Patent ID: 7577918

Claim:
One or more computer-storage media with computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that when executed by a computing device perform a method for changing a visual state of an application window, wherein the application window includes a frame and a content portion for displaying application content, the method comprising steps of: displaying first and second application windows, the first application window being active and configured with a default active visual state indicated by a default appearance of the frame on the first application window, and the second application window being inactive and configured with a first inactive visual state indicated by a first-inactive appearance of the frame on the second application window, wherein the first-inactive appearance is different than the default appearance; and automatically changing the first inactive visual state of the second application window to a second inactive visual state that is different than the first inactive visual state, wherein the second inactive visual state is indicated by a second-inactive appearance of the frame on the second application window, wherein the second-inactive appearance is different than the default appearance and the first-inactive appearance, wherein the first-inactive appearance is indicated by an animation including a first number of animated bubbles displayed on and proximate to the second application window and the second-inactive appearance is indicated by an animation including a second number of animated bubbles displayed proximate to the second application window, and wherein the second number is larger than the first number, and wherein the second-inactive appearance is configured to express a higher need for attention than the first-inactive appearance.