Graphical user interfaces having animated control elements

• US 5,880,729 A
• Filed: 05/05/1995
• Issued: 03/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Moller, Elizabeth Robinson, Ulrich, Robert, Johnston, Robert G. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Matthew M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): dela Torre, Crescelle N.
• Application Number:
  US08/435,387
• Time in Patent Office: 1,404 Days
• Field of Search: 395/155, 395/156, 395/157, 395/159, 395/161, 395/152, 395/154, 395/339, 395/348, 395/354, 395/977, 395/334, 395/335, 395/326, 395/972, 345/339, 345/348, 345/354, 345/977, 345/334, 345/335, 345/326, 345/972
• US Class Current: 715/823
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/977 Dynamic icon, e.g. animated or live action

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing an enhanced visual appearance to a graphical user interface are described. Control elements portrayed by the graphical user interface on a display are associated with at least two states. When transitioning between states, an animated transition effect can be provided to provide further user or designer customization of the interface appearance.

Claims

1. A method for providing an animated transition effect between a first display state associated with a first functional state of a control element drawn on a graphical user interface of a computer system and a second display state associated with a second functional state of said control element, the method comprising:

drawing said control element in said first display state at a first portion of a display space controlled by said graphical user interface;

receiving, at said graphical user interface, a user input invoking said second functional state of said control element;

evaluating a state table associated with said control element having table entries, each of which is associated with a transition between different combinations of states, to identify a table entry associated with a transition between said first display state and said second display state;

retrieving a sequence of transition images of said control element stored in a memory device, based on the table entry identified, wherein each of said transition images in said sequence provides a portion of a visual effect which creates a transition between said first display state and said second display state;

repeatedly redrawing said control element at said first portion of said display space using said sequence of transition images; and

drawing, after a last of said transition images in said sequence, said control element in said second display state at said first portion of said display space.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

providing, as said control element, a button.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said step of drawing said control element in said first state further comprises the step of:

drawing said button having a first background color and a first lettering color.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said step of receiving, at said graphical user interface, a user input invoking said second functional state of said control element further comprises the step of:

receiving a signal indicating that said button has been pressed.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said step of retrieving a sequence of transition images further comprises the step of:

retrieving, as said sequence of transition images, versions of said button rotating about an axis, wherein at least one of said versions depicts said button using said first background color and said first lettering color and at least one of said versions depicts said button using a second background color and a second lettering color.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said step of drawing said control element in said second display state further comprises the step of:

drawing said button using said second background color and said second lettering color.

7. In a computer having a display, a system for providing an animated transition effect between a first and a second display state of a control element on said display, said system comprising:

an input device for controlling movement of a cursor on said display and for generating a user-controlled output when said cursor is positioned over said control element;

a graphical user interface for rendering said control element on said display in said first display state, for receiving said user-controlled output, and for identifying a state transition between said first display state and said second display state in a state table whose entries are associated with a transition between different combinations of states; and

a storage device for storing transition images associated with said control element, wherein when said graphical user interface receives said user-controlled output, and repeatedly redraws said control element using said transition images based upon a state transition identified.

8. A graphical user interface comprising:

at least one control element having a first static display state and a second static display state;

means for evaluating a state table associated with said control element, which state table contains a plurality of table entries each of which is associated with a different combination of display state transitions, to identify a table entry associated with a state transition between said first static display state and a second static display state; and

means for retrieving a series of transitional images and displaying those transitional images in a timed sequence between said first and second static display states based upon the table entry identified.

9. A method for displaying a transitional effect between static states of a control element comprising the steps of:

displaying said control element in a first static state;

receiving a user input associated with a transition to a second static state;

identifying a transitional effect associated with said transition using a state table, which state table is associated with said control element and has table entries which are associated with different combinations of display state transitions, to identify a table entry associated with a transition between said first display state and said second display state;

displaying said transitional effect pursuant to a transitional effect identified; and

rendering said control element in a second static state after said transitional effect has been displayed.