Gradual image display
AssigneeAmerica Online, Inc., a Delaware corporation
InventorJames Crawford
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and techniques for displaying an image sent between subscribers of a communications system by receiving electronic data corresponding to the image; displaying a blurred view of the image; and gradually displaying a sharper version of the image in response to user input.
Claims31
-21. (Cancelled).
A method for displaying a display item sent between first and second users of a communications system, the method comprising:
- receiving, from the first user, a display item;
- obscuring the clarity of the received display item;
- displaying the obscured display item to the second user;
- receiving input from the second user indicating a willingness to enhance the clarity of the obscured display item;
- and
- enhancing the clarity of the obscured display item in response to the input from the second user.
A computer readable medium having a computer program stored thereon for displaying a display item sent between first and second users of a communication system, the computer program comprising instructions for:
- receiving, from the first user, a display item;
- obscuring the clarity of the received display item;
- displaying the obscured display item to the second user;
- receiving input from the second user indicating a willingness to enhance the clarity of the obscured display item;
- and
- enhancing the clarity of the obscured display item in response to the input from the second user.
A communications apparatus for displaying a display item sent between first and second users of a communication system, the apparatus comprising:
- means for receiving, from the first user, a display item;
- means for obscuring the clarity of the received display item;
- means for displaying the obscured display item to the second user;
- means for receiving input from the second user indicating a willingness to enhance the clarity of the obscured display item;
- and
- means for enhancing the clarity of the obscured display item in response to the input from the second user.
An instant messaging program that allows a second user to receive instant messages and display items from a first user, the program comprising:
- a first interface element configured to obscure the clarity of a display item received from the first user and to display the obscured display item to the second user;
- a second interface element configured to receive input from the second user indicating a willingness to enhance the clarity of the obscured data item;
- and
- wherein the first interface element is configured to enhance the clarity of the obscured display item in response to the input from the second user.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.