DE102006025686A1 - Communication device, has display unit, and area defined as window, where combot is composed of non-transparent pixels and represented in window, and window-based graphical user interface can be represented on unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (KE) has a display unit on which a window-based graphical user interface (DT) can be represented. An area is defined as a window (F), which is represented in a transparent manner, where a combot (CB) composed of non-transparent pixels is represented in the window. The pixel defines a reactive surface for execution of functional characteristics, which are assigned to the graphical unit, where the graphical unit can be transferred from the basic animation into a communicative animation by a film file.

Description

The The present invention relates to a communication device for communication. In particular, the invention relates to a Communication device for communication via a ComBOT.

In the WO 2005/076582 , a valuable contribution to the state of the art, a special communication system and a contact element is proposed for it, which is referred to as ComBOT. This application ComBOT has graphical elements, which can be used to connect two communication partners with each other. About the graphical elements or so-called ComBOTs, the two communication partners can communicate exclusively with each other and exchange by dragging and dropping a file on this ComBOT example files, activate by activating a phone function with each other, messaging functions with each other exchange messages, etc.

The so-called ComBOTs are preferred as a graphic element on the desktop of a user interface in the computer. To these ComBOT applications To be able to address them on the desk, they must be integrated accordingly become. As a desk object in the art is an icon or a window known. Icons can be pure symbols or too be clickable icons (shortcuts) and are subject to desktop ordering, i. the appropriate orientation at the grid. Windows are not subject to the desktop order and are freely movable as well changeable in size. Windows are arranged hierarchically. Each subwindow has one so-called parent. In the windows run the applications, the selected by the operator in the window can be.

task It is the object of the present invention to provide a communication device to create on the the COmBOT application can be addressed animated.

These Task is solved by a communication device that includes a screen element on which a window-based graphical user interface is representable, with an area defined as a window, the is displayed or defined transparently and in the window at least a pixel graphic element (CB) can be represented, where the pixels (P) are not complete are transparent.

A Communication device is the overall arrangement of existing hardware and software components, in particular consisting of communication terminals such as e.g. PDAs, cell phones, personal computers, etc. and network facilities as well as servers on which communication is controlled via the network can be. Particularly preferred are in addition to the communication terminals as well Connected devices for the Internet provided and within the internet storage media on which the communication if necessary, can also be cached.

display devices or screen elements are displays, monitors, other display devices for the representation of text and picture. Particularly preferred are displays designed so that they represent graphics or text in color can. Particularly preferably, the screen elements are at integrated displays in the corresponding communication terminals.

A Window-based graphical user interface is an interface between user and communication terminal, preferably on the screen is preferred. The graphical user interface (desktop) allows the user to enter commands either via keyboard, Mouse, pointer or via touchscreen. The graphical user interface is preferably window-based, i. the on the user interface window can be represented. Windows are desk elements that can be resized are and can be moved. Such windows are made up of various graphically oriented user interfaces various operating systems such as MAC OS, Windows, Linux, etc known.

According to the invention Window displayed or animated transparently. This is the window not shown with a frame and a scroll bar, but transparent and does not appear to the user graphically or as a kind of "glass pane." The transparent one Display of the window leads In addition, although the function of a window can be used, without, however, the window impression and the associated control and input mechanisms. The transparent window serves as a transparent platform, on which then the pixels existing graphical element is displayed.

The graphical element, such as in particular the graphical symbol of the ComBOT application is then constructed according to the invention of individual pixels and displayed on the transparent window. Thereby, that the pixel-based graphic elements are not completely transparent, they are now recognizable as a graphical element for the user of the communication device on the screen element. However, since they are displayed in a (transparent) window element, they can be addressed and controlled with the usual operating system-based commands for controlling and using a window type desktop element. For example, it is possible to move files to the graphical element and drop them as if in a window. The style property of the transparency of the window is set to zero, which makes the window transparent. The graphic element, on the other hand, has pixels that are not completely transparent and it can thus be displayed on the transparent window and recognized by the user. If, for example, a mouse is guided over this transparent window, it can be recognized that the mouse is located above the window. At the same time, it can also be detected that the mouse is located above the graphical element, since here the pixels are defined as not completely transparent. In this way, it is not necessary to track the exact position of the mouse pointer, but it can be monitored whether within the (transparent) window element the mouse is over a pixel that is not completely transparent. In this case, the mouse pointer is over the graphical element. If, for example, a drag-and-drop action is to be executed, then it can be detected that the mouse pointer is located above the graphical element in a special, transparently displayed window, while the mouse button is then released. This makes it possible to assign the drag-and-drop function to the corresponding graphical representation or the ComBOT. In this way, the known object "window" with the associated action and reaction possibilities is advantageously used in order to display, to define and to make detectable the graphical element ComBOT via non-transparent pixels within this window with the window thus transparent.

