Operating system-independent graphical user interface with sliding panel

Claim 2

A graphical user interface (GUI) for display within a display device of a computer, wherein the computer includes an operating system executing therewithin, and wherein a desktop is displayed within the display device by the operating system, the GUI comprising: means for displaying a first panel within the desktop, wherein the first panel comprises a display area configured to display information associated with an application program executing within the computer; means for movably displaying a second panel within the desktop, wherein the second panel is positioned beneath the first panel and is movably associated therewith between a hidden position beneath the first panel and an exposed position adjacent the first panel; at least one GUI control on at least one of the first and second panels, wherein the at least one GUI control is configured to control display of information associated with the application program within the first panel display area, wherein the at least one GUI control is functionally independent of the operating system, and wherein the at least one GUI control is configured to inherit at least one style property from the operating system; and means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions in response to user input.

Claim 3

A GUI according to claim 1 wherein the at least one GUI control comprises a plurality of GUI controls.

Claim 4

A GUI according to claim 1 wherein the style property is selected from the group consisting of color, shape and typography.

Claim 5

A GUI according to claim 1 wherein the second display panel comprises a set of GUI controls extending from a portion thereof that are visible to a user when the second panel is in both the hidden and exposed positions, wherein each GUI control in the set is functionally independent of the operating system, and wherein each GUI control in the set is configured to inherit at least one style property from the operating system.

Claim 6

A GUI according to claim 4 wherein the style property is selected from the group consisting of color, shape and typography.

Claim 7

A GUI according to claim 4 wherein the means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions comprises means for activating one of the GUI controls in the set.

Claim 8

A GUI according to claim 1 further comprising an object positioned adjacent the first panel, wherein the object is movable between first and second positions, wherein the second panel is in the hidden position when the object is in the first position, wherein the second panel is in the exposed position when the object is in the second position, and wherein the means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions comprises means for moving the object between the first and second positions.

Claim 9

A GUI according to claim 7 wherein the means for moving the object between the first and second positions comprises means for performing a dragging operation on the object with a pointer displayed within the desktop.

Claim 10

A GUI according to claim 1 wherein the application program is a monitoring program for an uninterruptible power supply.

Claim 11

A computer program product for displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) within a display device of a computer, wherein the computer includes an operating system executing therewithin, wherein a desktop is displayed within the display device by the operating system, the computer program product comprising a computer usable storage medium having computer readable program code means embodied in the medium, the computer readable program code means comprising: computer readable code means for displaying a first panel within the desktop, wherein the first panel comprises a display area configured to display information associated with an application program executing within the computer; computer readable code means for movably displaying a second panel within the desktop, wherein the second panel is positioned beneath the first panel and is movably associated therewith between a hidden position beneath the first panel and an exposed position adjacent the first panel; computer readable code means for displaying at least one GUI control on at least one of the first and second panels, wherein the at least one GUI control is configured to control display of information associated with the application program within the first panel display area, wherein the at least one GUI control is functionally independent of the operating system, wherein the at least one GUI control is configured to inherit at least one style property from the operating system; and computer readable code means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions in response to user input.

Claim 12

A computer program product for displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) within a display device of a computer, wherein the computer includes an operating system executing therewithin, wherein a desktop is displayed within the display device by the operating system, the computer program product comprising a computer usable storage medium having computer readable program code means embodied in the medium, the computer readable program code means comprising: computer readable code means for displaying a first panel within the desktop, wherein the first panel comprises a display area configured to display information associated with an application program executing within the computer; computer readable code means for movably displaying a second panel within the desktop, wherein the second panel is positioned beneath the first panel and is movably associated therewith between a hidden position beneath the first panel and an exposed position adjacent the first panel; computer readable code means for displaying at least one GUI control on at least one of the first and second panels, wherein the at least one GUI control is configured to control display of information associated with the application program within the first panel display area, wherein the at least one GUI control is functionally independent of the operating system, wherein the at least one GUI control is configured to inherit at least one style property from the operating system; and computer readable code means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions in response to user input.

