in FIG.2.

[0071] The interfaces with respective applications may be continuously monitored at 720. If a communication from an application is monitored at an interface with the application, the dynamic message hub may obtain a visual content from the application in the communication at 730. The step 730 is an exemplary implementation of the step 230 in FIG.2. [0072] At 740, the dynamic message hub may present the obtained visual content on a page associated with the application. When the user browses to the page associated with the application in the dynamic user interface, the user may view the presented visual content. The step 740 is an exemplary implementation of the step 240 in FIG.2.

[0073] The dynamic message hub may support various operations by the user on the dynamic user interface. Accordingly, at 750, the dynamic message hub may make a response to an operation on the dynamic user interface. The step 750 is an exemplary implementation of the step 250 in FIG.2. Depending on the specific type of the electronic device, user operations may be performed through various approaches, e.g., user fingers, mouse, joystick, etc. Although an example is taken in the following discussion in which the electronic device is a smart phone and the user performs operations with fingers in the display screen, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to any specific approach of performing user operations.

[0074] An example is taken below in which multiple pages associated respectively with multiple applications are presented in a first view of the dynamic user interface, and multiple pages associated respectively with multiple processing controls are presented in a second view, and some exemplary operations and responses supported by the dynamic message hub are discussed.

[0075] In an implementation, if the user performs a predetermined operation on a page associated with an application in the first view, e.g., clicking, double-clicking, etc., a user interface corresponding to the visual content in the application may be presented in the display screen.

[0076] In an implementation, the dynamic message hub may switch among multiple pages associated respectively with multiple applications in response to predetermined types of operation by the user on the first view. The predetermined types of operation may be various operations suitable for switching among pages, e.g., sliding upwards, sliding downwards, sliding in other predetermined directions, etc. The switching among pages may be performed according to predetermined switching rules. For example, when the user's upward sliding operation on the first view is received, a page associated with the next application may be presented in the first view, and when the user's downward sliding operation on the first view is received, a page associated with the previous application may be presented in the first view. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to any specific types of operation for switching among pages or any specific switching rules. [0077] In an implementation, the dynamic message hub may remove the current page displayed in the first view in response to predetermined types of operation by the user on the first view. The predetermined type of operation may be various operations suitable for removing a page, e.g., sliding horizontally, sliding in other predetermined directions, etc. For example, assuming that a page associated with an application is being displayed in the first view, when the user's horizontal sliding operation on the page is received, the current page may be removed from the first view, and instead, e.g., a page associated with the next application will be displayed. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to any specific types of operation for removing a page. Moreover, although the dynamic message hub may support the operations of removing the current page displayed in the view, a non-removable attribute may also be set for specific applications, so that even if the user performs a removing operation on a page associated with a non-removable application, the page can still remain in the first view. Nonremovable applications may comprise pre-designated applications, e.g., time and weather applications, etc.

[0078] In an implementation, the dynamic message hub may switch between the first view and the second view in response to predetermined types of operation by the user on the dynamic user interface. The predetermined types of operation may be various operations suitable for switching views, e.g., horizontal sliding, double-clicking, etc. in a predetermined area or any area in the view. For example, assuming that the first view is being displayed in the dynamic user interface, when a horizontal sliding operation by the user on the first view is received, the first view in the dynamic user interface may be replaced by the second view, so that the user may continue to view or perform operations in the second view. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to any specific types of operation for performing view switching. Moreover, in some cases, contents presented before and after the view switching may be related to each other. For example, assuming that a page associated with an application is currently displayed on the first view, when the user's horizontal sliding operation on the page is received, the first view in the dynamic user interface may be replaced by the second view which includes processing controls associated with application processings of the application. Thus, when the user is viewing a visual content presented in a page associated with the application in the first view, if the user wants to perform processing on the application, the user may conveniently perform the processing on the application through switching to the second view including processing controls for the application. [0079] In an implementation, the dynamic message hub may, in response to predetermined types of operation by the user on the second view, switch among multiple processing controls, e.g., switch among multiple pages associated respectively with the multiple processing controls. The predetermined types of operation may be various operations suitable for switching among processing controls, e.g., sliding upwards, sliding downwards, sliding in other predetermined directions, etc. The switching among processing controls may be performed according to predetermined switching rules. For example, when the user's upward sliding operation on the second view is received, a page associated with the next processing control may be presented in the second view, and when the user's downward sliding operation on the second view is received, a page associated with the previous processing control may be presented in the second view. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to any specific types of operation for switching among processing controls or any specific switching rules.

[0080] In an implementation, the dynamic message hub may perform processing corresponding to a processing control in response to the user's predetermined types of operation on the processing control in the second view. The predetermined types of operation may be various operations suitable for selecting or configuring processing controls, e.g., clicking, sliding, etc. Taking a processing control which is for performing system processing for setting the display mode to a night mode as an example, when the user's clicking operation on the processing control is received, the display mode of the electronic device may be set to the night mode. Taking a processing control which is for performing application processing of canceling an order in a food delivery application as an example, when the user’s clicking operation on the processing control is received, the current order may be canceled in the food delivery application. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to any specific types of operation for selecting or configuring processing controls.

[0081] In an implementation, if the dynamic user interface is rendered in a three- dimension approach, the dynamic message hub may provide 3D visual effects of the dynamic user interface, e.g., vibrating, twisting, rotating, etc., in response to predetermined operations by the user on the dynamic user interface. The predetermined operations may be various operations suitable for triggering different 3D visual effects. For example, in response to the user's quick clicking on the edge of the dynamic user interface, the dynamic user interface may vibrate. For example, in response to that the user presses a specific area in the dynamic user interface for a long time and slides, the dynamic user interface may twist or rotate. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to any specific types of operation for causing 3D visual effects of the dynamic user interface or any specific 3D visual effects.

[0082] In an implementation, if the dynamic user interface is rendered in a three- dimension approach, the dynamic message hub may provide a perspective visual effect in the dynamic user interface during switching between the first view and the second view in response to the user’s operations. Through this perspective visual effect, during the switching between the first view and the second view, the dynamic user interface may shortly present pictures of the two views at the same time, and gradually transition from a view picture before the switching to a view picture after the switching.

[0083] It should be understood that the several exemplary operations and responses supported by the dynamic message hub as discussed above are for a situation where the dynamic user interface comprises two views. If the dynamic user interface comprises only one view, i.e., the first view and the second view are the same view, the dynamic message hub may comprise those above-mentioned exemplary operations and responses supported in a single view. Moreover, it should be understood that specific mapping relationship may be established between multiple supported operations and multiple responses, so that each operation will definitely correspond to a response.

[0084] After the step 750, the process 700 may return to the step 720 to continue monitoring the interfaces with respective applications.

[0085] It should be understood that all the steps in the process 700 and their sequence are exemplary, and according to actual application scenarios and requirements, addition, deletion, modification, etc. may be arbitrarily performed to the steps in the process 700. For example, the step 750 may be omitted from the process 700.

[0086] FIG.8 to FIG.12 illustrate examples for dynamically presenting application- related visual content based on a dynamic user interface of a dynamic message hub according to the embodiments.

