Abstract: A system and method is provided for inserting into a display material copied to a clipboard. A user selects material to be copied the clipboard. The system selects and copies to the clipboard additional material. The user selects an insertion point for the user selected material, and the system displays to the user the user selected material and selective additional material. The system selected material is, in accordance with a more specific embodiment, that material which is needed to render the user selected material syntactically correct in the context of the insertion point.

Abstract: A process of configuring a media facility is provided. A source icon representing at least one media source is generated. Then, characteristics of the media source is encrypted in the source icon including settings and recalls for all devices in the signal path. Further, a media space representing an output device is generated. Then, characteristics of the output device is encrypted in the media space. The source icon and the media space are presented, for example, on a display system, to a user for selection. The user may select the source icon and apply it to the media space including settings and recalls for all devices in the signal path, for example, through dragging and dropping. Once the media source, the output device and/or other devices in the signal path between them have been configured, the user may store the configuration for a later recall.

Abstract: A binary theme file format provides optimized access to retrieve graphical component theme property data. The binary format includes data structures storing a set of defined visual characteristics for graphical component classes, parts, and states. The data structure includes a hierarchy of theme data. A theme manager quickly retrieves theme property data by indexing into the binary file with a unique theme handle. The theme manager accesses state, part, class, and global property sections to retrieve theme data. Jump tables and jump-to-parent references allow for quickly traversing property data sections. Packed data sections have packed objects having the necessary property data for frequently used graphical components. A custom image region data section provides border data for nontransparent image borders. A sampled colors section facilitates rendering of images with solid sections. The binary file format can be constructed using a text theme file and is loaded into shared process memory.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a graphical programming development environment to provide suggested graphical programming operations, such as suggested nodes or icons to include in a graphical program. User input specifying one or more nodes to include in the graphical program may be received. The one or more specified nodes may then be included in the graphical program. One or more suggested nodes to include in the graphical program may be then be automatically displayed or otherwise suggested to the user. The one or more suggested nodes may be based on the nodes already included in the graphical program. In various embodiments, the one or more suggested nodes may be displayed or otherwise suggested in various ways.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for managing files which are modified while the contents of the files are being viewed in a browser window in a data processing system. During execution of the browser, if a request to close a window in the browser is received, it is determined whether a file which was displayed in the window was modified since a last save operation for the file. If the file was modified, and the file had not been saved with the modifications, then an indicator of the modified file is included in a modification list with a reference to enable access to the modified file. The modification list is then sent to a user of the file so that the user may select options for saving the modified file, discarding the modifications, or resuming editing of the file. Thus, integrity of file modifications is enhanced.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and using configuration diagrams for configuring distributed systems. The methods described herein may be used for various types of operations in configuring distributed systems, including creating programs, managing programs in the distributed system, deploying programs to various distributed devices, configuring remote execution or inter-operation of distributed programs, and executing distributed applications. Embodiments of the invention utilize graphical iconic-based techniques for performing the above operations. The configuration diagram may include device icons which represent devices and program icons which represent programs. Device icons and program icons may be associated with each other to accomplish various program creation and deployment operations. Device icons and program icons may also interact with graphical program nodes or icons. Context sensitive device connections and/or program connections are displayed.

Abstract: A presentation system and a user device for use as a presentation aid is disclosed. The system comprises presentation means (5) for presenting images that associate with a presentation. Pointer means (4) are used for provision of a pointer on an image (11) presented by means of the presentation means. Detector means (8) are for detecting the pointer on the image and for determining the location of the pointer relative to the image. Control means (6) are adapted to provide at least one control function for the presentation based on information from the detector means.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a program to subscribe to data and/or publish data, e.g., in order to receive and display data from a data source in a graphical user interface (GUI) element or in order to write data associated with a GUI element to a data target. In one embodiment, a developer of a program may specify a data source and/or data target during development of the program, e.g., via a URL. If a data source is specified, the method may operate to automatically determine a GUI element operable to display (or otherwise indicate) data received from the data source and may automatically include the GUI element in the program's graphical user interface (GUI) and automatically configure the GUI element to receive and display data from the specified data source during execution of the program. In the preferred embodiment, the developer is not required to specify any source code for the program in performing this configuration.

Abstract: A system and method for associating a block diagram with a user interface element. A block diagram associated with a user interface element may include graphical code, i.e., a plurality of interconnected nodes, for controlling functionality of the user interface element. For example, when the user provides user input to a user interface control, a block diagram associated with the control may receive the user input and may respond to the user input. As another example, in response to a user interface indicator receiving data for display, a block diagram associated with the indicator may receive the data and process it, e.g., to control how the data is displayed.

Abstract: The invention concerns device control for enabling electrical or electronic devices to be controlled through computer systems. Employing the invention involves the use of one or more control interfaces which are capable of being used to interacting with a computer system or network, each interface typically comprising sheet material such as paper which has coded data disposed on it and which allows it to be used to interact with the computer system by use of a sensing device operated by a user. Through this interaction, data can be forwarded to the computer system from the control interface to effect in that system an operation relating to the functioning of the device.

Abstract: A facility for defining a process for approving requests for approval of a selected type is described. The facility displays a palette containing visual representations of each of a plurality of approval process elements. The facility then receives a number of user input instances, each user input instance dragging one of the visual representations into a selected location in a workspace, so as to form an arrangement of approval process elements. The facility then stores a process definition corresponding to the formed arrangement of approval process elements.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an adjustable user interface. A method of configuring a user interface of an information handling system based on utilization of ports included with the information handling system may include monitoring a plurality of ports included on the information handling system. Utilization by a device of a port of the plurality of ports is monitored, the device communicatively coupled to at least one port of the plurality of ports. A user-interface operating on the information handling system is configured based on the determined utilization by the device of the port of the plurality of ports.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program for interactive communication among a plurality of users. The invention, called Holocene Conversation Mode (“HCM”), takes advantage of the observation that human beings have developed or utilize a number of real-world characteristics to participate in, perceive, control, and glean subtleties from conversations. These characteristics include proximity and orientation of a listener to other speakers, memory ageing, emphasis by a speaker, relative importance of a speaker to a listener, reputation of a speaker, and the unique human ability to “filter” words of special interest to a listener from overheard conversations. HCM includes a suite of techniques, including spatial and content compression as a function of some of such characteristics, that can be implemented in various combinations in computer software.

Abstract: Whether a field is an output field or input/output field is judged from an acquired field attribute. If the field attribute is an input/output field, the field character string of an output field which exists closest to the input/output field is selected as the control name candidate of the field. If the field attribute is an output field, the field character string of the field is selected as the control name candidate of the field. In this way, names related to the field can be assigned as control names on a GUI screen.

Abstract: A design tool hierarchically presents information about a design with nested blocks. For example, the design tool presents scheduling information for the design in a hierarchical Gantt chart. The scheduling information includes hierarchical design schedule blocks which accurately depict the timing and scheduling of the nested blocks of the design. Each of the hierarchical design schedule blocks includes control steps numbered relative to the block. The scheduling information also includes a hierarchical list of scheduled operations for the design. The hierarchical list emphasizes which operations are associated with which nested blocks. The scheduling information further includes pseudo-operation icons that are easily differentiated from real operation icons in the hierarchical Gantt chart.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a graphical program including a plurality of portions to be executed sequentially. User input may be received, e.g., during development of the graphical program, wherein the user input indicates a desire to specify a plurality of portions of graphical source code to be executed sequentially. In response, a plurality of frames may be displayed in the graphical program, such that two or more frames from the plurality of frames are visible at the same time. A portion of graphical source code may be included in each frame in response to user input. The plurality of frames may define an execution order for the corresponding portions of graphical source code, such that during execution of the graphical program, the portions of graphical source code are executed sequentially according to this execution order. In the preferred embodiment, all of the frames are visible at the same time, thus giving the program developer a complete view of the graphical program.

Abstract: A method to determine a font attribute includes: determining a first number and a second number; receiving input resulting from repositioning of a thumb of a slider to a position; and determining a value for the font attribute from the position relative to the first and second numbers. A font attribute is one of: a) font size; b) boldness; c) italic angle; d) baseline offset; e) line spacing; and f) character spacing. In one example, when the thumb is pushed against one end of the slider, at least one of the first number or the second number is adjusted. Another example shows at least one of the first number or the second number is updated when an input such as selecting a value from a list or typing in a value or pushing a thumb against one end of a slider is received.

Abstract: A system and method for providing multi-mode communication options on a data processing device. A method according to one embodiment of the invention includes: receiving an incoming electronic message having an identifiable sender address; querying data storage to determine if the sender address is a known sender address; if the sender address is a known sender address, then automatically retrieving alternate contact information associated with the sender address; and automatically generating an interface containing the alternate contact information, the interface accessible by the user of the data processing device.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel methods and apparatus for providing inter-SCO navigation, for example, in SCORM-based courseware. In an embodiment, a method of navigating a course is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to the untethered multiple user interaction of large information displays using laser pointers coordinated with voice commands. A projection system projects application windows onto a large information display. One or more users may command their respective window applications using laser pointers and/or voice commands. A registration program assigns a unique identification to each user that associates a particular users's voice and a particular laser pointer pattern chosen by that user, with that particular user. Cameras scan the information display and process the composite of the application windows and any laser pointer images thereon. A sequence of computer decisions checks each laser pointer command so as to correctly associate respective users with their commands and application windows. Users may speak voice commands. The system will then perform speech recognition of the user's voice command.