Claim 13

A computer program product according to claim 10 wherein the at least one GUI control comprises a plurality of GUI controls.

Claim 14

A computer program product according to claim 10 wherein the style property is selected from the group consisting of color, shape and typography.

Claim 15

A computer program product according to claim 10 wherein the second display panel comprises a set of GUI controls extending from a portion thereof that are visible to a user when the second panel is in both the hidden and exposed positions, wherein each GUI control in the set is functionally independent of the operating system, and wherein each GUI control in the set is configured to inherit at least one style property from the operating system.

Claim 16

A computer program product according to claim 13 wherein the style property is selected from the group consisting of color, shape and typography.

Claim 17

A computer program product according to claim 13 wherein the computer readable code means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions comprises computer readable code means for activating one of the GUI controls in the set.

Claim 18

A computer program product according to claim 10 further comprising an object positioned adjacent the first panel, wherein the object is movable between first and second positions, wherein the second panel is in the hidden position when the object is in the first position, wherein the second panel is in the exposed position when the object is in the second position, and wherein the computer readable code means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions comprises computer readable code means for moving the object between the first and second positions.

Claim 19

A computer program product according to claim 16 wherein the computer readable code means for moving the object between the first and second positions comprises computer readable code means for performing a dragging operation on the object with a pointer displayed within the desktop.

Claim 20

A computer program product according to claim 10 wherein the application program is a monitoring program for an uninterruptible power supply.

Claim 23

A method according to claim 19 wherein the at least one GUI control comprises a plurality of GUI controls.

Claim 24

A method according to claim 19 wherein the style property is selected from the group consisting of color, shape and typography.

Claim 25

A method according to claim 19 wherein the second display panel comprises a set of GUI controls extending from a portion thereof that are visible to a user when the second panel is in both the hidden and exposed positions, wherein each GUI control in the set is functionally independent of the operating system, and wherein each GUI control in the set is configured to inherit at least one style property from the operating system.

Claim 26

A method according to claim 22 wherein the style property is selected from the group consisting of color, shape and typography.

Claim 27

A method according to claim 22 wherein the step of moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions comprises activating one of the GUI controls in the set.

Claim 28

A method according to claim 19 further comprising an object positioned adjacent the first panel, wherein the object is movable between first and second positions, wherein the second panel is in the hidden position when the object is in the first position, wherein the second panel is in the exposed position when the object is in the second position, and wherein the step of moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions comprises moving the object between the first and second positions.

Claim 29

A method according to claim 25 wherein the step of moving the object between the first and second positions comprises performing a dragging operation on the object with a pointer displayed within the desktop.

Claim 30

A method according to claim 19 wherein the application program is a monitoring program for an uninterruptible power supply.

Claim 31

A data processing system, comprising: a computer in communication with an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) device, wherein the computer includes an operating system and a UPS device monitoring application program executing therewithin; a display device including a desktop displayed therewithin via the operating system; and a graphical user interface (GUI) associated with the UPS device monitoring application program displayed within the display device, wherein the GUI comprises: a first panel displayed within the desktop, wherein the first panel comprises a display area configured to display information associated with the UPS device monitoring application program; a second panel displayed within the desktop, wherein the second panel is positioned beneath the first panel and is movably associated therewith between a hidden position beneath the first panel and an exposed position adjacent the first panel; at least one GUI control on at least one of the first and second panels, wherein the at least one GUI control is configured to control display of information associated with the UPS device monitoring application program within the first panel display area, wherein the at least one GUI control is functionally independent of the operating system and is configured to inherit at least one style property from the operating system; and means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions in response to user input.

