IP Library › Patent Application 10882552
Patent Application
App. No. 10/882,552

Controlling display screen legibility

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
10/882,552
Abstract

Computer screen legibility is controlled. A logically topmost software window of a particular color and of a certain transparency is created. The window allows screen objects logically beneath it on a z-axis to be viewed and manipulated and the window reduces a contrast of screen objects logically beneath it on the z-axis.

Claims (45)

1 . A method of controlling computer screen legibility, the method comprising:

creating a logically topmost software window of a particular color and of a certain transparency, wherein:

the window allows screen objects logically beneath it on a z-axis to be viewed and manipulated; and

the window reduces a contrast of screen objects logically beneath it on the z-axis.

2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the certain transparency is chosen by a user.

3 . The method of claim 1 wherein the certain transparency is a default.

4 . The method of claim 1 wherein the certain transparency is set by a scheme.

5 . The method of claim 1 wherein the particular color is chosen by a user.

6 . The method of claim 1 wherein the particular color is a default.

7 . The method of claim 1 wherein the particular color is set by a scheme.

8 . The method of claim 1 wherein the logically topmost software window covers an area of an entire screen.

9 . The method of claim 1 wherein the logically topmost software window covers an area smaller than an area of an entire screen.

10 . The method of claim 1 wherein the logically topmost software window covers an area of an application window.

11 . Computer software, residing on a computer-readable storage medium, comprising a set of instructions for use in a computer system to cause the computer to:

create a logically topmost software window of a particular color and of a certain transparency;

allow screen objects logically beneath the window on a z-axis to be viewed and manipulated; and

reduce a contrast of screen objects logically beneath the window on the z-axis.

12 . The software of claim 111 wherein the certain transparency is selectable by a user of the software.

13 . The software of claim 11 wherein the certain transparency has a default value.

14 . The software of claim 11 wherein the certain transparency is set by a scheme.

15 . The software of claim 11 wherein the particular color is selectable by a user of the software.

16 . The software of claim 11 wherein the particular color has a default value.

17 . The software of claim 11 wherein the particular color is set by a scheme.

18 . The software of claim 11 wherein the logically topmost software window covers an area of an entire screen.

19 . The software of claim 11 wherein the logically topmost software window covers an area smaller than an area of an entire screen.

20 . The software of claim 11 wherein the logically topmost software window covers an area of an application window.

21 . A system for controlling display screen legibility, the system comprising:

a display screen;

first software that provides a graphical user interface to a user via the display screen; and

second software that creates a window of a certain transparency and a particular color, the window overlaying the graphical user interface, wherein the window reduces the contrast of the graphical user interface; thereby obscuring the graphical user interface for a person with an undesired orientation to the display screen.

22 . The system of claim 21 wherein the undesired orientation comprises a non-perpendicular orientation in relation to the horizontal or vertical plane of the display screen.

23 . The system of claim 21 wherein the undesired orientation comprises an orientation of approximately four or more feet away from the display screen.

24 . The system of claim 21 wherein the certain transparency is selectable by a user of the system.

25 . The system of claim 21 wherein the certain transparency has a default value.

26 . The system of claim 21 wherein the certain transparency is set by a scheme.

27 . The system of claim 21 wherein the particular color is selectable by a user of the system.

28 . The system of claim 21 wherein the particular color has a default value.

29 . The system of claim 21 wherein the particular color is set by a scheme.

30 . The system of claim 21 wherein the window covers an area of the entire display screen.

31 . The system of claim 21 wherein the window covers an area smaller than an area of the entire display screen.

32 . The system of claim 21 wherein the window covers an area of an application window within the graphical user interface.

33 . An apparatus for controlling computer screen legibility, the apparatus comprising:

means for creating a logically topmost software window of a particular color and of a certain transparency;

means for allowing screen objects logically beneath the window on a z-axis to be viewed and manipulated; and

means for reducing a contrast of screen objects logically beneath the window on the z-axis.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 6, 2004
From: HOE-RICHARDSON, PETER
To: ROCKET SOFTWARE, INC.
Reel/Frame 015857/0907 →