[0087] FIG.8 illustrates an exemplary home screen of a smart phone, in which the dynamic user interface of the dynamic message hub is set. A page 810 associated with a time and weather application is being displayed in the dynamic user interface, and the page 810 presents a visual content 812 associated with the current state information of the application. The visual content 812 may comprise information such as the current date, the current weather, etc. [0088] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, visual contents presented in a page associated with an application may be changed as the running or usage of the application is updated, changed, etc. FIG.9 illustrates exemplary changes of the visual content in the page 810 associated with the time and weather application in FIG.8. A visual content in a diagram 910 comprises the current state information at time 10:08, e.g., a temperature of 20°C, sunny, etc. Assuming that the state information of the application is updated at time 14:20, a visual content shown in a diagram 920 will be presented in the page 810 accordingly, which comprises the current state information at time 14:20, e.g., a temperature of 25°C, cloudy, etc. Assuming that the state information of the application is updated at time 17:40, a visual content shown in a diagram 930 will be presented in the page 810, which comprises the current state information at time 17:40, e.g., a temperature of 23°C, moderate rain, etc. It should be understood that all the visual contents shown in FIG.9 are exemplary. Moreover, these visual contents may adopt the form of, e.g., animation, video, etc. Taking the visual content in the diagram 930 as an example, in the case of adopting the form of animation, the visual content may include animation effects such as rain dropping, lightning, etc.

[0089] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, in response to receiving predetermined types of operation on the dynamic user interface, switching among multiple pages associated respectively with multiple applications may be performed. FIG.10 illustrates an exemplary page switching process. Diagram 1010 illustrates an exemplary home screen of a smart phone, in which the dynamic user interface of the dynamic message hub is set. A page 1012 associated with a time and weather application is being displayed in the dynamic user interface, and the page 1012 presents a visual content 1014 associated with the current state information of the time and weather application. Assuming that the user performs a page switching operation on the page 1012 intending to switch to a page associated with the next application, e.g., an upward sliding operation, a page 1022 associated with the next application, i.e., a food delivery application, is displayed in the dynamic user interface, as shown in a diagram 1020. The page 1022 presents a visual content 1024 associated with the current state information of the food delivery application. Assuming that the user performs a page switching operation on the page 1022 in the diagram 1020 intending to switch to a page associated with the next application, e.g., an upward sliding operation, a page 1032 associated with the next application, i.e., a mail application, is displayed in the dynamic user interface, as shown in a diagram 1030. The page 1032 presents a visual content 1034 associated with the current state information of the mail application. Assuming that the user performs a page switching operation on the page 1032 in the diagram 1030 intending to switch to a page associated with the previous application, e.g., a downward sliding operation, the page 1022 associated with the previous application, i.e., the food delivery application, is displayed in the dynamic user interface, as shown in a diagram 1040. The page 1022 presents a visual content 1044 associated with the current state information of the food delivery application. Exemplarily, visual content in the page 1022 has been changed from the visual content 1024 associated with the state information "A merchant accepts the order" in the diagram 1020 to a visual content 1044 associated with the state information "The merchant is preparing food". It should be understood that the page switching operations and the switching rules involved in FIG.10 are all exemplary, and the embodiments of the present disclosure may also cover any other page switching operations and switching rules.

[0090] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, in the case that the dynamic user interface comprises two views, e.g., a first view including pages associated with applications and a second view including pages associated with processing controls, switching may be performed between the two views in response to receiving predetermined types of operation on the dynamic user interface, and switching may be performed among multiple processing controls in response to receiving predetermined types of operation on the second view, e.g., switching among multiple pages associated respectively with multiple processing controls. Diagram 1110 in FIG.11 illustrates an exemplary home screen of a smart phone, in which the dynamic user interface of the dynamic message hub is set. In the dynamic user interface, a page 1112 associated with a time and weather application is being displayed in the first view, and the page 1112 presents a visual content 1114 associated with the current state information of the time and weather application. Assuming that the user performs a view switching operation on the page 1112 in the diagram 1110 intending to switch to the second view, e.g., an operation of sliding horizontally to the left, a page in the second view is displayed in the dynamic user interface, e.g., a page 1122 associated with a processing control involving display settings, as shown in a diagram 1120. The page 1122 presents a processing control 1124 for setting the display mode to a day mode. Assuming that the user clicks a "confirm" button on the page 1122 in the diagram 1120, a processing of setting the display mode to the day mode may be performed. Assuming that the user further performs a processing control switching operation on the page 1122 in the diagram 1120 intending to switch to a page associated with the next processing control, e.g., an upward sliding operation, a page 1132 associated with the next processing control, i.e., a processing control involving sound settings, is displayed in the second view, as shown in a diagram 1130. The page 1132 presents a processing control 1134 for increasing or decreasing the volume. Assuming that the user performs a processing control switching operation on the page 1132 in the diagram 1130 intending to switch to a page associated with the previous processing control, e.g., a downward sliding operation, the page 1122 associated with the previous processing control, i.e., the processing control involving display settings, is displayed in the second view, as shown in a diagram 1140. The page 1122 in the diagram 1140 presents a processing control 1144 for setting the display mode to a night mode. Although not shown, in response to a view switching operation by the user on any page in the second view, the first view may be displayed in the dynamic user interface. It should be understood that the view switching operations, the processing control switching operations, and the switching rules involved in FIG.11 are all exemplary, and the embodiments of the present disclosure may also cover any other view switching operations, processing control switching operations, and switching rules.

[0091] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, in the case that the dynamic user interface comprises two views, contents presented before and after view switching may be related to each other. Diagram 1210 in FIG.12 illustrates an exemplary home screen of a smart phone, in which the dynamic user interface of the dynamic message hub is set. In the dynamic user interface, a page 1212 associated with a food delivery application is being displayed in the first view, and the page 1212 presents a visual content 1214 associated with the current state information of the food delivery application. Assuming that the user performs a page switching operation on the page 1212 intending to switch to the second view, e.g., an operation of sliding horizontally to the left, a page in the second view is displayed in the dynamic user interface, which is a page 1222 associated with processing controls for the food delivery application, as shown in a diagram 1220. The page 1222 presents a processing control 1224 for canceling an order in the food delivery application. Assuming that the user performs a processing control switching operation on the page 1222 intending to switch to a page associated with the next processing control, e.g., an upward sliding operation, a page 1232 associated with the next processing control for the food delivery application is displayed in the second view, as shown in a diagram 1230. The page 1232 presents a processing control 1234 for reminding an order in the food delivery application. Assuming that the user performs a processing control switching operation on the page 1232 intending to switch to a page associated with the next processing control, e.g., an upward sliding operation, a page 1242 associated with the next processing control for the food delivery application is displayed in the second view, as shown in a diagram 1240. The page 1242 presents a processing control 1244 for making a phone call to the merchant in the food delivery application. The diagrams in FIG.12 exemplarily illustrate a mechanism in which, for the application currently displayed on the first view, through switching to the second view, processing controls for the application are presented in the second view, which may significantly improve the usage convenience. It should be understood that the view switching operations, the processing control switching operations, and the switching rules involved in FIG.12 are all exemplary, and the embodiments of the present disclosure may also cover any other view switching operations, processing control switching operations, and switching rules.

[0092] It should be understood that although the above examples show the shape of the dynamic user interface of the dynamic message hub as a circle, the embodiments of the present disclosure also cover dynamic user interfaces in any other shapes. Moreover, optionally, a navigation bar may be included in the dynamic user interface, which presents information about an arrangement order of applications and/or an arrangement order of processing controls, e.g., small application icons, processing control icons, etc., arranged in a specific order. When the dynamic user interface is presenting a specific page, the navigation bar may focus on an application or processing control icon corresponding to the page, and simultaneously display a relative position of the focused icon among all the icons.

[0093] FIG.13 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method 1300 for dynamically presenting application-related visual content in a display screen of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

[0094] At 1310, a dynamic element associated with at least one application may be set in the display screen.

[0095] At 1320, a visual content corresponding to the current state information and/or notification message of the at least one application may be obtained.

[0096] At 1330, the visual content may be presented in the dynamic element.

[0097] In an implementation, the display screen may be a home screen of the electronic device.

[0098] In an implementation, the at least one application may be a system application and/or third-party application.

[0099] In an implementation, the visual content may adopt at least one form of animation, video and image.

[00100] In an implementation, the method 1300 may further comprise: in response to a predetermined operation on the dynamic element, presenting a user interface corresponding to the visual content in the at least one application.

[00101] In an implementation, the visual content may comprise at least a part of the current state information and/or notification message.

[00102] In an implementation, the dynamic element may be at least one dynamic icon associated with the at least one application.

[00103] The presenting the visual content may comprise: in response to opening or returning to the display screen, presenting the visual content for once, for multiple times, or circularly.

[00104] In an implementation, the dynamic element may be a dynamic user interface of a dynamic message hub associated with the at least one application.

[00105] The dynamic user interface may comprise: a first view, which comprises one or more pages associated respectively with one or more applications, each page presenting visual contents corresponding to an application.

[00106] The dynamic user interface may further comprise: a second view, which comprises one or more pages associated respectively with one or more processing controls, each page comprising a processing control for performing system processing or application processing.

[00107] The method 1300 may further comprise at least one of: in response to a first type of operation on the first view, switching among the one or more pages associated respectively with the one or more applications; in response to a second type of operation on the first view, removing the current page; in response to a third type of operation on the dynamic user interface, switching between the first view and the second view; in response to a fourth type of operation on the second view, switching among the one or more pages associated respectively with the one or more processing controls; and in response to a fifth type of operation to a processing control in the second view, performing a processing corresponding to the processing control.

[00108] The dynamic user interface may be rendered in a three-dimension approach. The method 1300 may further comprise at least one of: in response to a predetermined operation on the dynamic user interface, providing a three-dimension visual effect of the dynamic user interface; and during switching between the first view and the second view, providing a perspective visual effect of the dynamic user interface.

[00109] In an implementation, the dynamic icon may be controlled by an operating system or a launcher management application of the electronic device.

[00110] In an implementation, the dynamic message hub may be implemented by a widget.

[00111] It should be understood that the method 1300 may further comprise any step/process for dynamically presenting application-related visual content in a display screen of an electronic device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure as described above.

[00112] FIG.14 illustrates an exemplary apparatus 1400 for dynamically presenting application-related visual content in a display screen of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

[00113] The apparatus 1400 may comprise: a dynamic element setting module 1410, for setting a dynamic element associated with at least one application in the display screen; a visual content obtaining module 1420, for obtaining a visual content corresponding to the current state information and/or notification message of the at least one application; and a visual content presenting module 1430, for presenting the visual content in the dynamic element.

[00114] In an implementation, the dynamic element may be at least one dynamic icon associated with the at least one application.

[00115] In an implementation, the dynamic element may be a dynamic user interface of a dynamic message hub associated with the at least one application.

[00116] The dynamic user interface may comprise: a first view, which comprises one or more pages associated respectively with one or more applications, each page presenting visual contents corresponding to an application; and a second view, which comprises one or more pages associated respectively with one or more processing controls, each page comprising a processing control for performing system processing or application processing.

[00117] Moreover, the apparatus 1400 may further comprise any other modules for performing the steps of the methods for dynamically presenting application-related visual content in a display screen of an electronic device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure as described above.

[00118] FIG.15 illustrates an exemplary apparatus 1500 for dynamically presenting application-related visual content in a display screen of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

[00119] The apparatus 1500 may comprise: at least one processor 1510; and a memory 1520 storing computer-executable instructions. When the computer-executable instructions are executed, the at least one processor 1510 may: set a dynamic element associated with at least one application in the display screen; obtain a visual content corresponding to the current state information and/or notification message of the at least one application; and present the visual content in the dynamic element. Moreover, the processor 1510 may further perform any other steps/processes of the methods for dynamically presenting application-related visual content in a display screen of an electronic device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure as described above.

[00120] The embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in a non- transitory computer-readable medium. The non-transitory computer readable medium may comprise instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform any operations of the methods for dynamically presenting application-related visual content in a display screen of an electronic device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure as described above.

