Time-based, non-constant translation of user interface objects between states

• US 20070288862A1
• Filed: 08/20/2007
• Published: 12/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Ording, Bas
• Granted Patent: US 9,508,320 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/788
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 13/80 2D [Two Dimensional] animation, e.g. using sprites
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 Display of multiple viewports

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.

Claims

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.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of defining a path includes defining a pair of lines that connect corresponding points of said window at each of said first and second locations.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said scaling step comprises resizing the window to fit between said lines as the window is displayed at said successive locations.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said command comprises actuation of a control element on said window.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein said lines are straight lines.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein said lines have a curvature defined by a function.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said function is a sinusoidal function.

15. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the operation of defining a path includes defining a pair of lines that connect corresponding points of said window at each of said first and second locations.

16. The computer system of claim 15, wherein said scaling operation comprises resizing the window to fit between said lines as the window is displayed at said successive locations.

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:

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.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said step of defining a path includes defining a pair of lines that connect corresponding points of said window at each of said first and second locations.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein said command comprises actuation of a control element on said window.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said lines are straight lines.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said lines have a curvature defined by a function.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said function is a sinusoidal function.

14. A computer system, comprising:

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.

17. The computer system of claim 14 wherein said command comprises actuation of a control element on said window.

18. The computer system of claim 14 wherein said lines have a curvature defined by a function.

19. The computer system of claim 18, wherein said function is a sinusoidal function.

20. A computer system, comprising:

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.

21. The computer system of claim 20, wherein said step of defining a path includes defining a pair of lines that connect corresponding points of said window at each of said first and second locations.

22. The computer system of claim 20 wherein said command comprises actuation of a control element on said window.

23. The computer system of claim 21 wherein said lines are straight lines.

24. The computer system of claim 21 wherein said lines have a curvature defined by a function.

25. The computer system of claim 24, wherein said function is a sinusoidal function.