Technique for implementing an on-demand display widget through controlled fading initiated by user contact with a touch sensitive input device

Apparatus for use with a computer system for implementing a graphical user interface, the system having a processor and a memory, connected to the processor, for storing computer executable instructions therein, and a display connected to the system, the apparatus comprising:

• a first input device, connected to the system, for being manipulated by a corresponding hand of the user, the first input device having a first touch sensor for generating a first output signal responsive to and indicative of whether the user is touching the device or not;
• a graphical display, rendered on the display and produced by the system in response to the executable instructions, having a first display widget situated thereon;
• wherein the system, in response to the first output signal, fades the first display widget into or out of view on the graphical display based on whether the hand of the user has then established or broken physical contact, respectively, with the first input device by correspondingly touching or releasing the first input device;
• wherein the processor in response to the executable instructions, controls fading of the first display widget in response to the first output signal such that upon initiation of the physical contact the first display widget fades into view from a first state having a first predefined opacity to a second state having a second predefined opacity and upon cessation of the physical contact the first display widget fades out from view from the second state back to the first state;
• and
• wherein the processor, in response to the executable instructions, fades the first display widget into and out of view over predefined first and second time intervals, respectively, and controls opacity of the first display widget while fading during each of the first and second intervals in response to predefined first and second functions, respectively, the first function being different from the second function.

A method for implementing a graphical user interface for use with a computer system, the system having a processor and a memory, connected to the processor, for storing computer executable instructions therein, and a display connected to the system, the method comprising the steps of:

• manipulating a first input device, connected to the system, by a preferred hand of the
• user, the first input device having a first touch sensor for generating a first output signal
• responsive to and indicative of whether the user is touching the device or not;
• rendering a graphical display, on the display and produced by the system in response to the executable instructions, having a first display widget situated thereon;
• fading, in response to the first output signal, the first display widget into or out of view on the graphical display based on whether the hand of the user has then established or broken physical contact, respectively, with the first device by correspondingly touching or releasing the first device;
• manipulating a second input device, by a non-preferred hand of the user, respectively, the second input device having a second touch sensor for generating a second output signal responsive to and indicative of the user touching the second input device or not;
• rendering a Tool Glass on the graphical display and produced by the system in response to the executable instructions;
• and
• in response to the second output signal, fading the Tool Glass such that, when the non-preferred hand touches the second input device, the Tool Glass fades into view from a substantially invisible state having a third predefined opacity to a semi-transparent state having a fourth predefined opacity and, when the non-preferred hand releases the second input device, fading the Tool Glass fades out of view from the semi-transparent state back to the substantially invisible state.