Interface providing continuous feedback on task progress in a computer operating system
AssigneeApple Computer, Inc.
InventorBas Ording
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A user interface provides continuous feedback to a user regarding progress toward completion of a task being monitored in a status dialogue window. In one embodiment, the progress is indicated by a graphic element such as a progress bar, whose size is increased to fill a space of predetermined area by an amount corresponding to the percentage of the task completed, and a user is provided with feedback indicated that the computer operating system is performing the desired task by continuously varying the appearance of the progress bar. This provides the user with intuitive feedback that, regardless of any delays in the increase of the progress bar's size, the computer is continuing to perform the desired task.
Claims23
A system for notifying a user of the status of a task being performed on a computer, comprising:
- at least one status indicator contained within a status dialogue window, wherein said status indicator includes an element that changes size and/or shape to visibly indicate the state of completion of the task, and
- a pattern that is displayed concurrently with said element and continuously varied independently of said state of completion to indicate to a user that the task is currently active.
A method for indicating to a user the status of a task being performed on a computer, comprising the steps of:
- displaying a status dialogue window;
- varying the size and/or shape of a status indicator element contained in said status dialogue window, in accordance with the percentage of a task completed;
- and
- continuously varying the appearance of the status indicator element, independently of said percentage, to indicate to a user that the task is currently active.
A computer-readable medium containing a program which executes the following process:
- displaying a status dialogue window;
- varying the size and/or shape of a status indicator element contained in said status dialogue window, in accordance with the percentage of a task completed;
- and
- continuously varying the appearance of the status indicator element, independently of said percentage, to indicate to a user that the task is currently active.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.