Abstract: An Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system design approach is provided employing a dynamic form that evolves automatically as the user enters content, in order to provide visual guidance relative to possible subsequent steps in the IVR system. The dynamic form follows a tree-view structure for the responses. The IVR content may be entered directly into the tree-view structure in an ad hoc manner, which provides a streamlined experience to the user compared to segmented building blocks.

Abstract: Static user information such as address, title, phone number(s), email address(es) and dynamic user information such as location, calendar, current phone number(s), etc. are combined in a dynamically updateable subscriber contact card for publishing to other applications. The subscriber contact card also includes user defined access controls for restricting access to portions of the information by select users. Other applications provide services such as communication services based on up-to-date information through the subscriber contact card.

Abstract: An Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system design approach is provided employing a dynamic form that evolves automatically as the user enters content, in order to provide visual guidance relative to possible subsequent steps in the IVR system. The dynamic form follows a tree-view structure for the responses. The IVR content may be entered directly into the tree-view structure in an ad hoc manner, which provides a streamlined experience to the user compared to segmented building blocks.

Abstract: Static user information such as address, title, phone number(s), email address(es) and dynamic user information such as location, calendar, current phone number(s), etc. are combined in a dynamically updateable subscriber contact card for publishing to other applications. The subscriber contact card also includes user defined access controls for restricting access to portions of the information by select users. Other applications provide services such as communication services based on up-to-date information through the subscriber contact card.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for controlling application software while switching between session in a multi-session computing environment. An apparatus includes memory coupled to switching logic and application program managing logic. The switching logic is configured to selectively switch console control of a computing device between at least two user kernel sessions that are maintained in the memory. The application program managing logic is configured to selectively control at least one application program that is operatively configured within at least one of the user kernel sessions. For example, the application program managing logic can be configured to stop the operation, restart certain application programs, notify application programs about switching events, and/or adjust the playback of audio and/or video signals associated certain application programs.

Abstract: A method for a user to preview multiple virtual desktops in a graphical user interface is described. The method comprises receiving an indication from a user to preview the multiple virtual desktops and displaying multiple panes on the display. Each pane contains a scaled virtual desktop having dimensions that are proportionally less than the dimensions of a corresponding full-size virtual desktop. Each scaled virtual desktop displays with one or more scaled application windows as shadows if the corresponding full-size virtual desktop has one or more corresponding application windows that are active.

Abstract: A method for a user to preview multiple virtual desktops in a graphical user interface is described. The method comprises receiving an indication from a user to preview the multiple virtual desktops and displaying multiple panes on the display. Each pane contains a scaled virtual desktop having dimensions that are proportionally less than the dimensions of a corresponding full-size virtual desktop. Each scaled virtual desktop displays with one or more scaled application windows as shadows if the corresponding full-size virtual desktop has one or more corresponding application windows that are active.

Abstract: An extensible device synchronization architecture and user interface is provided. A variety of device classes are supported, and support is also provided for mass storage, WMDM, MTP, AS, etc. An extensible UI model is provided that allows content type specific setting UI to plug-in. Support for 2-way synchronization is also provided. The synchronization architecture includes a content type user experience level, and a synchronization engine layer, with handlers and a synchronization engine API which handlers can use to manage their item level synchronization relationships and implement the semantics of the synchronization. In addition, the content that is being synchronized may be transformed so that the user's experience on the destination device (e.g., mobile phone, portable audio player, PDA, other type of personal or handheld computer, etc.) is optimized and these transforms are also extensible.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for organizing and displaying items for a user interface. The method includes providing a plurality of three-dimensional items, each three-dimensional item representing user information, and arranging the three-dimensional items around a perimeter, wherein the perimeter forms a portion of a closed area. The closed area may be an ellipse, circle, or other geometric shape. The three-dimensional items include at least one item in a focus position. Typically the three-dimensional items will also include at least one item in a peripheral position and may also include background items. The items are capable of rotating around the perimeter. Additionally, the method and system may scale the items in a manner appropriate to a position along the perimeter. The method and system additionally provide for rotation of the items around the perimeter upon receiving a user request.

Abstract: A system and method for device selection in a computer system. In certain systems a user may be required to pick a device from a known set of devices. For example, in a video conferencing application, a user may be required to pick which video camera will be utilized for the session. In one embodiment of the invention, the device selection process comprises the following steps. First, the caller creates the device picker (which in turn creates the common file dialog object). Then, the caller may choose an item filter to use and then initializes the device picker with that item filter. Then the device picker displays all the relevant devices in a common file dialog, and the user may choose a device. After a device is chosen, the device picker returns the reference to that device back to the caller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring user profiles between computing devices using portable storage devices is disclosed. A portable storage device (PSD) is connected to a computing device, the computing device reads user profile data from the PSD and configures itself according to that data. If the user profile data is changed on the computing device, those changes are synchronized on the PSD.