Abstract: An improved user interface is provided for displaying selectable software functionality controls that are relevant to a selected object and that remain visibly available for use while the selected object is being edited. Upon selection of a particular object for editing, functionality available for editing the object is presented in a ribbon-shaped user interface above the software application workspace to allow the user ready and efficient access to functionality needed for editing the selected object. The display of relevant functionality controls is persisted until the user dismisses the display, selects another top-level functionality control or selects another object for editing.

Abstract: An out-space actuator is selected to access an out-space user interface for a document editor program. An out-space actuator is associated with an in-space user interface having a displayed document. When the out-space actuator is selected, an out-space user interface is displayed that includes an expanded feature selection surface. The out-space user interface may be used to display one or more status panes for providing status information about a document being edited in the in-space user interface. Application features for affecting changes to a given document's status may be exposed in the out-space interface in proximity to associated status information. An out-space communication user interface (UI) component may be temporarily displayed in the document in-space user interface to communicate document status information that is presently available in the out-space user interface. A message bar may be displayed in the in-space user interface for communicating information from the out-space user interface.

Abstract: The same command surface on a page may be associated with unrelated components and applications. Each of the components registers the commands associated with a shared command surface that they will be utilizing. Each component may utilize an arbitrary number of commands that are associated with the command surface. The command manager acts as a message broker between the components on the page and the command surfaces. When a command that is associated with a command surface is received, the command manager dispatches the command message to the appropriate components.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for presenting speech from a selected text that is on a computing device. This method includes presenting text on a touch-sensitive display and having that text size within a threshold level so that the computing device can accurately determine the intent of the user when the user touches the touch screen. Once the user touch has been received, the computing device identifies and interprets the portion of text that is to be selected, and subsequently presents the text audibly to the user.

Abstract: This application relates to features for a mobile device that allow the mobile device to assign utility values to applications and thereafter suggest applications for a user to execute. The suggested application can be derived from a list of applications that have been assigned a utility by software in the mobile device. The utility assignment of the individual applications from the list of applications can be performed based on the occurrence of an event, an environmental change, or a period of frequent application usage. A feedback mechanism is provided in some embodiments for more accurately assigning a utility to particular applications. The feedback mechanism can track what a user does during a period of suggestion for certain applications and thereafter modify the utility of applications based on what applications a user selects during the period of suggestion.

Abstract: A user may easily read, browse, and jump through the messages contained within a thread. Different portions of the message may be highlighted such that they are easily identifiable. The user may easily navigate through the thread by selecting a user interface element, such as an arrow button, to move to the next or previous message within the thread. The order of the thread may also be reversed such that the user may view the thread from the first message to the last message, or view the thread from the last message to the first message. The messages within the thread may be marked, such as by using XML tags, in order to facilitate the identification of the sections of the messages within the thread.

Abstract: Method, system, and programs for detecting dynamic relationship and discovering dynamic events. Data from a first data source is first received. At least one dynamic relation candidate is identified and each dynamic relation candidate involves multiple entities. The at least one dynamic relation candidate is identified based on temporal properties with respect to the entities exhibited in the data from the first data source. Dynamic relations are then extracted by corroborating the temporal properties of the entities involved in the at least one dynamic relation candidate with that of the same entities exhibited in data from a second data source. Then, a dynamic event that gives rise to the dynamic relations among different entities is detected.

Abstract: A search and find user interface is provided that is integrated with a data indexing engine to allow efficient and high-speed data search and retrieval across data storage folders associated with a given software module or associated with a number of disparate software modules. An expanded form of the search and find user interface is provided for advanced searching. Where searching is required beyond a present search scope, an automatic “upscoping” mechanism is provided for expanding a search to data storage folders outside a current data storage folder on which an initial search is executed.

Abstract: The method for managing menu functions in a mobile station includes the steps of executing menu edition, selecting menu items the user uses frequently in the executed menu edition, to set up a menu, executing the menu, and displaying the menu of the selected menu items at first. The basic menu inclusive of all menu items the mobile station provides is selected as a last menu item of the mode menu displayed at first so that the user can access to menu items other than the menu items of preference. By providing easy mode menu with menu items the user or manufacturer of the mobile station uses frequently in advance, and displaying on a display window at first, the user is permitted a quick and easy access to a desired menu item without going through many steps of menus for using the desired menu item.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for visualizing user interfaces. In one aspect, a method includes presenting a user interface visualization for an application. The application is configured to perform functions and present a graphical user interface including user interface elements to access the functions. Presenting the user interface visualization for the application includes selecting a group of related functions and presenting a graphical representation for each related function. The graphical representations for the related functions are presented in proximity to each other, and the graphical representations are presented differently than the user interface elements for the related functions are presented by the graphical user interface of the application.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for generating a user interface (UI). The method receives a plurality of UIs from a plurality of servers and generates and displays a combined UI by combining (or aggregating) the plurality of UIs, so that a user can control a plurality of devices through a client.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program is disclosed for managing a user interface (UI) for an application program in which a plurality of user interface methods are provided for a given application program function, one or more of the more frequently used UI options being maintained in the UI while one or more of the less frequently used UI options are removed.

