Creating and maintaining images of browsed documents

BACKGROUND

0001Some data available from the Internet is updated often. For example, stock prices change, bids are placed on auction, news stories are added, blog entries are posted, shopping deals are found, and the like. While some existing browsers maintain a history of locations visited by a user and cache data viewed by the user, devices with limited memory quickly discard the cached data. Further, many users consistently re-visit particular web pages multiple times throughout a given day to look for updated data. With some existing systems, the users have to launch a web browser and then navigate to each of the individual web sites of interest. Considerable time may be spent by the users while attempting to stay current.

SUMMARY

0002Embodiments of the disclosure provide dynamic thumbnail images corresponding to web pages viewed by a user. A computing device creates images for each of the web pages accessed by the user. One or more of the created images are provided for display to the user on the computing device. After one or more of the web pages are subsequently updated, the image of the updated web page is re-created and visually distinguished from the images corresponding to web pages that have not been updated. The visually distinguished, re-created images are presented for display to the user on the computing device.

0003This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0004<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is an exemplary block diagram illustrating a computing device with a browser accessing a network such as the Internet.

0005<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is an exemplary block diagram illustrating the computing device having a memory area storing web pages and dynamic thumbnail images based thereon.

0006<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is an exemplary flow chart illustrating operation of the computing device to maintain dynamic thumbnail images based on a navigation history of a user.

0007<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is an exemplary flow chart illustrating operation of the computing device to cache web pages viewed by the user and to maintain dynamic thumbnail images based thereon.

0008<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is an exemplary mobile computing device displaying the dynamic thumbnail images as tiles in a tab in a browser.

0009<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is an exemplary mobile computing device displaying the dynamic thumbnail images as tiles on a home screen of the mobile computing device.

0010<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is an exemplary computing device displaying the dynamic thumbnail images as tiles on a desktop of the computing device.

0011<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is an exemplary mobile computing device displaying tiles on a home screen of the mobile computing device modified with various styles to indicate updates.

0012Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

0013Referring to the figures, embodiments of the disclosure enable the automatic creation and maintenance of dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> corresponding to documents viewed by a user <b>102</b>. The dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> enable the user <b>102</b> to quickly determine whether the documents corresponding to the dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> have been updated. For example, the dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> corresponding to updated documents are flagged or otherwise visually distinguished from the dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> corresponding to documents that have not been updated.

0014In some embodiments, the dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> are automatically created as active tiles displayed in a browser tab or on a desktop background of a computing device <b>104</b> of the user <b>102</b>. For example, the dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> represent snapshots of web pages <b>214</b> accessed by the user <b>102</b>. While described below in some embodiments with respect to web pages <b>214</b>, mobile computing devices, and active tiles, aspects of the disclosure are not limited as such and instead are operable with any documents, devices, and images.

0015Aspects of the disclosure further enable the user <b>102</b> to “glance and go” by viewing the dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> to determine whether the corresponding document or other content has been updated, without having to execute the application <b>212</b> associated with the document. The user <b>102</b> is able to customize display of the dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> by selecting which documents to be represented by the images <b>114</b>, and which images <b>114</b> to be shown in a browser tab or home screen.

0016Referring next to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, an exemplary block diagram illustrates the computing device <b>104</b> with a browser <b>108</b> accessing a network <b>106</b>. In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the user <b>102</b> interacts and/or operates the computing device <b>104</b>. The computing device <b>104</b> executes at least the browser <b>108</b> that is used to obtain content from other computing devices via the network <b>106</b>. For example, the computing device <b>104</b> executes the browser <b>108</b> to access web sites via the Internet.

0017The computing device <b>104</b> further executes dynamic thumbnail image management logic <b>110</b>, such as illustrated and described below with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> and/or <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>. The dynamic thumbnail image management logic <b>110</b> operates to cache copies of web pages <b>214</b> from the browser <b>108</b>, and create and maintain dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> in a browser tab, on the desktop, or on the home screen of the user <b>102</b>. For example, the logic <b>110</b> calls application programming interfaces (APIs) associated with the dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> to create and render the dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b>. The logic <b>110</b> also translates commands sent to the browser <b>108</b> to determine whether web page updates have occurred and to obtain those updates.

