Apple Seeks Patent for Translucent Windows

Apple is seeking a patent on a method for rendering translucent-appearing windows, technology that appears similar to features Microsoft has been previewing for its next major Windows release.

Apple Computer Inc.'s patent application, which dates back to November 2003, was published Thursday on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's Web site. By law, most patent applications become public record within 18 months of being filed, a patent office spokeswoman said.

According to the filing, the patent covers a method in which "information-bearing windows whose contents remain unchanged for a predetermined period of time become translucent."

The translucency would intensify the longer a window's content remains unchanged, the patent application states.