Prefers a communication device is provided, wherein the graphical Element is animate, in particular animated by a BINK player is.

On this way it is possible the graphical element independent to animate the function of the transparent window. A window object can not be animated per se, so using about for example of a BINK player the graphic element on the transparent window can be animated. This can result in the graphic Element performs movements, Videos are played, which is an animation of the graphic element represent, etc. So it is possible for example, to provide a cartoon character as a graphic element, for the then a movie expires, the over a BINK player runs on the transparent window. For the viewer This creates the impression that the graphic element is special Performs movements and other actions predefined in the movie being played. On This way it is possible, for example, non-linguistically communicate and with these animations a related statement to transport.

BINK is a video file format (filename extension bik) and becomes prevalent used in video games. The format has its own video and audio codex and supported resolutions of 320 × 240 pixels up into the realm of High Definition Video. A BINK player is an application about a file can be played in BINK format. This is the Sequence for animating the graphic element preferably as a BINK file in front.

Prefers a communication device is provided, wherein the non-transparent Pixel by examination the transparency value or alpha channel (and not just at the Position of a mouse pointer) are detectable.

This makes it possible to decide, irrespective of the detection of the exact coordinates of the mouse pointer, whether the mouse pointer lies on the graphic element or the ComBOT (and thus lies on a reaction surface) or whether the mouse pointer lies next to the ComBOT above the transparent window. It is no longer necessary for the mouse pointer to be scanned for its exact coordinates within the window to see if it is above the ComBOT or graphical element. It is now quite sufficient that it is determined that the mouse pointer is over a non-transparent pixel and therefore the mouse points to the graphic element or the ComBOT. In this way it is possible to define the position above the ComBOT without having to access coordinates. Especially in the animation of the graphical element or ComBOTs, in which the position of the graphical element can constantly change to this extent, so that the definition of the mouse over a non-transparent pixel is much faster recognizable and meaningful than the changing X and Y coordinates of the graphic element within the (transparent) window. This only checks whether the mouse is over a non-transparent pixel, but not on which exact coordinate location It is then to match these with the exact X and Y coordinates of the moving graphic element.

Prefers a communication device is provided, wherein the graphical Element (CB) is present in an image format with alpha channel, in particular in PNG format.

By the use of an alpha channel in the image format of the graphic element or ComBOTs can be achieved that the additional information the transparency of the pixel over this separate alpha channel can be queried. A special preferred image format having this alpha channel is the PNG.

Of the Alpha channel is an additional one Color channel in digital images, in addition to those in a color space encoded color information the transparency ("transparency") of the individual pixels stores.

in the Alpha channels are used in various graphics formats (e.g., PNG, PSD, TGA or TIFF) transparency information in addition to the actual Image data saved. An alpha channel has the same color depth like a color channel of an image. So includes an alpha channel at a 8-bit image 256 grayscale.

The maximum number of possible transparency gradations depends on the number of bits used for the alpha channel. A binary alpha channel is a minimal alpha channel that uses 1 bit and therefore can only indicate whether a pixel is either completely transparent or completely opaque. This type of transparency is used in the GIF file format, but is not an alpha channel in the technical sense, since the transparency information is not stored individually for each pixel. Other formats often allow for an extra byte per pixel and thus 2 ⁸ = 256 gradations.

To the Drawing an image with alpha channel on a background will used the technique of alpha blending. Alpha channels can be in various image editing programs are defined. It can be about also selections in the picture for the later one Reuse will be saved. Alpha channels can also be used to crop a Image to be used. This often happens because an existing one Color channel is copied to an alpha channel and then with the image editing functions (Curves, contrasts, brushes, etc.) can be edited quickly. An alpha channel can also be used for Videos are used to separate objects from the background. The alpha channel can be directly connected to the video, or in a separate Video file to be saved.

Portable Network Graphics (PNG) is a graphics format for raster graphics. It was as a free replacement for the older one proprietary Format GIF is designed and less complex than TIFF. The data are stored losslessly compressed (in contrast to the lossy one JPEG file format).

The PNG format is a universal, recognized by the World Wide Web Consortium Format and is used by modern web browsers supported.

PNG has with Exception of animations - all Options, which also knows GIF, moreover, the compression rate in general better. This makes it a very convenient format.

PNG Like GIF, can handle pixels from a color palette of up to 256 entries. About that In addition, the storage of grayscale images is 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16 bits and color images (RGB) with 8 or 16 bits per channel (ie 24 or 48 bits per pixel) possible.

PNG files can Contain transparency information, either in the form of an alpha channel or for every color of the color palette. An alpha channel is an additional one Information for Each pixel indicates how much of the background of the image shows through should. PNG supported Alpha channels of 8 or 16 bits, giving 256 or 65536 gradations of transparency strength equivalent. For GIF is only possible a single of the pallet entries as complete to declare transparent. The PNG format thus allows, regardless of Background to smooth the edges of text and images. you can use real drop shadows that fade out in the background or create images that are arbitrarily shaped - when the program to display the images PNG-capable is.

In addition, using the PNG format (with built-in checksums) makes it possible to detect errors in the file at an early stage, the PNG format is streamable, ie for the interpretation of the file content is not necessary random access as with many TIFF files and it has an optional one 7-pass interlacing according to Adam M. Costello ("Adam7"), ie the gradual build-up of images over slow data lines such as the Internet. There are fewer image distortions than with GIF. Even with very low transmission, a relatively useful representation is already possible.

Prefers a communication device is provided, wherein the window a size of 372 × 256 pixels having.

By the chosen one Format, it is preferably possible Two graphic elements juxtaposed, then in sequence not only can be animated individually, but also with each other communicate and interactively move in shared animations can. So it is possible, for example, the own ComBOT on one side and on the other Page the ComBOT or the graphical element of the communication partner display. Through the interactive animation of these two graphic Elements or ComBOTs can now, for example, a non-verbal Communication take place. So it is possible, for example, that an animation chosen becomes, with the own ComBOT the ComBOT of the communication partner presented a bouquet of flowers. This animation is preferably shown as a movie - it appears the viewer like an animation of two juxtaposed graphical elements, since it has the transparent window in which the Animation takes place, can not see. On the screen of the communication partner on the other hand, the same animation can be displayed at the same time be, so that also there the corresponding film expires and communicates non-verbal communication becomes. The communication partner then realizes that he has received a bouquet of flowers is and receives so the message of birthday congratulations. Of course you can on a window of size 372 × 256 pixels also only a ComBOT or a graphical element shown become. The ComBOT then has the entire room behind it transparent window to move and be animated.

preferred embodiments The invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings explained in more detail.

1 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of a communication device according to the invention.

2 shows a schematic view of a second embodiment of a communication device according to the invention.

In 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a communication device KE according to the invention shown. Here, a transparent window F is provided on a desktop DT, on which there is a graphical elements as ComBOT CB, which also serves as a control element. Thus, such an element CB is not merely a simple icon or an animatable icon with graphic properties, but also has functional properties, especially sensitive properties, which respond to mouse pointers (cursor) and mouse-controlled operations (click, mouseover, drag & drop, etc.). Such functional properties are usually assigned only to pure windows, but do not correspond to graphic elements.

Of the ComBOT CB shown here serves communication element with graphical Representation and functional properties. He is special for a User program (client) as object with graphical and functional Properties, defining a runtime environment (Run Time Environment), which controls the graphical representation. this happens especially depending from the functional properties and / or conditions. Regarding In particular, the ComBOT operating system is considered an object with window properties (Drag & drop, move) Are defined.

Around these special graphic and functional features in one Combining ComBOT, it's not enough, on well-known desktop elements, such as. To access icons or windows. Because usual Icons are subject to the desktop order (grid). However, usual windows are subject not the desktop order, but are freely movable, resizable), but are arranged hierarchically. Each subwindow has one so-called Parent. The applications are running in the windows. insofar The windows form the actual operator interfaces (Grafical User Interface, GUIs for short).

According to the invention, a COmBOT CB is presented here, which has both properties of a window, but which appears to the user as an operable icon and can initiate functions, for example, by means of drag-and-drop. For the realization of a ComBOT, preferably an API interface, here the API as of Windows 2000, is accessed. There is a so-called "layered window", ie a window whose properties (Style) you can define. According to the invention, the style property "transparency" is used in particular, this set to the value "0". This makes the window F fully transparent. The window F now has 372 × 256 transparent pixels. So you get a well-defined "glass plate", on which then the actual ComBOT image / animation CB is placed.The animation of the ComBOT is then made by a so-called BINK player.As image format is preferably used a format with a so-called "Alpha channel", here eg the so-called PNG format. Compared to other formats (such as simple JPG), which only have the actual pixel color values RGB, the PNG pixels also have a transparency value, namely for the said alpha channel. "

According to the invention now for the sensitive properties of the ComBOT CB corresponding reaction surfaces (e.g. for drag & drop). This is not done as usual over relative Window coordinates X / Y defined. Rather, in the element according to the invention ComBOT CB tested, which pixels have a transparency value that is not equal to the value "0" (zero) are then the sensitive pixels or areas. The exam can the operating system (e.g., Windows 2000 and later). This happens especially easy with PNG-like image data or image formats.