0018Referring next to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, an exemplary block diagram illustrates the computing device <b>104</b> having a memory area <b>210</b> storing web pages <b>214</b> and dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> based thereon. In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, the computing device <b>104</b> represents a system for providing dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> corresponding to web pages <b>214</b> on the computing device <b>104</b>. The computing device <b>104</b> represents any device executing instructions (e.g., as application programs, operating system functionality, or both) to implement the operations and functionality associated with the computing device <b>104</b>. The computing device <b>104</b> may include a mobile computing device or any other portable device. In some embodiments, the mobile computing device includes a mobile telephone, laptop, tablet, computing pad, netbook, gaming device, and/or portable media player. The computing device <b>104</b> may also include less portable devices such as desktop personal computers, kiosks, and tabletop devices. Additionally, the computing device <b>104</b> may represent a group of processing units or other computing devices.

0019The computing device <b>104</b> has at least one processor <b>202</b>, at least one display <b>204</b>, and the memory area <b>210</b>. The processor <b>202</b> includes any quantity of processing units, and is programmed to execute computer-executable instructions for implementing aspects of the disclosure. The instructions may be performed by the processor <b>202</b> or by multiple processors executing within the computing device <b>104</b>, or performed by a processor external to the computing device <b>104</b>. In some embodiments, the processor <b>202</b> is programmed to execute instructions such as those illustrated in the figures (e.g., <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> and/or <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>).

0020In some embodiments, the display <b>204</b> includes any means for displaying data to the user <b>102</b> and/or receiving data from the user <b>102</b>. The display <b>204</b> may include a touch screen display or any other form of display. The display <b>204</b> may have associated therewith a graphics card and computer-executable instructions (e.g., a driver) for operating the graphics card.

0021The display <b>204</b> may include one or more user interfaces, portions, or views that may be displayed at the same time, at different times, adjacent to each other, overlaid with one another, and/or any of the above. In some embodiments, the user interfaces are windows that may be positioned on the display <b>204</b>. In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, the display <b>204</b> includes at least a tile user interface <b>206</b> and a browser user interface <b>208</b>. The tile user interface <b>206</b> represents an area for displaying one or more tiles. Tiles enable the user <b>102</b> to view content and/or perform functions without navigating away from the tile user interface <b>206</b>. For example, the tile user interface <b>206</b> may correspond to a home screen on a mobile computing device and/or a desktop background on the computing device <b>104</b>. The tile user interface <b>206</b> is separate from the browser user interface <b>208</b>.

0022The browser user interface <b>208</b> represents an area for displaying output from the browser <b>108</b>. The browser <b>108</b> represents any application <b>212</b> or logic for enabling the user <b>102</b> to obtain content from another computing device or from a process executing on the computing device <b>104</b>. The browser <b>108</b> may be, for example, a web browser.

0023The computing device <b>104</b> further has one or more computer readable media such as the memory area <b>210</b>. The memory area <b>210</b> includes any quantity of media associated with or accessible by the computing device <b>104</b>. The memory area <b>210</b> may be internal to the computing device <b>104</b> (as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>), external to the computing device <b>104</b> (not shown), or both (not shown).

0024The memory area <b>210</b> stores, among other data, one or more applications <b>212</b>. The applications <b>212</b>, when executed by the processor <b>202</b>, operate to perform functionality on the computing device <b>104</b>. Exemplary applications <b>212</b> include mail application programs, web browsers, calendar application programs, address book application programs, messaging programs, media applications, location-based services, search programs, and the like. The applications <b>212</b> may communicate with counterpart applications or services such as web services accessible via the network <b>106</b>. For example, the applications <b>212</b> may represent downloaded client-side applications that correspond to server-side services executing in a cloud.

0025The memory area <b>210</b> further stores one or more web pages <b>214</b>. The web pages <b>214</b> may include web pages <b>214</b> viewed by the user <b>102</b>, visited by the user <b>102</b>, and/or obtained by the computing device <b>104</b> without the user <b>102</b> viewing and/or visiting the web pages <b>214</b> (e.g., the computing device <b>104</b> pre-fetches or pre-caches some of the web pages <b>214</b>). The memory area <b>210</b> also stores one or more dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> corresponding to one or more of the web pages <b>214</b>. The dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> may be images of any size, but represent snapshots of at least a portion of one or more of the web pages <b>214</b>, in some embodiments, and are smaller in size than the web pages <b>214</b>. In this manner, the dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> consume less memory and less processing resources on the computing device <b>104</b> than the cached web pages <b>214</b>.

0026The dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> may include a representation of the entire corresponding web page <b>214</b>, or a portion thereof. For example, one of the dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> may include the upper-left portion of the web page <b>214</b> (e.g., 173 pixels×173 pixels).

0027The dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> may be active images, icons, or tiles such that the user <b>102</b> is able to view the corresponding web pages <b>214</b> by interacting with the dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b>. For example, the user <b>102</b> may click, double-click, tap, activate, or otherwise select one of the dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> to prompt display of the web page <b>214</b> corresponding to the dynamic thumbnail image <b>114</b>. Display of the web page <b>214</b> may occur through the browser <b>108</b>, or through a non-browser utility such as an image viewing application (e.g., with hyperlinks disabled). In other embodiments, other actions may be performed in response to the user <b>102</b> interaction with the images <b>114</b>. For example, the user <b>102</b> may select one of the images <b>114</b> to indicate a “like” or “dislike” of the corresponding web page <b>214</b>. In this example, the computing device <b>104</b> conveys the “like” or “dislike” to another device or process.

0028The memory area <b>210</b> further stores one or more computer-executable components. Exemplary components include a browser component <b>218</b>, a user interface component <b>220</b>, and a notification component <b>222</b>. Execution of the computer-executable components is described below with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>.

0029In some embodiments (not shown), the computing device <b>104</b> includes a network interface card and/or computer-executable instructions (e.g., a driver) for operating the network interface card.

0030Referring next to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, an exemplary flow chart illustrates operation of the computing device <b>104</b> to maintain dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> based on a navigation history <b>302</b> of the user <b>102</b>. The operations illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> may be performed by the computing device <b>104</b>. In other embodiments, one or more operations illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> are performed by a third-party entity such as a web service or a cloud service. For example, the cloud service performs the operations and provides the output to the computing device <b>104</b>.

0031The navigation history <b>302</b> of the user <b>102</b> is created and/or maintained by, for example, the browser <b>108</b> executing on the computing device <b>104</b>. In some embodiments, the navigation history <b>302</b> identifies a set and/or sequence of web pages <b>214</b>. The navigation history <b>302</b> may also include copies of the set and/or sequence of web pages <b>214</b> (e.g., a browser cache). The computing device <b>104</b> automatically caches each of the web pages <b>214</b> viewed, visited, or otherwise accessed by the user <b>102</b>. The cached web pages <b>214</b> are also available for quick navigation from the cache by the user <b>102</b> (e.g., without reloading the web pages <b>214</b> from the Internet).

0032At <b>304</b>, the computing device <b>104</b> creates images <b>114</b> for each of a plurality of the web pages <b>214</b> accessed by the user <b>102</b>. The images <b>114</b> represent a snapshot of each of the web pages <b>214</b> from the navigation history <b>302</b>. At <b>306</b>, one or more of the images <b>114</b> are provided for display to the user <b>102</b>. Each of the images <b>114</b> may be provided for display, or a subset of the images <b>114</b> may be provided. For example, the user <b>102</b> may select images <b>114</b> of interest by dragging and dropping the images <b>114</b> onto a home screen or desktop background. The user <b>102</b> may also reorder or reorganize the displayed images <b>114</b>.

0033In some embodiments, the computing device <b>104</b> displays the images <b>114</b> to the user <b>102</b>. In an example in which the cloud service performs the creation at <b>304</b>, the cloud service provides the images <b>114</b> to the computing device <b>104</b> for display, by the computing device <b>104</b>, to the user <b>102</b>. The created images <b>114</b> may be provided for display to the user <b>102</b> within the context of the browser <b>108</b> (e.g., in a tab) or outside the context of the browser <b>108</b>. For example, the images <b>114</b> may be provided for display on a home screen of a mobile telephone. In another example, the images <b>114</b> may be provided for display on the wallpaper or other background of a desktop computer.

