US Patent 10108310 Method and apparatus for icon based application control

Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for icon based application control. The method includes receiving, by a processor, a detection signal indicative of a pre-defined user action on an icon in a graphical user interface (GUI). The icon has an associated application. Further, the method includes extracting adjustable settings of the associated application with the icon, and providing, by the processor, a setting interface for the icon in the GUI to enable adjustments of the settings for the application to be performed via the setting interface.