In 2 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of a communication device KE according to the invention shown. Here, a hard disk icon HD, an icon for a file D and an icon for a recycle bin P can be seen on a user interface (desktop) DT. In addition, a transparent window F is again provided (see FIG. 1 ). The window F is defined so large that even graphical elements can be displayed on it as ComBOTS CB1 and CB2. A mouse pointer M is at a first position and is moved along the arrow A to a second position to the mouse pointer M '.

The ComBOTs are available here as a PNG file and are about a BINK player animated. You are in a window as window objects, where the window F is transparent and thus not for the viewer Window appears. The ComBOTs CB1 and CB2 are within this Window as PNG file over animated a BINK player and lie on the fully transparent Window of size 372 × 256 pixels, as a "glass plate" as a carrier for up to two ComBOTs acts. The ComBOT image is available as a PNG file and the animation finds over the BINK player instead.

The Mouse M will now move from the first position along the arrow the second position M 'moves. During the Mouse pointer on the first position M over the alpha channel of the PNG data can detect that the transparency is set to "zero", i.e. that the transparency below the Mouse pointer lying pixel is fully transparent, can in position M 'determined be that the alpha channel has a non-zero transparency value having. This is for the position of the mouse pointer defines the reaction area for example for drag and drop - it is not required, usually in a window sensitive and non-sensitive area or Pixels over It is enough to define the relative window coordinates X / Y just made that checked which pixels have a non-zero transparency. These are then the sensitive pixels or areas. This exam can preferably be made by the operating system. The examination takes place especially preferred over the alpha channel or PNG-like image data, a corresponding Additional information regarding the Have transparency.

If now a drag and drop command accomplished should be and pulled, for example, the file D on the ComBOT CB1 should be, so can over the mouse pointer over the file The ComBOT CB1 moves, detecting that the mouse pointer is either not over yet the ComBot CB1 is positioned or that he is in position M 'already above that ComBOTS CB1 is located and then release the mouse button Drag and drop command be completed and now uneven in their transparency Zero detected area as a reaction surface execute the corresponding drag & drop command behind it.

In order to a ComBOTS is essentially a window item that appears User but like an operable icon, with which he can also perform drag and drop commands. Particularly preferred, for example, for the realization of the API from Windows 2000 accessed and the existing "layered window ", this is a window whose style you can define. If those Style property "Transparency" set to zero is, the window is fully transparent. When choosing a window from 372x256 transparent pixels / pixels is thereby generated a firmly defined "glass plate" on the then the actual ComBOT image or the animation is laid. The animation is especially preferred performed by the so-called BINK player. As image format is preferred one used with "alpha channel", in particular the PNG format. Across from other formats such as simple JPG format, the only The actual pixels / color values RBG have assign the PNG pixels also a transparency value for the mentioned "alpha channel".

Thus, a communication device is provided, on which the ComBOT applications can be addressed animated. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS KE communicator DT User interface (desktop) CBE Communication element comprising windows and ComBOT CB ComBOT; graphic element and control element F window HD Hard drive icon P Trash icon M cursor D File Icon

Claims (8)

Communication device (KE) with a display device, on the a window-based graphical user interface (DT) can be represented, whereby an area is defined as a window (F), which is displayed transparently and in the window (F) at least a pixel graphic element (CB) can be represented, where the pixels are not transparent. Communication device (KE) according to claim 1, wherein the non-transparent pixels (P) have a reaction surface to the To run of functional properties that define the graphical element (CB) are assigned. Communication device (KE) according to one of the preceding Claims, wherein the graphical element (CB) is in an image format with a transparency value channel is present, especially in a PNG format with an alpha channel is present, by means of testable is which pixels are transparent and which are not transparent to the reaction surfaces determine. Communication device (KE) according to one of the preceding Claims, wherein the graphical element (CB) is animatable, in particular by a BINK player is animatable. Communication device (KE) according to one of the preceding Claims, wherein the window (F) is a size for at least has two graphical elements (CB1, CB2), in particular a 372 × 256 pixel area (F) having. Communication device (KE) according to one of the preceding Claims, the window (F) always being on the uppermost display surface of the Display or the user interface (DT) appears. Communication element (CBE) comprising a transparent displayable window (F) for display on a window-based graphical user interface (DT) and comprising at least one in the window (F) of pixels existing graphical element (CB), where the pixels are not transparent are. A communication element (CBE) according to claim 1, wherein the non-transparent pixels have a reaction surface for performing define functional properties that are the communication element (CBE) and / or the respective graphic element (CB) assigned are.