Translucency Or Transparency Interface Element (e.g., Invisible Control) Patents (Class 715/768)
  • Publication number: 20120066627
    Abstract: First, a plurality of selection objects having at least one part thereof displayed on a display area of a display device are moved relative to the display area, based on an output signal outputted from an input device. Then, when an end-located selection object among the moved plurality of selection objects reaches a predetermined position of the display area, displayed on the display area is an object having a shape identical or similar to one part of the plurality of selection objects displayed on the display area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Furukawa, Eiichi Shirakawa
  • Patent number: 8136045
    Abstract: An approach for using multiple menus with a graphical user interface is disclosed. A multiple menu comprises a menu panel with two or more selection regions, each of which is associated with a base menu. A user requests the menu panel without selecting a menu object displayed on a display unit, such as by right-clicking. The menu panel is displayed along with one base menu, and other base menus are displayed by the user moving the cursor to another selection region. The user selects a menu item from a base menu to cause the application to execute the function associated with the menu item. The selection regions of the menu panel do not include information describing the content of the associated base menus. By arranging the base menus around the menu panel, cursor movement is minimized to improve user efficiency in using the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventors: Britt S. Miura, Scott C. Morrison
  • Publication number: 20120060108
    Abstract: A web content monetization system is disclosed that allows a publisher to create content and to hide portions of that content subject to acceptance of certain conditions, such as a payment. The hidden content is determined by the publisher and is bounded by two tags that can be applied to any portion of the content by the publisher. In place of the hidden content is a placeholder that indicates the conditions under which the hidden content is revealed. When the conditions are met, the hidden content is instantly revealed to the user in the online interface. The hidden content is protected by a digital lock and is not accessible in any manner until the applicable conditions are met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventor: Gilles Domartini
  • Patent number: 8120623
    Abstract: An apparatus for overlaying images includes a broadcast image layer generator, an application image layer generator, and an overlay processor. The broadcast image layer generator generates a broadcast image layer based on a received broadcast signal. The application image layer generator generates an application image layer based on an application image. The overlay processor generates an overlay image obtained by overlaying the broadcast image layer with the application image layer, so that a broadcast image corresponding to the broadcast image layer and an application image corresponding to the application image layer may be displayed simultaneously on a screen. The broadcast image and the application image may be displayed simultaneously on a screen, and visibility and readability of a text in the application image may be enhanced based on the user's preference and the user's recognition ability when the portable device performs multi-tasking in which multiple programs are simultaneously executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: KT Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Dong-Ki Lee, Jung-Bum Oh
  • Publication number: 20120042271
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program product are disclosed for enabling user interactions between user interface components. An initial event module detects an initial user input event to a graphical user interface. The initial user input event is associated with a user interaction between a source user interface component and a target user interface component that occupy separate event domains. A transparent component module places a transparent user interface component over the target user interface component in response to the initial user input event. The transparent user interface component occupies the same event domain as the source user interface component. An interaction event module detects an interaction user input event to the transparent user interface component that continues the user interaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert C. Ma, Grant D. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8117553
    Abstract: A system, to maintain a user interface context receives a request for a first user interface element that is hidden from view on a user interface. The request causes the system to integrate the first user interface element into the user interface by regenerating the user interface to accommodate the first user interface element while maintaining the user interface context.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: SAP Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Danninger, Matthias Harbusch, Marie-Simone Proksch, Dagmar Repschlager
  • Publication number: 20120019861
    Abstract: A display operation device has a display-integrated operation panel with a display screen, on which a monochrome copy start key and a color copy start key are displayed. When black-toner-out or color-toner-out occurs, on the monochrome copy start key and the color copy start key, another UI component such as black-toner-out key and color-toner-out key is displayed. Such a UI component is displayed at the display position of the monochrome copy start key and the color copy start key, being superposed on these keys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mikiya Okada, Naohiro Andoh
