System and method for window priority rendering

• US 20040056900A1
• Filed: 09/23/2002
• Published: 03/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Blume, Leo R.
• Application Number:
  US10/251,875
• Publication Number:
  US 20040056900A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/807
• 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 2320/0686 with two or more screen areas displaying information with different brightness or colours
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/14 Solving problems related to the presentation of information to be displayed
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2354/00 Aspects of interface with display user
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 Display of multiple viewports

Abstract

A method and corresponding apparatus for window priority rendering in graphical user interface (GUI) applications use filtering operations to display low priority windows, thus generating a less distracting GUI. A low priority window is a window that is not intended to receive user attention. With low priority windows displayed differently from high priority windows, a user can pay close attention to the window the user is currently using or the window to which the user'"'"'s attention is intended to be directed. As a result, the user is likely to make fewer errors and to interact more efficiently with the GUI.

Claims

1. A method for window priority rendering in graphical user interface (GUI) applications, comprising:

calculating and assigning window priority to a plurality of windows using priority rendering algorithms;

drawing the windows with the calculated window priority; and

applying filtering operations to images in low priority windows.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculating and assigning step includes assigning high priority to a newly created window.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculating and assigning step includes assigning high priority to a window with focus.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculating and assigning step includes assigning high priority to a modal window.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculating and assigning step includes assigning medium priority to a window with previous high priority.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculating and assigning step includes assigning priority according to a window position level.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculating and assigning step includes assigning priority according a window update frequency.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculating and assigning step includes assigning priority according to a user established window focus.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the applying step includes applying filtering operations within application software.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the applying step includes applying filtering operations within window system software.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the drawing step includes applying a post-draw function.

12. An apparatus for window priority rendering in graphical user interface (GUI) applications, comprising:

means for calculating and assigning window priority to a plurality of windows using priority rendering algorithms;

means for drawing the windows with the calculated window priority; and

means for applying filtering operations to images in low priority windows.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the means for applying include means for applying filtering operations within application software.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the means for applying include means for applying filtering operations within window system software.

15. A computer readable medium providing instructions for window priority rendering in graphical user interface (GUI) applications, the instructions comprising:

calculating and assigning window priority to a plurality of windows using priority rendering algorithms;

drawing the windows with the calculated window priority; and

applying filtering operations to images in low priority windows.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the instructions for calculating and assigning include instructions for assigning high priority to a newly created window.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the instructions for calculating and assigning include instructions for assigning high priority to a window with focus.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the instructions for calculating and assigning include instructions for assigning high priority to a modal window.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the instructions for applying include instructions for applying filtering operations within application software.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the instructions for applying include instructions for applying filtering operations within window system software.