Abstract: A display operating system which can freely set numbers of rows and columns in an arrangement of selection buttons displayed on a monitoring screen with immediate selection of a desired selection button being made possible. A position corresponding to that of a fingertip interrupting two of a plurality of light beams projected in a lattice on a panel of a controller at an intersection thereof is set as a first-touch position, on the basis of which an active area is established. This makes, of a plurality of selection buttons, selection buttons in the active area become selectable. Further, when the active area is changed by changing the first-touch position with a change in fingertip position to change light beams that are interrupted, selection buttons in the changed active area become selectable.

Abstract: Sophisticated computer-enhanced mobile telephones require intuitive user interfaces in order to allow a user to take advantage of all the available features. The present invention discloses an intuitive telephone system user interface that provides both simple familiar and new powerful user interfaces to the user. In one embodiment, the user is presented with four permanently available user interface views and a fifth user interface view that is available when there is an active telephone call. The first permanently available view is a dial pad view that is similar to a common touch tone dial pad. A second permanently available view is a speed dial view that allows users to easily create their own customized speed dial buttons that are easy to navigate between and can be edited at any time. The third view is the call history view that displays a list of previous incoming, outgoing, or missed calls and may be filtered as desired by the user.

Abstract: A computer network (20) having a plurality of terminals (22) and several network servers (26, 28, 30) are operative to develop context-sensitive, dynamic graphical user interfaces (32) which are programmed centrally by the network servers (26, 28, 30). XML packets (142, 144) are used to transfer information regarding the graphical user interfaces (32) between the terminals (22) and the network servers (26, 28, 30). The graphical user interface (32) is a layered multimedia environment having a background movie (248) played beneath substantially all of a plurality of screen application regions (220-230). A interactive control movie (240) is displayed in one of the screen application regions and includes control tabs (242) and dynamic button controls (244). A browser application (250) may be embedded in the background movie (248) as part of the layered media environment.

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: An apparatus and method for presenting one or more auditory icons are provided to deliver contextual information in a timely manner to the user without requiring the user to view the mobile terminal's display. The auditory icons may correspond to visual icons that are provided on a display of the mobile terminal, for example, a navigational bar. The mobile terminal receives a plurality of messages from one or more message sources, prioritizes them according to one or more context values, and presents to the user auditory icons associated with the messages in accordance with any number of pre-set preferences set by the user.

Abstract: Disclosed is a display device including a display section for displaying a video signal, comprising: an OSD generating section adapted to generate a menu matrix having a plurality of menu icons arranged in a plurality of rows and columns forming a matrix shape to display the generated menu matrix on the display section, the plurality of menu icons being adapted to adjust the display state of the display section; a key inputting section adapted to allow a user to select any desired one of the plurality of menu icons; and a control section adapted to control a pointer so that the pointer is positioned at a menu icon in the central region of the menu matrix upon the initial display of the menu matrix, the pointer indicating a menu icon selected through the key inputting section, and the control section adapted to vary the display state of the display section according to an input signal from the key inputting section.

Abstract: A thumbnail image includes at least one selectable element. The selectable element may be selected, or the document as a whole may be selected. The selectable element is associated with either (a) a portion of the original document, smaller than the original document as a whole or (b) a document other than the original document. When the thumbnail as a whole is selected, the original document is displayed. When the selectable element is selected, the appropriate portion of the original document, or the document other than the original document, is displayed.

Abstract: A monitoring and control device includes a touch sensitive LCD screen, with a basic layout including a display area and touch sensitive keys depicted with associated system and function symbols. A main menu or any one of plural system menus can be selectively displayed in the display area. The system menus relate to cabin systems such as audio, lighting, and water systems. The selected system menu displays status information and touch input keys for the user to monitor the status and to select and control the operation of the system. The main menu is a top level window providing essential information regarding all of the cabin systems and allows a user to select any one of the system menus. The device is compact, user-friendly, and adaptable to various system requirements by mere software reprogramming. The displays and input keys are all virtual elements generated by software.

Abstract: A system and method for organizing short-cut icons on an electronic display device utilizing a virtual filing cabinet for storing the icons to reduce clutter and confusion on large electronic device screens, and enable organized storage of the icons to be accessed at will for smaller device display screens. At the time of creation, and at any later time, every icon can be deposited into the virtual filing cabinet with a user defined directory structure or the icon can be left displayed on the display device. A data field allows device user or the program-installer to enter a brief notation regarding the nature, functionality, and the name of the program, file, or data represented by the short-cut icon. An icon displayed on the display device screen can be deposited into virtual filing cabinet at any later time, at will, and can be called forth onto the display screen, at any later time, at will.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a first display controller, an icon-specifying device and a second display controller. The first display controller controls a display of first icons on a first hierarchical layer, second icons on a second hierarchical layer at a level lower than the first hierarchical layer, so as to exhibit an array of the first icons as a column or a row on a screen and an array of the second icons as another column or another row on the screen according to the size of a display area on the screen. The second display controller changes the array hierarchical structure displayed on the screen so as to display third icons to replace the second icons in the array hierarchical structure on the screen, and display the second icons to replace the first icons when one of the second icons in the array hierarchical structure is specified.

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: A versatile user interface device and associated system includes a consumer device, such as a set-top terminal, and a user interface device, such as a versatile remote control unit for sending command signals to the set-top terminal. The system enables application specific real-time programming of the remote control device. The system incorporates Versatile Remote Control Manager (VRCM) software that is invoked by the application via user selection. The VRCM enables application specific real-time re-mapping of the key code values for the operating keys of the remote control device, such as fixed keys and/or soft keys on a touch screen display device in order to enable simpler user interface interaction and navigation experience.

Abstract: A system and method that are capable of assembling customizable graphical user interfaces to facilitate image processing in segmented images. The system receives an input segmented image. A correlation is then made between a selected portion of the input image and a predetermined set of image processing tools. The image processing tools corresponding to the selected portion are then assembled into a graphical user interface. The user then selects from this tailored list an appropriate image processing function.

Abstract: A transfer processing unit reads out data relating to contents and rights information corresponding to the contents, from a memory card. A GUI unit controls display so as to display a predetermined icon corresponding to the data, in the event that the rights information indicates permission to import the contents. Thus, the user can speedily know operations permitted for the contents.

Abstract: A method and system are provided that translates tabular data prepared for a first display format into a second display format. Tabular data prepared for display on a conventional desktop display device may be adjusted for display on a portable computing device having a different display device. Tabular formatting may be removed for single row and single column tables. The method and system may also remove tabular formatting for tables having horizontal dimensions exceeding a specified amount. Tabular data may be removed from tables having more than one column that exceeds a specified maximum column size. The method and system may also identify nested tables and eliminate tabular formatting for all but the innermost tables.

Abstract: Separate processors, a PDA processor, and a baseband processor are maintained in a PDA having an integrated telephone device. The PDA processor runs PDA related programs and a user interface for the telephone device. A link between the PDA processor and baseband processor transfers data and commands from the user interface to a phone control program executing on the baseband processor. The base band processor is connected to the telephone device, and the phone control program controls operation of the telephone device. The separation of processors reduces vulnerability of the telephone device to hacker rogue applications that invade or program crashes that occur on the PDA processor.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for providing user support. In response to a user input requesting real-time user support for an application, a request is generated for the real-time user support, wherein the request includes context information regarding the application. The request is sent to initiate a communications link for real-time user support.

Abstract: A website display configured to emulate the look and feel of an application program is created using a border webpage and a content webpage. The border webpage comprises a table having a plurality of border cells surrounding a center cell. The center cell includes an inline frame configured for displaying the content webpage. The border cells each display a corresponding border image. The border images combine to form a border around the inline frame. The border surrounding the inline frame is preferably a four-sided border. The table and its cells are invisible when the border webpage is displayed. When a navigation command is received for accessing and displaying a second content webpage, the second content webpage is displayed in the inline frame in place of the first content webpage, while the border webpage remains static. A resize command for resizing the display area of the web browser, causes the display area and the border webpage and the content webpage to be proportionately resized.

Abstract: A method for automatically forwarding and replying short message is provided. Firstly, a local user joins a message chat room. If the user presses a key for forwarding a message, the message chat room provides structuralized, modularized and hierarchy message menu to the user, else the local user waits for a plurality of pre-established reply messages provided by a server or a remote cellulous phone. At this time, the local user can press a modify key to modify the reply messages and the message chat room provides an editing window to facilitate modify operation. Afterward, the local user presses a send key after selecting a replay message.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer program blocks windows categorized as bad windows, while allowing windows categorized as good windows to be displayed. The computer program may categorize a window by consulting one or more lists. In one embodiment, a list may be updated from time to time to optimize the computer program and prevent program-obsolescence. Techniques for defeating a window-blocking mechanism are also disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer program detects if a window is of a type that offers a product to a user. If so, the computer program provides a separate window containing information regarding the product. In one embodiment, a computer program detects if a user has a need for the computer program. If so, the user is informed of the efficacy of the computer program, which is then offered to the user.