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US5999191A
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Method and apparatus for presenting information in a display system using transparent windows
Assignee: Sun Microsystems Inc
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Filing: 1996-09-25
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Granted: 1999-12-07
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Expires: 2016-09-25
Abstract
Abstract A central processing unit (CPU) is provided and is coupled to a display for displaying graphic and other data in multiple overlapping windows. The CPU is further coupled to one or more input devices which permits a user to selectively position a cursor and input and manipulate data within each of the windows on the display. The windows include defined areas having window features such as text, icons and buttons corresponding to functions to be executed by the CPU. Multiple applications may be executed concurrently by the CPU such that each application is associated with one or more windows. Each display element ("pixel") comprising the display is represented by multiple bits in a computer frame buffer memory coupled to the CPU. An alpha value (α) is associated with the intensity of each pixel of the display, such that multiple images may be blended in accordance with a predefined formula utilizing the alpha values. By setting the alpha values appropriately, transparency may be accomplished such that data associated with underlying windows may be rendered visible to the user. Effectively, the present invention merges multiple images through alpha "blending" such that several images appear transparently on top of one another. The present invention, through the selective use of alpha blending, permits underlying windows to display data visible to the user through windows which are overlaid above an underlying window.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward H. Frank
- 👤 Patrick J. Naughton
- 👤 James Arthur Gosling
- 👤 John C. Liu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:38
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G09; G09G; G09G5/00; G09G5/14; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/048; G06F2203/04804; G09G2310/00; G09G2310/02; G09G2340/00; G09G2340/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
In a computer system, a method for selectively displaying objects on a display, comprising: storing a first display object and at least one corresponding transparency value; storing a second display object and at least two corresponding transparency values, each of which is associated with a different portion of said second display object; and displaying the first and second display objects on the display such that at least a portion of said first display object and at least a portion of said second display object are simultaneously visible in an overlapping area reflecting the transparency values of the first object and two or more transparency values of the transparency values of the second display object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a computer system, a method for selectively displaying objects on a display, comprising: storing a first display object and at least one corresponding transparency value; storing a second display object and at least two corresponding transparency values, each of which is associated with a different portion of said second display object; and displaying the first and second display objects on the display such that at least a portion of said first display object and at least a portion of said second display object are simultaneously visible in an overlapping area reflecting the transparency values of the first object and two or more transparency values of the transparency values of the second display object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the transparency values corresponding to the second display object is lowest in the center portion of the display object and relatively higher towards the edges of the display object.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the transparency values corresponding to the second display object is lowest along one edge of the display object and becomes relatively higher towards an edge on the opposite side of the display object.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method of claim 1, wherein each of said display objects has a depth value associated with it which corresponds to the perceived depth of an object, such that said computer system sorts said display objects based on said depth values, and a user perceives said plurality of display objects overlapping on said display with the display object having the smallest depth value appearing to be on top of the other display object or objects.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said display objects is a window in which data is displayed on said display.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising user interface means for selectively adjusting at least one of the transparency values associated with at least one of the overlapping display objects.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the user interface means comprises means for selectively activating at least one of the overlapping display objects without altering its transparency, and cursor control means for operating on the activated overlapping display object.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the means for selectively activating at least one overlapping display objects does not bring said activated overlapping display objects to the top.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the means for selectively activating at least one overlapping display object comprise a mouse with at least one clickable button.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the means for selectively adjusting at least one transparency value comprises an image of a slider adjustable by said user using an input device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising user interface means for selectively activating at least one of the overlapping display objects without altering its transparency, and cursor control means for operating on the activated overlapping display object.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
128 words
A computer-readable medium containing instructions, for controlling a data processing system to perform a method for selectively displaying objects on a display, the method comprising the steps of: storing a first display object and at least one corresponding transparency value; storing a second display object and at least two corresponding transparency values, each of which is associated with a different portion of said second display object; and displaying the first and second display objects on the display such that at least a portion of said first display object and at least a portion of said second display object are simultaneously visible in an overlapping area reflecting the transparency values of the first object and two or more transparency values of the transparency values of the second display object.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
128 words
A computer-readable medium containing instructions, for controlling a data processing system to perform a method for selectively displaying objects on a display, the method comprising the steps of: storing a first display object and at least one corresponding transparency value; storing a second display object and at least two corresponding transparency values, each of which is associated with a different portion of said second display object; and displaying the first and second display objects on the display such that at least a portion of said first display object and at least a portion of said second display object are simultaneously visible in an overlapping area reflecting the transparency values of the first object and two or more transparency values of the transparency values of the second display object.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
113 words
In a computer system, a method for selectively displaying objects on a display, comprising: storing a first display object and at least one corresponding transparency value; storing a second display object and at least two corresponding transparency values, each of which is associated with a different portion of said second display object; and displaying the first and second display objects on the display such that at least a portion of said first display object and at least a portion of said second display object are simultaneously visible in an overlapping area reflecting the transparency values of the first object and only one transparency value of the transparency values of the second display object.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
113 words
In a computer system, a method for selectively displaying objects on a display, comprising: storing a first display object and at least one corresponding transparency value; storing a second display object and at least two corresponding transparency values, each of which is associated with a different portion of said second display object; and displaying the first and second display objects on the display such that at least a portion of said first display object and at least a portion of said second display object are simultaneously visible in an overlapping area reflecting the transparency values of the first object and only one transparency value of the transparency values of the second display object.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the transparency values corresponding to the second display object is lowest in the center portion of the display object and relatively higher towards the edges of the display object.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the transparency values corresponding to the second display object is lowest along one edge of the display object and becomes relatively higher towards an edge on the opposite side of the display object.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method of claim 13, wherein each of said display objects has a depth value associated with it which corresponds to the perceived depth of an object, such that said computer system sorts said display objects based on said depth values, and a user perceives said plurality of display objects overlapping on said display with the display object having the smallest depth value appearing to be on top of the other display object or objects.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 13, wherein at least one of said display objects is a window in which data is displayed on said display.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 13, wherein the user input means comprises means for selectively adjusting at least one of the transparency values associated with at least one of the overlapping display objects.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 18, wherein the user input means further comprises means for selectively activating at least one of the overlapping display objects without altering its transparency, and cursor control means for operating on the activated overlapping display object.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 13, wherein the user input means comprises means for selectively activating at least one of the overlapping display objects without altering its transparency, and cursor control means for operating on the activated overlapping display object.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 13, wherein the user input means allows the selective activation of at least one overlapping display objects without bringing said activated overlapping display objects to the top.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-12-06 | 2003-06-07 | 2003-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-06 | 2007-06-07 | 2007-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-06 | 2011-06-07 | 2011-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |