Silicon Graphics, Incorporated

Beverly L Harrison

William A Buxton

George William Fitzmaurice

Gordon P Kurtenbach

William A S Buxton

Thomas P Baudel

Kim J Vicente

Shumin Zhai

Russell N Owen

A system and method for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) with anti-interference outlines for enhanced user attention and fluency of work. The GUI utilizes transparency to merge images (or layers) of objects onto a graphical display. For example, variably-transparent (transparent/semi-transparent) or &ldquo;see through&rdquo; objects, such as menus, tool palettes, windows, dialogue boxes, or screens are superimposed over similar objects or different background content, such as text, wire-frame or line art images, and solid images. Anti-interference outlines are utilized to heighten the visibility and hence legibility of objects by mitigating visual interference, which is typically the result of overlaying similar colors or luminance values such that one layer &ldquo;blends&rdquo; into another. The GUI calculates a luminance level of a particular object and then surrounds the object with a luminance-contrasting border or anti-interference outline, thus enhancing visual distinctiveness of the particular object while maintaining all the advantages of transparency.

Graphical user interface with anti-interference outlines for enhanced variably-transparent applications

A system and method for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) for maximized user performance and system efficiency. The GUI utilizes variable-transparency to merge images (or layers) of objects onto a graphical display. For example, 'see through' objects (such as menus, tool palettes, windows, dialogue boxes, or screens) are superimposed over similar objects or different background content (such as text, wire-frame or line art images, or solid images). A critical factor in the usability of variably-transparent GUI is the effect of visual interference on user performance. That is, the interaction between superimposed objects of varying types measurably alters performance to unacceptable levels in terms of user selection error rates and response times. The present invention provides a system and method of using optimal threshold transparency levels for user performance optimization. Correspondingly, the present invention does not substantially rely on visual enhancement techniques within the transparency ranges delineated by the optimal thresholds, thereby providing enhanced system efficiency. Additionally, the present invention provides hybrid windows having both variably-transparent regions and opaque regions for further performance gains.

Graphical user interface with optimal transparency thresholds for

A graphical user interface with clickaround tools for enhanced user interaction with an application program utilizing 'two-handed' techniques. The 'tool-handed' technique provides two displayed cursors controlled by two distinct pointing input devices. Actuation of a secondary input device, corresponding a secondary cursor, provides a tool palette or menu near a displayed primary cursor. This technique allows a user to select and activate tools to perform substantive operations on displayed objects of the application program. The interface allows the user to invoke tools in a fluent and seamless fashion, thus maintaining the user's focus on the substantive operations and not the procedural motions of tool access.

Clickaround tool-based graphical interface with two cursors

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Toronto, Canada

Beverly L Harrison