Abstract: A method, apparatus, and signal-bearing medium that selects an object displayed on a display screen when a cursor controlled by a pointing device pauses at the object for a time period longer than a dwell-time threshold. The dwell-time threshold is adjusted based on the density of the objects displayed on the screen. Thus, when the density of displayed objects is higher, the dwell-time threshold is longer and the user must hold the cursor at the desired object for a longer time in order to select the object. Similarly, when the density of displayed objects is lower, the dwell-time threshold is lower, and the user must hold the cursor at the desired object for a shorter time in order to select the object.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling content from a plurality of content sources of one or more types to be searched, displayed, and easily accessed for consumption. A user may concurrently view a plurality of display areas, including a tuned media display area, a page index display area, a search results area, an area for displaying links to alternate guides or search engines. The page index area includes links to pages that contain search results, as well as links to user defined category pages. The search results area displays search results as user-selectable links. Associated with each displayed search result are additional selectable objects that allows a user to search for related content. A display options feature allows a user to select the level of detail presented in the other display areas.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for providing a home network console. In a first aspect the network console provides device information for physical devices within a network. The network console is non-hierarchical in as much as all the devices within the network are indicated in a single level, thus a user does not have to click through multiple levels to access devices. In a further aspect, a network console system includes agents capable of communicating device information to the network console. Inclusion of an agent in an individual device allows for dynamic updating of device information including assisting in the connection of a new device to the network, furthermore the device agent is capable of communicating device information related to supportable network activities.

Abstract: A method, signal, system, and software program for identifying items of probable user interest. Information associated with user preferences and habits is maintained, and used in conjunction with information obtained from media search mechanisms, including electronic program guides and Internet browsers, to identify available content information that may be of interest to a user. Items identified as being of probable user interest are maintained in a record, and presented to users as a default list for initiating searches. No direct user input of preferences is required.

Abstract: A video system displays information during transition from a first video source to a second video source. During the transition, an MPEG decoder decodes a transition video signal and provides the decoded transition video signal to a video overlay which overlays the decoded transition video signal onto a display during the transition period. In one embodiment, the transition video may be a commercial video or advertisement such that the advertisement is displayed on the display during the transition. The advertisement may be related to the content of the output of one of the video sources. In the event the MPEG decoder is unavailable to decode the transition video during the transition, the video system is capable of utilizing an alternate decoder to decode the transition video.

Abstract: A television screen (24) is displayed as a window (25) within a larger displayed image (21), also referred to as a “picture-in-picture.” A control program associated with the window (25) provides additional functions to the window, including the ability to view the time, title, and other information about future programs, in the window (25). A user can switch between various preset lists of channels, and can dynamically edit such lists to add or delete channels. The control program senses the location of a cursor (37) relative to the window (25) and a control region, as defined therein. Depending upon the location of the cursor (37), the window (25) is either in a reduced-size state with fewer controls visible, or in an expanded-size state with greater controls visible.

Abstract: A television screen (24) is displayed as a window (25) within a larger displayed image (21), also referred to as a “picture-in-picture.” A control program associated with the window (25) provides additional functions to the window, including the ability to view the time, title, and other information about future programs, in the window (25). A user can switch between various preset lists of channels, and can dynamically edit such lists to add or delete channels. The control program senses the location of a cursor (37) relative to the window (25) and a control region, as defined therein. Depending upon the location of the cursor (37), the window (25) is either in a reduced-size state with fewer controls visible, or in an expanded-size state with greater controls visible.

Abstract: A method, signal, system, interface, and software for creating a database containing information across all media source types are disclosed. The database contains preprocessed links established on the basis of being “like” in some manner. The pre-processed links are created giving regard to the media source type and are stored in a database based on whether a link has a basis in the same media type or for all media types. The information and links contained within the database are accessed by a search tool via a multimedia user interface.

