초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for a multi-state window is accomplished by presenting a multi-state window on a computer screen in various states. In a given state, or ghost state, the multi-state window for providing video and/or graphics is provided on screen in a translucent form. In the translucent form

A method and apparatus for a multi-state window is accomplished by presenting a multi-state window on a computer screen in various states. In a given state, or ghost state, the multi-state window for providing video and/or graphics is provided on screen in a translucent form. In the translucent form, a window overlapped by the multi-state window will be shown and remain in focus. When a user input is received in the overlapped portion, a multi-state window driver associated with the multi-state window will provide the input to the overlaid window, i.e., to its associated window driver or to the multi-state window driver depending upon the message type. If the user decides to activate the multi-state window, the multi-state window driver transforms the multi-state window from the translucent state to an in-focus state. When in the in-focus state, the user inputs are processed by the multi-state window driver and not provided to the overlaid window.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.]1. A method comprising the steps of:receiving a message via an interface, wherein the message identifies a multi-state window;determining whether the message is a request to change state of the multi-state window;when the message is not a request to change the state of the multi-sta

[ We claim:] [1.]1. A method comprising the steps of:receiving a message via an interface, wherein the message identifies a multi-state window;determining whether the message is a request to change state of the multi-state window;when the message is not a request to change the state of the multi-state window, determining the state of the multi-state window;when the multi-state window is in a first state, and a cursor location is in a first region of the multi-state window, providing the message to a window driver for the multi-state window;when the multi-state window is in a second state,providing the message to the window driver for another window when the cursor location is in a second region of the multi-state window, andproviding the message to the window driver for the multi-state window when the cursor is in the first region of the multi-state window,wherein the second region at least partially overlies another window.