  • Publication number: 20120023401
    Abstract: The subject matter of this document can be implemented in, among other things, a method that includes displaying, on a user interface of a computing device, a base portion of a keyboard. The method further includes receiving, on the user interface, a user input that includes initiating a contact at a first region of the user interface that is associated with the base portion of the keyboard, moving the contact, while maintaining connection with the user interface, to a second region of the user interface that is outside the first region and that is associated with an extended portion of the keyboard, and releasing the contact at a location within the second region. The method further includes activating a selection in the extended portion of the keyboard based on the location within the second region at which the contact is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Simon Arscott, Amith Yamasani
  • Publication number: 20120023425
    Abstract: Display of on-screen elements is coordinated, which includes generating a graphical wallpaper representation in a first process on a first visual layer on a display of a computing device, generating one or more graphical objects in a second process on a second visual layer of the display, wherein the second visual layer is positioned visually on top of the first visual layer, receiving user interactions with the one or more graphical objects and generating information that reflects the user interactions, and communicating the generated information to the first process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Dianne K. Hackborn, Michael A. Cleron, Romain P. Guy, Joseph M. Onorato
  • Patent number: 8095884
    Abstract: A processing device may include a WYSIWYG tool for designing two-dimensional visual layouts. The processing device may display a visual layout including a first object component and a second object component. The first object component, or an object subcomponent thereof, may be moved or resized, or an object subcomponent of the second object component may be moved or resized. When an edge of the first object component or an edge of the object subcomponent, thereof, is within a snapping distance of an edge of the object subcomponent of the second object component, the processing device may attempt to align the edges and may display an indicator indicating alignment of the edges. The first object component or the object subcomponent, thereof, may be drawn to an aligned position with the object subcomponent of the second object component while the aligned edges are within the snapping distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Rajeev V. Karunakaran, Brian L. Welcker
  • Publication number: 20120004033
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the placement of a reference replication of a device input apparatus at a display to confirm to a user the desired input. In the gaming field the present invention includes the generation of a semi-transparent image of the gaming machine button panel at the game display and an indicia showing the player's input to confirm the desired prompt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventor: MARTIN LYONS
  • Patent number: 8091038
    Abstract: An adaptive graphical interface may include determining a first visual characteristic of a background portion, selecting a second visual characteristic contrasting with the first visual characteristic, and presenting a graphical feature portion, the graphical feature portion being presented over the background portion, and the graphical feature portion having the second visual characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Elwan Johnson, German Bauer
  • Patent number: 8078981
    Abstract: A graphics integrated circuit chip is used in a set-top box for controlling a television display. The graphics chip processes analog video input, digital video input, a graphics input and an audio input simultaneously. The chip processes graphics images organized as windows. The chip obtains data that describes the windows, sorts the data according to the depth of the window on the display, transfers graphics images from memory, and blends the graphics images using alpha values associated with the graphics images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander G. MacInnis, Chengfuh Jeffrey Tang, Xiaodong Xie, James T. Patterson, Greg A. Kranawetter
  • Publication number: 20110302515
    Abstract: A method of operating a mobile terminal is presented. The method includes displaying a list comprising at least one item on a display module, displaying a first display screen showing a content of a first item on the display module when the first item is selected from the list, and displaying the list to overlap the first display screen when the list is subsequently selected to be displayed, wherein the display list screen overlapping the first display screen is at least partially transparent allowing the first display screen to be seen through the list.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventor: Taeyong KIM
  • Publication number: 20110296327
    Abstract: A display apparatus and display method are provided. The display apparatus includes an image receiving unit which receives a 2D or 3D image, an image outputting unit which displays the 2D or 3D image received through the image receiving unit, an OSD processing unit which generates an OSD picture overlapped with and shown on the 2D or 3D image displayed through the image outputting unit, and a control unit which controls the OSD processing unit to adjust a transparency of the OSD picture when the 3D image is displayed through the image outputting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung-rae KANG, Jong-whan LEE
  • Patent number: 8069111
