Abstract: A system and method for coordinating screen saver initiation and functionality. The system comprises at least one client station, each of the at least one client station having a screen saver module associated therewith; and a central control station in communication with each of the at least one client station over a network, the central control station having a screen saver control module for controlling each of the screen saver modules associated with the at least one client station.

Abstract: Graphics information resulting from operation of applications is directed to a set of visible windows. A set of graphics contexts is provided having fixed associations with the applications. A set of variable associations is provided between the graphics contexts and the windows, so that varying the windows to which graphics information resulting from operation of the applications is directed is accomplished by varying the associations between the graphics contexts and the windows.

Abstract: A method of displaying tab titles in a computer user interface receives a request to display a new tab in a tab area having a length. The new tab has a width and the new tab has a title having a length. The method determines a number of tabs to be displayed in the area and determines if the number of tabs to be displayed multiplied by the tab width is greater than the length of the tab area. If so, the method sets the tab width equal to the length of the tab area divided by the number of tabs. The method determines if the length of the title is greater than the tab width. If so, the method determines if the title has any words in common with any other titles of tabs. If so, the method deletes the common words from the titles, and displays the titles with the deleted common words in the tabs. The method may set a maximum number of tabs to be displayed in the tab area. The maximum number of tabs may be determined by the length of the tab area and a minimum tab width.

Abstract: A method, computer system and computer readable medium regarding an extensible master-slave user interface with distinct interaction models is presented. A slave region is displayed in a Graphical User Interface (GUI), the slave region displaying a current state. A master region is displayed in the GUI, the master region displaying a previous state. When a user selects content in the slave region then the master region is removed from the GUI, a new master region is displayed in the GUI, the new master region containing a view of contents of the slave region, the slave region is removed from the GUI and the content selected by the user is displayed in a new slave region in the GUI.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for initiating communication between two users among several users while at least one of the two users is browsing a web page. User information is collected about each user among the several users. Page information is collected about what web page each user among the several users is browsing. A portion of the user information and page information for a first user and a second user is shared between the first user and the second user when a predetermined criterion is met, and request by the first user to initiate communication with the second user is processed.

Abstract: A method for smooth rotation of an object viewed from a finite number of angles encompasses resetting the drag origin in response to the pointer exiting a region centered on the drag origin. Upon exiting the region, a new view of the object displays thereby providing the appearance of rotation.

Abstract: A zone control panel that is easy and intuitive to use and to program. In some embodiments, a zone control panel may be configured to have an easy to use, single level menu structure with, for example, a configuration mode and/or a checkout mode. The configuration mode may, if present, include a number of menu screens sometimes without any sub-menu levels. Likewise, the checkout mode may, if present, include a number of menu screens sometimes without any sub-menu levels. A mode selector may be provided to select a particular mode, after which, the menu screens that correspond to the selected mode may be sequentially displayed to the user. Other features and aspects are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for resizing windows and an apparatus for resizing windows. The method, in one embodiment, involves selecting a seam bordering a window, building a list of windows, and resizing more than one window in response to a single seam movement by a user. The apparatus, in one embodiment, is a computer readable medium comprising a computer program for resizing windows.

Abstract: A zone control panel that is easy and intuitive to use and to program. In some embodiments, a zone control panel may be configured to have an easy to use, single level menu structure with, for example, a configuration mode and/or a checkout mode. The configuration mode may, if present, include a number of menu screens sometimes without any sub-menu levels. Likewise, the checkout mode may, if present, include a number of menu screens sometimes without any sub-menu levels. A mode selector may be provided to select a particular mode, after which, the menu screens that correspond to the selected mode may be sequentially displayed to the user. Other features and aspects are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for reviewing and recording approvals for a component requirements document (CRD). A document link to a CRD and a chart link to a condensed version of the CRD are inserted into a review database table. The CRD describes changes required for a software application component. Prior to a review meeting, reviewers activate the document link to display the CRD. During the review meeting, the reviewers activate the chart link to display the condensed version of the CRD for a review of the required changes. An annotation is inserted into the review database table in response to completing the review. The annotation indicates a readiness for an approval process in which the CRD is approved by approvers. A comment link to a sign off comment is inserted into a sign off database table. The sign off comment indicates an approval of the CRD.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatuses are provided for determining when and how to display non-modal messages relating to user input portions of a graphical user interface (GUI). One method includes displaying at least one user input portion within a GUI and determining if the user input portion is in an invalid state by determining that valid user input associated with the user input portion has not been received. The method further includes displaying a non-modal message within the GUI. The non-modal message is visibly graphically associated with the user input portion. The method also includes automatically applying a focus of the GUI on the user input portion. As long as the focus of the GUI remains on the user input portion, the method includes displaying the non-modal message until the user input portion is determined to be in a valid state.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting a connectable element of a hardware device in a measurement system. A diagram of the measurement system may be displayed. The diagram may include a first icon representing a hardware device component of the measurement system. The hardware device may include one or more connectable elements. A graphical indication of the one or more connectable elements of the hardware device may be displayed in response to user input. For example, the user may hover a pointer, e.g., a mouse cursor, over the first icon or may hover the pointer in a vicinity of the first icon to cause the graphical indication to be displayed. A first connectable element of the hardware device may be selected in response to user input received to the displayed graphical indication of the one or more connectable elements. For example, the first connectable element may be selected in order to connect the first connectable element to another component in the measurement system.

Abstract: A method for providing context-sensitive help across variable environments. In each of the variable environments, the method can include tokenizing a received network request for help, the tokenization producing a contextually pertinent help file name and a base address of a corresponding help file. Subsequently, the corresponding help file can be located in a fixed storage location referenced by associating the help file name with the base address. Finally, the located help file can be encoded with the base address, and transmitting to a requesting client.

Abstract: A system is provided for controlling and monitoring therapy modules of a medical workstation. The system includes a first control and display unit, at least another control and display unit and at least one therapy module, which is either a ventilation module or an infusion module. The control and display units and the therapy module or therapy modules are connected to one another via bidirectional communications connections. The control and display units have a settable first display area for alarm and status reports of the therapy module or therapy modules and a second area for the display and modification of therapy settings of the therapy module or therapy modules.

Abstract: A method and system to determine the size of a first area on a user interface that is utilized to display data items. The system receives a request for a user interface that includes a first area and a second area that are complementary in size. The system utilizes the first area utilized to display data items and the second area to display other information. The system determines a size of the first area by computing a number of data items that are to be displayed in the first area and generates the user interface to include the first area in the second area, the first area being of the determined size.

Abstract: Methods for the intelligent rendering of information in a limited display environment are provided. Display environments, especially in mobile devices, are limited with regard to physical space and technical capability. The present invention provides for the scaling of information in the display in light of those limitations. Additional methods for intelligently determining information to be or not to be displayed in the environment are further provided. Determinations of information to be displayed may be a result of a user-determination or automatic determinations made by a user device. Zooming and ‘quick look’ features are also provided.

Abstract: In various embodiments, user support in computer software applications may be provided on the basis of user interaction histories. Critical points may be defined throughout the applications and the user interaction histories at these critical points may be stored and indexed for future retrieval. User interaction histories at these critical points may also be scored to determine, for example, whether the system should intervene. In some embodiments, when providing user support, an entity may access the user interaction history (e.g., using the index). The user interaction history may assist the entity in determining how to assist the system user at their current point in the application. In some embodiments, user support may be not limited to assisting the system user with a problem. For example, user support may include presenting a promotion or advertisement to the system user based on the user interaction history.

Abstract: A graphical user interface displays a coarse control scrollbar to provide a user with coarse resolution sequential data control and a magnified view scrollbar proximate to the coarse control scrollbar. The magnified view scrollbar provides the user with fine resolution sequential data control. When the cursor is on the scrollbar, an overlay is opened which is a zoomed version of the scrollbar. The zoom range of the overlay is adjustable and can either be preset by the user or set during the zooming operation. When operating the overlay, a menu is available which allows the user to choose between zooming up or down to select the desired position.

Abstract: Techniques provide for the dynamic display of a page-oriented information asset using an audio output mode. Pluralities of elements in the page-oriented information asset are determined based on chapters, sections, paragraphs, sentences, words and the like. The elements are rendered to an audio output mode. Optionally selectable representations of the elements are also determined and output using a 3-dimension-like rendering to a visual output mode. The 3-dimension-like rendering of the visual representations of the elements shows how the current element relates to the other elements and its location within the page-oriented information asset. The 3-dimension-like rendering provides visual orientation or context within the page-oriented information asset. The visual representations of the elements are optionally selectable as spatial context indicators providing direct navigation control to support reading, browsing and information retrieval tasks within the page-oriented information asset.

Abstract: A user selection interface system comprises one or more circular selectors linked to selectable characteristics, and a display linked to the selectors, for display of an image which corresponds to the selected characteristics. The interface is typically linked to a database comprising stored image and other information which corresponds to the selectable characteristics, whereby an image that corresponds to an item which meets a selected characteristic is retrieved and displayed. Information other than the image which corresponds to the selectable characteristics may also be retrieved and displayed. In some embodiments, the stored images comprise a single image, which matches all the selected characteristics. In alternate embodiments, the displayed image comprises a composite image that is based upon stored images which correspond to different selected characteristics. In some embodiments, the user selection interface comprises a graphic user interface.