Abstract: A device for providing user input to a computer includes a base member with a tracking sensor for detecting motion of the base member and a vertical grip member that extends upward from the base member. A scroll wheel is rotatably mounted in the grip member and oriented so as to be rotatable by a substantially arc-like movement of a thumb of a hand holding the grip member.

Abstract: A multimedia visual progress indication system that provides a trick play bar that is overlaid onto the program material or displayed on a dedicated display. A cache bar inside of the trick play bar indicates the length of a recording session or the length of stored program material and expands to the right when material is being recorded. Every half hour (or selected increment), the cache bar slides to the left. Time marks are displayed inside the trick play bar giving the user a visual reference point from which to judge the current time and visual time reference points. The time marks are in any increment of time needed. The total length of the stored program material or next time or counter increment in the recording cycle is displayed on the right hand end of the trick play bar. A position indicator moves within the trick play bar and tells the user visually where his current position is within the program material.

Abstract: A television viewer interface system provides a viewer interface that allows the viewer to access different functions of a system. The invention's construct allows items called video loopsets to be stored on a storage device and displays single or multiple video loopsets in the background area of the screen on a TV or monitor. Temporal elements are drawn onto the screen over the video loops. A highlight bar is responsive to the user's commands and is used to indicate the current menu item that can be selected by the user. Information is presented in a successive disclosure format where the user navigates through menus by moving the highlight bar to the right to obtain more information or to the left to see less information and return to the previous location. Whispering arrows are provided on each screen that tell the user that more information is available in that particular direction.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing two computer systems supporting multiple synchronization techniques is described. In one example system, a portable computer system is loaded with synchronization transport modules. An application on the portable computer system is executed causing the application to automatically recognize the synchronization transport modules. The portable computer system receives a selection corresponding to one of the two synchronization transport modules. The selection could be from a user and would indicate that the user prefers to synchronize with the second computer system using a particular method of external communication. After the selection, the portable computer system synchronizes with the other computer system using the selected method of external communication.

Abstract: A multimedia schedule presentation system provides a program guide area which is a list of the programs that are currently airing, was aired, or is scheduled. The program guide area is semi-transparent and overlays on the broadcast program material that the user is currently watching. The invention displays the program guide information in two different modes: two column or three column. The two column mode displays the available channels in a rotating endless list fashion in the left hand column and the programs for the highlighted channel in the right hand column. The current time period is shown above the left column on the screen and is easily changed by the user. Below the time display is the listing of the channels available to the user. Next to each channel number is the station ID and the title of the current program that is being aired. A description of the current highlighted program is displayed above the two columns.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (“GUI”) for navigating through multimedia content is described comprising: a left menu region comprising a first plurality of selectable menu elements, one or more of the first plurality of selectable menu elements having a plurality of sub-elements associated therewith; a selection element to identify one of the first plurality of selectable menu elements; and a right menu region adjacent to the left menu region, the right menu region to display a first plurality of sub-elements associated with an identified one of the first plurality of selectable menu elements.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing two computer systems supporting multiple synchronization techniques is described. In one example system, a portable computer system is loaded with synchronization transport modules. An application on the portable computer system is executed causing the application to automatically recognize the synchronization transport modules. The portable computer system receives a selection corresponding to one of the two synchronization transport modules. The selection could be from a user and would indicate that the user prefers to synchronize with the second computer system using a particular method of external communication. After the selection, the portable computer system synchronizes with the other computer system using the selected method of external communication.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing two computer systems supporting multiple synchronization techniques is described. In one example system, a portable computer system is loaded with synchronization transport modules. An application on the portable computer system is executed causing the application to automatically recognize the synchronization transport modules. The portable computer system receives a selection corresponding to one of the two synchronization transport modules. The selection could be from a user and would indicate that the user prefers to synchronize with the second computer system using a particular method of external communication. After the selection, the portable computer system synchronizes with the other computer system using the selected method of external communication.

Abstract: A method is disclosed comprising: selecting a first group of characters to be mapped to a group of remote control buttons based on how probable it is that individual characters within the first group correspond to a first character of a word representing information sought by a user in a database; and mapping the first group of characters to the group of remote control buttons.

Abstract: A method is disclosed comprising: selecting a first group of characters to be mapped to a group of remote control buttons based on how probable it is that individual characters within the first group correspond to a first character of a word representing information sought by a user in a database; and mapping the first group of characters to the group of remote control buttons.

Abstract: A method and system of synchronizing two computer systems supporting multiple synchronization techniques is described. In one example system, a portable computer system is loaded with synchronization transport modules. An application on the portable computer system is executed causing the application to automatically recognize the synchronization transport modules. The portable computer system receives a selection corresponding to one of the two synchronization transport modules. The selection could be from a user and would indicate that the user prefers to synchronize with the second computer system using a particular method of external communication. After the selection, the portable computer system synchronizes with the other computer system using the selected method of external communication.