    Abstract: A system and method for an event driven virtual workspace are described. According to one example method, a trader can define a plurality of windows to be associated with a virtual workspace. Also, the trader could define one or more triggering events, the combination of which may be used to activate the virtual workspace. In such an embodiment, when the system detects the one or more triggers, the system can attempt to activate the virtual workspace. According to the example method, the trader may place a number of limiting conditions before any states of the currently displayed windows are modified such that the triggered virtual workspace could be displayed. If no limiting conditions are detected, the system can display the triggered virtual workspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Trading Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. West
  • Patent number: 8065623
    Abstract: A system for designing a work area enables a user to initially specify a particular item to be designed into the work area from a number of different items contained in the system. The system utilizes stored information concerning the item to graphically display the selected item to the individual. Once the item has been selected, the system enables the individual to incorporate the item into the work area, along with other items. The system indicates the item on a display using a “ghost image”. The dimensions of the item can be varied from preselected dimensions and other components can be interconnected or positioned in the work area. The system can provide feedback to the user regarding what components can be added at any particular location. The system determines the proper style, width, height, options, position, and rotation for the item and any interconnected components to create a valid design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Krueger International, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey G. Bohlman
  • Patent number: 8065614
    Abstract: A system and method for providing playback of multiple video streams simultaneously is shown and described. A priority is assigned to individual windows of a plurality of windows used for playback of the video streams. A current window being accessed by a user is assigned a higher priority than nonactive, or background, windows. Playback characteristics, such as video resolution, transparency, and audio volume, are reduced in the playback of videos presented in nonactive windows in relation to video played in the active window. Accordingly, a user's attention may be drawn more to the active window than to the nonactive windows, while allowing the video and audio data in the nonactive windows to be provided to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: ATI Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tsang Fai Ma, Jitesh Arora
  • Patent number: 8046795
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a media generation system where a media event may be selected via a stateless software module, the system receiving a media event protocol file corresponding to the selected media event. The media generation system generates the media event based on the received media event protocol file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Nga Marie Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20110258562
    Abstract: A cross-browser dialog platform is provided for supporting hosted web pages in a dialog, such that a web page may be used inside or outside the dialog. Select elements on the hosted page may be hidden when in a dialog, different behavior may be specified for hyperlinks inside or outside the dialog, and a proper size of the dialog may be inferred from its contents without designer input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Shaofeng Zhu, Cindy Liao, Zachary Nation, Charles Reeves Little, Tim McConnell, Jeff Crowley
  • Patent number: 8042054
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a device having a controller to create metadata corresponding to an identity of an entity, incorporate in a media file the metadata that identifies the entity with metadata that describes media content in the media file, and present a graphical user interface depicting a media file directory structure generated according to the metadata that identifies the entity and the metadata that describes media content in the media file. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Scott White, James Cansler, Ankur Mukerji
  • Patent number: 8042056
    Abstract: A representation of a physical object can be displayed even where the amount of geometric data is too large to be stored in resident memory. A primary viewing window displays point data for the object using a substantially even sampling of data at an appropriate point density for the system. At least one auxiliary viewing window displays a two-dimensional representation of the point data. A user can select a portion of the data in the auxiliary window(s), such as by selecting cells of an overlaid grid, to be displayed in the primary window using a rendering such as a “visible” rendering. The remainder of the displayed data can be displayed using a rendering such as a “hidden” or “transparent” rendering. The resolution of the selected region can be increased while maintaining a substantially even spacing among points for the region. The resolution of the unselected region can be decreased accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Mark Damon Wheeler, Jonathan Apollo Kung, Richard William Bukowski, Laslo Vespremi, Daniel Chudak
  • Patent number: 8042052
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for displaying and managing information on a webpage using an indicator in which, a memo and so forth can be recorded in the desired contents of the webpage through the indicator and the URL of the webpage can be stored with the indicator to call out them at anytime, whereby providing a convenience in terms of search and manage of information. The system having a client server and a system server comprises an indicator displayed on a surface of specific contents of each webpage with reference to coordinate values corresponding to the specific contents of each webpage and for classifying and elaborating on the specific contents and may use an indicator generation module, an input portion for inputting information, a storage portion storing coordinate values, and an output portion for outputting an indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: ISFORU
    Inventor: MoonSung Choi
  • Publication number: 20110246290
    Abstract: The present technology provides a purchasing interface within an application that allows users to purchase a product from another source without leaving the application. The application offers a product for purchase, and a user, desiring to purchase the product can provide an input effective to cause a purchasing interface to be displayed. While the purchasing interface, or information presented therein, comes from the product source, which is different than the application source, it is presented in such a fashion that gives the impression to the user that they are purchasing the product directly from the application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James Alexander Howard, William Bedford Turner, Christopher Blumenberg, Richard Williamson
  • Publication number: 20110239146
    Abstract: A text input is received in a calendar context. The text input is processed with a context-neutral extraction process to generate a first set of elements and with a calendar-specific extraction process to generate a second set of elements. A calendar event is created from the first set of elements and the second set of elements and displayed on a display device without confirming the elements of the calendar event with a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Lala Dutta, Scott Joseph Adler
  • Patent number: 8026930
    Abstract: A method of and system for preventing viewing by bystanders of information displayed on a display screen displays simultaneously an active image and a second image. The display screen has a first viewing angle and a second viewing angle. The first image is visible from the first viewing angle and invisible from said second viewing angle. The obfuscating image is invisible from the first viewing and visible from the second viewing angle. The system simultaneously manipulates the first and obfuscating images in response to input by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rhonda L. Childress, Lorraine M. Herger, David B. Kumhyr
  • Patent number: 8024667
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed herein for re-ordering floating objects in an electronic document. An electronic document having floating objects is displayed in a first mode. Each floating object has an x-y location in the document and has a position on a z-order stack. In the first mode the floating objects are displayed in an x-y plane based on the z-order stack. Then, the electronic document is displayed in a second mode in which the electronic document is depicted as x-y plane slices. Each x-y plane slice corresponds to one position on the z-order stack. The x-y plane slices are displayed in particular order to depict the position of the floating objects on the z-order stack. A re-ordering of the x-y plane slices is displayed based on a request. Then, the electronic document is displayed in the first mode again based on the re-ordering of the x-y planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Han-Yi Shaw, Brent Lang
  • Patent number: 8015507
    Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) for a remote operated vehicle (ROV) with an onboard video camera with pan-and-tilt mechanism. A broad translucent compass bearing icon is arranged horizontally with scrolling compass bearing marks that give the user visual feedback for steering the ROV as well as hard information relating to the bearing. A long translucent depth icon is arranged vertically with depth reading marks that scroll up and down as the ROV moves down and up respectively. A pan-and-tilt icon at the top center of the screen gives user feedback as to the direction in which the ROV camera is pointing relative to the ROV. Status indicator icons and the other icons are inserted and removed by special burn-in and fade-out processes to provide good visibility at the same time as continuity of viewing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: H2Eye (International) Limited
    Inventors: Steve Madsen, Tracy Currer, Graham Michael Pullin
  • Patent number: 8010903
    Abstract: A system and method for visualizing and navigating dynamic documents including data from an ongoing process and including instances of specified search terms. A summary view including a condensed abstract representation of a dynamic document provides a global overview of the distribution of search terms. The invention updates the document and aggregates the instances of search terms when the representation includes a nonlinear scale or uses multiple display regions having different resolution levels. The invention supports rapid skimming of dynamic documents and dynamic document collections, including enhancements triggered by cursor brushing, while keeping the user in context. Navigation to a segment of the dynamic document by selecting a corresponding portion of the summary view can replace the use of conventional scrolling techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Dieberger, Dulce Beatriz Ponceleon
  • Patent number: 8006192
