Abstract: A history mechanism is provided in which user data, which represents signals generated by a user, are stored for subsequent recall and regeneration in a history database in one of two or more categories associated with two or more respective component symbols of the user data. For example, in one embodiment, user data includes alphabetic symbols and a respective category is formed for each letter of the alphabet. User data is parsed into components and stored in the history database in each category corresponding to the initial letter of each component of the user data since the initial letter of each component of the user data is prominent. The user recalls and regenerates the user data by selecting a category corresponding to a letter of the alphabet which is the initial letter of any component of the user data. The user then selects the previously generated user data from a list of previously generated user data classified under the selected category.

Abstract: A method and computer program product are provided for displaying visual threshold setting indicators and threshold activation indicators with information displayed in a graph on a computer display screen. At least one threshold setting indicator is displayed on a first predetermined screen area. Each threshold setting indicator corresponds to a selected threshold setting. Sequential data parameter values are displayed on a graph on a second predetermined screen area. The data parameter values are compared with each selected threshold setting. Responsive to matching compared values, a threshold activation indicator is displayed on a third predetermined screen area. The first predetermined screen area for displaying visual threshold setting indicators is along a first graph axis, such as the vertical graph axis and the third predetermined screen area for displaying threshold activation indicators is along a second graph axis, such as the horizontal graph axis.

Abstract: A dimension indicator is automatically created to define the size of a geometric object or the spatial relationship between two geometric objects for a user of a computer-aided design and drafting system by the data processing steps of displaying one or more geometric objects; determining the geometry of one or more of the displayed objects; choosing one of a plurality of possible dimension indicators for the object(s) based on the determination in the previous step; displaying an image of the chosen dimension indicator until a placement location is selected for the chosen dimension indicator; and then displaying the dimension indicator in the vicinity of the placement location.

Abstract: A computer system connectable to a display device to display a graphical user interface through which a user can select an action in order to invoke a desired operation, and a method of operation of such a system. The action is selectable by one or more views of that action provided via the graphical user interface, and the system is characterized by means for providing a container object which is displayable via the graphical user interface on the display device, the container object being arranged to respond to user selection by creating a user page for display to the user. Further, the system is characterized by identifying means for identifying when a user selection of the container object has occurred, and for informing the container object of that selection, thereby causing a user page to be created, and view association means for enabling a user to associate views of actions with the user page created upon selection of the container object.

Abstract: A builder, tester, and runtime integration method for a Point-Of-Sale, Windows DynaKey.TM., or equivalent, interface that is less expensive than previous methods because: human interface and software personnel work in parallel in building and modifying the interface using NICE customized DKItem/DKList objects, a significant amount of interface maintenance is done without ever changing the runtime code since the interface is external, much of the code for the builder program and tester program is general-purpose, and most of the complex, event-driven runtime code is reusable.

Abstract: An advanced windows management system permits a user to customize views from a plurality of frame windows into a single target window. A view includes display information that corresponds to an underlying program. The user selects views from the frame windows, and the user specifies a target window for placement of the views, including the arrangement of the views, in the target window via a drag and drop operation. In response, the advanced windows management system docks and displays the selected views in the target window. The views may comprise textual, graphical and control information for a plurality of editors or tools used in software development. Through use of the advanced windows management system, a user generates editor windows that include views from tools and editors. Thus, the user is permitted to customize the editor window to include views for editors used on a project.

Abstract: A workflow or product navigation system includes a single top-level screen which allows access to all aspects of the product information through selection of a single entry. The top-level screen includes a menu bar, a plurality of selectable icon push buttons in an icon area for directing inquiry to all aspects of the product information, and a product listing area. A user may select from several orderings of the icons to most efficiently access the product data. In particular, the icons are arranged in a preselected order as determined according to a business unit default definition. The user may select an alternative user-defined selection and ordering of icons, or a list of all icons in a predefined, fixed order. The icons on the top-level screen convey many details regarding the status of the product information. An icon, on its face, designates the user-access status of the information as read-write or read-only access. If a user has no access to information underlying the icon, no icon is displayed.

Abstract: New varieties of child window controls are provided as system resources that application programs may exploit. The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a dynamic link library (DLL) for implementing the new child window controls as part of an operating system. The new child window controls include a header bar control for providing header bars in application programs. The new controls also include a hot key control that allows a user to view and edit hot key combinations. The new controls further include a tab control for establishing tabs that differentiate amongst pages in user interfaces provided by application programs. An image list data type is defined and functions are provided for manipulating the image list data type. Image lists include multiple like-sized images that are stored efficiently in a single bitmap.

Abstract: In a digital computer system running a windows operating system and a video editor where the video data is stored in the memory and clips of the video data consisting of sequences of video frames are represented by blocks in a workspace on the video display. A video cursor is provided to scroll through the frames. The disclosure describes a convenient method of allowing the user to control the scale of the horizontal axis and thus the number of video frames that may be symbolically viewed on the workspace window without panning. The method includes the following steps: First, determining if the video cursor is being intentionally moved vertically by a user. Next, determine the vertical distance that the video cursor is moved from a reference point. Finally, adjust the number of video frames that may be represented on the workspace in relationship to the vertical movement of the video cursor.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture direct a computer system to automatically resize a plurality of open windows displayed on the computer display. The method includes the first step of in response to detecting a transfer of focus from a first displayed window to a second displayed window, automatically calculating a zoomed out size for the first window displayed on the computer display. The second step includes automatically displaying on the computer display all open windows, except the second window, using the zoomed out size.

