BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to computing and data processing and in particular to user interface controllers and interface overlays.

Certain software applications enable users to customize the information shown in the user interface. The interface may be customized using an interface controller having control elements that can be selected to show corresponding interface elements in the user interface. However, customization of the user interface may lead to a poor user experience and inefficient use of computing resources in certain situations. For example, an error message may be shown if the customization of the user interface is set to an indeterminate state. In another example, the customization may cause too many interface elements of the user interface to be displayed or updated at the same time. These situations resulting in a poor user experience may be especially disruptive when the user is presenting the interface to others.

The present disclosure addresses these issue and others, as further described below.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a computer-implemented method. The method includes determining a user input setting a first selection of control elements of an interface controller in a user interface. In the user interface, particular selections of the control elements are configured to cause corresponding sets of potential interface elements to be displayed in a portion of the user interface. The method further includes determining that the first selection of the control elements is configured to cause none of the potential interface elements to be displayed in the portion of the user interface. The method further includes generating an overlay based on a display-level of the interface controller in the user interface.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a non-transitory machine-readable medium storing a program. The program is executable by at least one processing unit of a device. The program includes sets of instructions for determining a user input setting a first selection of control elements of an interface controller in a user interface. In the user interface, particular selections of the control elements are configured to cause corresponding sets of potential interface elements to be displayed in a portion of the user interface. The program also includes sets of instructions for determining that the first selection of the control elements is configured to cause none of the potential interface elements to be displayed in the portion of the user interface. The program also includes sets of instructions for generating an overlay based on a display-level of the interface controller in the user interface.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer system. The computer system includes one or more processors and memory. The computer system also includes computer program code including instructions that are executable on the one or more processors. The computer program code is configured to determine a user input setting a first selection of control elements of an interface controller in a user interface. In the user interface, particular selections of the control elements are configured to cause corresponding sets of potential interface elements to be displayed in a portion of the user interface. The computer program code is also configured to determine that the first selection of the control elements is configured to cause none of the potential interface elements to be displayed in the portion of the user interface. The computer program code is also configured to generate an overlay based on a display-level of the interface controller in the user interface.

The following detailed description and accompanying drawings provide a better understanding of the nature and advantages of the present disclosure.