    Abstract: A method of creating a graphical user interface having control(s) to direct any task through a computer system is provided. One application of the user interface is for manipulating a time based stream of information to create a presentation. The methods use a layered graphic file that is accessed by an application program to generate the user interface. Each layer of the graphic file contains a control object to an element of the user interface. The control objects are capable of being revised in order to make alterations to the user interface. Other aspects of the present invention relating to the graphical user interface are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Reid, Priscilla Shih
  • Publication number: 20110191676
    Abstract: Multi-browser interactivity testing records user interactions with a recorder browser for subsequent playback in one or more player browsers. User input to the recorder browser directed at a Document Object Model element is intercepted, and the input and element are noted in an interaction record. After reading the interaction record in a player browser, a corresponding element is located, using attribute values or other mechanisms. The user input is applied to the located player element(s) by simulated system level events, and the results are displayed. Player browser playback can be synchronized with screenshots or video clips of the recorder browser. The interaction recording can also be edited. Layout which depends on interactive behaviors such as login or accordion controls, and other aspects of interactivity, can be tested without manually repeating the input for each browser, and despite differences in the layout engines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steve Guttman, Michael Fanning, Matt Hall
  • Patent number: 7984386
    Abstract: Print page user interface is described, including receiving a request to open a printing interface, the printing interface being substantially transparent such that content positioned underneath the printing interface is visible, determining a print area, the print area comprising a portion of the content visible in a print zone, the print zone being an area of the printing interface used to identify the portion and to configure the portion to print on no more than one sheet of paper, and sending a request to print the print area on the no more than one sheet of paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventor: David Zuverink
  • Patent number: 7979204
    Abstract: Tour guide contents stored in a tour guide apparatus carried by a user at a tour destination are provided with points of interest information and map data. This information includes latitude and longitude information for the site of each point of interest, and information on the providers of the information and the categories of information. The latitude and longitude information is provided for each site in relation to map data. By matching these pieces of latitude and longitude information to the map data, points of interest information can be laid out on the map and displayed. This makes it possible to select interesting site information to be displayed on the map based on the information provider, for example, points of interest information provided by provider A for restaurants and another set of information provided by provider B for hotels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Naoshi Kobuya, Toru Masano, Motoya Itako, Atsushi Noda, Hiroshi Nagasawa
  • Publication number: 20110161849
    Abstract: A method performed on a user device includes displaying a source user interface that includes one or more selectable objects; receiving a user input with respect to one of the one or more selectable objects of the source user interface; determining, in response to the user input, whether a lower level interface, with respect to the one of the one or more selectable objects of the source user interface, exists; displaying the lower level interface, when it is determined that the lower level interface exists for the one of the one or more selectable objects, where the lower level interface is displayed as a transparent overlay representative of a user interface that would be displayed if the user were to select from or access the source user interface; determining whether another user input is received, where the other user input indicates that the lower level interface is to be activated; and displaying the lower level interface as an opaque overlay, when it is determined that the other user input is received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING, INC.
    Inventors: Heath STALLINGS, Sok Y. HWANG
  • Patent number: 7969439
    Abstract: A method for converting graphic elements containing sparse graphs into graphic layers is described, comprising the steps of: correspondingly mapping respective sparse graphs to respective sparse graphic layers, and projecting sequentially from top to bottom the regular graphs between the sparse graphs into a projection plane to form a regular graphic composition layer. Also described is a method for fast flicker-free displaying overlapped sparse graphs with optional shape, comprising: converting graphic element containing sparse graphs to be displayed into graphic layers; deciding whether to plot or erase the sparse graph to be displayed, and, when the sparse graph is decided to be erased, setting various points on the corresponding sparse graph to be transparent; and completing the plotting of points of the sparse graph point by point based on the shape of the sparse graph to be displayed. Apparatuses corresponding to the above methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shengyao Mao, Kefeng Liao
  • Patent number: 7966577