0034The computing device <b>104</b> detects at <b>308</b> whether there has been an update to any of the web pages <b>214</b> in the navigation history <b>302</b>. In some embodiments, the computing device <b>104</b> retrieves at least a portion (e.g., a header) of each of the web pages <b>214</b> to determine whether content on that web page <b>214</b> has changed. For example, if the retrieved header matches the header stored in the navigation history <b>302</b>, the computing device <b>104</b> concludes that the web page <b>214</b> has not changed and the rest of the web page <b>214</b> is not downloaded. This reduces the amount of data transmitted over the network <b>106</b>. If the retrieved header indicates that content on the web page <b>214</b> has changed at <b>308</b>, the computing device <b>104</b> obtains the updated web page <b>214</b> and re-recreates the images <b>114</b> at <b>310</b> corresponding to the updated web page <b>214</b>. In some embodiments, the computing device <b>104</b> determines whether there is an update without the user <b>102</b> actively navigating to each of the web pages <b>214</b>. For example, the computing device <b>104</b> checks for updates in the background at periodic intervals regardless of user activity.

0035At <b>312</b>, the computing device <b>104</b> applies a visual markup to, or otherwise visually distinguishes, the re-created images <b>114</b> from other images <b>114</b> (e.g., images <b>114</b> corresponding to web pages <b>214</b> that have not been updated) to indicate to the user <b>102</b> that the corresponding web pages <b>214</b> have updated content. The visual markup or enhancement may be implemented as template or overlay on the re-created images <b>114</b>. The visually distinguished, re-created images <b>114</b> are provided for display to the user <b>102</b> at <b>314</b>. For example, the computing device <b>104</b> displays the re-created images <b>114</b> to the user <b>102</b>. In an example in which the cloud service performs the recreation at <b>310</b> and visually distinguishing at <b>312</b>, the cloud service provides the re-created images <b>114</b> to the computing device <b>104</b> for display, by the computing device <b>104</b>, to the user <b>102</b>. In an example, the computing device <b>104</b> visually distinguishes the re-created images <b>114</b> by drawing a border around the re-created images <b>114</b>, highlighting the re-created images <b>114</b>, blinking the re-created images <b>114</b>, changing the color or style of the re-created images <b>114</b>, causing the re-created images <b>114</b> to glow, applying a zoom scale factor to the re-created images <b>114</b>, pointing an arrow towards each of the re-created images <b>114</b>, animating the re-created images <b>114</b> to reveal a word such as “update” or “new,” animating the re-created images <b>114</b> to make a character or icon (e.g., exclamation point) fade in and out on the images <b>114</b>, and/or performing any other alteration to the re-created images <b>114</b>. In some embodiments, different alterations are applied to different re-created images <b>114</b>.

0036The computing device <b>104</b> maintains the visual markups on the re-created images <b>114</b> for a particular time duration, until the computing device <b>104</b> has displayed the re-created images <b>114</b> to the user <b>102</b> a particular number of times (e.g., the number of times the home screen has been displayed), or until the user <b>102</b> acknowledges seeing the update on a particular re-created image <b>114</b>. The computing device <b>104</b> then removes one or more of the visual markups from the re-created images <b>114</b>.

0037In some embodiments, the operations <b>308</b>, <b>310</b>, <b>312</b>, and <b>314</b> are performed by the computing device <b>104</b> without explicit input from the user <b>102</b> (e.g., performed in the background). In this manner, the web pages <b>214</b> are kept updated and available for prompt display to the user <b>102</b>.

0038A predefined quantity of the dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> may be designated to be maintained. The predefined quantity may represent the web pages <b>214</b> most recently accessed by the user <b>102</b>, the web pages <b>214</b> most frequently visited by the user <b>102</b>, or web pages <b>214</b> selected based on other criteria. The predefined quantity may be adjusted by the user <b>102</b> via a user interface dialog to balance memory and/or processor use, by the computing device <b>104</b> or operating system executing on the computing device <b>104</b>, or a combination of any of the above. For example, if the user <b>102</b> visits more web pages <b>214</b> than the predefined quantity, the extra web pages <b>214</b> are cached as “offline” web pages <b>214</b>.