Abstract: A user profile and one or more activity profiles selectively operable when the user profile is active are stored in one or more data structures accessible by an operating system of a data processing system. The one or more activity profiles each specify an application set for a respective user activity supported by the data processing system. In response to receiving a user input selecting an activity profile among the one or more activity profiles while the data processing system is executing under the user profile, the operating system automatically starts each application in the application set specified by the activity profile and customizes a user experience by applying, to one or more applications in the application set, context information recorded during previous execution under the activity profile. During execution under the activity profile, context information for the activity profile in the one or more data structures is recorded.

Abstract: The invention relates to an operating and display device (11) for a domestic appliance, comprising operating means for setting at least one parameter of an operating process of the domestic appliance, a light conductor part (24, 34) for conducting light, a plurality of function symbols (13, 14, 15), which each symbolize a respective selectable value of the parameter, and a lighting device (47) for backlighting the function symbols (13, 14, 15), by means of which lighting device the function symbol (13, 14, 15) associated with the presently selected value of the parameter can be optically distinguished from the other function symbols (13, 14, 15), wherein the operating means are designed as touch-sensitive operating means and have a touch-sensitive actuation surface (16), which is arranged such as to overlap with the function symbols (13, 14, 15) and thus the value of the parameter associated with one of the function symbols (13, 14, 15) can be selected by touching the actuation surface (16) in an overlap area

Abstract: A system for providing a service comprising: —a service provisioning control means adapted for identifying a user, and for providing services to said user; the system further comprising: —a location information retrieval means adapted for receiving location information of user; and for identifying a local service delivery system; —an available service pack information retrieval means adapted for retrieving available service pack information corresponding to local service delivery system, the available service pack information comprising information about the set of possible services which can be delivered to user by local service delivery system; and wherein service provisioning control means is adapted for —selecting a subset of services of available service pack information corresponding, based on at least a set of priority rules; and for —providing at least one of subset of services to the user; and associated methods and devices.

Abstract: When an information processing apparatus displays an icon of a group of a plurality of peripheral devices, the apparatus displays on a home screen an icon of a peripheral device intended by a user, separately from the one icon of the group of the peripheral devices. Further, on the home screen, an icon of a device selected by the user on a screen of a device management application managing the peripheral devices is displayed.

Abstract: Developer-composed context menus, e.g., composed by a developer in connection with use of a software development tool to create an application, are disclosed. In various embodiments, a definition of a context menu option and an associated action are received. Application code to implement the context menu at runtime, including by performing processing at runtime as defined in the definition to determine one or both of the context menu option and the associated action, is generated programmatically.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which automatically build a database by automatically assigning links to an expert, pushing content to an expert, providing expert annotation, and linking the content to an annotation database. A term is selected by applying rules. An advertiser can sponsor the term. Content windows can be attached to the term, the content window containing information such as definitions, related products or services, sponsorship information, information from content syndicators, translations and reference works. A utility is available to the expert that allows the expert to analyze the term in context by extending or reducing the sentence or paragraph the word is contained in. Data objects that represent the contents of the database and templates are syndicated to remote servers running a processing engine. The processing engine uses these data objects to execute linking rules without requiring a connection to the database.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques for adding extensions to legacy tasks as part of modernizing such tasks are provided. A user can add dynamically add task extensions to an individual legacy task by configuring them, even while a task is running. Role extensions can be added to a home desktop of a role through configuration parameters. Task extensions can be made accessible to users through UI controls added as part of the modernization procedure when a legacy task data stream is received from a host computing system. Example embodiments provide a Role-Based Modernization System (“RBMS”), which uses these enhanced modernization techniques to provide role-based modernization of menu-based legacy applications.

Abstract: An out-space actuator is selected to access an out-space user interface for a document editor program. An out-space actuator is associated with an in-space user interface having a displayed document. When the out-space actuator is selected, an out-space user interface is displayed that includes an expanded feature selection surface.

