Abstract: An image transmission system includes an image transmitting unit having a display to display a status of a receiving unit and a detector for detecting a size of an original and a record mode permitted for transmission. A variable number of items of functional information together with a message that explains an operation of the system can be displayed, and respective input positions are provided for requesting the input of the functional information for the items. The number of items displayed then depends on the number of input positions operated.

Abstract: Sequential-playback objects (SPOs) such as audio messages, voicemail messages, video segments and the like are controlled in a centralized fashion in a computer-based system. The user is able to select SPOs, preferably using a pointer device such as a mouse. A single tool bar is displayed and used for controlling each of the selected SPOs so that there is no need to display two tool bars on the screen for controlling two different SPOs. Information relating to the status and characteristics of the SPOs are passed to the tool bar software so that the tool bar automatically provides the appropriate command execution for the particular SPO. Thus, the same tool bar will playback a video message or an audio message. By providing a single tool bar, screen clutter is reduced and, command execution is performed rapidly and computer resources are conserved.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for a multiplex copying system in which indefinite peripherals having various additional functions may be connected to the body of the apparatus. The version of the apparatus body is adjusted surely and adequately in matching relation to the versions of the peripherals. The apparatus body is, therefore, capable of cooperating with the peripherals newly connected thereto.

Abstract: An electronic program schedule system which includes a receiver for receiving broadcast, satellite or cablecast television programs for a plurality of television channels and a tuner for tuning a television receiver to a selected one of the plurality of channels. A data processor receives and stores in a memory television program schedule information for a plurality of television programs to appear on the plurality of television channels. A user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, is utilized by a viewer to choose user control commands and transmit signals in response to the data processor which receives the signals in response to user control commands. A television receiver is used to display the television programs and television program schedule information.

Abstract: A method for accessing members of an ordered data set includes a procedure for dividing an ordered data set into multiple ordered subsets, designating at least one member of each ordered subset as a bracket member, referencing those members of each ordered subset not identified as bracket members with a collective data member symbol, and displaying an ordered set of bracket members, with a collective data member symbol such as an ellipsis displayed between those bracket members separated from each other by two or more members in the ordered data set. Upon user selection of the ellipsis, this procedure is repeated, with those members of each ordered subset not identified as bracket members, and arranged between a respective pair of bracket members, constituting a new ordered data set capable of being divided into multiple ordered subsets.

Abstract: The menu selection device uses a combination of the rotary position of a rotary optical encoder and the operation of a coaxially mounted push-button switch to enable the user to progress through various layers of a hierarchical menu system. The rotary position of the shaft translates to a menu category which is selected by the user activating the push-button switch. The selection of the menu category allows the user to then sequence through the plurality of menu entries within this menu category by again rotating the shaft. The user selects one of these menu entries by again activating the push-button switch.

Abstract: A user interface technique operates in the environment of a processor-controlled machine for executing a program that operates on a set of underlying data and displays a visible representation thereof. The system further provides a visual depiction of a set of tools. The tools include click-through tools that can be combined with other tools (including other click-through tools) to provide composite tools. A click-through tool includes a generally transparent delineated active area that is movable so that it can be placed over a desired portion of the visible representation. When the user interacts with the visible representation through the active area, the action takes on an attribute of the particular click-through tool. A click-through tool can be superimposed on another click-through tool, whereupon an action taken through the two click-through tools onto the visible representation takes on attributes of both tools.

Abstract: A pausing and resuming utility in a computer graphics application allows the user to temporarily suspend a user-interactive operation without completing it. The user may resume the operation where it was suspended and continue in the same manner as if it had not been suspended. While the operation is suspended, the user need not maintain the system input device in any particular state and may use a Help function to obtain system operating instructions.

Abstract: For operating consumer apparatuses, the consumer often has to enter complicated operating instructions (cf. programming a video recorder). In order to enter the large number of data within such an instruction in a user-friendly way, the apparatus comprises means for forming sentences in steps and for displaying them in a natural language. In each step the data already entered are reproduced and the next data to be entered is identified. In this way communication with the user takes place in a natural language without the user having to enter this language.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of displaying performance metrics of a cellular communication system (50) having a call routing element (51), control elements (55, 56, 57, 58) and transceiver elements (59, 60, 61, 62, 63) provides for creating a hierarchical display (10) of the call routing element, the control elements and the plurality of transceiver elements with the call routing element depicted at a center of the hierarchical display and the control elements and transceiver elements radiating outwardly from the center in a hierarchical order. The user or the system selects a performance metric of one of the call routing element, the control elements and the transceiver elements, and the selected performance metric is displayed for each of the call routing element, the control element and the transceiver elements within the hierarchical display.

