Time-based, non-constant translation of user interface objects between states
First Claim
1. A method for transitioning a window between an open state at a first location:
- on a display, in which said window has a first size, and a minimized state at a second location on said display, in which said window is represented at a second, smaller size, comprising the following steps;
in response to a command to switch the window from one of said states to the other state, defining a path between said two locations;
displaying said window at successive locations along said path to present the effect of movement of said window along said path; and
scaling the window from the size associated with said one state to the size associated with said other state as the window moves along said path.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a method for moving objects within the graphical user interface (GUI) of an operating system in a manner that provides a transitional effect between window states, which is pleasing to the user. This transitional effect includes changing the shape of a window while scaling and moving the window between two different sizes and positions. In one embodiment of the present invention, the transitional effect may be employed as a window is minimized into an icon, or restored from an icon. In another embodiment of the present invention, the transitional effect is employed as a window is minimized within its title bar, or restored therefrom. The rate of movement of objects is controlled in a non-linear manner, to further enhance the pleasing effect.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for transitioning a window between an open state at a first location:
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on a display, in which said window has a first size, and a minimized state at a second location on said display, in which said window is represented at a second, smaller size, comprising the following steps;
in response to a command to switch the window from one of said states to the other state, defining a path between said two locations;
displaying said window at successive locations along said path to present the effect of movement of said window along said path; and
scaling the window from the size associated with said one state to the size associated with said other state as the window moves along said path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 15, 16)
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8. A method for transitioning a window between an open state at a first location on a display and a minimized state at a second location on said display, comprising the following steps:
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in response to a command to switch the window from one of said states to the other state, defining a path between said two locations; and
displaying said window at successive locations along said path to present the effect of movement of said window along said path. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A computer system, comprising:
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a display device;
a processor that causes a user interface to be displayed on said display device in which a window can transition between an open state at a first location on the display device, in which said window has a first size, and a minimized state at a second location on said display device, in which said window is represented at a second, smaller size, said processor causing said user interface to perform the following operations;
in response to a command to switch the window from one of said states to the other state, defining a path between said two locations;
displaying said window at successive locations along said path to present the effect of movement of said window along said path; and
scaling the window from the size associated with said one state to the size associated with said other state as the window moves along said path. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A computer system, comprising:
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a display device; and
a processor that causes a user interface to be displayed on said display device in which a window can transition between an open state at a first location on a display device and a minimized state at a second location on said display device, comprising the following steps;
in response to a command to switch the window from one of said states to the other state, defining a path between said two locations; and
displaying said window at successive locations along said path to present the effect of movement of said window along said path. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification