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Multiple-mode window presentation system and processRelated Patent Categories: Data Processing: Presentation Processing Of Document, Operator Interface Processing, And Screen Saver Display Processing, Operator Interface (e.g., Graphical User Interface), On-screen Workspace Or ObjectMultiple-mode window presentation system and process description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060112348, Multiple-mode window presentation system and process. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of a prior application entitled "A MULTIPLE-MODE WINDOW PRESENTATION SYSTEM AND PROCESS" which was assigned Ser. No. 10/693,678 and filed Oct. 24, 2003. BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Technical Field [0003] The invention is related to displaying windows on a computing device's display screen, and more particularly to a multiple-mode window presentation system and process that displays one or more of the peripheral graphic user interface (GUI) elements in a first appearance mode when a window is maximized and displays one or more of these peripheral GUI elements in a second appearance mode when the window is displayed in a less-than maximized size within the display screen. The second appearance mode is substantially different from the first appearance mode, and in preferred embodiments the second appearance mode is designed to attract the attention of a user, while the first appearance mode is design to avoid distracting the user's attention from the content of the window. [0004] 2. Background Art [0005] A window is a viewing area presented on a computing device's display screen typically employed in a multitasking operating system that allows more than one of such viewing areas to be displayed on the screen at any one time as part of a graphical user interface (GUI). In essence windows are employed by a computer program to interface with the user. In this way the user can interact with any of the currently displayed windows, usually by placing the screen cursor over the window and selecting portions of it, such as an icon or button. One such interaction involves the user resizing a currently displayed window. For example, it can be stretched on any side, minimized, maximized, restored and closed. In regard to restoring a window, this generally refers to a resizing of the window to a smaller viewing area in response to a user entering a restore command (e.g., by selecting a restore button in the window) when the window is maximized in the display screen. This smaller size is typically the default size the window is displayed at when first opened. Thus, the term restore was coined in reference to restoring the window to its former size. The restore term has also come to generally refer to any less-than-maximized window size, regardless of if it has been first opened or downsized from its maximum size. [0006] Typically, windows are rendered and managed by a rendering system (which can be a so-called "windows manger" program) as part of a "windowing system" such as Microsoft Corporation's Windows.RTM. operating system. A window manager is the computer program responsible for coordinating all the windows currently displayed on the screen. Specifically, a window manager program handles among other things how all of the windows created by various applications that share the screen are displayed. Thus it is the window manager that determines the size, position and stacking order for each window displayed on the screen. This is based on both the requirements of the computer program associated with the window and user inputs. It is also the job of the window manager to create a frame, including a title bar, around the displayed windows. The frame essentially defines the boundaries of the window on the screen. In general, this frame falls under the category of peripheral GUI elements displayed on the display screen of the computing device. The window manager program can further generate a task bar, which includes among other things indicator bars that identify the windows currently opened and available to the user. The task bar is typically displayed at the bottom of the display screen, although it is not unknown to display it elsewhere such as along one side of the screen. The task bar is another example of a peripheral GUI element. [0007] A problem with current window manager programs is that the appearance of a maximized window is very similar to the same window when displayed in a default or restored size. For example, the only visible difference between the frame of a maximized window in most windowing systems and the frame of a restored window, is the glyph that appears in a minimize/restore button in the window's title bar. When the window is maximized, a restore glyph appears on the button, and when the window exhibits its restored size, a maximize glyph appears on the button. In the case of the task bar, there is often no difference in its appearance at all, regardless of whether a window is maximized or exhibits its restored size. [0008] The similarity between the appearance of maximized and restored windows is a source of confusion and consternation for users. First, it is difficult for the user to readily differentiate between maximized and restored windows in those instances where the maximized size of a window does not fill the entire display screen. For example, a user may want to work with a window and have it as big as possible for this purpose. In current systems, the user would have to find the minimize/restore button in the window (if present) and identify which glyph is being displayed. As the button and glyphs can be quite small this can be an irksome task. [0009] Secondly, when a user maximizes a window it is an indication that he or she wants to focus on the content of that window. Thus, extraneous objects displayed on the periphery of the window, such as in the frame and task bar may constitute a distraction that takes the users attention away from the content of the window. For example, the window frames and the task bar added by current window manager programs are often designed to be eye-catching and aesthetically pleasing. This may be fine when the user is not interested in concentrating on the content of a window. However, when a user does want to attend to a window, the window frame and task bar appearance can distract the user, all the more so in that they are designed to attract the user's attention. Thus, what may be desirable for a window when in the restored size, can become a distraction when the window is maximized. However, this is what happens with current window manager programs since the window frames and task bar appearances are not generally changed when the window is resized. SUMMARY [0010] The present invention is directed toward a system and process for managing the presentation of windows on the display screen of a computing device that avoids the aforementioned problems of current window