Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-10
2001-04-24
Bayerl, Raymond J. (Department: 2773)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C345S215000, C345S215000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06222531
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to displays such as displayable controls for computer programs, and more specifically to such displays that are mutatably transparent.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Graphical user interfaces have become increasingly standard as part of operating environments for computers such as personal computers (PC's), as well as for computers running within audio-visual equipment such as televisions (TV's) and video cassette recorders (VCR's). For example, the graphical user interface provided by versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system includes a user-controllable pointer. The user is able to control the pointer through the use of a pointing device, such as a mouse or touch pad, to, among other things, access controls displayed within the graphical user interface on a display device of the computer. These controls are associated with computer programs running on the computer (i.e., the operating system itself, application programs, etc.).
However, because of the increasing number of programs being required to run on a computer concurrently, more and more controls are required to be displayed within the graphical user interface on the display device at the same time, placing a premium on the area of the display device dedicated for this purpose. For example, whereas at one time only one or two programs may have run on a computer concurrently—such as a word processor running within an operating system—now many such computer programs are being run. This is especially true in convergence systems, where besides application programs such as word processors, spreadsheets, etc., computer programs mimicking real world devices, such as television tuner programs, telephony programs, etc., are also being run. Thus, a display device must increasingly display large amounts of information, particularly controls associated with all of these programs.
Ultimately, this has resulted in the graphical user interfaces displayed on such display devices to become cluttered with the controls of the computer programs running on the computer. Some or all of the controls of each computer program may be running on the computer at the same time, such that the user of the computer may encounter difficulty in deciphering the controls, and therefore in using the computer as well. The controls of one computer program may interfere with those of another computer program. There is a need, therefore, for better management of on-screen controls of computer programs within a graphical user interface provided by the operating environment of a computer. Better management of the on-screen controls should make it easier for the user to decipher the controls, such that using the computer becomes easier as well.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above-identified shortcomings as well as other shortcomings and problems are addressed by the present invention, which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification. In one embodiment of the invention, a system includes an operating environment, and at least one computer program. The operating environment has a graphical user interface. Each computer program has at least one display displayable within the graphical user interface. The system is configured so that the opacity of the at least one display changes in response to a particular event. Desirably, each display comprises a control; however, the invention is not so limited, as those of ordinary skill within the art can appreciate.
Thus, for example, a plurality of controls for a computer program in accordance with the invention may include three controls, only any one of which may be accessed by the user at a given time. In a first configuration, all of these three controls are opaque, meaning that all of them are displayed within the graphical user interface on the display device. However, in a second configuration, only one of the controls is opaque, and the remainder are transparent; that is, only one is displayed. The particular event causing the controls to switch between these configurations is the movement of a user-controllable pointer within the graphical user interface from a position not over one of the controls, to a position over one of the controls. Thus, when the user moves the pointer over one of the controls, the other two controls are not displayed.
This provides for better management of on-screen controls. In the example just described, a user may desire to alter the display characteristics of a video source displayed on the display device, and upon which the graphical user interface is overlaid. Calling up all the controls for these display characteristics (brightness, color, tint, etc.) may interfere with the display of the video source itself, making it difficult for the user to see the effects of changing any one characteristic. However, as provided in the example just described, in the second configuration, only one of the controls is displayed. Thus, the user is able to first call up all the controls to determine which should be affected (in the first configuration), and then is able to render all but the desired control transparent to more easily see the immediate effects of changing the desired control (in the second configuration).
Therefore, switching a plurality of controls of a computer program between a first configuration in which at least one of the controls is opaque, and a second configuration in which at least one of the controls is at least semi-transparent, provides for better management of on-screen controls. In different embodiments of the invention, computers, computerized systems, computer programs, and computer-readable media of varying scope are described. Still other and further embodiments, aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by reading the following detailed description.
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“Visually Aging Icons”,IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 38 No. 02, 1, (Feb. 1995).
Amiga Development LLC
Bayerl Raymond J.
Cool Kenneth J.
Nguyen Cao H.
Schwegman Lundberg Woessner & Kluth P.A.
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