    Abstract: Techniques and systems for centralized access to multimedia content stored on or available to a computing device are disclosed. The centralized access can be provided by a media control interface that receives user inputs and interacts with media programs resident on the computing device to produce graphical user interfaces that can be presented on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Imran Chaudhri, Thomas Madden, Scott Forstall, Duncan Robert Kerr, Nick King, Stephen O. Lemay, Richard W. Fabrick, II, Bas Ording, Eric Seymour, Marcel van Os
  • Patent number: 7962344
    Abstract: Depiction of a speech user interface via graphical elements is provided. One or more bits of a graphical user interface bitmask are re-designated as speech bits. When a software application processes the re-designated speech bits, a window manager responsible for generating and rendering a graphical user interface for the application passes information to a secondary window manager responsible for generating and rendering a speech user interface. The secondary speech window manager may load a text-to-speech engine, a speech recognizer engine, a lexicon or library of recognizable words or phrases and a set of “grammars” (recognizable words and phrasing) for building a speech user interface that will receive, recognize and act on spoken input to the associated software application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy D. Sharpe, Cameron A. Etezadi
  • Publication number: 20110138267
    Abstract: A mobile terminal and a method may be provided for controlling an operation of the mobile terminal. This may include displaying a first webpage on a display module, and if a second webpage is chosen to be displayed, determining whether the second webpage is provided by the same website that provides the first webpage. If the second webpage is provided by the same website that provides the first webpage, the first and second webpages may be merged into a third webpage and the third webpage may be displayed on the display module. Therefore, a plurality of webpages provided by a same webpage may be displayed at a same time by merging the webpages into a single webpage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Il Byoung YI, Sung Pil Yoon
  • Patent number: 7953657
    Abstract: A system and method for an event driven virtual workspace are described. According to one example method, a trader can define a plurality of windows to be associated with a virtual workspace. Also, the trader could define one or more triggering events, the combination of which may be used to activate the virtual workspace. In such an embodiment, when the system detects the one or more triggers, the system can attempt to activate the virtual workspace. According to the example method, the trader may place a number of limiting conditions before any states of the currently displayed windows are modified such that the triggered virtual workspace could be displayed. If no limiting conditions are detected, the system can display the triggered virtual workspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Trading Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. West
  • Patent number: 7950034
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus for providing controls to have contents recorded in a recording medium for recording one or more broadcast programs aired in the past as data displayed on a specified display device, includes: an acquiring section to acquire program information for one or more broadcast programs recorded in the recording medium; a program table generating section to generate a first table in which columns in one orthogonal direction are allocated to broadcast stations and the other are to time zones, generate a first program table by allocating program columns for the broadcast program on each of one or more areas identified with the one or more program information acquired by the acquiring section in the entire area constituting the first table, and outputting the first program table as first image data; and a display control section to control, while the control is executed, a background image for second image data displayed on the specified display device, data constituting each of the o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Ikuya Sano, Ryoji Amemiya, Junichiro Sakata, Hiroshi Nagatani
  • Patent number: 7949955
    Abstract: A display screen magnifier is controllable by a user to magnify selected portions of a desktop including windows open on the screen. A magnified image is presented within a moveable magnifier frame. The magnified image corresponds to screen content located within a magnification region underlying the magnifier frame, magnified to a set level of magnification. The magnifier is configured to remain on top of the display screen desktop, including open windows, while it is activated. It also passes events of a user input device to windows located beneath the magnifier, and dynamically updates the magnified image to reflect changes in underlying screen content. The display screen magnifier is configured to operate this way through a leveraging of resources made available by application programming interfaces (APIs) of an operating system, namely a windows style, and a second stage screen content compositing engine associated with the windows style.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Winser, David V. Esposito
  • Publication number: 20110119610
    Abstract: Display of on-screen elements is coordinated, which includes generating a graphical wallpaper representation in a first process on a first visual layer on a display of a computing device, generating one or more graphical objects in a second process on a second visual layer of the display, wherein the second visual layer is positioned visually on top of the first visual layer, receiving user interactions with the one or more graphical objects and generating information that reflects the user interactions, and communicating the generated information to the first process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Dianne K. Hackborn, Michael A. Cleron, Romain P. Guy, Joseph M. Onorato