0039Referring next to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, an exemplary flow chart illustrates operation of the computing device <b>104</b> to cache web pages <b>214</b> viewed by the user <b>102</b> and to maintain dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> based thereon. The computing device <b>104</b> caches the web pages <b>214</b> viewed by the user <b>102</b>, visited by the user <b>102</b>, and/or pre-fetched by the computing device <b>104</b> on behalf of the user <b>102</b> at <b>402</b>. The computing device <b>104</b> creates one or more of the dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> for one or more of the cached web pages <b>214</b> at <b>404</b>. In some embodiments, the computing device <b>104</b> displays one or more of the dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> to the user <b>102</b> at <b>406</b> in the tile user interface <b>206</b>. For example, the dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> may be displayed on the desktop of the user <b>102</b> or elsewhere outside the context of the browser <b>108</b>.

0040The computing device <b>104</b> updates (e.g., periodically) the web pages <b>214</b> at <b>408</b>, without the user <b>102</b> actively navigating to each web page <b>214</b> (e.g., and reloading the content). For example, the computing device <b>104</b> may update each of the web pages <b>214</b> at a regular interval (e.g., check every hour) or according to another schedule. The interval may be set by the user <b>102</b>, by the computing device <b>104</b>, and/or by an operating system executing on the computing device <b>104</b>. In some embodiments, all cached web pages <b>214</b> may be checked for updates at the same time to optimize use of computing device resources (e.g., an active cellular stack on a mobile computing device). In other embodiments, the computing device <b>104</b> staggers the update checks across time windows to reduce the processing impact on the computing device <b>104</b>, thereby preventing detection by the user <b>102</b> of any processing delays.

0041In some embodiments, the computing device <b>104</b> adjusts the schedule for updating the web pages <b>214</b> based on a state of the computing device <b>104</b>. In an example in which the computing device <b>104</b> is a mobile computing device, the state of the mobile computing device corresponds to one or more of the following of the mobile computing device: battery level, roaming status, signal strength, user interaction with the mobile computing device, quantity of applications <b>212</b> executing on the mobile computing device, available memory capacity, and bootup progress. The mobile computing device may adjust the schedule for updating the web pages <b>214</b> by, for example, disabling update checks if the batter level of the mobile computing device is below a particular threshold (e.g., 10%). In another example, the mobile computing device disables or reduces the frequency of update checks if the network connection of the mobile computing device is roaming (e.g., to prevent or reduce incurring roaming charges).

0042In still another example, the mobile computing device updates each of the dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> after bootup of the mobile computing device. In this example, the mobile computing device may postpone the updates until bootup operations have completed to allow the user <b>102</b> to make voice calls faster after bootup and/or to reduce bootup time. The length of time that the updates are postponed may vary based on each particular mobile computing device. Alternatively or in addition, the updates may be postponed until the user <b>102</b> tries to view the dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b>.

0043For each of the updated web pages <b>214</b>, the computing device <b>104</b> re-creates the dynamic thumbnail image <b>114</b> at <b>410</b> and visually distinguishes the re-created dynamic thumbnail image <b>114</b> at <b>412</b> from the other displayed dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> (e.g., that correspond to web pages <b>214</b> that have not been updated). The computing device <b>104</b> displays the visually distinguished, re-created dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> to the user <b>102</b> at <b>414</b> in the tile user interface <b>206</b>.

0044In some embodiments, upon activation or selection of one of the dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> by the user <b>102</b>, the computing device <b>104</b> displays the web page <b>214</b> corresponding to the selected dynamic thumbnail image <b>114</b> to the user <b>102</b> in the browser user interface <b>208</b> (e.g., in a browser window).

0045The computer-executable components execute to perform the operations illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>. For example, the browser component <b>218</b>, when executed by the processor <b>202</b>, causes the processor <b>202</b> to cache a plurality of web pages <b>214</b> accessed by the user <b>102</b> with the computing device <b>104</b>. The user interface component <b>220</b>, when executed by the processor <b>202</b>, causes the processor <b>202</b> to receive a request from the user <b>102</b> to create a thumbnail image <b>114</b> of at least one of the web pages <b>214</b> cached by the browser component <b>218</b>. The user interface component <b>220</b> further creates and provides the thumbnail image <b>114</b> for display to the user <b>102</b> on the computing device <b>104</b> in response to the received request.