Claim 32

A data processing system, comprising: a computer in communication with an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) device, wherein the computer includes an operating system and a UPS device monitoring application program executing therewithin; a display device including a desktop displayed therewithin via the operating system; and a graphical user interface (GUI) associated with the UPS device monitoring application program displayed within the display device, wherein the GUI comprises: a first panel displayed within the desktop, wherein the first panel comprises a display area configured to display information associated with the UPS device monitoring application program; a second panel displayed within the desktop, wherein the second panel is positioned beneath the first panel and is movably associated therewith between a hidden position beneath the first panel and an exposed position adjacent the first panel; at least one GUI control on at least one of the first and second panels, wherein the at least one GUI control is configured to control display of information associated with the UPS device monitoring application program within the first panel display area, wherein the at least one GUI control is functionally independent of the operating system and is configured to inherit at least one style property from the operating system; and means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions in response to user input.

Claim 33

A data processing system according to claim 28 wherein the at least one GUI control comprises a plurality of GUI controls.

Claim 34

A data processing system according to claim 28 wherein the style property is selected from the group consisting of color, shape and typography.

Claim 35

A data processing system according to claim 28 wherein the second display panel comprises a plurality of tabs extending from a portion thereof that are visible to a user when the second panel is in both the hidden and exposed positions, and wherein each tab is configured to inherit at least one style property from the operating system.

Claim 36

A data processing system according to claim 31 wherein the style property is selected from the group consisting of color, shape and typography.

Claim 37

A data processing system according to claim 31 wherein the means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions comprises means for activating one of the plurality of tabs.

Claim 38

A data processing system according to claim 28 further comprising an object positioned adjacent the first panel, wherein the object is movable between first and second positions, wherein the second panel is in the hidden position when the object is in the first position, wherein the second panel is in the exposed position when the object is in the second position, and wherein the means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions comprises means for moving the object between the first and second positions.

Claim 39

A data processing system according to claim 34 wherein the means for moving the object between the first and second positions comprises means for performing a dragging operation on the object with a pointer displayed within the desktop.

Claim 40

A graphical user interface (GUI) for display within a display device of a computer, wherein the computer includes an operating system executing therewithin, and wherein a desktop is displayed within the display device by the operating system, the GUI comprising: means for displaying a first panel within the desktop, wherein the first panel comprises a display area configured to display information associated with an application program executing within the computer; means for movably displaying a second panel within the desktop, wherein the second panel is positioned beneath the first panel and is movably associated therewith between a hidden position beneath the first panel and an exposed position adjacent the first panel, wherein the second panel comprises a first set of GUI controls for controlling display of information within the first panel display area, wherein each GUI control in the first set is functionally independent of the operating system, and wherein the GUI controls in the first set are configured to inherit at least one style property from the operating system; and means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions in response to user input.

Claim 41

A graphical user interface (GUI) for display within a display device of a computer, wherein the computer includes an operating system executing therewithin, and wherein a desktop is displayed within the display device by the operating system, the GUI comprising: means for displaying a first panel within the desktop, wherein the first panel comprises a display area configured to display information associated with an application program executing within the computer; means for movably displaying a second panel within the desktop, wherein the second panel is positioned beneath the first panel and is movably associated therewith between a hidden position beneath the first panel and an exposed position adjacent the first panel, wherein the second panel comprises a first set of GUI controls for controlling display of information within the first panel display area, wherein each GUI control in the first set is functionally independent of the operating system, and wherein the GUI controls in the first set are configured to inherit at least one style property from the operating system; and means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions in response to user input.

Claim 42

A GUI according to claim 36 wherein the style property is selected from the group consisting of color, shape and typography.

Claim 43

A GUI according to claim 36 wherein the second display panel comprises a second set of GUI controls extending from a portion thereof that are visible to a user when the second panel is in both the hidden and exposed positions, wherein each GUI control in the second set is functionally independent of the operating system, and wherein each GUI control in the second set is configured to inherit at least one style property from the operating system.

Claim 44

A GUI according to claim 38 wherein the style property is selected from the group consisting of color, shape and typography.

Claim 45

A GUI according to claim 38 wherein the means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions comprises means for activating one of the GUI controls in the second set.

