US6429883B1
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Method for viewing hidden entities by varying window or graphic object transparency
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1999-09-03
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Granted: 2002-08-06
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Expires: 2019-09-03
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a method and system for viewing the contents of an application window that would otherwise be hidden. The method and system comprise displaying a plurality of application windows. The first application window of the plurality of application windows is the primary application window and a portion of another application window is being obscured by the primary application window. The method and system displays the primary application window at a variable degree of transparency based upon a user interaction. Through the use of the present invention a user can simultaneously view information from multiple applications where one or more windows are partially or wholly covering needed information in an underlying application. This will provide the user with the ability to quickly access needed information without having to undergo the time consuming process of resizing or rearranging desktop window configurations.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory Maurice Plow
- 👤 Farrokh E. Pourmirzaie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:19
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/048; G06F2203/04804
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for viewing a hidden window comprising the steps of: (a) identifying a primary application window, wherein the primary application window covers a second window; (b) continuously varying the degree of transparency of the primary application window based upon a first user interaction; and (c) ceasing the transparency variation based upon a second user interaction, whereby information contained in the second window becomes visible wherein the degree of transparency of the primary application window depends upon the elapsed time between the first user interaction and the second user interaction.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for viewing a hidden window comprising the steps of: (a) identifying a primary application window, wherein the primary application window covers a second window; (b) continuously varying the degree of transparency of the primary application window based upon a first user interaction; and (c) ceasing the transparency variation based upon a second user interaction, whereby information contained in the second window becomes visible wherein the degree of transparency of the primary application window depends upon the elapsed time between the first user interaction and the second user interaction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of: (d) returning the primary application window to an opaque state based upon a third user interaction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first user interaction includes depressing a transparency button.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the second user interaction includes releasing the transparency button.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein only the background of the primary application window varies in degree of transparency.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the primary application window partially covers the second window.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of varying the transparency of a graphic object on a computer display comprising the steps of: (a) identifying a graphic object selected by a user interaction; (b) continuously varying the degree of transparency of the object based upon a first user interaction; and (c) ceasing the transparency variation based upon a second user interaction wherein the degree of transparency of the object depends upon the elapsed time between the first user interaction and the second user interaction.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of varying the transparency of a graphic object on a computer display comprising the steps of: (a) identifying a graphic object selected by a user interaction; (b) continuously varying the degree of transparency of the object based upon a first user interaction; and (c) ceasing the transparency variation based upon a second user interaction wherein the degree of transparency of the object depends upon the elapsed time between the first user interaction and the second user interaction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 7 further including the step of: (d) returning the transparent graphic object to an opaque state based upon a third user interaction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the first user interaction includes depressing a transparency button.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the second user interaction includes releasing the transparency button.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
90 words
A system for viewing a hidden window comprising: means for identifying a primary application window, wherein the primary application window covers a second window; means for continuously varying the degree of transparency of the primary application window based upon a first user interaction; and means for ceasing the transparency variation based upon a second user interaction, whereby information contained in the second window becomes visible, wherein the degree of transparency of the primary application window depends upon the elapsed time between the first user interaction and the second user interaction.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
90 words
A system for viewing a hidden window comprising: means for identifying a primary application window, wherein the primary application window covers a second window; means for continuously varying the degree of transparency of the primary application window based upon a first user interaction; and means for ceasing the transparency variation based upon a second user interaction, whereby information contained in the second window becomes visible, wherein the degree of transparency of the primary application window depends upon the elapsed time between the first user interaction and the second user interaction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 11 further including: means for returning the primary application window to an opaque state based upon a third user interaction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the first user interaction includes depressing a transparency button.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 13 wherein the second user interaction includes releasing the transparency button.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 11 wherein only the background of the primary application window varies in degree of transparency.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the primary application window partially covers the second window.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
79 words
A system of varying the transparency of a graphic object on a computer display comprising: means for identifying a graphic object selected by a user interaction; means for continuously varying the degree of transparency of the object based upon a first user interaction; and means for ceasing the transparency variation based upon a second user interaction wherein the degree of transparency of the object depends upon the elapsed time between the first user interaction and the second user interaction.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
79 words
A system of varying the transparency of a graphic object on a computer display comprising: means for identifying a graphic object selected by a user interaction; means for continuously varying the degree of transparency of the object based upon a first user interaction; and means for ceasing the transparency variation based upon a second user interaction wherein the degree of transparency of the object depends upon the elapsed time between the first user interaction and the second user interaction.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 17 further including the step of: means for returning the transparent graphic object to an opaque state based upon a third user interaction.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 17 wherein the first user interaction includes depressing a transparency button.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 18 wherein the second user interaction includes releasing the transparency button.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
98 words
A computer readable medium containing program instructions for viewing a hidden window, the program instructions comprising the steps of: (a) identifying a primary application window, wherein the primary application window covers a second window; (b) continuously varying the degree of transparency of the primary application window based upon a first user interaction; and (c) ceasing the transparency variation based upon a second user interaction, whereby information contained in the second window becomes visible, wherein the degree of transparency of the primary application window depends upon the elapsed time between the first user interaction and the second user interaction.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
98 words
A computer readable medium containing program instructions for viewing a hidden window, the program instructions comprising the steps of: (a) identifying a primary application window, wherein the primary application window covers a second window; (b) continuously varying the degree of transparency of the primary application window based upon a first user interaction; and (c) ceasing the transparency variation based upon a second user interaction, whereby information contained in the second window becomes visible, wherein the degree of transparency of the primary application window depends upon the elapsed time between the first user interaction and the second user interaction.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer readable medium of claim 21 further including the step of: (d) returning the primary application window to an opaque state based upon a third user interaction.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer readable medium of claim 21 wherein the first user interaction includes depressing a transparency button.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer readable medium of claim 23 wherein the second user interaction includes releasing the transparency button.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer readable medium of claim 21 wherein only the background of the primary application window varies in degree of transparency.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer readable medium of claim 21 wherein the primary application window partially covers the second window.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
87 words
A computer readable medium containing program instructions for varying the transparency of a graphic object on a computer display, the program instructions comprising the steps of: (a) identifying a graphic object selected by a user interaction; (b) continuously varying the degree of transparency of the object based upon a first user interaction; and (c) ceasing the transparency variation based upon a second user interaction wherein the degree of transparency of the object depends upon the elapsed time between the first user interaction and the second user interaction.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
87 words
A computer readable medium containing program instructions for varying the transparency of a graphic object on a computer display, the program instructions comprising the steps of: (a) identifying a graphic object selected by a user interaction; (b) continuously varying the degree of transparency of the object based upon a first user interaction; and (c) ceasing the transparency variation based upon a second user interaction wherein the degree of transparency of the object depends upon the elapsed time between the first user interaction and the second user interaction.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer readable medium of claim 27 further including the step of: (d) returning the transparent graphic object to an opaque state based upon a third user interaction.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer readable medium of claim 27 wherein the first user interaction includes depressing a transparency button.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer readable medium of claim 28 wherein the second user interaction includes releasing the transparency button.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-08-05 | 2006-02-04 | 2006-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-05 | 2010-02-04 | 2010-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-05 | 2014-02-04 | 2014-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |