Method and apparatus for displaying an overlay image

A method for displaying images on a screen of a computer system comprising:

• displaying a utility palette including a first utility icon responsive to initiate a utility executable on said computer system;
• displaying a base image on said screen of a computer system;
• in response to said utility icon being selected, opaquely displaying an overlay image on said screen, said overlay image corresponding to said utility, said overlay image including a translucency icon, and said overlay image initially being opaque such that overlapped portions of said base image are not visible;
• and
• in response to said translucency icon being selected, displaying said overlay image such that portions of said base image which are directly beneath said overlay image are at least partially visible through said overlay image simultaneously with said overlay image.

A method for displaying images on a screen of a pen computer system having a central processing unit (CPU), which CPU is coupled to said screen, comprising the steps of:

• displaying a utility palette including an overlay icon;
• running an application program on said central processing unit of said pen computer system to produce a base image on said screen;
• in response to said overlay icon being selected, running an overlay program on said CPU to opaquely display an overlay image on said screen, said overlay image including a translucency icon, said overlay image initially being opaque such that overlapped portions of said base image are not visible;
• and
• in response to said overlay icon being selected, translucently displaying said overlay image such that portions of said base image which are directly beneath said overlay image are at least partially visible through said overlay image.

A pen computer system comprising:

• a central processing unit (CPU);
• screen means coupled to said CPU;
• means coupled to said screen means for displaying a base image on said screen means;
• and
• means coupled to said screen means for displaying an overlay image on said screen means, said means operable to opaquely display said overlay image such that portions of said base image which are directly beneath said overlay image are not visible, said means for displaying an overlay image further operable to translucently display said overlay image such that portions of said base image which are directly beneath said overlay image are at least partially visible through said overlay image, said means for displaying said overlay image responsive to a users selection to toggle between (i) opaquely displaying said overlay image and (ii) translucently displaying said overlay image.