Claim 46

A GUI according to claim 36 further comprising an object positioned adjacent the first panel, wherein the object is movable between first and second positions, wherein the second panel is in the hidden position when the object is in the first position, wherein the second panel is in the exposed position when the object is in the second position, and wherein the means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions comprises means for moving the object between the first and second positions.

Claim 47

A GUI according to claim 41 wherein the means for moving the object between the first and second positions comprises means for performing a dragging operation on the object with a pointer displayed within the desktop.

Claim 48

A GUI according to claim 36 wherein the application program is a monitoring program for an uninterruptible power supply.

Claim 49

A graphical user interface (GUI) for display within a display device of a computer, wherein the computer includes an operating system executing therewithin, and wherein a desktop is displayed within the display device by the operating system, the GUI comprising: means for displaying a first panel within the desktop, wherein the first panel comprises a display area configured to display information associated with an application program executing within the computer; means for movably displaying a second panel within the desktop, wherein the second panel is positioned beneath the first panel and is movably associated therewith between a hidden position beneath the first panel and an exposed position adjacent the first panel, wherein the second panel comprises a first set of GUI controls for controlling display of information within the first panel display area, wherein each GUI control in the first set is functionally independent of the operating system, wherein the second display panel comprises a second set of GUI controls extending from a portion thereof that are visible to a user when the second panel is in both the hidden and exposed positions, wherein each GUI control in the second set is functionally independent of the operating system, and wherein each GUI control in the second set is configured to inherit at least one style property from the operating system; and means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions in response to user input.

Claim 50

A graphical user interface (GUI) for display within a display device of a computer, wherein the computer includes an operating system executing therewithin, and wherein a desktop is displayed within the display device by the operating system, the GUI comprising: means for displaying a first panel within the desktop, wherein the first panel comprises a display area configured to display information associated with an application program executing within the computer; means for movably displaying a second panel within the desktop, wherein the second panel is positioned beneath the first panel and is movably associated therewith between a hidden position beneath the first panel and an exposed position adjacent the first panel, wherein the second panel comprises a first set of GUI controls for controlling display of information within the first panel display area, wherein each GUI control in the first set is functionally independent of the operating system, wherein the second display panel comprises a second set of GUI controls extending from a portion thereof that are visible to a user when the second panel is in both the hidden and exposed positions, wherein each GUI control in the second set is functionally independent of the operating system, and wherein each GUI control in the second set is configured to inherit at least one style property from the operating system; and means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions in response to user input.

Claim 51

A GUI according to claim 44 wherein the style property is selected from the group consisting of color, shape and typography.

Claim 52

A GUI according to claim 44 wherein the style property is selected from the group consisting of color, shape and typography.

Claim 53

A GUI according to claim 44 wherein the means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions comprises means for activating one of the GUI controls in the second set.

Claim 54

A GUI according to claim 44 further comprising an object positioned adjacent the first panel, wherein the object is movable between first and second positions, wherein the second panel is in the hidden position when the object is in the first position, wherein the second panel is in the exposed position when the object is in the second position, and wherein the means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions comprises means for moving the object between the first and second positions.

Claim 55

A GUI according to claim 48 wherein the means for moving the object between the first and second positions comprises means for performing a dragging operation on the object with a pointer displayed within the desktop.

Claim 56

A GUI according to claim 44 wherein the application program is a monitoring program for an uninterruptible power supply.

Claim 57

A computer program product for displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) within a display device of a computer, wherein the computer includes an operating system executing therewithin, wherein a desktop is displayed within the display device by the operating system, the computer program product comprising a computer usable storage medium having computer readable program code means embodied in the medium, the computer readable program code means comprising: computer readable code means for displaying a first panel within the desktop, wherein the first panel comprises a display area configured to display information associated with an application program executing within the computer; computer readable code means for movably displaying a second panel within the desktop, wherein the second panel is positioned beneath the first panel and is movably associated therewith between a hidden position beneath the first panel and an exposed position adjacent the first panel, wherein the second panel comprises a first set of GUI controls for controlling display of information within the first panel display area, wherein each GUI control in the first set is functionally independent of the operating system, and wherein the GUI controls in the first set are configured to inherit at least one style property from the operating system; and computer readable code means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions in response to user input.

Claim 58

A computer program product for displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) within a display device of a computer, wherein the computer includes an operating system executing therewithin, wherein a desktop is displayed within the display device by the operating system, the computer program product comprising a computer usable storage medium having computer readable program code means embodied in the medium, the computer readable program code means comprising: computer readable code means for displaying a first panel within the desktop, wherein the first panel comprises a display area configured to display information associated with an application program executing within the computer; computer readable code means for movably displaying a second panel within the desktop, wherein the second panel is positioned beneath the first panel and is movably associated therewith between a hidden position beneath the first panel and an exposed position adjacent the first panel, wherein the second panel comprises a first set of GUI controls for controlling display of information within the first panel display area, wherein each GUI control in the first set is functionally independent of the operating system, and wherein the GUI controls in the first set are configured to inherit at least one style property from the operating system; and computer readable code means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions in response to user input.

Claim 59

A computer program product according to claim 51 wherein the style property is selected from the group consisting of color, shape and typography.

Claim 60

A computer program product according to claim 51 wherein the second display panel comprises a second set of GUI controls extending from a portion thereof that are visible to a user when the second panel is in both the hidden and exposed positions, wherein each GUI control in the second set is functionally independent of the operating system, and wherein each GUI control in the second set is configured to inherit at least one style property from the operating system.

Claim 61

A computer program product according to claim 53 wherein the style property is selected from the group consisting of color, shape and typography.

Claim 62

A computer program product according to claim 53 wherein the computer readable code means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions comprises computer readable code means for activating one of the GUI controls in the second set.

Claim 63

A computer program product according to claim 51 further comprising an object positioned adjacent the first panel, wherein the object is movable between first and second positions, wherein the second panel is in the hidden position when the object is in the first position, wherein the second panel is in the exposed position when the object is in the second position, and wherein the computer readable code means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions comprises computer readable code means for moving the object between the first and second positions.

Claim 64

A computer program product according to claim 56 wherein the computer readable code means for moving the object between the first and second positions comprises computer readable code means for performing a dragging operation on the object with a pointer displayed within the desktop.

Claim 65

A computer program product according to claim 51 wherein the application program is a monitoring program for an uninterruptible power supply.

Claim 66

A computer program product for displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) within a display device of a computer, wherein the computer includes an operating system executing therewithin, wherein a desktop is displayed within the display device by the operating system, the computer program product comprising a computer usable storage medium having computer readable program code means embodied in the medium, the computer readable program code means comprising: computer readable code means for displaying a first panel within the desktop, wherein the first panel comprises a display area configured to display information associated with an application program executing within the computer; computer readable code means for movably displaying a second panel within the desktop, wherein the second panel is positioned beneath the first panel and is movably associated therewith between a hidden position beneath the first panel and an exposed position adjacent the first panel, wherein the second panel comprises a first set of GUI controls for controlling display of information within the first panel display area, wherein each GUI control in the first set is functionally independent of the operating system, wherein the second display panel comprises a second set of GUI controls extending from a portion thereof that are visible to a user when the second panel is in both the hidden and exposed positions, wherein each GUI control in the second set is functionally independent of the operating system, and wherein each GUI control in the second set is configured to inherit at least one style property from the operating system; and computer readable code means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions in response to user input.

Claim 67

A computer program product for displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) within a display device of a computer, wherein the computer includes an operating system executing therewithin, wherein a desktop is displayed within the display device by the operating system, the computer program product comprising a computer usable storage medium having computer readable program code means embodied in the medium, the computer readable program code means comprising: computer readable code means for displaying a first panel within the desktop, wherein the first panel comprises a display area configured to display information associated with an application program executing within the computer; computer readable code means for movably displaying a second panel within the desktop, wherein the second panel is positioned beneath the first panel and is movably associated therewith between a hidden position beneath the first panel and an exposed position adjacent the first panel, wherein the second panel comprises a first set of GUI controls for controlling display of information within the first panel display area, wherein each GUI control in the first set is functionally independent of the operating system, wherein the second display panel comprises a second set of GUI controls extending from a portion thereof that are visible to a user when the second panel is in both the hidden and exposed positions, wherein each GUI control in the second set is functionally independent of the operating system, and wherein each GUI control in the second set is configured to inherit at least one style property from the operating system; and computer readable code means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions in response to user input.

Claim 68

A computer program product according to claim 59 wherein the style property is selected from the group consisting of color, shape and typography.

Claim 69

A computer program product according to claim 60 wherein the style property is selected from the group consisting of color, shape and typography.

Claim 70

A computer program product according to claim 60 wherein the computer readable code means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions comprises computer readable code means for activating one of the GUI controls in the second set.

Claim 71

A computer program product according to claim 60 further comprising an object positioned adjacent the first panel, wherein the object is movable between first and second positions, wherein the second panel is in the hidden position when the object is in the first position, wherein the second panel is in the exposed position when the object is in the second position, and wherein the computer readable code means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions comprises computer readable code means for moving the object between the first and second positions.

Claim 72

A computer program product according to claim 63 wherein the computer readable code means for moving the object between the first and second positions comprises computer readable code means for performing a dragging operation on the object with a pointer displayed within the desktop.

Claim 73

A computer program product according to claim 60 wherein the application program is a monitoring program for an uninterruptible power supply.

Claim 74

A graphical user interface (GUI) for display within a display device of a computer, wherein the computer includes an operating system executing therewithin, and wherein a desktop is displayed within the display device by the operating system, the GUI comprising: means for displaying a first panel within the desktop, wherein the first panel comprises a display area configured to display information associated with an application program executing within the computer; means for movably displaying a second panel within the desktop, wherein the second panel is positioned beneath the first panel and is movably associated therewith between a hidden position beneath the first panel and an exposed position adjacent the first panel, wherein the second panel comprises a first set of GUI controls for controlling display of information within the first panel display area, and wherein each GUI control in the first set is functionally independent of the operating system; an object positioned adjacent the first panel, wherein the object is movable between first and second visible positions, wherein the second panel is in the hidden position when the object is in the first visible position, and wherein the second panel is in the exposed position when the object is in the second visible position; and means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions in response to user input, comprising means for moving the object between the first and second visible positions.

Claim 75

A graphical user interface (GUI) for display within a display device of a computer, wherein the computer includes an operating system executing therewithin, and wherein a desktop is displayed within the display device by the operating system, the GUI comprising: means for displaying a first panel within the desktop, wherein the first panel comprises a display area configured to display information associated with an application program executing within the computer; means for movably displaying a second panel within the desktop, wherein the second panel is positioned beneath the first panel and is movably associated therewith between a hidden position beneath the first panel and an exposed position adjacent the first panel, wherein the second panel comprises a first set of GUI controls for controlling display of information within the first panel display area, and wherein each GUI control in the first set is functionally independent of the operating system; an object positioned adjacent the first panel, wherein the object is movable between first and second visible positions, wherein the second panel is in the hidden position when the object is in the first visible position, and wherein the second panel is in the exposed position when the object is in the second visible position; and means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions in response to user input, comprising means for moving the object between the first and second visible positions.

Claim 76

A GUI according to claim 66 wherein the GUI controls in the first set are configured to inherit at least one style property from the operating system.

Claim 77

A GUI according to claim 67 wherein the style property is selected from the group consisting of color, shape and typography.

Claim 78

A GUI according to claim 66 wherein the second display panel comprises a second set of GUI controls extending from a portion thereof that are visible to a user when the second panel is in both the hidden and exposed positions, wherein each GUI control in the second set is functionally independent of the operating system, and wherein each GUI control in the second set is configured to inherit at least one style property from the operating system.

