Patent US5933141A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5933141A
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Mutatably transparent displays
Assignee: Gateway Inc
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Filing: 1998-01-05
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Granted: 1999-08-03
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Expires: 2018-01-05
Abstract
Abstract Mutatably transparent controls are disclosed. 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.
Inventors
- 👤 Kim C. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:32
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/0482; G06F3/0487; G06F3/0488; G06F3/04883; H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/414; H04N21/4143; H04N21/43; H04N21/431; H04N21/4312; H04N21/443; H04N21/47; H04N5/00; H04N5/44; H04N5/445; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/048; G06F2203/04804; H04N5/45
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A computerized system comprising: an operating environment having a graphical user interface including a user-controllable pointer; at least one computer program, each computer program having a plurality of controls displayable within the graphical user interface, the plurality of controls having 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 are at least semi-transparent, such that occurrence of a particular event switches the plurality of controls between the first and the second configurations, and wherein the at least one of the controls within the second configuration of the plurality of the controls are progressively transparent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A computerized system comprising: an operating environment having a graphical user interface including a user-controllable pointer; at least one computer program, each computer program having a plurality of controls displayable within the graphical user interface, the plurality of controls having 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 are at least semi-transparent, such that occurrence of a particular event switches the plurality of controls between the first and the second configurations, and wherein the at least one of the controls within the second configuration of the plurality of the controls are progressively transparent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the particular event comprises particular positioning of the user-controllable pointer within the graphical user interface relative to at least one of the controls.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the particular event comprises selection of a particular control in conjunction with the user-controllable pointer within the graphical user interface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
119 words
A computer-readable medium for a computer having an executable program stored thereon comprising: means for causing the computer to perform a particular functionality; and, means for providing a plurality of controls for use with the particular functionality and displayable within a graphical user interface, the plurality of controls having 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 are at least semi-transparent, such that occurrence of a particular event switches the plurality of controls between the first and the second configurations, and wherein the at least one of the controls within the second configuration of the plurality of the controls are progressively transparent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
119 words
A computer-readable medium for a computer having an executable program stored thereon comprising: means for causing the computer to perform a particular functionality; and, means for providing a plurality of controls for use with the particular functionality and displayable within a graphical user interface, the plurality of controls having 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 are at least semi-transparent, such that occurrence of a particular event switches the plurality of controls between the first and the second configurations, and wherein the at least one of the controls within the second configuration of the plurality of the controls are progressively transparent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein the particular event comprises particular positioning of a user-controllable pointer within the graphical user interface relative to at least one of the controls.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein the particular event comprises selection of a particular control in conjunction with a user-controllable pointer within the graphical user interface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein the medium is a floppy disk.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
135 words
A computer comprising: a processor; a computer-readable medium; an operating environment having a graphical user interface including a user-controllable pointer, the environment provided from the computer-readable medium by the processor; and, at least one computer program, each computer program executed from the computer readable medium by the processor and having a plurality of controls displayable within the graphical user interface, the plurality of controls having 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 are at least semi-transparent, such that occurrence of a particular event switches the plurality of controls between the first and the second configurations, and wherein the at least one of the controls within the second configuration of the plurality of the controls are progressively transparent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
135 words
A computer comprising: a processor; a computer-readable medium; an operating environment having a graphical user interface including a user-controllable pointer, the environment provided from the computer-readable medium by the processor; and, at least one computer program, each computer program executed from the computer readable medium by the processor and having a plurality of controls displayable within the graphical user interface, the plurality of controls having 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 are at least semi-transparent, such that occurrence of a particular event switches the plurality of controls between the first and the second configurations, and wherein the at least one of the controls within the second configuration of the plurality of the controls are progressively transparent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer of claim 8, wherein the particular event comprises particular positioning of the user-controllable pointer within the graphical user interface relative to at least one of the controls.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer of claim 8, wherein the particular event comprises selection of a particular control in conjunction with the user-controllable pointer within the graphical user interface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The computer of claim 8, wherein the computer-readable medium comprises a memory.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
117 words
A computer program comprising: application code to cause a computer on which the program is running to perform a particular functionality; controls code to provide a plurality of controls for use with the particular functionality and displayable within a graphical user interface, the plurality of controls having 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 are at least semi-transparent, such that occurrence of a particular event switches the plurality of controls between the first and the second configurations, and wherein the at least one of the controls within the second configuration of the plurality of the controls are progressively transparent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
117 words
A computer program comprising: application code to cause a computer on which the program is running to perform a particular functionality; controls code to provide a plurality of controls for use with the particular functionality and displayable within a graphical user interface, the plurality of controls having 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 are at least semi-transparent, such that occurrence of a particular event switches the plurality of controls between the first and the second configurations, and wherein the at least one of the controls within the second configuration of the plurality of the controls are progressively transparent.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer program of claim 12, wherein the particular event comprises particular positioning of a user-controllable pointer within the graphical user interface relative to at least one of the controls.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer program of claim 12, wherein the particular event comprises selection of a particular control in conjunction with a user-controllable pointer within the graphical user interface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer program of claim 12, wherein the particular functionality of the application code comprises a virtual appliance mimicking a device external to the computer on which the computer program is running.
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) | 2002-08-02 | 2003-02-01 | 2003-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-08-02 | 2007-02-01 | 2007-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-08-02 | 2011-02-01 | 2011-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |