Animated indicators that reflect function activity or state of objects data or processes

• US 6,988,248 B1
• Filed: 06/30/1997
• Issued: 01/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Oracle America, Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Tang, John, Ryan, Chris, Isaacs, Ellen, Morris, Trevor
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Kristine
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, LE V
• Application Number:
  US08/885,597
• Time in Patent Office: 3,123 Days
• Field of Search: 715/769, 715821-824, 715835-839, 715/846, 715/847, 715/709, 715/861, 715/859, 715/753, 715/759, 715/526, 715/530, 715/539, 345/473, 345/769, 345/859, 345/861, 345835-839, 345/846, 345/847, 345/329, 345/2, 345/977, 345/978, 345821-824, 345/709, 345/348, 345/349, 709217-219, 709/200, 709/204, 704/271, 395/701, 364/138, 364/188
• US Class Current: 715/839
• 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

Abstract

Animated indicators monitor the state of a software container and reflect the state of the container, potentially including information such as amount, type, and activity of the container. As the state of the container changes, an animation routine accordingly changes. Users are presented with up-to-date and detailed information about a container represented by a small graphic pictorial. Thus, the user receives a continuous supply of useful information about the container without having to specifically select and view the container as a full screen representation.

Claims

1. A process for reflecting a state of a software container having objects, comprising:

cyclically displaying a series of frames reflecting a state of the container as an animated sequence;

detecting an event reflecting a change in the state of the container, wherein the container implements a discussion forum;

determining, based on the detected event, whether an animated sequence does not reflect the state of the container;

and updating the cyclical display based on the determination,

wherein the cyclical display reflects the numbers and types of the objects, and

the cyclical display uses color variations, tempo, motion, and change in size to reflect the number or type of the objects in the container.

2. A computer system comprising:

a memory including a software container and an animated indicator program, the animated indicator program including computer code for;

monitoring the software container to detect an event reflecting a change in a state of the container, wherein the container implements a discussion forum;

determining, based on the detected event, whether an animated sequence does not reflect the state of the container; and

generating a series of frames to reflect a state of the container based on the determination;

a display on which a series of frames is cyclically displayed in an animated sequence; and

a processor configured to execute programs in the memory,

wherein the cyclical display reflects the number and type of objects of the container, and

the animated indicator program further includes computer code for using color variations, tempo, change in size, and motion to reflect the number or type of the objects in the container.

3. A computer readable medium, containing instructions executable on a computer, the instructions when executed on the computer performing the steps of:

cyclically displaying a series of frames in an animated sequence such that the animated sequence reflects a state of a software container;

detecting an event reflecting a change in the state of the container, wherein the container implements a discussion forum;

determining, based on the detected event, whether an animated sequence does not reflect the state of the container; and

updating the cyclical display based on the determination,

wherein the instructions for the cyclical display causes the cyclical display to reflect the number and type of objects of the container, and

further including instructions for using one of color variations, tempo, motion, and change in size to represent the degree of the change in the state of the container.