[00121] It should be appreciated that all the operations in the methods described above are merely exemplary, and the present disclosure is not limited to any operations in the methods or sequence orders of these operations, and should cover all other equivalents under the same or similar concepts.

[00122] It should also be appreciated that all the modules in the apparatuses described above may be implemented in various approaches. These modules may be implemented as hardware, software, or a combination thereof. Moreover, any of these modules may be further functionally divided into sub-modules or combined together.

[00123] Processors have been described in connection with various apparatuses and methods. These processors may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether such processors are implemented as hardware or software will depend upon the particular application and overall design constraints imposed on the system. By way of example, a processor, any portion of a processor, or any combination of processors presented in the present disclosure may be implemented with a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device (PLD), a state machine, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable processing components configured to perform the various functions described throughout the present disclosure. The functionality of a processor, any portion of a processor, or any combination of processors presented in the present disclosure may be implemented with software being executed by a microprocessor, microcontroller, DSP, or other suitable platform.

[00124] Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc. The software may reside on a computer-readable medium. A computer-readable medium may include, by way of example, memory such as a magnetic storage device (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strip), an optical disk, a smart card, a flash memory device, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), a register, or a removable disk. Although a memory is shown as being separate from the processor in various aspects presented in this disclosure, a memory may also be internal to the processor (e.g., a cache or a register).

[00125] The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout the present disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skilled in the art are intended to be encompassed by the claims.

Claims

1. A method for dynamically presenting application-related visual content in a display screen of an electronic device, comprising: setting a dynamic element associated with at least one application in the display screen; obtaining a visual content corresponding to the current state information and/or notification message of the at least one application; and presenting the visual content in the dynamic element.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the display screen is a home screen of the electronic device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one application is a system application and/or third-party application.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the visual content adopts at least one form of animation, video and image.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: in response to a predetermined operation on the dynamic element, presenting a user interface corresponding to the visual content in the at least one application.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the visual content comprises at least a part of the current state information and/or notification message.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the dynamic element is at least one dynamic icon associated with the at least one application.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the presenting the visual content comprises: in response to opening or returning to the display screen, presenting the visual content for once, for multiple times, or circularly.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the dynamic element is a dynamic user interface of a dynamic message hub associated with the at least one application.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the dynamic user interface comprises: a first view, which comprises one or more pages associated respectively with one or more applications, each page presenting visual contents corresponding to an application.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the dynamic user interface further comprises: a second view, which comprises one or more pages associated respectively with one

26 or more processing controls, each page comprising a processing control for performing system processing or application processing.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising at least one of: in response to a first type of operation on the first view, switching among the one or more pages associated respectively with the one or more applications; in response to a second type of operation on the first view, removing the current page; in response to a third type of operation on the dynamic user interface, switching between the first view and the second view; in response to a fourth type of operation on the second view, switching among the one or more pages associated respectively with the one or more processing controls; and in response to a fifth type of operation to a processing control in the second view, performing a processing corresponding to the processing control.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the dynamic user interface is rendered in a three-dimension approach, and the method further comprises at least one of: in response to a predetermined operation on the dynamic user interface, providing a three-dimension visual effect of the dynamic user interface; and during switching between the first view and the second view, providing a perspective visual effect of the dynamic user interface.

14. An apparatus for dynamically presenting application-related visual content in a display screen of an electronic device, comprising: a dynamic element setting module, for setting a dynamic element associated with at least one application in the display screen; a visual content obtaining module, for obtaining a visual content corresponding to the current state information and/or notification message of the at least one application; and a visual content presenting module, for presenting the visual content in the dynamic element.

15. An apparatus for dynamically presenting application-related visual content in a display screen of an electronic device, comprising: at least one processor; and a memory storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to: set a dynamic element associated with at least one application in the display screen, obtain a visual content corresponding to the current state information and/or notification message of the at least one application, and present the visual content in the dynamic element.