Abstract: A device for storing information electronically and which has a pen-sensitive screen enabling a user to make freehand input has the screen divided into two areas--a main area and a subsidiary area adjacent the main area.The user can tag items of freehand input causing a tag item to be displayed alongside the freehand input and can subsequently manipulate (eg delete, move, copy) the freehand input by selecting and manipulating the associated tag item.Tag items provide a permanent way of structuring data and are an elegant way of uniting several data manipulations.

Abstract: A method is provided for initializing and updating a group of pixels contained on a display in blocks. A group of pixels is considered as a block and has a status word associated therewith. This status word maintains a running total of the maximum z value of any pixel contained within a group, or block of pixels. In this manner, once a block of pixels is rendered on to the display screen a comparison can be made between the current pixels being displayed and a group of pixels which are to be displayed. The minimum z value of the group of pixels to be displayed is compared with the maximum z value for the group of pixels currently being displayed. If the current maximum z value, as stored in the status word, is less than the minimum z value for the pixels to be displayed, then the group of pixels currently being displayed will all "win" when compared to the pixels in the group to be displayed.

Abstract: A method and system automatically harmonizes access to a given software application program via different access devices. Through use of the method and system, a financial institution can provide access to a given application (such as, for example, automatic bill payment services) to customers using different access devices such web browsers, screen phones and personal computers. A single application program is all that needs to be written and maintained by the financial institution. Also, the method and system enables financial institutions to "leverage" existing programs because now the institution can automatically "project" its existing stock of program services unto new access devices--devices which may not have even existed at the time the program was created. By receiving information from the user via the user's access device, including information identifying the type of device being used and the application program the user wishes to access, the present invention solves these problems.

Abstract: 058643404 A computer system preferably a mobile client computer, optimizes data handling and display through the use of predictive widgets. A predictive widget uses a predictive list of possible entries into a defined field of a form, as in a form filling application, to provide one or both of a predictive default entry for a field or a predictive fill once a user has started an entry into the field.

Abstract: Collaboration capabilities (both "push" and "pull" of information) are portably added to World-Wide Web content. In particular, a persistent connection is maintained to a shared state server for retrieving data via a "push" mechanism which maintains the freedom to access arbitrary Web content via the "pull" mechanism. Moreover, the collaboration is provided in a portable manner, in the same way that all other Web content is portable both across hardware platforms and across browser implementations.

Abstract: A portable communication apparatus provides a display on which the user is able to easily find out the object item at the time of displaying a list of the plural items. In the case where the functional items are separated into some groups and formed into hierarchical structure, the display layout is changed for each hierarchy at the time of displaying the list of the items. Therefore, by viewing the differences among the display layouts, the user can know which hierarchy is currently being displayed and can easily find out the object item.

Abstract: Geometric objects including points, lines, curves, surfaces and solids are defined and constructed in a system which retains and utilizes relationships and dependencies between objects in a directed graph (digraph) data structure. The primary advantage is automatic updating of the model, preserving dependencies, when an underlying object is changed. Multiple types of parametric curves and surfaces and multiple levels of dependency are easily supported through a recursive program structure. Difficulties of surface-surface intersection and trimming are largely avoided by provision of novel entities which permit construction of accurate and durable joins between surface objects.

Abstract: An operating system provides extensions through which application developers may extend the capabilities of a shell of the operating system. For example, application developers may add menu items to context menus for objects that are visible within an integrated system name space. In addition, developers may add property sheet pages for such objects. Application developers also have the option of providing per-instance icons for each instance of an object. Application developers may provide data object extension handlers for customizing data sources on a per-object class basis and may provide drop target extension handlers on a per-object class basis to customize drop target behavior. Developers may additionally provide copy-hook handlers to regulate file system operations on objects. Developers may also extend the functionality provided by the shell of the operating system by adding their own custom name spaces to the integrated system name space.

Abstract: A graphical user interface system for use in a vehicle includes a method of controlling a visual display. The display always includes images of selected items such as a speedometer, odometer and fuel gauge. When other displays are desired, the images of the selected items are moved to sides of the screen and rotated about an axis that is generally parallel to the screen. The moved and rotated images are simultaneously displayed with the desired display placed in the central portion of the screen.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of generating a user product configuration program module from a development environment. The user product configuration program module includes user controls that allow user input of information for use in configuration computations. Methods are disclosed for creating and maintaining the logic for a configuration program module in the form of configuration parameters; creating and maintaining the visual controls and user interface; and linking created visual controls with underlying structure represented by the parameters. Parameters assume values and are indicated as valid or invalid through operation of constraints and queries. Further methods include display of parameter creation and selection windows, and query creation and selection windows for creating SQL queries to access data in external tables.