Switchably translucent and opaque graphical user interface elements
US6633310B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 31, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 14, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 14, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2203/04804
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Elements of a graphical user interface that are switchably translucent and opaque are disclosed. In one embodiment, such an element is initially set to a default, first mode in which the element is translucent when the pointer is not positioned over the element. When the pointer has been moved such that it is positioned over the element, the element becomes opaque. Various heuristics are also disclosed that are applicable to the opaque-to-translucent and the translucent-to-opaque transformations. For example, when the pointer is moved over the element, there may be a delay prior to the element becoming opaque. As another example, when the pointer remains over the element for a predetermined amount of time, the element may revert back to translucency from opacity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.