Abstract: A method and device for accessing a broad data field having a fine resolution. The user selects a scale which can be varied. The scale controls a range within the data field. By moving the range to encompass different portions of the data field, the user can scan that portion of the data field. The present invention allows the user to simultaneously select the scale while moving the range over different portions of the data field. Thus, the user can “zoom in” and “zoom out” of different portions of the data field. In one embodiment of the present invention, a particular piece of data within the broad data field can be accessed. First, the scale is selectively varied, thereby controlling a range within the data field. Then, the range is moved to encompass portions of the data field in which the piece of data resides. Next, the scale is successively decreased while, simultaneously, points successively closer to the location are kept with the range. The scale is decreased (i.e.

Abstract: A target acquisition model is used to position the screen display areas. An area is docked by acquiring the screen display area to be docked and dragging a representation of the screen display area towards the desired location. As the mouse pointer enters the boundaries of the target area, a target group appears within the area. A target group represents the five behaviors that can be triggered: dock to left, dock to top, dock to right, dock to bottom and dock together or tab dock. Touching the desired docking target with the mouse acquires the target.

Abstract: A method and device for accessing a broad data field having a fine resolution. The user selects a scale which can be varied. The scale controls a range within the data field. By moving the range to encompass different portions of the data field, the user can scan that portion of the data field. The present invention allows the user to simultaneously select the scale while moving the range over different portions of the data field. Thus, the user can “zoom in” and “zoom out” of different portions of the data field. In one embodiment of the present invention, a particular piece of data within the broad data field can be accessed. First, the scale is selectively varied, thereby controlling a range within the data field. Then, the range is moved to encompass portions of the data field in which the piece of data resides. Next, the scale is successively decreased while, simultaneously, points successively closer to the location are kept with the range. The scale is decreased (i.e.

Abstract: A multi-user collaborative graphical user interface has a display area with a horizontal orientation, the display surface is positioned between the multiple users. The display area also has a centroid and a circumference. The display area is partitioned into work areas so that there is one working area for each user of the multiple users. An item is displayed in a particular working area using a global polar coordinate system centered on the centroid.

Abstract: A method of repositioning a manipulator in relation to a viewport is provided in a system for interacting with a three-dimensional object configured with a manipulator. The object and the manipulator are drawn in the viewport and the position of the manipulator is constrained to lie along the viewing axis between the viewport and the object. The manipulator is represented by a geometry corresponding to the function of the manipulator. The position of the manipulator is modified as needed so that it is not obscured by other objects in the scene. Furthermore, the position of the manipulator is modified as needed following a rotation or scaling operation so that it is oriented for ease of selection by a user.

Abstract: A navigation interface is embedded in imagery and includes various controls for manipulating the imagery. The controls provide various navigation operations, including but not limited to: rotation, tilt, zoom and 360 degree. In some implementations, one or more controls can be operated to restore the imagery to a predetermined state. Some implementations include a control for providing 360 degree movement of imagery. One or more controls can provide incremental and continuous motion of imagery. The navigation interface can fade out or otherwise be obfuscated when the user is not interacting with the navigation controls. A compass or other graphic can replace the navigation interface when it is no longer displayed.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to assign line break numbers to locations where line breaks have been made in order to separate a series of figures configured by connecting a number of figures into parts in a manner which makes it easy for a user to view a drawing including the series of figures, or a series of figures. In response to a line break operation for separating a series of figures configured by connecting a plurality of figures into parts, line break numbers displayed at line break locations are sorted based on a positional relationship of the line break locations. The series of figures with the sorted line break numbers assigned to the line break locations is displayed after performing the line break operation. The line numbers are therefore assigned in a consecutive manner for each series of figures.

Abstract: A monitoring system includes a picture capturing unit, a storage unit for storing original images composed of still images captured by said picture capturing unit, or a compressed images composed of compressed still images generated by compressing the still images, an image display unit, a designating unit for designating a region in an image displayed on the image display unit, and a control unit. The control unit controls said image display unit to display a panoramic entire image composed of the stored original images or compressed images, and updates only an image in the designated region in the entire image.

Abstract: A space tool that inserts space into or deletes space from a document is described. The space tool provides the user with feedback as to which objects will be moved when space is inserted into or deleted from a document. To provide the user with this feedback, the space tool identifies the objects that will be moved when space is inserted or deleted, and changes the appearance of these objects. For example, the space tool may gray out or fade identified electronic ink objects that will be moved. Alternatively, or additionally, the space tool may move identified objects in real time, so that their location continually corresponds with what their location will be after space has been inserted or deleted.

Abstract: An auxiliary screen unit is provided in conjunction with a desktop personal computer, for use in connection with editing a reading operations. The auxiliary screen unit has a touch-sensitive screen and stylus by means of which a user may operate a graphical user interface to select, highlight or otherwise edit text; edits may be performed on text displayed on the computer screen in the normal way using a mouse and a graphical user interface. The auxiliary screen unit and the computer are connected directly to each other so that text selected on one screen may be imported directly onto the other screen. Such an apparatus thus provides similar functional capability to that of paper, which is still the medium of choice for formulating edits.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements are provided for use in multiple user computing environments. These methods and arrangements can be configured to allow for a plurality of separate and concurrent desktops and workspaces within the shared computing environment. One method includes creating a separate desktop thread for each user that is authenticated during a logon process, creating a separate desktop associated with each desktop thread, and maintaining a list of desktop threads that are created. In this manner, several users can be logged on simultaneously. In certain implementations, the method further includes establishing a separate user environment associated with each desktop and launching a separate user shell associated with each desktop. The list of desktop threads allows for selective and/or automatic switching from a first desktop to a second desktop without terminating a desktop thread associated with the first desktop. The methods and arrangements are also applicable to remote process logon and switching.

Abstract: An image control system for controlling a menu on a display, comprises a menu arranged as a plurality of simultaneously displayed menu items in a loop and a selector (12) to select an item from the menu, the loop and the selector being moveable with respect to each other. A user input device (4) comprises a control device (6; 16) to generate a control signal to move the loop and the selector (12) relative to each other. The control device (6; 16) has a loop configuration, with movement around the loop of the control device causing corresponding relative movement between the selector (12) and the loop of the menu. Correlation between the loop configuration of the control device and the loop of menu items enables a user to intuitively navigate around a menu of items and select a desired one.

Abstract: A graphical user interface facilitates color modification of a sequence of segments of moving images on a display of a general purpose computer. The graphical user interface may include a three-image display. The three image display may include a first region on the display for displaying an image from a current segment in the sequence to which a color modification is to be applied, a second region on the display and adjacent to the first region for displaying an image from a previous segment in the sequence before the current segment, and a third region on the display and adjacent to the first region for displaying an image from a next segment in the sequence after the current segment. A function screen allows a user to select a color modification to be performed to the current image. The function screen may include an interface that simultaneously displays a plurality of user modifiable graphs.

Abstract: The object-oriented approach used by the present invention provides the ability to develop and manage Internet transactions. Local applications can be accessed using any workstation connected to the Internet regardless of the workstation's configuration. Some or all of a Web page can be generated dynamically using input received in a returned page, generated at runtime, or retrieved from an external data source (e.g., database or electronic mail system). When the Web page definition is rendered, the information contained in template(s), declaration file(s), and object(s) are used to generate standard definitions. State information is maintained across transactions. Using state information, virtual applications, sessions, transactions, and pages can be implemented. Self-contained modules, or components, provide the ability to share implementations and create multi-content documents. Event objects can be used to assist in event handling management.

Abstract: A flowchart including objects A through C is displayed on the monitor of a computer. If an object D is inserted between objects A and B, object D is dropped on a line AB. By this operation, objects A and D are automatically connected, and objects D and B are automatically connected.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for performing computer graphics operations on an image represented by digital data. A representation of a digital image is received. The image includes vector objects, each specified by control points. An editing brush is provided for interactive editing of the image by a user. The editing brush has a region of influence and applies a displacement function to control points in the region of influence, whereby when the editing brush is applied by the user to the image, a local distortion of the image is generated.

Abstract: A system for automatic emphasis of freeform annotations contained within an electronic document is performed based on a determined importance of each annotation. The importance of each annotation is determined by a mark parser that groups, types and ranks each of the annotations. A weighted value is assigned to each grouped, ranked and typed annotation based on temporal and spatial information. The display characteristics of the weighted annotation is altered based on the weighted value.

