System for displaying a notification window from completely transparent to intermediate level of opacity as a function of time to indicate an event has occurred
First Claim
1. A method for providing a notification message indicating that an event has occurred, the method comprising:
- receiving an indication that the event has occurred;
in response to receiving the indication, gradually displaying a notification window, the notification window comprising a notification message indicating that the event has occurred wherein gradually displaying the notification window comprises increasing an opacity of the notification window as a function of time from a zero opacity level at a first time to an intermediate opacity level at a second time;
determining if a predetermined period of time has elapsed without a selection of the notification window being received; and
in response to determining that the predetermined period of time has elapsed without a selection of the notification window, gradually removing the notification window wherein gradually removing the notification window comprises decreasing the opacity of the notification window as a function of time from the intermediate opacity level at a third time to the zero opacity level at a fourth time.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for notifying a computer user of the occurrence of an event are provided. An indication is received that an event has occurred. In response to receiving the indication, a notification window is gradually displayed by varying the opacity of the window. When the event comprises the receipt of a new electronic mail message, the notification window includes a notification message indicating that the new electronic mail message has been received. If a predetermined period of time elapses without a selection of the new message notification window being received, the window is gradually removed. The new message notification window may be displayed above the displays provided by other executing applications.
158 Citations
32 Claims
-
1. A method for providing a notification message indicating that an event has occurred, the method comprising:
-
receiving an indication that the event has occurred; in response to receiving the indication, gradually displaying a notification window, the notification window comprising a notification message indicating that the event has occurred wherein gradually displaying the notification window comprises increasing an opacity of the notification window as a function of time from a zero opacity level at a first time to an intermediate opacity level at a second time; determining if a predetermined period of time has elapsed without a selection of the notification window being received; and in response to determining that the predetermined period of time has elapsed without a selection of the notification window, gradually removing the notification window wherein gradually removing the notification window comprises decreasing the opacity of the notification window as a function of time from the intermediate opacity level at a third time to the zero opacity level at a fourth time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method for providing a notification message indicating that a new electronic mail message has been received, the method comprising:
-
receiving an indication that a new electronic mail message has been received; in response to receiving the indication, generating a request to display a new message notification window, the new message notification window comprising a notification message indicating that a new electronic mail message has been received; determining whether the request to display a new message notification window was generated by a rule; in response to determining that the request to display a new message notification window was generated by a rule, determining whether a previously displayed new message notification window is displayed; and in response to determining that a previously displayed new message notification is not displayed, gradually displaying the new message notification window wherein gradually displaying the new message notification window comprises increasing an opacity of the new message notification window as a function of time from a zero opacity level at a first time to an intermediate opacity level at a second time, the intermediate opacity level being user defined. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
-
Specification