manager programs. In general, the present invention is a multiple-mode window presentation system and process that displays one or more of the peripheral graphic user interface (GUI) elements displayed on the display screen in addition to a window, such as the frame and title bar of the window and any task bar or side bar, in a first appearance mode when the window is maximized. However, when the window is displayed in a less-than-maximized size, one or more of the peripheral GUI elements are displayed in a second appearance mode which is substantially different from the first. In a preferred embodiment of the present system and process, the second appearance mode is designed to attract the attention of a user to the peripheral GUI elements, while the first mode is designed to avoid distracting the user from the content of the maximized window. In this way, in the first appearance mode, the user's attention is focused on the content of the window rather than the peripheral GUI elements. However, when the window is first opened or restored, or otherwise exhibits a size that is less than its maximized size, the peripheral GUI elements are displayed so as to exhibit an appearance that attracts a user's attention to the peripheral GUI elements. [0011] The foregoing change in the appearance of the peripheral GUI elements has some distinct advantages. When a user maximizes a window, it is likely that he or she intends to attend to the contents displayed in that window and does not want to be distracted by extraneous item displayed outside the window. Changing the appearance of one or more of the peripheral GUI elements when a window is maximized to one that de-emphasizes them, reduces the chance that the user will be distracted from the content of the window. In addition, the change helps the user differentiate between a maximized window and a restored window, without having to find the aforementioned minimize/restore button in those cases where the maximized window does not take up the entire display screen. Conversely, when a window is not maximized this is an indication that the user may not be actively working with that window. Thus, displaying the peripheral GUI element with a visually interesting appearance that attracts the attention of the user is appropriate and desired. [0012] The appearance of the aforementioned peripheral GUI elements can be de-emphasized is several way. For example, in one new window presentation scheme the peripheral GUI elements appear to have a degree of transparency so the user can see a portion of whatever image is displayed in the background of the display screen through the GUI elements. While this look is visually enticing, it could become a distraction when the user wants to concentrate on the content of a window. Thus, one preferred way of de-emphasizing the appearance of the peripheral GUI elements is to make them opaque, or at least substantially opaque, meaning that the underlying imagery is either completely or substantially blocked from being viewed through these GUI elements Another way is to change the background color of the elements to something that is less eye-catching than the maximized window's content. For example, the color black is a good choice, although not the only one. Yet another way to de-emphasize the appearance of the peripheral GUI elements is to change the color of any lettering or graphics contained in the elements to something that does not draw attention, but which can still be read. In tested embodiments of the present system and process the color white was chosen with good results. However, white is not he only choice that would accomplish the intended purpose. Further, peripheral GUI elements often included control buttons, indicator bars and the like. These items are often brightly colored and textured to draw the attention of the user to them. Thus, to de-emphasize such items, the color and texture can be changed to something more nondescript. In tested embodiments these items were displayed in an opaque grey; however other non-obtrusive colors and textures could be chosen as well. Still another example of way in which the appearance of the frame surrounding a window can be de-emphasized when the window is maximized involves simply eliminating it with the exception of the portion containing the title bar as this may be helpful to the user. [0013] In addition to the just described benefits, other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description which follows hereinafter when taken in conjunction with the drawing figures which accompany it. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] The file of this patent contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent with color drawing(s) will be provided by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee. [0015] The specific features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: [0016] FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting a general purpose computing device constituting an exemplary system for implementing the present invention. [0017] FIG. 2 is a flow chart diagramming a process for managing the presentation of windows on the display screen of a computing device in accordance with the present invention in a situation where a window starts out being displayed in a less-than-maximized size. [0018] FIG. 3 is a flow chart diagramming a process for managing the presentation of windows on the display screen of a computing device in accordance with the present invention in a situation where a window starts out being displayed in its maximized size, [0019] FIG. 4 is an image of a display screen showing a window in its restored size against a background, where the frame of the window and the task bar at the bottom of the screen have the appearance of being somewhat transparent--a visually stunning look that attracts the attention of a user. [0020] FIG. 5 is an image of a display screen showing the window of FIG. 4 maximized within the display screen, where all but the title bar of the window's frame has been eliminated, and where the title bar and the task bar have been de-emphasized so as to not draw the attention of the user away from the content of the window. Continue reading about Multiple-mode window presentation system and process... Full patent description for Multiple-mode window presentation system and process Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Multiple-mode window presentation system and process patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Multiple-mode window presentation system and process or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Facilitating target acquisition by expanding targets Next Patent Application: System and method for directional focus navigation Industry Class: Data processing: presentation processing of document ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Multiple-mode window presentation system and process patent info. 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