Abstract: A pivoting digital video display device having a pivot apparatus and a PIP function. The pivot apparatus rotates an image from a TV, VTR or DVD for PIP display so that the PIP display can be shown in the same orientation as the main display to provide a user with normal displays, when a personal computer generates a rotated main video signal in response to the rotation of the digital display apparatus from a latitudinal orientation to a longitudinal orientation. Additionally, the pivot apparatus rotates an image corresponding to the main video signal when the personal computer does not generate a rotated main video signal in response to the rotation of the digital display apparatus from a latitudinal orientation to a longitudinal orientation.

Abstract: An image editing program includes a user interface for displaying a work area and receiving image edit inputs; and an engine for overlaying a grid on the work area, and using grid elements to generate commands in response to the image edit inputs.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for viewing, writing, and modifying source code in an integrated development environment (IDE). When source code is being edited in a graphical environment, windows in the development environment display the code structure of a project allowing for the visualization of the relationships between components of the project. This invention discloses a system and method that permits editing to be performed directly in the graphical environment where the code structure is being displayed. In the preferred embodiment, editing of the source is performed directly within the graphical environment where a hierarchical model of the code structure of a project at various levels (module, class, function, etc.) is displayed.

Abstract: An immersive video system is provided which enables a user to interact with immersive video on a variety of platforms. To accommodate different types of platform components, the resolution of the immersive video may be changed. In one embodiment, a pair of immersive videos, one of the immersive videos having a 360° field of view, are simultaneously played in a standard display software program. In another embodiment, a single immersive video mapping an environment greater than 360° is played in a standard display software program. The display software program can be chosen such that it is supported by a variety of platforms. A view window associated with the standard display software program defines the portion of the immersive video shown to the viewer. A control adjusted by the viewer pans the view window around one of the pair of immersive videos.

Abstract: A browser-based system is described that provides a methodology for labeling of photo compact discs with a photo-facsimile table of contents. The system allows a customer at an e-commerce photo Web site to easily archive multiple albums that are on-line onto a CD-ROM along with a personalized table of contents printed onto the CD itself. This provides a user-friendly index of the digital images stored on the CD, thus saving a user from having to load the CD in a CD drive to be able to determine which pictures it contains. In this manner, people having multiple photo-CDs can quickly and easily identify the particular CD that has photographs that are of interest.

Abstract: A multimedia kiosk authoring system for use in developing and maintaining user interface screens for multimedia kiosk systems. The authoring system enables the user interface for each individual kiosk to be customized quickly and easily within wide limits of variation, yet subject to constraints adhering the resulting interface to good standards of aesthetics and user friendliness. The system may be used to provide custom interfaces expeditiously even for hundreds of kiosks presenting information from numerous independent information sources. The authoring system uses the methods of object oriented programming to define specialized object classes for instantiation on individual kiosk interface screens subject to pre-defined limitations on variability. Links are provided to an appropriate database for multimedia presentations on an interface screen of content bearing information from the information providers.

Abstract: A three dimensional (3D) modeling system for generating a 3D representation of a modeled object on a display device of a computer system. The modeled object is represented by an initial definition of an object and a set of modifiers. Each modifier modifies some portion of the definition of an object that may result in a change in appearance of the object when rendered. The modifiers are ordered so that the first modifier modifies some portion of the initial definition of the object and produces a modified definition. The next modifier modifies the results of the previous modifier. The results of the last modifier are then used in rendering processes to generate the 3D representation. Each modifier is associated with a three dimensional representation so that the user can more easily visualize the effect of the modifier.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for locally modifying a stylistic property of at least one path in an electronic document. All or a portion of an electronic document and at least one brush tool is displayed to a user. The electronic document has paths defined by parametric vector curves, and the brush tool is indicated by a cursor and having a region of influence. A user input selecting a brush tool and positioning the selected brush tool on the electronic document is received and a stylistic property of paths that pass within the region of influence of the selected brush tool is changed in response to a continuous user-controlled gesture of the brush tool. The stylistic property is a vector-based appearance property that varies along a path. Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for editing a digital movie is also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a user to define a panning and zooming path across a still image in a digital imaging device during interactive movie creation. The method and apparatus include allowing the user to define the position of a plurality of key frames on the still image, allowing the user to size the key frames to control the zoom during the movie, and allowing the user to set the key frames on the still image to fix each of the key frame's position and size.

