More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for interfacing users with applications which provide for greater flexibility in the operation of both applications and user interfaces, specifically situations involving graphical user interfaces including overlapping windows.

According to Apple methods and systems for providing graphical user interfaces are described. overlaid, Information-bearing windows whose contents remain unchanged for a predetermined period of time become translucent. The translucency can be graduated so that, over time, if the window's contents remain unchanged, the window becomes more translucent. In addition to visual translucency, windows according to the present invention also have a manipulative translucent quality. Upon reaching a certain level of visual translucency, user input in the region of the window is interpreted as an operation on the underlying objects rather than the contents of the overlaying window.

Here's Apple's summary of the invention: "According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, these and other drawbacks and difficulties of conventional GUIs are overcome by providing such floating windows with varying visual and manipulative qualities. For example, a floating window that has not been updated with new information within a predetermined time period will become translucent so that the underlying window or windows are then visible to the user. Other actions or omissions may also serve as a trigger for graduated translucency of windows according to the present invention. Moreover, as the floating window becomes translucent, the user can click-through to the underlying window(s) to interact with its contents. When information on the floating window is updated, it can return to being opaque until the predetermined time period has elapsed again without new information being presented.

"According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the floating window may become translucent in steps. For example, the floating window may initially be displayed as completely opaque and then, after the predetermined time period expires, may have its opacity reduced in steps of, for example, twenty-five percent. The floating window can have a lower limit of translucency as well. Each of these parameters may be set by the application which generates the floating window or they may be set by the system or the user.

"By applying graduated visual translucency, as well as manipulative translucency, a user is able to receive the benefits of an information-bearing floating window without having to move the floating window to reach underlying content. Moreover, the change in visual translucency provides a focus mechanism to the user who will readily associate a return to opacity with new information being presented on the floating window."

The inventors are Thomas Bonura and Kim Silverman. The graphic below depicts a conventional user interface including a floating window overlaying a document window.