Whole module items in a sidebar

Abstract

Some application modules of a sidebar comprise a list of items. For example, an email module comprises message items while a photo slideshow does not comprise items. In known sidebars, the number of items in an application module display area is not discrete. For example, in an email module the last item in the list can be partially displayed. In one embodiment, application modules that comprise items are forced to display a whole number of menu items. When a user resizes an application module, the application module will “snap” to fully include or fully exclude an item as opposed to displaying a partial item. A whole item display format can also be implemented in an application module's slidesheet.

1 . A method of adjusting a visible presentation of a sidebar, the sidebar comprising one or more application modules through which a user can access functions associated with the application module, the application module comprising a titlebar and a display area, the method comprising: 
 detecting an adjustment of the display area of a first application module displayed in the sidebar, the first application module displaying a displayed module item;    determining if the displayed module item is less than fully displayed; and    automatically adjusting the size of the display area of the application module if the displayed module item is less than fully displayed.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the display area is adjusted to fully display the displayed module item.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the display area is adjusted to fully display the displayed module item if a predetermined amount of the displayed module item is displayed prior to adjustment.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the predetermined amount is one half of the displayed module item.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the predetermined amount is one quarter of the displayed module item.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the display area is adjusted to not display the displayed module item if less than the predetermined amount of the displayed module item is displayed.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the display area is adjusted to not display the displayed module item.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment of the display area of the first application module is user initiated.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment of the display area of the first application module is initiated by an operation of an application.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the application is the sidebar.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sidebar further comprises a second application module displayed in the sidebar, the method further comprising adjusting the size of a display area of the second application module to accommodate the automatic adjustment of the first application module.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the display area of the second application module comprises content other than module items.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the second application module is separated from the first application module by at least one other application module.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the sidebar further comprises a third application module displayed in the sidebar, the method further comprising adjusting the size of a display area of the third application module to accommodate the automatic adjustment of the first application module, wherein the display area of the third application module comprises whole module items.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising changing a display state of the second application module to accommodate the automatic adjustment of the first application module.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising using an empty space at a bottom of the sidebar to accommodate the automatic adjustment of the first application module.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein an original display area size of the second application module is saved, the method further comprising, restoring the display area of the second application module to its original display area size if display space becomes available on the sidebar.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment of the display area of the first application module is executed in response to an adjustment of another application module of the sidebar.  
     
     
         19 . A method of adjusting a visible presentation of a slidesheet displayed adjacent to a sidebar, the slidesheet comprising a titlebar and a display area, the method comprising: 
 detecting an adjustment of the display area of the slidesheet, the slidesheet displaying a displayed module item;    determining if the displayed slidesheet item is less than fully displayed; and    automatically adjusting the size of the display area of the slidesheet if the displayed slidesheet item is less than fully displayed.    
     
     
         20 . A sidebar, associated with a content provider, the sidebar comprising: 
 a first application module through which a user can access functions associated with the first application module, the first application module comprising a titlebar and a display area; and    a displayed module item displayed in the first application module, wherein the display area is automatically adjusted if the displayed module item is less than fully displayed.    
     
     
         21 . The sidebar of  claim 20 , wherein the display area is adjusted to fully display the displayed module item.  
     
     
         22 . The sidebar of  claim 20 , wherein the display area is adjusted not to display the displayed module item.  
     
     
         23 . The sidebar of  claim 20 , further comprising a second application module displayed in the sidebar, wherein a display area of the second application module is adjusted to accommodate the automatic adjustment of the first application module.  
     
     
         24 . The sidebar of  claim 23 , wherein the display area of the second application module comprises content other than module items.  
     
     
         25 . The sidebar of  claim 23 , wherein the second application module is separated from the first application module by at least one other application module.  
     
     
         26 . The sidebar of  claim 20 , further comprising a slidesheet displayed adjacent to the first application module, the slidesheet comprising a slidesheet titlebar and a slidesheet display area, the slidesheet display area comprising a displayed slidesheet item, wherein the slidesheet display area is automatically adjusted if the displayed slidesheet item is less than fully displayed.  
     
     
         27 . The sidebar of  claim 20 , wherein the adjustment of the display area of the first application module is executed in response to an adjustment of another application module of the sidebar.  
     
     
         28 . A user interface, displayed on a desktop of a computer, the user interface comprising: 
 a first application module through which a user can access functions associated with the first application module, the first application module comprising a titlebar and a display area; and    a displayed module item displayed in the first application module, wherein the display area is automatically adjusted if the displayed module item is less than fully displayed.    
     
     
         29 . The user interface of  claim 28 , wherein the display area is adjusted to fully display the displayed module item.  
     
     
         30 . The user interface of  claim 28 , wherein the display area is adjusted not to display the displayed module item.  
     
     
         31 . The user interface of  claim 28 , further comprising a second application module displayed in a vertical stack in relation to the first application module, wherein a display area of the second application module is adjusted to accommodate the automatic adjustment of the first application module.  
     
     
         32 . The user interface of  claim 31 , wherein the display area of the second application module comprises content other than module items.  
     
     
         33 . The user interface of  claim 31 , wherein the second application module is separated from the first application module by at least one other application module.  
     
     
         34 . The user interface of  claim 28 , further comprising a slidesheet displayed adjacent to the first application module, the slidesheet comprising a slidesheet titlebar and a slidesheet display area, the slidesheet display area comprising a displayed slidesheet item, wherein the slidesheet display area is automatically adjusted if the displayed slidesheet item is less than fully displayed.  
     
     
         35 . The user interface of  claim 28 , wherein the adjustment of the display area of the first application module is executed in response to an adjustment of another application module of the user interface.