Abstract: A system for managing favorite channel lists on a television, personal computer or PC/TV convergence environment is disclosed. The favorite channel lists are dynamically created by a computerized system rather than manually created by a user who specifically identifies a set of channels to be included in the favorite channel list. In one embodiment of the invention, the computerized system generates a list of favorite channels based on a theme selected by the user. In another embodiment of the invention, the computerized system generates a list of favorite channels based on the channels most frequently viewed by the user.

Abstract: A method, system, signal, and software program for handling search through the use of a page index. Searches are performed across a plurality of content information sources and content types. For every search that returns unique search results, the page index is updated to include links to those pages. Accessing the same page multiple times does not cause multiple entries in the page index, and no search results nor page index entries are deleted as a result of additional searches performed.

Abstract: A method of displaying graphical information using a “lenticular-like” interface is described. With a “lenticular-like” interface, the viewer is made aware that additional, usually complementary information is available besides that which is currently foregrounded in the display. This is accomplished by displaying a small but characteristic portion of the actual secondary field. In another embodiment the dominant field is made to look like a lenticular lens, which suggests to the user that a slight shift in view will bring the secondary field to the foreground. With a “lenticular-like” interface, this shift is accomplished by moving the cursor from one edge of the display field to the other edge.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method, signal, and software for use in a system including a host device and at least one remote battery powered device. The status of the battery in the remote device is estimated from the number and duration of messages received by the host. The battery's status is then communicated to the user via the host device. The entire method can be implemented without consuming any battery power except the power normally used to transmit messages.

Abstract: A control program or operating system (28) manages a graphical user interface (21) of an electronic device (27) in such a way that substantially all of the screen of data (25) remains visible irrespective of whether toolbars or graphical objects (39) are displayed or hidden. The program or operating system rescales or resizes the data screen (25) to fit in whatever size display region (37) is available, such region (37) being generally smaller when graphical objects (39) are displayed on the display screen (31) and generally larger when the graphical objects (39) are hidden therefrom. The user displays graphical objects (39) in a corresponding tool area (55) defined in the display screen (31) by moving a cursor or other pointing device (33) into a control region (35) defined in the display screen (31).

Abstract: A method, system, signal, user interface, and software for searching information across different media types and sources is disclosed. The method includes identifying a search criteria and subsequently searching for information across one or more media types or sources based upon the search criteria. The search may also be conducted giving regard to user interaction information such as most recently viewed, most frequently viewed, preferences, etc. The media information may be stored locally or remotely and is presented to a user using a single user interface.

Abstract: Mutatably transparent controls are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a system includes an operating environment, and at least one computer program. The operating environment has a graphical user interface. Each computer program has at least one display displayable within the graphical user interface. The system is configured so that the opacity of the at least one display changes in response to a particular event. Desirably, each display comprises a control.

Abstract: Mutatably transparent controls are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a system includes an operating environment, and at least one computer program. The operating environment has a graphical user interface. Each computer program has at least one display displayable within the graphical user interface. The system is configured so that the opacity of the at least one display changes in response to a particular event. Desirably, each display comprises a control.

Abstract: Mutatably transparent controls are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a system includes an operating environment, and at least one computer program. The operating environment has a graphical user interface. Each computer program has at least one display displayable within the graphical user interface. The system is configured so that the opacity of the at least one display changes in response to a particular event. Desirably, each display comprises a control.

Abstract: A system for implementing an unobtrusive, always-on-top interface-to-interfaces comprises a spot interface that is sufficiently small that it may lie unobtrusively over any open window such that it is always on top thereby enabling a user conveniently to access any available window without first having to return to a main window or close other open windows. The spot interface comprises an active region represented by a small graphical display element (GDE) having the appearance of a sphere, which unless disabled by a user, is always visible regardless of which is the topmost window. When a mouse pointer is moved into the spot GDE, a ring or collar having four radial quadrants representing menu items is displayed after waiting a user specified length of time. These radial menu items are displayed around the GDE.