# US 2014/0157162 A1 · Method and apparatus for displaying a window for a user interface > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0157162 A1 - Document ID: US20140157162A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/061,660 - Filed: 2013-10-23 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2002-07-10 - Assignees: Apple Inc. - Applicants: Apple Inc. - Inventors: Imran Chaudhri; Bas Ording - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140157162A1 ## CPC - G06F 3/0481: based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance - G06F 3/165: {Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path} - G06F 2203/04804: Transparency, e.g. transparent or translucent windows - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract Methods and apparatuses to display windows. In more than one embodiments of the invention, a window is closed automatically (e.g., after a timer expires, or when a condition or criterion is met, or a system input is received) without user input. In some examples, the window is translucent so that the portion of another window, when present, is visible under the window. In some examples, the image of the window is faded out before the window is closed and destroyed. In some examples, the window does not close in response to any input from a user input device. In some examples, the window is repositioned (or hidden) automatically when another translucent window is displayed. The degree of translucency, the speed for fading out, the discrete levels of translucency for fading out, the time to expire, and/or other parameters for controlling the display of the window may be set by the user or adjusted by the system (or application software programs) automatically according to system conditions or other criteria. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of hierarchal displaying comprising: displaying a plurality of windows on a graphical user interface in a hierarchy; displaying a translucent region of display with the plurality of windows so that the translucent region of display is at the top of the hierarchy; starting a timer; and fading out the translucent region of display as the timer counts to a preset time. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 additionally comprising destroying the translucent region of display when the timer reaches a preset time. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 additionally comprising destroying the translucent region of display when the user interacts. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein an initial degree of translucency of the translucent region of display is dependent on a location of the translucent region of display. ### Claim 5 A machine readable media containing instructions that, when executed by a data processing system, will cause said system to perform operations comprising: displaying a plurality of windows on a graphical user interface in a hierarchy; displaying a translucent region of display with the plurality of windows so that the translucent region of display is at the top of the hierarchy; starting a timer; and fading out the translucent region of display as the timer counts to a preset time. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The machine readable media of claim 5 additionally comprising destroying the translucent region of display when the timer reaches a preset time. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The machine readable media of claim 5 additionally comprising destroying the translucent region of display when the user interacts. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The machine readable media of claim 5 wherein an initial degree of translucency of the translucent region of display is dependent on a location of the translucent region of display. ### Claim 9 A method to inform a computer user of an incoming call comprising: displaying a graphical user interface; detecting an incoming call signal; and displaying a translucent message to inform the computer user of the incoming call signal. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 additionally comprising fading out the translucent message. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 additionally comprising fading out the translucent message when the incoming call signal ceases. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 additionally comprising destroying the translucent message when the incoming call signal ceases. ### Claim 13 A machine readable media containing instructions that, when executed by a data processing system, will cause said system to perform operations comprising: displaying a graphical user interface; detecting an incoming call signal; and displaying a translucent message to inform the computer user of the incoming call signal. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The machine readable media of claim 13 additionally comprising fading out the translucent message. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The machine readable media of claim 13 additionally comprising fading out the translucent message when the incoming call signal ceases. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The machine readable media of claim 13 additionally comprising destroying the translucent message when the incoming call signal ceases. ### Claim 17 A method to show the progress of an operation, comprising: processing the operation; displaying a graphical user interface; and displaying a translucent progress indicator which indicates to a user the progress of the processing. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 wherein the operation is transferring a file. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 wherein the operation is installing software. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 additionally comprising fading out the translucent progress indicator when the process is completed. ### Claim at position 21 21-54. (canceled)