0046The browser component <b>218</b> subsequently updates the web page <b>214</b> corresponding to the created thumbnail image <b>114</b>. The notification component <b>222</b>, when executed by the processor <b>202</b>, causes the processor <b>202</b> to re-create the thumbnail image <b>114</b> corresponding to the updated web page <b>214</b> and to alter the re-created thumbnail image <b>114</b> to indicate to the user <b>102</b> that the corresponding web page <b>214</b> has been updated. The user interface component <b>220</b> presents the altered, re-created image <b>114</b> for display to the user <b>102</b> on the computing device <b>104</b>.

0047In some embodiments, the user interface component <b>220</b> further receives a request from the user <b>102</b> via the re-created thumbnail image <b>114</b> to display the updated web page <b>214</b>. In response, the browser component <b>218</b> executes the browser <b>108</b> to display the updated web page <b>214</b> to the user <b>102</b>. In such an embodiment, the re-created thumbnail image <b>114</b> is no longer marked as updated after the user <b>102</b> performs such an action.

0048If the user interface component <b>220</b> creates a plurality of thumbnail images <b>114</b> that exceeds a predefined quantity available for display on the computing device <b>104</b> (e.g., due to display size limitations), the computing device <b>104</b> displays only the predefined quantity of the plurality of thumbnail images <b>114</b>. In such embodiments, the notification component <b>222</b> provides an indicator to the user <b>102</b> that at least one of the created thumbnail images <b>114</b> not displayed on the computing device <b>104</b> has an updated web page <b>214</b> corresponding thereto. For example, an arrow, message, or other indicator may be displayed to the user <b>102</b> showing that more thumbnail images <b>114</b> are available by scrolling.

0049Referring next to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, an exemplary mobile computing device <b>502</b> displays the dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> as tiles (e.g., in a tab) in a browser <b>504</b>. For example, the user <b>102</b> navigates among different tabs using the buttons indicated at the bottom of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> and/or using a menu system. In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the mobile computing device <b>502</b> executes the browser <b>504</b>. The browser <b>504</b> represents, for example, the browser user interface <b>208</b>, and includes one tab for displaying the dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> as active tiles and two additional tabs displaying web pages <b>214</b>. The tab displaying the dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> includes six tiles. The tiles corresponding to web content that has been updated since the user <b>102</b> last viewed the web content are indicated by dark highlighting around the border of the tiles. In this example, web page #<b>3</b> has been updated. The content (not shown) displayed within the tiles also represents the updated web content. Upon selection by the user <b>102</b> of at least one of the tiles, the browser <b>504</b> presents the web content corresponding to the selected tile (e.g., in a new tab) and the selected tile is no longer visually distinguished from the other, non-updated tiles.

0050Referring next to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, an exemplary mobile computing device <b>602</b> displays the dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> as tiles on a home screen of the mobile computing device <b>602</b>. In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, the mobile computing device <b>602</b> includes a home screen that represents an entry point into launching applications <b>212</b> available for execution by the mobile computing device <b>602</b>. The home screen may also represent an entry point for launching a system component (e.g., functionality available from an operating system executing on the mobile computing device <b>602</b>). The home screen may show a summary of information of interest to the user <b>102</b>, and may appear after bootup of the mobile computing device <b>602</b>. The home screen may also represent an entry point or launching point into other functionality available on the mobile computing device <b>602</b>. The dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> are displayed as two active tiles on the home screen in the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>. For example, the user <b>102</b> may select which tiles to display on the home screen, or the mobile computing device <b>602</b> may select which tiles for display (e.g., based on frequency of visits by the user <b>102</b> to the web pages <b>214</b>, or other criteria). The user <b>102</b> may also add, delete, or move tiles.

0051In this example, web page #<b>2</b> has updated content to display to the user <b>102</b> as indicated by the solid dark border around the tile.