  • Publication number: 20110099474
    Abstract: A tool data engine displays instructional information to an end-user of a software application that pertains to one or more tools associated with the software application. The tool data engine displays the instructional information within a graphical user interface (GUI) after the user has indicated interest in that tool. The instructional information includes a detailed description of the tool and one or more video clips associated with the tool. The tool data engine also allows end-users to record and/or upload video clips that demonstrate usage of the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Tovi Grossman, George Fitzmaurice
  • Publication number: 20110072377
    Abstract: A display apparatus and a displaying method of the same, the display apparatus including a content output unit which outputs at least one content; a display unit; a video processor which processes and outputs a list image of the contents to the display unit; and a controller which controls the video processor to change a display effect of the list image according to frequency of use of the contents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yeo-ri YOON, Chang-soo LEE, Sang-hee LEE, Dong-heon LEE, Joon-ho PHANG, Hyeon-ji LEE
  • Publication number: 20110072368
    Abstract: A method of overlaying markup language content on map data in a personal navigation device includes outputting map data on a display of the personal navigation device with a map display program, receiving markup language content with a markup language renderer, and overlaying the markup language content received by the markup language renderer on the map data output by the map display program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Rodney Macfarlane, Paul Ranford
  • Publication number: 20110066962
    Abstract: The present invention relates to interface control systems and methods, for use with consumer electronic devices. User Interfaces, which are normally predefined at the time of manufacture, are entirely specific to the appliance by virtue of the underlying kernel or operating system. The present system includes means for providing information to and receiving information from a user to establish control over the user interface. The means for providing and receiving the information may be controlled, at least in part, by an alterable database that is separate from both the operating system and applications. This allows the database to be changed without making any changes to the underlying operating system or applications. The alterable database may be in a script form, and may be configured by the user at any time during normal operation of the apparatus. The system may invoke or modify the information contained in the alterable database in response to stimuli external to the alterable database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Brett S. Nash, Robert J. Karp
  • Patent number: 7908568
    Abstract: A method and computer program product for displaying graphical objects in a display is presented. A first input from a user is received. In response to receiving the first input, a graphical object is displayed in the display. A second input is then received from the user. In response to receiving the second input, the graphical object is fixated in the display. An object that would have otherwise been occluded by the graphical object is then displayed in an area of the display outside the area occupied by the graphical object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Troy A. Gaul, Timothy J. Gogolin
  • Patent number: 7904823
    Abstract: A method for optimizing pen-based annotations on a non-pen enabled window. The method includes starting a visible non-pen-enabled window further including position indicia and size indicia; starting a transparent pen-enabled window; and associating the visible non-pen-enabled window with the transparent pen-enabled window based on the position indicia and size indicia. The method further includes aligning the transparent pen-enabled window with the visible non-pen-enabled window, and accepting user input comprising a message. If the message further includes pen indicia, the method also includes forwarding the message to the transparent pen-enabled window. Else, the method includes forwarding the message to the first application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Tim Beauchamp, Geoffrey Deane Owen Nicholls
  • Patent number: 7903093
    Abstract: A mobile communication device equipped with a touch screen and a method of controlling an operation of the mobile communication device are provided. According to an embodiment, the method includes displaying a display window on the touch screen, and displaying an input window overlapping a portion of the display window, wherein the input window is at least partially transparent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Tae Hun Kim, Soo Duk Kim
  • Publication number: 20110029864
    Abstract: An approach is provided that receives a request from a user while a system is in a desktop environment, such as windowing computer interface. The desktop environment includes graphical user interface elements, such as standard icons, that are not optimized for touch-enabled input by the user from a touch-enabled display screen. When a request, such as a gesture is received at the touch-enabled display screen, a tiles environment is invoked. The tiles environment include touch-optimized graphical tiles displayed on the display screen that respond when touched by the user. In one embodiment, the tiles environment is an overlay of the desktop environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Aaron Michael Stewart, Eric Edward Dudkowski, Mathew P. Lietzke, Howard Locker, Jeffrey E. Skinner, Adam Miles Smith, Russell Speight VanBlon