Abstract: A method and a device for graphical programming of industrial controllers, in particular motion controllers where a user is supported with regard to programmable controller functionality as well as with regard to motion functionality. A structured textual language is generated from graphical motion control flowcharts and converted in a processor-independent pseudo-code. Only the latter is loaded into the controller and converted to executable code.

Abstract: A method for graphical programming of industrial controllers, in particular motion controllers, that automatically generates suitable graphical elements and respective masks in motion control flowchart notation from user-defined structured text subprograms of a structured textual language.

Abstract: An image transfer object is disclosed that provides the necessary mechanism to conduct a dynamic transfer operation. The image transfer object includes a static reference to dynamic data. The image data is “dynamic”, in that the user may request additional views of the image. An image recipient computer receives the static reference to identify a source image on a server, and generates a first request, based on the static reference, for a view of the source image to the server. In response, the server transmits data to the image recipient computer. The image recipient computer displays the first view of the source image for viewing by the user. The user may then select a different portion of the source image, and/or a different resolution to designate a second view of the source image. The image recipient computer generates a second request to the image server for the second view, and the image server transmits additional data to generate the second view of the source image.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention provide a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for positioning a graphical component in a computer-implemented drawing program. A selection of a graphical component displayed on a display device is received. Thereafter, a first feature of the graphical component is inferred. The display of the graphical component is moved (e.g., by a user using a cursor control device). Underlying geometry is then analyzed to determine one or more second features of the underlying geometry that can mate with the first feature. Feedback is then displayed that indicates placement potential for the graphical component based on the first feature mating with one of the second features.

Abstract: The invention is a computer-implemented method and apparatus for organizing Web pages and other computer files relative to each other in a manner analogous to a three or four dimensional spatial relationship and displaying multiple Web pages simultaneously in multiple panels of a computer monitor in accordance with said spatial organization, whereby despite the organization, at least one of the Web pages or files can be made to stay in the same panel of the display while the user navigates through the virtual multidimensional space.

Abstract: A macro for use by an application program is described. The macro is embedded in a macro file including at least two versions of executable configuration code corresponding to two different operating systems to interface the macro file to an application program. Attached to the macro file is a sequence of actions to apply to an application file produced by the application program. Also attached is application identification information that identifies an original host application corresponding to the macro. The sequence of actions in the macro file can be produced by storing commands, applied to a data file opened in the application program, into a log file and transferring at least one stored command from the log file to the macro file.

Abstract: A method for toggling checkbox status, implemented as a software program installed and operating on a computer comprising a computer processor coupled to computer memory. Embodiments of the invention include detecting a touch event on a checkbox, toggling the status of the checkbox, and repeatedly, for a multiplicity of repetitions, carrying out the steps of detecting a drag event for each additional checkbox onto which a user drags the pointer, wherein the user drags the pointer onto at least one additional checkbox, and toggling the status of each additional touch box for which a drag event is detected. Embodiment also include detecting a subsequent drag event for at least one additional checkbox onto which a user drags the pointer more than one during a click-and-drag operation and toggling the selection status of the additional checkbox for which the subsequent drag event is detected to the opposite selection of the additional checkbox when the additional drag event is detected.

Abstract: A system and method of displaying data representing an object of a class where the class has one or more attributes and each object has an attribute value associated with each attribute. The invention includes a collection class such that each statistic to be monitored is represented as an object of the class. The invention allows a software application to access the objects in a database. The invention provides a user interface (UI) attribute within the class that allows the user to specify the UI to display the attribute values of each accessed object. Each available UI is customized to a statistic to be monitored. Each available UI has a unique user interface attribute value. The invention supports any number of UIs supplied by the user, an application developer, or a third party.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling plural software components to communicate and share a single virtual or real monitor or display. By (1) sending messages to applications aware of data control messages and (2) killing and restarting non-aware applications, a consistent set of information (e.g., images and textual data) can be presented within a single user interface, even if the components used are not originally written with the intention of working together.

Abstract: A subclassing mechanism for use in developing graphical block diagram models is described. A graphical class instance of a library graphical class that corresponds to a graphical subsystem block of one or more interconnected graphical blocks is constructed for use in a graphical block diagram model of a user. An interface for enabling changes to parameter values of at least one of the graphical blocks to be made by and accepted from the user is provided. The changes are applied to the graphical class instance to produce a graphical class instance that inherits structure from the library graphical class.

Abstract: A graphical user interface for displaying hierarchical data, such as extensible markup language (XML) data, in hypertext markup language (HTML) format in a convenient and efficient manner. For data having subordinate data, an actuatable subordinate data indicator is displayed on the user interface. When actuated, the subordinate data is displayed in a similar format as the parent data. Two methods are described for building the tables. A first method initially parses all the data and builds the necessary tables for display. A second method initially parses only the top level of data and then builds subordinate tables as they are requested by a user.