Claim 79

A GUI according to claim 69 wherein the style property is selected from the group consisting of color, shape and typography.

Claim 80

A GUI according to claim 69 wherein the means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions comprises means for activating one of the GUI controls in the second set.

Claim 81

A GUI according to claim 71 wherein the means for moving the object between the first and second positions comprises means for performing a dragging operation on the object with a pointer displayed within the desktop.

Claim 82

A GUI according to claim 66 wherein the application program is a monitoring program for an uninterruptible power supply.

Claim 83

A computer program product for displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) within a display device of a computer, wherein the computer includes an operating system executing therewithin, wherein a desktop is displayed within the display device by the operating system, the computer program product comprising a computer usable storage medium having computer readable program code means embodied in the medium, the computer readable program code means comprising: computer readable code means for displaying a first panel within the desktop, wherein the first panel comprises a display area configured to display information associated with an application program executing within the computer; computer readable code means for movably displaying a second panel within the desktop, wherein the second panel is positioned beneath the first panel and is movably associated therewith between a hidden position beneath the first panel and an exposed position adjacent the first panel, wherein the second panel comprises a first set of GUI controls for controlling display of information within the first panel display area, wherein each GUI control in the first set is functionally independent of the operating system; computer readable code means for positioning an object adjacent the first panel, wherein the object is movable between first and second visible positions, wherein the second panel is in the hidden position when the object is in the first visible position, and wherein the second panel is in the exposed position when the object is in the second visible position; and computer readable code means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions in response to user input, comprising computer readable code means for moving the object between the first and second visible positions.

Claim 84

A computer program product for displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) within a display device of a computer, wherein the computer includes an operating system executing therewithin, wherein a desktop is displayed within the display device by the operating system, the computer program product comprising a computer usable storage medium having computer readable program code means embodied in the medium, the computer readable program code means comprising: computer readable code means for displaying a first panel within the desktop, wherein the first panel comprises a display area configured to display information associated with an application program executing within the computer; computer readable code means for movably displaying a second panel within the desktop, wherein the second panel is positioned beneath the first panel and is movably associated therewith between a hidden position beneath the first panel and an exposed position adjacent the first panel, wherein the second panel comprises a first set of GUI controls for controlling display of information within the first panel display area, wherein each GUI control in the first set is functionally independent of the operating system; computer readable code means for positioning an object adjacent the first panel, wherein the object is movable between first and second visible positions, wherein the second panel is in the hidden position when the object is in the first visible position, and wherein the second panel is in the exposed position when the object is in the second visible position; and computer readable code means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions in response to user input, comprising computer readable code means for moving the object between the first and second visible positions.

Claim 85

A computer program product according to claim 74 wherein the GUI controls in the first set are configured to inherit at least one style property from the operating system.

Claim 86

A computer program product according to claim 75 wherein the style property is selected from the group consisting of color, shape and typography.

Claim 87

A computer program product according to claim 75 wherein the second display panel comprises a second set of GUI controls extending from a portion thereof that are visible to a user when the second panel is in both the hidden and exposed positions, wherein each GUI control in the second set is functionally independent of the operating system, and wherein each GUI control in the second set is configured to inherit at least one style property from the operating system.

Claim 88

A computer program product according to claim 77 wherein the style property is selected from the group consisting of color, shape and typography.

Claim 89

A computer program product according to claim 77 wherein the computer readable code means for moving the second panel between the hidden and exposed positions comprises computer readable code means for activating one of the GUI controls in the second set.

Claim 90

A computer program product according to claim 74 wherein the computer readable code means for moving the object between the first and second positions comprises computer readable code means for performing a dragging operation on the object with a pointer displayed within the desktop.

Claim 91

A computer program product according to claim 74 wherein the application program is a monitoring program for an uninterruptible power supply.