Abstract: A graphic programming system for associating distinctive arrow appearances to specific transaction(s) that the arrow may convey among and between on-screen objects. The distinctive appearance features include arrow color, arrow style, and double-headed arrows, among many other possibilities. The system provides default relationships between specific arrow transactions and arrow appearance, so that, for example, a arrow of a particular color is recognized by the system (and easily identified by the user) to carry out a particular transaction. These relationships may be selectively varied by the user to suit individual needs.

Abstract: A method for creating user-defined computer operations involves drawing an arrow in response to user input and associating at least one graphic to the arrow to designate a transaction to the arrow. The transaction is designated to the arrow after analyzing the graphic object and the arrow to determine if the transaction is valid for the arrow. The transaction may be validated or invalidated for the arrow using a second arrow. Furthermore, the second arrow may be used to modify the transaction for the arrow. The context for creating the modified transaction may be recorded for subsequent use.

Abstract: A system and method for editing an electronic document of text and graphic objects utilizes first and second display objects to separate the graphic objects from the text to provide a user with control of the layout of the electronic document. The separation of the text and the graphic objects may involve removing the graphic objects from the first display object and placing the objects in the second display object.

Abstract: A graphic user interface (GUI) and method for providing a computer operating environment utilizes a set of universal tools so that an intuitive computer environment. A tool in this universal tool set is a display-and-control graphic element that manages other graphic elements, including other display-and-control graphic elements. The display-and-control graphic elements can be used to create other graphic elements, which are displayed on the display-and-control graphic elements. However, these created graphic elements exist on a global drawing surface. Thus, the graphic elements can interact with any other graphic element, including graphic elements on the global drawing surface, on other display-and-control graphic elements and/or on the same display-and-control graphic element. Another tool in the universal tool set is an information display-and-control graphic element.

Abstract: A system and method for creating, playing and modifying slide shows utilizes a graphic play area for sequentially displaying slides of slide shows. The graphic play area is configured to automatically add one or more objects placed in the graphic play area when a slide is displayed in the graphic play area such that the graphic objects are appended to that slide. Thus, the system and method allows a user to easily modify a slide show by simply placing one or more graphic objects, such as text, onto a slide currently being displayed in the graphic play area.

Abstract: A system and method for recording and replaying property changes on graphic elements in a computer environment provides a user with the ability to record his/her interactions with controls in the computer environment and then to replay these interactions. Both graphical and functional information are recorded for all objects in the computer environment such that, during replay, the recorded graphic elements are actually being interacted with in the same manner as during the time when the graphic elements were being recorded.

Abstract: A powered touch screen input device is perpetually self-powered and free of any mechanical connection to the touch screen itself. The input device includes at least one photovoltaic cell supported thereon and disposed to receive light from the display screen associated with the touch screen device. The photovoltaic cell is connected to the electronic signaling circuit disposed within the input device. The input device is adapted to be wielded by the user of the touch screen and to be placed in contact or close spacing to the touch screen device. Position and movement of the input sensor are correlated by a software driven computer system with the images generated on the display screen associated with the touch screen system.

Abstract: A method for text editing includes drawing a staircase object which is recognized by the software and replaced by a machine rendered staircase object. The user places alphanumeric characters adjacent to each step of the staircase object, the font, case, style, color and punctuation indicating the format of the heading of each step. An arrow is drawn from the staircase object to a text object to apply the heading formats. A graphic object such as a bullet may be assigned to any staircase heading and thereafter appear whenever the heading is evoked.

Abstract: The invention generally comprises methods for spacing a plurality of onscreen objects on the display of a computer or similar electronic device. One aspect is the Ripple operation, in which onscreen objects may be repositioned recursively in Blackspace or within a VDACC to accommodate changes in the size or position of an object, or the introduction of an object into a group of objects. Another aspect is the Text Space operation which enables a user to drag and reposition text without regard to rigid rules regarding margins, line spacing, paragraph format, and the like. A further aspect Touch Transparency, a software routine that determines which overlying object is designated to receive a mouse click and respond thereto.

Abstract: A method for illustrating assigned relationships between graphic objects utilizes graphic directional indicators to show the assigned relationships between the objects. The assigned relationships may be arrow logic relationships, such as control arrow logic relationships. The graphic objects may be any type of graphic objects including graphic control devices. The graphic directional indicators may be arrows that are drawn between the graphic objects. The direction of the arrows can be used to indicate the sources and targets of the assigned relationships. The color of the arrows can also be used to indicate the type of assigned relationships.