Abstract: A virtual plug-in interface for an expert designer system for use with one or more database system types is disclosed. The expert designer system includes a core for performing functions. The virtual plug-in interface interacts with the database system such that the expert designer system core functions independently of the database system type. The database system categories with which the virtual plug-in interface operates include a geographic information system (GIS) and a work management system (WMS). The virtual plug-in interface includes a virtual GIS plug-in interface for a GIS and a virtual WMS plug-in interface for a WMS. The virtual GIS plug-in interface interacts with the GIS such that the expert designer system core functions independently of the GIS database system type. The virtual WMS plug-in interface interacts with the WMS such that the expert designer system core functions independently of the WMS database system type.

Abstract: In a system for producing an animation on a computer by use of keyframes, shapes are drawn on the basis of the positions of vertices designated by a user without direct manipulation of control points for Bézier curve so that there is little problem even in the case where a line drawing of each handwritten keyframe is broken discontinuously. To this end, Bézier curves are automatically generated to draw shapes by fetching a plurality of keyframes written on paper into a computer and then setting vertices of only first one of the keyframes. On this occasion, an optimum path connecting the position of each of the set vertices to the current cursor position is calculated. The path is approximated by a cubic equation. A Bézier curve is defined on the basis of comparison of coefficients of respective terms in the equation with coefficients in the Bézier curve.

Abstract: A three dimensional geometric modeling system featuring an executable program (400) allows a user to select and then drag and drop sheet metal solid shapes into a scene or assembly depicted on a display screen. The user selects the sheet metal solid shapes from a sheet metal catalog (300), thereby creating an instance of a program object for the selected solid shape. A program object (1302) for a sheet metal solid shape carries an application-specific or customized procedure (1000) which governs the drag and drop behavior of the sheet metal solid shape. Implementation of the application-specific or customized drag and drop procedure occurs upon detection of a special interface through which the program object for the sheet metal solid shape acquires environmental information.

Abstract: The disclosed information describes a method, system, and computer-readable medium for performing direct manipulation of displayed content (e.g., dragging the displayed content in a particular direction or dragging a particular part of the displayed content). In particular, content is displayed to a user, and a variety of direct manipulations of the displayed content are provided to allow the user to modify display of the content without the use of separate displayed content manipulation controls. The disclosed direct manipulation techniques are used to modify the display of content by altering the value of a content properties affecting the display. Such properties can include an amplitude affecting the size or level with which the information is presented (e.g.

Abstract: An immersive video system is provided which enables a user to interact with immersive video on a variety of platforms. To accommodate different types of platform components, the resolution of the immersive video may be changed. In one embodiment, a pair of immersive videos, one of the immersive videos having a 360° field of view, are simultaneously played in a standard display software program. In another embodiment, a single immersive video mapping an environment greater than 360° is played in a standard display software program. The display software program can be chosen such that it is supported by a variety of platforms. A view window associated with the standard display software program defines the portion of the immersive video shown to the viewer. A control adjusted by the viewer pans the view window around one of the pair of immersive videos.

Abstract: An interface for a network communication card for industrial controllers uses a dual-port memory that may be re-partitioned by values communicated through the dual-port memory itself. A default partitioning and a non re-partitionable common area allow flexible re-partitioning without disrupting the communication necessary for the partition to take place. Negotiation between the controller and network card allow maximum flexibility in re-partitioning while respecting partitioning limits characteristic of the network card and its network.

Abstract: A method of touch control of cursor position for a display device having a touch sensitive screen determines, upon contact of the screen by a pointer, whether cursor data exists within a display memory at addresses related to the contact point. If cursor data exists, a cursor mode is initiated so that all movement of the pointer across the touch sensitive screen results in the cursor apparently moving with the pointer on the display device. Once contact is broken with the touch sensitive screen, the cursor mode is controlled conventionally with a knob.

Abstract: A display interface method and apparatus that utilize a zoom interface are provided, in which the screen changes continuously and moving or duplicating operation of an object can be performed easily. The display interface method comprises the steps of memorizing a pointer that points an object selected by an input device in a memory, displaying a small image representing the object pointed by the pointer as a display of the foreground layer on the screen, and maintaining the display of the small image representing the object without changing even if a display of other layer is zoomed. A user uses a zooming operation so that the target position is displayed on the screen, and then inputs the “paste” command, for example. Thus, a copy of the object is generated and is pasted at the designated position in the target folder.