Graphics tiering strategy incorporating bitmaps and window geometries
View Patent ↗Various embodiments employ a graphics tiering approach that utilizes multiple different tiers, each of which defines how a user interface is presented to a user. In accordance with at least some embodiments, a higher end tier is provided and utilizes a combination of both bitmaps and realtime window geometry computations to provide a user interface that can include both transparent and blurred user interface elements. In addition, at least some additional tiers repurpose the higher end tier by incorporating an opaque element behind the transparent element to satisfy the limitations associated with the additional tiers.
1. A method implemented on a computing device by a processor configured to execute instructions that, when executed by the processor, direct the computing device to perform acts comprising:
ascertaining a graphics tier for use in generating a user interface on the computing device based on a use scenario;
providing a first graphics tier that is configured to be used to render a first user interface, the first graphics tier comprising a desktop wall paper, bitmaps, and a transparent window frame, wherein realtime window geometry computations are utilized to provide a blur element interposed between the bitmaps and the desktop wall paper, the blur element configured to blur the background behind the transparent window frame;
providing a second graphics tier that is configured to be used to render a second user interface, the second graphics tier using the desktop wall paper, the bitmaps, the transparent window frame, and the realtime window geometry computations of the first graphics tier, wherein the realtime window geometry computations are utilized to provide an opaque element interposed between the bitmaps and the desktop wall paper instead of the blur element; and
switching automatically between the first graphics tier and the second graphics tier when the use scenario changes.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the use scenario comprises least one of a video hardware capability, a power source, a price point of an operating system generating the graphics tier, or an application running on the computing device.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the switching automatically between the first graphics tier and the second graphics tier is performed responsive to a change in the application running on the computing device from an application utilizing a window size that is smaller than a full screen to a full-screen application.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the switching automatically between the first graphics tier and the second graphics tier is performed responsive to a change in the power source from a direct power connection to a battery.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the blur element is provided in realtime by a pixel shader.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second graphics tier utilizes less electrical power than the first graphics tier.
7. One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed, implement a graphics tiering strategy that utilizes themes, the computer-readable media comprising:
a module for ascertaining a graphics tier for use in generating a user interface on a computing device based on a use scenario a first graphics tier to render a first user interface comprising a first theme that includes a desktop wall paper, bitmap images, rules associated with the bitmap images, a transparent window frame, and a blurring element interposed behind the bitmap images and in front of the desktop wall paper, wherein the blurring element is rendered in realtime in a window relative to the window geometry and dimensions, the blurring element configured to blur the background behind the transparent window frame;
a second graphics tier to render a second user interface that utilizes the first theme that includes the desktop wall paper, the bitmap images, the rules associated with the bitmap images, the transparent window frame except that realtime rendering of the blurring element is replaced by an opaque element interposed behind the bitmap images and in front of the desktop wall paper, the realtime rendering of the blurring element is performed in the window relative to the window geometry and dimensions; and
a switching module to switch automatically between the first tier and the second tier when the use scenario changes.
8. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 7 , wherein said instructions can cause a computing device to automatically switch between the first tier and the second tier.
9. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 8 , wherein automatic switching between tiers can occur relative to one or more use scenarios.
10. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 9 , wherein one use scenario is associated with a power connection to a device on which the instructions are executed.
11. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 10 , wherein when the power connection comprises a direct power connection, the first tier is utilized and when the power connection comprises a battery, the second tier is utilized.
12. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 7 , wherein said instructions can cause one of the tiers to be selected based upon processing capabilities of a computing device on which the instructions are executed.
13. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 12 , wherein when the processing capabilities of the computing device comprise a pixel shader, the first tier is utilized and when the processing capabilities do not comprise a pixel shader, the second tier is utilized.
14. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 7 , wherein said first and second tiers are configured to be selected based upon a price point of a software package embodying said instructions.
15. A computing device comprising:
one or more processors;
one or more computer-readable media; computer-readable instructions on the one or more computer-readable media which, when executed, implement a method comprising:
operating the computing device utilizing a first graphics tier that is configured to be used to render a first user interface and is associated with a first use scenario, the first graphics tier comprising a desktop wall paper, bitmaps, and a transparent window frame, wherein realtime window geometry computations are utilized to provide a blur element interposed between the bitmaps and the desktop wall paper, the blur element configured to blur the background behind the transparent window frame;
ascertaining a change in a use scenario utilized on the computing device; and
responsive to the change in the first use scenario, automatically switching the computing device to a second graphics tier that is configured to be used to render a second user interface and is associated the changed scenario, the second graphics tier using the desktop wall paper, the bitmaps, the transparent window frame, and the realtime window geometry computations of the first graphics tier, wherein the realtime window geometry computations are utilized to provide an opaque element interposed between the bitmaps and the desktop wall paper instead of the blur element.
16. The computing device of claim 15 , wherein the first use scenario is associated with a direct power connection.
17. The computing device of claim 15 , wherein the changed scenario is associated with a battery connection.
18. The computing device of claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises responsive to a change in the changed scenario, switching to a graphics tier that is different from the second graphics tier.
19. The computing device of claim 18 , wherein said different graphics tier comprises the first graphics tier.