Automatic window representation adjustment

• US 20030142139A1
• Filed: 01/28/2002
• Published: 07/31/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LinkedIn Corporation (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Paolini, Michael A., Brown, Michael Wayne, Lawrence, Kelvin Roderick, Hately, Andrew Douglas
• Granted Patent: US 7,146,573 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/800
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04804 Transparency, e.g. transparent or translucent windows
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 Display of multiple viewports
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/30 Control of display attribute

Abstract

A method, system, and program for automatically adjusting window representations based on activity are provided. Current activity of a window element displayed within a graphical interface is detected. A representation of the window element is automatically adjusted within the display area to reflect current activity of the window element, such that the representation of the window element is graphically represented. In particular, the window element representation may include a minimized icon or an open window. Further, window element activity may include use of the window element, adjustments to the transparency of the window element representation or current resource usage associated with the window element.

Claims

1. A method for automatic window representation adjustment, said method comprising the steps of:

detecting current activity of a window element within a graphical interface; and

automatically performing at least one of minimizing said window element and maximizing said window element to reflect said current activity, such that a representation of said window element is graphically represented.

2. The method for automatic window representation adjustment according to claim 1, said step of automatically adjusting further comprising the step of:

automatically adjusting a position of said window element within a z-order of a plurality of windows displayed within said graphical interface.

3. The method for automatic window representation adjustment according to claim 1, said step of automatically adjusting further comprising the step of:

automatically adjusting a size of said window element.

4. The method for automatic window representation adjustment according to claim 1, said step of detecting current activity further comprising the step of:

detecting current use of a window element.

5. The method for automatic window representation adjustment according to claim 1, said step of detecting current activity further comprising the step of:

detecting a transparency of said representation of said window element.

6. The method for automatic window representation adjustment according to claim 1, said step of detecting current activity further comprising the step of:

detecting a resource usage associated with said window element.

7. The method for automatic window representation adjustment according to claim 1, said method further comprising:

detecting current activity in association with a plurality of windows elements displayed within said graphical interface; and

adjusting alpha levels associated with each of said plurality of window elements to order said plurality of window elements to reflect said current activity.

8. The method for automatic window representation adjustment according to claim 7, said method further comprising the step of:

adjusting alpha levels of a selection of said plurality of window elements that are minimized representations of a plurality of windows.

9. The method for automatic window representation adjustment according to claim 7, said method further comprising the step of:

performing at least one minimizing and maximizing each of said plurality of window elements in response to adjusting said alpha levels of each of said plurality of window elements.

10. A system for automatic window representation adjustment, said system comprising:

a graphical user interface;

means for detecting current activity of a window element within said graphical user interface; and

means for automatically performing at least one of minimizing said window element and maximizing said window element to reflect said current activity.

11. The system for automatic window representation adjustment according to claim 10, said means for automatically adjusting further comprising:

means for automatically adjusting a position of said window element within a z-order of a plurality of windows displayed within said graphical interface.

12. The system for automatic window representation adjustment according to claim 10, said means for automatically adjusting further comprising:

means for automatically adjusting a size of said window element.

13. The system for automatic window representation adjustment according to claim 10, said means for detecting current activity further comprising:

means for detecting current use of a window element.

14. The system for automatic window representation adjustment according to claim 10, said means for detecting current activity further comprising:

means for detecting a transparency of said representation of said window element.

15. The system for automatic window representation adjustment according to claim 10, said means for detecting current activity further comprising:

means for detecting a resource usage associated with said window element.

16. The system for automatic window representation adjustment according to claim 10, said system further comprising:

means for detecting current activity in association with a plurality of windows elements displayed within said graphical interface; and

means for adjusting alpha levels associated with each of said plurality of window elements to order said plurality of window elements to reflect said current activity.

17. The system for automatic window representation adjustment according to claim 16, said system further comprising:

means for adjusting alpha levels of a selection of said plurality of window elements that are minimized representations of a plurality of windows.

18. The system for automatic window representation adjustment according to claim 16, said system further comprising:

means for performing at least one minimizing and maximizing each of said plurality of window elements in response to adjusting said alpha levels of each of said plurality of window elements.

19. A program for automatic window representation adjustment, residing on a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising:

means for detecting current activity of a window element within a graphical interface; and

means for automatically controlling performance of at least one of minimizing said window element and maximizing said window element to reflect said current activity.

20. The program for automatic window representation adjustment according to claim 19, said program further comprising:

means for automatically controlling adjustment of a position of said window element within a z-order of a plurality of windows displayed within said graphical interface.

21. The program for automatic window representation adjustment according to claim 19, said program further comprising:

means for automatically controlling adjustment of a size of said window element.

22. The program for automatic window representation adjustment according to claim 19, said program further comprising:

means for detecting current use of a window element.

23. The program for automatic window representation adjustment according to claim 19, said program further comprising:

means for detecting a transparency of said representation of said window element.

24. The program for automatic window representation adjustment according to claim 19, said program further comprising:

means for detecting a resource usage associated with said window element.

25. The program for automatic window representation adjustment according to claim 19, said program further comprising:

means for detecting current activity in association with a plurality of windows elements displayed within said graphical interface; and

means for controlling adjustment of alpha levels associated with each of said plurality of window elements to order said plurality of window elements to reflect said current activity.

26. The program for automatic window representation adjustment according to claim 25, said program further comprising:

means for controlling adjustment of alpha levels of a selection of said plurality of window elements that are minimized representations of a plurality of windows.

27. The program for automatic window representation adjustment according to claim 25, said program further comprising:

means for controlling performance of at least one minimizing and maximizing each of said plurality of window elements in response to adjusting said alpha levels of each of said plurality of window elements.