Abstract: An integral input/computer component combination is disclosed wherein a input device may share a single data port on the host computer with a Fax modem and be mounted to a monitor, printer, keyboard etc. so as to have a small footprint. A pair of UARTS coupled to a a microprocessor in the input device implements a passthrough connection from the port of the input device coupled to the data port of the host to a data port of the input device coupled to the Fax modem whenever the input device using scanning technology is not in use. A relay makes the same passthrough connection whenever power is turned off to the input device. In one zero footprint embodiment, the input device input device has snap-in projections which are pushed into slots formed in the computer component housing to lock the input device into place.

Abstract: An interactive home information system is described for providing interactive cable television services to a plurality of subscribers. The system includes a "node" which is in communication with the headend of the system and a group of subscriber home interface terminals. The node operates to selectively distribute information services obtained from the headend to ones of the terminals. The system includes circuitry for generating a display of a carousel on a subscriber's television. The displayed carousel includes a plurality of faces wherein an established one of the faces lists at least one available choice which can be selected by the subscriber via a displayed cursor. The system further includes circuitry for causing an apparent rotation of the displayed carousel in order to display additional choices on the established face.

Abstract: A screen commanding utility is provided that permits a user to select the number of display pixels are used to represent a designated unit length of printed output in a computer system's display screen. The screen commander is arranged to determine the location(s) at which the operating system stores the current DPI setting. Then, when a command is received from a user to adjust the DPI settings, the desired new DPI setting are stored in the current DPI settings location(s).

Abstract: An improved audio-visual computer-based home entertainment media inventory and control system is disclosed comprising a computer with associated software, for controlling any combination or number of video tape record-playback units, audio tape record-playback units, video disc record or playback units, CD audio record or playback units, and the like, said system includes a touch-screen color video display for displaying computer or TV format graphics, inventory lists, and operational touch screen menus for ease of operator use in inventorying and accessing audio-visual recordings. This system includes hardware and software facilities for accessing electronic mail sources of media content information, graphics data and broadcast air time guides.

Abstract: An electronic control for a cooking oven includes an input selection panel for receiving user input selections and control logic responsive to the input, selection panel for establishing a time and temperature profile of the oven cavity and for controlling heating devices according to the time and temperature heating profile entered by the user. The input selection panel includes heating function selection devices for receiving user selection of a heating function from among a plurality of heating functions and timing function selection devices for receiving user selection of at least one timing function from among a plurality of timing functions. The timing functions are independent of the heating functions so that a user may select any combination of timing functions with any selected heating function. The input selection panel includes labeled selection devices and labeled parameter display devices that define a grammatical sentence. The sentence emulates standard instructions in a cooking recipe.

Abstract: A telephone terminal is configurable by a user to contain just those features desired by the user. Although equipped with a full set of available features, the terminal also is initially configured only with a minimum default set of features directly and easily accessible by a user. The user is able to reconfigure the telephone terminal for selectively adding features when he or she desired more capabilities.

Abstract: In a portable terminal device of the invention, when a menu key provided on a keyboard is depressed by an operator, a copy/move menu is displayed on a display area under the control of a CPU which detects this depression. Then, the CPU determines which is specified as data to be copied or moved, a set of data displayed on the display area or part of the set of data. The specified data is input to a transfer buffer, and a copy or move process is executed. In a case where an insert process is selected for inserting the data stored in The transfer buffer into another display position, the transfer data is transferred to an input buffer, so as to copy or move the transfer data to the other position.

Abstract: A computer display control system displays semi-transparent control menus superimposed over other images. The computer system has a central processing unit, a program memory that stores an application or operating system program that generates and displays a first set of images on the display, and a menu generating program that displays a control menu having a list of menu items. The displayed control menu is a stippled image that is partially transparent. When the control menu is superimposed over the first set of images, the first set of images remains visible on the display below the control menu. The menu generating program logically ANDs predefined control menu images with a halftone screen so as to generate a stippled control menu image comprising an array of interleaved transparent and non-transparent pixels. In the preferred embodiment, the menu generating program displays a first version of the control menu when the control menu is unselected and a second version when said control menu is selected.