0052Referring next to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, an exemplary computing device displays the dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> as tiles on a desktop <b>702</b> of the computing device. In contrast with the examples illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> and in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, the computing device in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a non-mobile device such as a server or desktop computer. The dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> are displayed as active tiles on the desktop <b>702</b> of the computing device. Similar to the examples of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, the user <b>102</b> is able to select at least one of the active tiles to be presented with the web page <b>214</b> corresponding thereto. For example, the computing device executes a browser upon detecting selection by the user <b>102</b> of at least one of the active tiles. The browser displays the web page(s) corresponding to the selected tile. For example, the browser may load the web page <b>214</b> from a cache or may obtain the web page <b>214</b> from a content provider associated with the web page <b>214</b> (e.g., download the web page <b>214</b> from the Internet).

0053In this example, web page #<b>4</b> has updated content to display to the user <b>102</b> as indicated by the solid dark border around the tile.

0054Referring next to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>, an exemplary mobile computing device <b>802</b> displays tiles on a home screen of the mobile computing device <b>802</b> modified with various styles to indicate updates. In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>, updated content is available for three of the tiles. One style for indicating the availability of updated content is an exclamation point in the upper left corner of the tile, such as in the tile with update #<b>1</b> and in the tile with update #<b>2</b>. Another style is a darker or thicker border around the tile with updated content, such as in the tile with update #<b>3</b>.

0055In another embodiment, the exclamation point, fill within the portion enclosing the exclamation point, or border color may be changed to a color that is different from tiles that do not have updated content. For example, the color may be complementary to the current color scheme of the user interface. Further, the exclamation point may be replaced or supplemented with any icon, character, ideograph, or the like meant to draw the user's attention to the tile. For example, the exclamation point may be replaced with an eye.

ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES

0056At least a portion of the functionality of the various elements in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> may be performed by other elements in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> and/or <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, or an entity (e.g., processor, web service, server, application program, computing device, etc.) not shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> and/or <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>.

0057In some embodiments, the operations illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> may be implemented as software instructions encoded on a computer readable medium, in hardware programmed or designed to perform the operations, or both. For example, aspects of the disclosure may be implemented as a system on a chip.

0058While no personally identifiable information is tracked by aspects of the disclosure, embodiments have been described with reference to data monitored and/or collected from users <b>102</b>. In such embodiments, notice is provided to the users <b>102</b> of the collection of the data (e.g., via a dialog box or preference setting) and users <b>102</b> are given the opportunity to give or deny consent for the monitoring and/or collection. The consent may take the form of opt-in consent or opt-out consent.

Exemplary Operating Environment

0059Exemplary computer readable media include flash memory drives, digital versatile discs (DVDs), compact discs (CDs), floppy disks, and tape cassettes. By way of example and not limitation, computer readable media comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media store information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media exclude propagated data signals. Communication media typically embody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and include any information delivery media.

0060Although described in connection with an exemplary computing system environment, embodiments of the invention are operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with aspects of the invention include, but are not limited to, mobile computing devices, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, gaming consoles, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, mobile telephones, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

0061Embodiments of the invention may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, executed by one or more computers or other devices. The computer-executable instructions may be organized into one or more computer-executable components or modules. Generally, program modules include, but are not limited to, routines, programs, objects, components, and data structures that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Aspects of the invention may be implemented with any number and organization of such components or modules. For example, aspects of the invention are not limited to the specific computer-executable instructions or the specific components or modules illustrated in the figures and described herein. Other embodiments of the invention may include different computer-executable instructions or components having more or less functionality than illustrated and described herein.

0062Aspects of the invention transform a general-purpose computer into a special-purpose computing device when configured to execute the instructions described herein.

0063The embodiments illustrated and described herein as well as embodiments not specifically described herein but within the scope of aspects of the invention constitute exemplary means for providing dynamically updated thumbnail images <b>114</b> corresponding to web pages <b>214</b> on a mobile computing device, and exemplary means for visually distinguishing dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> corresponding to updated web pages <b>214</b> from dynamic thumbnail images <b>114</b> corresponding to unchanged web pages <b>214</b> on a mobile computing device.

0064The order of execution or performance of the operations in embodiments of the invention illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and embodiments of the invention may include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation is within the scope of aspects of the invention.

0065When introducing elements of aspects of the invention or the embodiments thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

0066Having described aspects of the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims. As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of aspects of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.