EP0547784A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Managing display windows of interrelated applications
Assignee: Sun Microsystems Inc
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Filing: 1992-11-23
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2012-11-23
Abstract
Abstract In a computer controlled display system, a CPU is provided for generating a foreground and at least one background display window on a display for a controlling and at least one subordinating program. The foreground display window is generated selectively with or without a portion of the foreground display window hollowed out. The at least one background display window is generated for display behind the hollowable portion of the foreground display window, rendering the visibility and accessibility of the at least one background display window dependent on the foreground display window. A display coupled to the CPU is provided to display the generated display windows. An input device is provided to provide one of the controlling and the at least one subordinate program with an input. The CPU is used to process the input by at least one of the controlling and the at least one subordinating programs, and regenerate the display windows for display selectively reflecting the processing. As a result, the controlling and the at least one subordinate programs may be used repeatedly and cooperatively by a user thereby improving the usability of these programs.
Inventors
- 👤 David Gedye
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 10:35
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
270 words
In a computer system comprising a display coupled to a central processing unit (CPU) executing a plurality of programs on behalf of a user, wherein a plurality of display windows are displayed on said display by said CPU for said programs, a method for managing said display windows for a controlling and at least one subordinating program that enhances the usability of said controlling and said at least one subordinating programs, said method comprising the steps of: a) generating and displaying a foreground and at least one background display window on said display by said CPU for said controlling and said at least one subordinating programs respectively, said foreground display window being generated and displayed selectively with or without a portion of said foreground display window hollowed out, said at least one background display window being generated and displayed behind said hollowable portion of foreground display window rendering said at least one background display window's visibility and accessibility to said user dependant on said foreground display window; b) receiving an input from said user through a selected one of said foreground and said at least one background display windows; c) processing said received input by at least a selected one of said controlling and said at least one subordinating programs; and d) regenerating and redisplaying said foreground and said at least one background display windows selectively reflecting said processing; whereby allowing repetitive and cooperative interactions with said controlling and said at least one subordinating programs through said foreground and said at least one background display windows thereby enhancing the usability of said controlling and said at least one subordinating programs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
270 words
In a computer system comprising a display coupled to a central processing unit (CPU) executing a plurality of programs on behalf of a user, wherein a plurality of display windows are displayed on said display by said CPU for said programs, a method for managing said display windows for a controlling and at least one subordinating program that enhances the usability of said controlling and said at least one subordinating programs, said method comprising the steps of: a) generating and displaying a foreground and at least one background display window on said display by said CPU for said controlling and said at least one subordinating programs respectively, said foreground display window being generated and displayed selectively with or without a portion of said foreground display window hollowed out, said at least one background display window being generated and displayed behind said hollowable portion of foreground display window rendering said at least one background display window's visibility and accessibility to said user dependant on said foreground display window; b) receiving an input from said user through a selected one of said foreground and said at least one background display windows; c) processing said received input by at least a selected one of said controlling and said at least one subordinating programs; and d) regenerating and redisplaying said foreground and said at least one background display windows selectively reflecting said processing; whereby allowing repetitive and cooperative interactions with said controlling and said at least one subordinating programs through said foreground and said at least one background display windows thereby enhancing the usability of said controlling and said at least one subordinating programs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein, said input is received in said step b) by said controlling program when said foreground display window is generated and displayed with said hollowable portion of said foreground display window hollowed out; said input is processed in said step c) by said controlling program; said foreground display window is regenerated and redisplayed in said step d) with said hollowable portion of said foreground display window unhollowed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein, said input is received in said step b) by said controlling program when said foreground display window is generated and displayed with said hollowable portion of said foreground display window unhollowed; said input is processed in said step c) by said controlling program; and said foreground display window is regenerated and redisplayed in said step d) with said hollowable portion of said foreground display window hollowed out.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein, said input is received in said step b) by said controlling program; said processing in said step c) comprises capturing an image of said at least one background display windows; said foreground display window is regenerated and redisplayed in said step d) with said hollowable portion of said foreground displaywin- dow unhollowed, and said captured image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method as set forth in claim 4, wherein, said controlling program is a multi-user application program; said unhollowed foreground display window with said captured image is also generated and displayed simultaneously on at least one other display for at least one other user.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein, said at least one other display is coupled to said CPU.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein, said at least one other display is coupled to at least one other computer system, said at least one other computer system being coupled to said computer system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein, said first and second display windows are large display windows occupying most of said display's display area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
