Pop-up windows in a computer system

• US 20070101287A1
• Filed: 11/03/2005
• Published: 05/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Pagan, William
• Application Number:
  US11/266,512
• Publication Number:
  US 20070101287A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/781
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]

Abstract

The present invention provides a method, data processing system and computer program product in which a progressively changing warning is provided to the user of a computer system, over a period of time, to indicate that a pop-up window is to be displayed and given focus. The warning may be a visual and/or an audible effect. In an example visual effect the pop-up window is initially displayed transparently and progressively faded into view by reducing the level of transparency. In an example audible signal is initially output at a low volume and the column is progressively increased. Further the time period of the warning may be varied according to user activity.

Claims

1. A method for a data processing system, the method comprising:

a. receiving a request to display, and give focus to, a pop-up window on a computer display; and

b. performing the request comprising;

(a) causing a progressively changing warning to be provided to the user over a period of time; and

(b) causing the pop-up window to be displayed and given focus after the period of time.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the warning comprises at least one of a visual effect and an audible effect.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein causing a progressively changing warning comprises:

a. causing the pop-up window to be displayed at a given level of transparency; and

b. causing the pop-up window to be displayed at progressively reduced levels of transparency.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein causing a progressively changing warning comprises:

a. causing the pop-up window to be displayed at a given size; and

b. causing the pop-up window to be displayed at progressively increased sizes.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein causing a progressively changing warning comprises:

a. causing the pop-up window to be displayed for a short time;

b. causing the pop-up window to be displayed for progressively longer times.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises:

responsive to determining that a user is currently actively using the data processing system, causing the warning to be provided for a relatively longer period of time; and

responsive to determining that no user is currently actively using the data processing system, causing the warning to be provided for a relatively shorter period of time.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein causing a progressively changing warning comprises:

a. causing an audible signal to be being output at a given volume; and

b. causing the audible signal to be output at a progressively increasing volume.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein causing a progressively changing warning comprises:

a. causing an audible signal to be being output at a given pitch; and

b. causing the audible signal to be output at a progressively increasing pitch.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein causing a progressively changing warning comprises:

a. causing an audible signal to be output as for a short period; and

b. causing the audible signal to be output for progressively increasing periods.

10. A data processing system comprising:

at least one processor; and

memory accessible to the at least one processor and comprising a file system;

the at least one processor for performing sub-processes of;

a. receiving a request to display, and give focus to, a pop-up window on a computer display; and

b. performing the request comprising;

(a) causing a progressively changing warning to be provided to the user over a period of time; and

(b) causing the pop-up window to be displayed and given focus after the period of time.

11. The data processing system of claim 10 wherein the warning comprises at least one of a visual effect and an audible effect.

12. The data processing system of claim 10 wherein causing a progressively changing warning comprises:

a. causing the pop-up window to be displayed at a given level of transparency; and

b. causing the pop-up window to be displayed at progressively reduced levels of transparency.

13. The data processing system of claim 10 wherein causing a progressively changing warning comprises:

a. causing the pop-up window to be displayed at a given size; and

b. causing the pop-up window to be displayed at progressively increased sizes.

14. The data processing system of claim 10 wherein causing a progressively changing warning comprises:

a. causing the pop-up window to be displayed for a short time;

b. causing the pop-up window to be displayed for progressively longer times.

15. The data processing system of claim 10 wherein the sub-process further comprises:

responsive to determining that a user is currently actively using the data processing system, causing the warning to be provided for a relatively longer period of time; and

responsive to determining that no user is currently actively using the data processing system, causing the warning to be provided for a relatively shorter period of time.

16. The data processing system of claim 10 wherein causing a progressively changing warning comprises:

a. causing an audible signal to be being output at a given volume; and

b. causing the audible signal to be output at a progressively increasing volume.

17. The data processing system of claim 10 wherein causing a progressively changing warning comprises:

a. causing an audible signal to be being output at a given pitch; and

b. causing the audible signal to be output at a progressively increasing pitch.

18. The data processing system of claim 10 wherein causing a progressively changing warning comprises:

a. causing an audible signal to be output as for a short period; and

b. causing the audible signal to be output for progressively increasing periods.

19. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer perform the steps of:

a. receiving a request to display, and give focus to, a pop-up window on a computer display; and

b. performing the request comprising;

(a) causing a progressively changing warning to be provided to the user over a period of time; and

(b) causing the pop-up window to be displayed and given focus after the period of time.

20. The computer program product of claim 19 wherein the warning comprises at least one of a visual effect and an audible effect.

21. The computer program product of claim 19 wherein causing a progressively changing warning comprises:

a. causing the pop-up window to be displayed at a given level of transparency; and

b. causing the pop-up window to be displayed at progressively reduced levels of transparency.

22. The computer program product of claim 19 wherein causing a progressively changing warning comprises:

a. causing the pop-up window to be displayed at a given size; and

b. causing the pop-up window to be displayed at progressively increased sizes.

23. The computer program product of claim 19 wherein causing a progressively changing warning comprises:

a. causing the pop-up window to be displayed for a short time;

b. causing the pop-up window to be displayed for progressively longer times.

24. The computer program product of claim 19 wherein the steps further comprise:

responsive to determining that a user is currently actively using the computer, causing the warning to be provided for a relatively longer period of time; and

responsive to determining that no user is currently actively using the computer, causing the warning to be provided for a relatively shorter period of time.

25. The computer program product of claim 19 wherein causing a progressively changing warning comprises:

a. causing an audible signal to be being output which at a given volume; and

b. causing the audible signal to be output at a progressively increasing volume.

26. The computer program product of claim 19 wherein causing a progressively changing warning comprises:

a. causing an audible signal to be being output at a given pitch; and

b. causing the audible signal to be output at a progressively increasing pitch.

27. The computer program product of claim 19 wherein causing a progressively changing warning comprises:

a. causing an audible signal to be output as for a short period; and

b. causing the audible signal to be output for progressively increasing periods.