Transparency (human–computer interaction)

Abstract: A point-and-print capability is provided within a distributed environment. This point-and-print capability enables a user to select any of a number of available printers within the distributed environment via a user interface and then to have a document printed on the selected printer. The underlying loading of drivers and configuration steps are transparent to the user. This transparency is achieved in part by storing key printer resources, including printer drivers, on print servers that are distributed throughout the environment.

Abstract: Simple transparency algorithms which assume a linear transparency over an entire surface are the type most often employed to produce computer synthesized images of transparent objects with curved surfaces. Although most of the images created with these algorithms do give the impression of transparency, they usually do not look realistic. One of the most serious problems is that the intensity of the light that is transmitted through the objects is generally not proportional to the amount of material through which it must pass. Another problem is that the image seen behind the objects is not distorted as would naturally occur when the light is refracted as it passes through a material of different density.Use of a non-linear transparency algorithm can provide a great improvement in the realism of an image at a small additional cost. Making the transparency proportional to the normal to the surface causes it to decrease towards the edges of the surface where the path of the light through the object is longer. The exact simulation of refraction, however, requires that each sight ray be individually traced from the observer, through the picture plane and through each transparent object until an opaque surface is intersected. Since the direction of the ray would change as each material of differing optical density was entered, the hidden surface calculations required would be very time consuming. However, if a few assumptions are made about the geometry of each object and about the conditions under which they are viewed, a much simplier algorithm can be used to approximate the refractive effect. This method proceeds in a back to front order, mapping the current background image onto the next surface, until all surfaces have been considered.

Abstract: The ability to manage the light scattering effect of transparent paper without sacrificing its original high transmittance is critical for the application in optoelectronics since different devices have different requirements for the optical properties. In this paper, we study highly transparent paper with a tunable transmission haze by rationally managing the ratio of nanoscale cellulose fibers to macroscopic cellulose fibers. The transparent papers present a largely modulated light scattering behavior while retaining a transparency of over 90%. Various measurements are then used to characterize the optical properties of the different transparent papers in detail. To demonstrate the device applications in green electronics, we fabricated a top gated transistor with MoS2 on the transparent paper containing 100% NFC that leads to an excellent on/off ratio. The highly transparent paper with a controllable light scattering behavior has an unprecedented potential for applications in optoelectronic devices as a substrate or a functional component.

Abstract: The central research issue addressed by this paper is how we can design computer interfaces that better support human attention and better maintain the fluency of work. To accomplish this we propose to use semi-transparent user interface objects. This paper reports on an experimental evaluation which provides both valuable insights into design parameters and suggests a systematic evaluation methodology. For this study, we used a variablytransparent tool palette superimposed over different background content, combining text, wire-frame or line art images, and solid images. The experiment explores the issue of focused attention and interference, by varying both visual distinctiveness and levels of transparency.