206 words
A computer controlled display system comprising: a) a central processing unit (CPU) for generating a foreground and at least one background display window for a controlling and at least one subordinating programs respectively, processing an input received from a selected one of said foreground and said at least background display windows by at least a selected one of said controlling and said at least subordinating programs, and regenerating said foreground and said at least one background display windows selectively reflecting said processing, said foreground display window being selectively generated/regenerated with or without a portion of said foreground display window hollowed out, said at least one background display window being generated/regenerated for display behind said hollowable portion of said foreground display window rendering said at least one background display window's visibility and accessibility dependent in said foreground display window; b) input means coupled to said CPU for providing said input; and c) display means coupled to said CPU comprising a display for displaying said foreground and said at least one background display windows; whereby allowing repetitive and cooperative interactions with said controlling and said at least one subordinating programs through said foreground and background display windows thereby enhancing the usability of said controlling and said subordinating programs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
206 words
A computer controlled display system comprising: a) a central processing unit (CPU) for generating a foreground and at least one background display window for a controlling and at least one subordinating programs respectively, processing an input received from a selected one of said foreground and said at least background display windows by at least a selected one of said controlling and said at least subordinating programs, and regenerating said foreground and said at least one background display windows selectively reflecting said processing, said foreground display window being selectively generated/regenerated with or without a portion of said foreground display window hollowed out, said at least one background display window being generated/regenerated for display behind said hollowable portion of said foreground display window rendering said at least one background display window's visibility and accessibility dependent in said foreground display window; b) input means coupled to said CPU for providing said input; and c) display means coupled to said CPU comprising a display for displaying said foreground and said at least one background display windows; whereby allowing repetitive and cooperative interactions with said controlling and said at least one subordinating programs through said foreground and background display windows thereby enhancing the usability of said controlling and said subordinating programs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
77 words
The computer controlled display system as set forth in claim 9, wherein, said input means provides said input to said controlling program when said foreground display window is generated and displayed with said hollowable portion of said foreground display window hollowed out; said CPU processes said input with said controlling program, and regenerates said foreground display window with said hollowable portion of said foreground display window unhollowed; and said display means displays said regenerated foreground display window
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
77 words
The computer controlled display system as set forth in claim 9, wherein, said input means provides said input to said controlling program when said foreground display window is generated and displayed with said hollowable portion of said foreground display window unhollowed; said CPU processes said input with said controlling program, and regenerates said foreground display window with said hollowable portion of said foreground display window hollowed out; and said display means displays said regenerated foreground display window.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
69 words
The computer controlled display system as set forth in claim 9, wherein, said input means provides said input through said foreground display window; said CPU processes said input capturing an image of said at least one background display windows, and regenerates said foreground display window with said hollowable portion of said foreground display window unhollowed and said captured image; and said display means displays said regenerated foreground display window.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
The computer controlled display system as set forth in claim 12, wherein, said controlling program is a multi-user application program; said unhollowed foreground display window with said captured image is also generated and displayed simultaneously on at least one other display for at least one other user.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer controlled display system as set forth in claim 13, wherein, said computer controlled display system further comprises said at least one other display, said at least one other display being coupled to said CPU.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer controlled display system as set forth in claim 13, wherein, said computer controlled display system is coupled to at least one other computer system comprising said at least one other display.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer controlled display system as set forth in claim 9 wherein, said foreground and said at least one second display windows are large display windows occupying most of said display's display area.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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