Abstract: A method for powering one or more touch input devices on a touch screen employs an EM standing wave propagating through a conductive surface layer of the touch screen to deliver power to the input devices without resorting to tether wires for any purpose. The input devices emit CDMA signals that are received by corner sensors in contact with the conductive layer and processed to detect, identify and locate the input devices. The EM standing wave is also used as a signaling medium to transmit multiple CDMA coded signals, and a synchronizing signal sent through the EM standing wave may control the timing of coded signals transmitted from the touch screen input devices to manage multiple device signals.

Abstract: A powered touch screen input device is perpetually self-powered and free of any mechanical connection to the touch screen itself. The input device includes at least one photovoltaic cell supported thereon and disposed to receive light from the display screen associated with the touch screen device. The photovoltaic cell is connected to the electronic signaling circuit disposed within the input device. The input device comprises a stylus having a proximal tip connected to the electronic signaling circuit to generate or receive actinic radiation and interact with the touch screen device. A bezel extends about the barrel to enclose the photovoltaic cells and direct light from the display screen to the cells. Alternatively, RF energy may be transmitted to an antenna in the input device and rectified to drive the electronic signaling circuit.

Abstract: A method for creating and using computer passwords includes the steps of displaying graphic objects on the display, selecting a plurality of the graphic objects and designating them as a password, applying the password to lock and password-protect a further graphic object, whereby the further graphic object cannot be accessed unless the password is first used to unlock the protected object. The combinatorial possibilities of the password includes the categories of the plurality of objects, the colors of the plurality of objects, and the spatial arrangement of the plurality of objects.

Abstract: A graphic user interface (GUI) and method for readily creating and manipulating sequential media presentations, such as pictures slide shows, allows a user to select media for a sequential media presentation in the order in which the selected media is to be displayed in the presentation by simply drawing an arrow that intersect onscreen representations of the selected media. In addition, the user may manipulate various parameters of the selected media as the selected media are being played back.

Abstract: Methods and controls for playing media include a Blackspace Timeline (BTL), and the Play Rectangle (PR). Both of these structures exist as graphic objects and they permit users to both navigate and operate (e.g., edit, scrub, assemble, combine, etc.) media without the use of external tools, e.g., a zoom tool, a play cursor, which must be entered as a separate mode, etc. Media objects are dragged to the timeline, which is rescalable, and re-ranged by click and drag techniques. BTL and PR may function as a time scale device, or as a length measurement device.

Abstract: A method for user customization of a graphic user interface includes the steps of displaying two onscreen objects, and dragging or otherwise moving one of the objects to be superimposed or intersecting the other object. The objects are combined so that the appearance of at least one object is maintained, and the other object is accessible by click/tap. For example, an onscreen switch may be combined with a photo image, the photo persisting while the switch is invisible, and the switch function is actuated by clicking on the photo image.

Abstract: A method for text editing includes drawing a staircase object which is recognized by the software and replaced by a machine rendered staircase object. The user places alphanumeric characters adjacent to each step of the staircase object, the font, case, style, color and punctuation indicating the format of the heading of each step. An arrow is drawn from the staircase object to a text object to apply the heading formats. Margins may be set by drawing vertical arrows to the top of a text object, causing a horizontal margin line to be rendered spanning the top of the text object. The arrows may be dragged horizontally to change the margins of any selected text.

Abstract: A graphic user interface (GUI) and method for providing a computer operating environment utilizes a set of universal tools so that an intuitive computer environment. A tool in this universal tool set is a display-and-control graphic element that manages other graphic elements, including other display-and-control graphic elements. The display-and-control graphic elements can be used to create other graphic elements, which are displayed on the display-and-control graphic elements. However, these created graphic elements exist on a global drawing surface. Thus, the graphic elements can interact with any other graphic element, including graphic elements on the global drawing surface, on other display-and-control graphic elements and/or on the same display-and-control graphic element. Another tool in the universal tool set is an information display-and-control graphic element.

Abstract: A control device provides a variable control signal to electrical apparatus and has a control member, such as a stylus or a turnable or slidable member, that is manipulated to vary the signal. Photoelectric sensors detect and track movement of the control member. The control member is disposed at the face of an electronic image display screen which can display calibration marks, identifying labels, current setting and/or other graphics pertinent to operation of the control device. The display screen also operates as the light source for the photoelectric sensors.

Abstract: One or more controls producing control signals for electrical apparatus are disposed at the face of an electronic display screen which display graphics pertinent to the operation of the controls. Controls having a cap which is slidable along a track include a tongue in the track connecting with signal producing components at an off screen location thereby enabling use of a track of minimal bulk. Controls having slidable caps or turnable knobs and controls such as joysticks and switches snap engage at the face of the screen enabling easy replacement and movement to different locations on the screen. Control signals may be transmitted to an off screen location without use of conductors extending along the screen.