Abstract: A feature-rich transport multiplexer and a number of associated methods, systems, subsystems, software features, graphical user interfaces and control systems are disclosed. The disclosure includes GUI's that enable operators to easily monitor and manipulate content streams flowing through a transport multiplexer in real-time. The disclosed interfaces include screens that supply operators with identity, structure, configuration, bandwidth utilization and/or status information for system hardware and software. The disclosed features also provide computer assisted routing configuration for present and future routing events through simple manipulation, such as drag and drop operations, of graphical objects. Routing control is further simplified by permitting operators to configure routing control of individual content stream components as well as groups of such components simultaneously.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture is disclosed suitable for displaying selectable time orderable options, such as television programs available for viewing on a television, using a tunnel interface. The tunnel interface displays concentric rings where each ring represents a different set of option data whose attributes are modified to reflect a user's preferences. The modified option data are further arranged such that each concentric ring is ordered by time. Additionally, choices within each ring are visually distinguishable by user preference. Users can navigate within and between the concentric rings and select one or more of the available options using the concentric rings.

Abstract: A slide show presentation “plug-in” that permits the user to control an animated dynamic situation display during a PowerPoint slide-show presentation without interrupting the slide-show mode to edit the slide. A dynamic situation display file is encapsulated in a Slide object linked to a second window. A Replay Plug-In object is embedded in the PowerPoint slide to intercept user interface device (UID) events in the first slide show presentation window. These events are transferred through a COM Server object to the Slide object running in the second window, which uses a Dynamic Display object to control and edit the attributes of the dynamic situation display for replay in the second window overlapping the slide-show window.

Abstract: Computer system 10 advances application programs from available status to active status. Operating system 12A manages a stack of windows, one for each application running on the system. Availability roster 12A maintains a roster of the application programs which have available status. Display monitor 14 displays the stack of application windows, one of which is an active window which is displayed at the forefront of the stack. The monitor also displays a selection window floating in front of the active window, containing task switch 14T menu of applications for selection. Activation symbols are generated which represent the available application programs and are displayed on the monitor within the task switch. Input device 18D permits the user to select a program for advancement from available status to active status. The selected program is advanced to active status at the forefront of the display stack directly behind the floating selection window.

Abstract: A graphical user interface for a data processing device or system has a plurality of menu options arranged in multiple pages. The menu options are dynamically distributed among the pages in accordance with a user history to reduce the effort of user-navigation among the options. A dynamically adaptable GUI is relevant to remote controls, Internet portals or e-commerce sites.

Abstract: A three state icon for a computer is disclosed. The icon prevents inadvertent starting of an operation on a computer. The icon has a first state which conceals a second state. Upon selection of the first state with a computer pointing device (i.e., mouse), the icon will change to the second state. Upon selecting the icon in the second state, the operation on the computer will start. Accordingly, only upon selecting the icon in the first state and then the second state, the operation will commence on the computer thereby preventing accidental startup of the operation. Once the second state has been selected, the icon will change to a third state which indicates that the operation is proceeding on the computer.

Abstract: A method and system for providing status indication to a control panel displayed on a user's computer screen at all times which allows the user to sign on and off independently of any specific secure function, and utilizes both graphics and text to clearly indicate the current status of a secure connection. Additionally, entitlements or privileges associated with the secure connection and a count down of the remaining period of time during which the status of the secure connection will be in effect, are also displayed. A user may extend the effective time of the secure connection, or cancel the secure session and unequivocally sign off from all related services with a single click of the button.

Abstract: Several different methods for presenting (e.g., displaying) a hierarchical structure are presented. The hierarchical structure includes multiple elements, and defines hierarchical relationships between the elements. The hierarchical structure may be embodied within an electronic document such as a Web document, an interactive application program, or a map divided into sections. Each element has a “presentation property” which may be a value or a function. A single one of the elements has “focus” (e.g., in accordance with the coding of the document by an author, by default, etc.). A “view depth” method includes forming a model (e.g., a tree structure) of the hierarchical structure. The model includes multiple levels ranked with respect to one another, multiple nodes representing elements, and at least one branch.

Abstract: According to the present invention, when displaying a jog-dial window menu on a liquid crystal display, hierarchically-structured menu items are displayed with a hierarchy icon, thereby enabling the user to easily recognize whether or not that menu item is hierarchically structured and improving the operation of menu selection. Furthermore, scroll display of a character string indicating a menu item is performed in an identification frame, thereby enabling the user to read the entire character string from beginning to end for easy recognition thereof and improving the operation of menu selection. Still further, a character string of a menu selected from among a plurality of menu items is displayed in a different color from other character strings, thereby enabling the user to easily recognize the selected menu item and improving the operation of menu selection.