Multiple-mode window presentation system and process

Abstract

A system and process for managing the presentation of windows on the display screen of a computing device is presented. In general, this is a multiple-mode window presentation system and process that displays one or more of the peripheral graphic user interface (GUI) elements typically displayed on the display screen in addition to a window, such as the frame and title bar of the window and any task bar or side bar, in a first appearance mode when the window is maximized. However, when the window is displayed in a less-than-maximized size, one or more of the peripheral GUI elements are displayed in a second appearance mode which is substantially different from the first. In general the second appearance mode is designed to attract the attention of a user to the peripheral GUI elements, while the first mode is designed to avoid distracting the user from the content of the maximized window.

1 . In a computer system having a user interface including a display with a display screen, a multiple-mode window presentation process comprising process actions for: 
 displaying one or more peripheral graphic user interface (GUI) elements in a first appearance mode when a window displayed on the display screen is maximized; and    displaying one or more of the peripheral GUI elements in a second appearance mode when the window is displayed with a less-than-maximized size within the display screen, wherein the second appearance mode is substantially different from the first appearance mode.    
   
   
       2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the process action of displaying one or more peripheral GUI element in the second appearance mode, comprises displaying said one or more peripheral GUI elements so as to have an appearance designed to attract the attention of a user.  
   
   
       3 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the process action of displaying one or more of the peripheral graphic user interface (GUI) elements in the first appearance mode, comprises displaying said one or more peripheral GUI elements so as to have an appearance that is designed to not distract a user from the content of the window.  
   
   
       4 . The process of  claim 3 , wherein the process action of displaying said one or more peripheral GUI elements so as to have an appearance that is designed to not distract a user from the content of the window, comprises an action of displaying said one or more peripheral GUI elements with a substantially opaque background.  
   
   
       5 - 12 . (canceled)  
   
   
       13 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more peripheral GUI elements comprises a task bar displayed at an edge of the display screen.  
   
   
       14 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more peripheral GUI elements comprises a side bar displayed at an edge of the display screen.  
   
   
       15 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the process action of displaying said one or more peripheral GUI elements so as to have an appearance that is designed to not distract a user from the content of the window, comprises an action of displaying all the peripheral GUI elements present in the display screen so as to have an appearance that is designed to not distract a user from the content of the window.  
   
   
       16 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein said less-than-maximized size corresponds to a default size that the window is automatically displayed at whenever opened and displayed on the display screen.  
   
   
       17 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein said less-than-maximized size corresponds to a default size that the window is automatically displayed at whenever it is restored to said less-than maximized size after being maximized.  
   
   
       18 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the second appearance mode is substantially different from the first appearance mode in regard to at least of the (i) color, (ii) transparency, (iii) reflectivity, (iv) size, and (v) texture that is exhibited by said one or more peripheral GUI elements.  
   
   
       19 . A window presentation management system, comprising: 
 a general purpose computing device comprising a display screen; and    a computer program comprising program modules executable by the computing device, wherein the computing device is directed by the program modules of the computer program to, 
 display one or more peripheral graphic user interface (GUI) elements so as to exhibit a non-distracting appearance when a window displayed on the display screen is maximized, thereby concentrating a user's attention on the content of the window, and  
 display one or more of the peripheral GUI elements so as to exhibit an appearance designed to attract the attention of a user when the window is displayed with a less-than-maximized size within the display screen.  
   
   
   
       20 . A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for managing the presentation of windows on the display screen of a computing device, said computer-executable instructions comprising: 
 displaying at least one peripheral graphic user interface (GUI) element so as to exhibit an appearance designed to attract the attention of a user when a window displayed on the display screen is displayed with a less-than-maximized size within the display screen; and    whenever the window is maximized within the display screen, displaying at least one of the peripheral GUI elements with a de-emphasized appearance which in comparison to the appearance thereof when the window is displayed with a less-than-maximized size avoids distracting users as much from the content of the window.    
   
   
       21 - 22 . (canceled)  
   
   
       23 . A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for managing the presentation of windows on the display screen of a computing device, said computer-executable instructions comprising: 
 displaying one or more peripheral graphic user interface (GUI) elements in a first appearance mode when a window displayed on the display screen is maximized; and    displaying one or more of the peripheral GUI elements in a second appearance mode when the window is displayed with a less-than-maximized size within the display screen, wherein the second appearance mode represents a substantial change from the first appearance mode.