Abstract: Various embodiments for condensed display of data are described herein. A graphical user interface (GUI) comprises a first region including a plurality of graphical filter elements corresponding to respective content types, a grouping option selector, and a second region for displaying content. A graphical filter element comprises a unique icon representing corresponding content type, numeric information related to the corresponding content type, and a name of the corresponding content type. Upon selection of a grouping option using the grouping option selector, the content is displayed in groups in the second region. The groups are ordered in the second region and group indicators represent respective groups in the second region. Upon selection of a particular graphical filter element, content corresponding to the selected graphical filter element is displayed in the second region. The content in the second region is displayed in demarcated content regions corresponding to respective content types.

Abstract: To improve the consumer experience with portable electronic devices, a user interface combines the use of capacitive sensors with tactile sensors in an input device. When a user places a finger, stylus, or other input instrument near a given key button, a capacitive sensor causes the display to display temporarily an indication of the function of that key in an enlarged format. The user may then press the associated key button to activate the desired function. In one exemplary embodiment, the capacitive sensor fixes the functionality to the function indicated in the display. In this embodiment, a tactile input applied to any key, whether the correct key, multiple keys, or a single incorrect key, results in activating the function indicated in the display as a result of the capacitive input.

Abstract: Techniques for sorting and filtering a list in a space-constrained viewing area are described. A filter widget and a list of items are displayed in a view of an electronic display screen. In response to user input selecting the filter widget, and without changing to a different view, a filter category overlay is displayed in the view to provide various selectable filter categories. In response to selection of a filter category, a visual depiction of the selected filter category is displayed in the view. The list of items is filtered according to the selected filter category and displayed in the view without changing to any other view. Subsequently added visual depictions are linearly stacked in the view. Further, a filter modification overlay, which provides selectable filtering attributes, is displayed upon selection of a visual depiction.

Abstract: A portable device and method of selecting an executable function of the portable device are provided. The method includes receiving grip information regarding a gripping state of the portable device; determining whether the portable device is in a function list display request state according to the grip information; receiving swipe information when the portable device is determined to be in the function list display request state; displaying a function list according to the received swipe information; and executing a function selected from the displayed function list according to the received swipe information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an adaptive search user interface is provided. The user interface allows for search results to be customized by the user. The user interface includes a discovery bar of multimedia content that includes additional media content, advertisements, and features that are recommended to users. The discovery bar of multimedia content is customizable based upon user command input. The user interface also includes methods and graphical interface in which to resolve recording conflicts.

Abstract: A display apparatus and a user interface display method of the display apparatus are provided. The display apparatus classifies menu items of a service menu or an OSD menu according to the frequency of use of the menu items, generates icons corresponding to the classified menu items, and displays the icons on a screen using a user interface. Accordingly, the user can display a user interface on the screen in a preferable manner, and easily find and utilize a desired menu item.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system (and method and computer readable storage medium) are disclosed for processing interactions with song lyrics. The system is configured to provide for display on a screen of a computing device the song lyrics. The system detects a selection of a segment of the song lyrics and provides for display a menu of options for interacting with the selected segment of the song lyrics. The system receives a selection of an option from the menu of options and updates, in a user interaction database, a data field corresponding to the selected segment with the selected option from the menu of options. The system executes the selected option from the menu of options.

Abstract: A user interface includes menu items arranged in a flower-like configuration. A number of menu items are peripherally arranged around a central item and mapped to selectable elements of an input device. Then, a display image including the menu is transmitted to a display. Subsequently, in response to a received selection, a corresponding action may be performed such as execution of a task, modification of the display image, and so on. In certain implementations, the menu items may be selected utilizing a cursor. The menu items may include a smaller portion located closer to the central item and a larger portion located further away. In still other implementations, the menu may also include a number of menu items that are not peripherally arranged around the central item. In response to a received selection, the menu items which are peripherally arranged around the central item may be altered.

Abstract: In one example, a method for rendering graphical objects on a display includes rendering each of a plurality of graphical objects within respective layers. The plurality of graphical objects includes first, second and third graphical objects. The second graphical object is directly linked to the first graphical object and the third graphical object is directly linked to the second graphical object. The method additionally includes receiving user input manipulating one of the graphical objects in a manner that affects a directly linked graphical object. The method additionally includes re-rendering the manipulated graphical object and the directly linked graphical object without re-rendering graphical objects that are not directly linked to the manipulated graphical object.

Abstract: A computer program process and system for generating user interfaces incorporates a search-driven navigation method for invoking commands to an application program running on the computer. A user interface is generated for display by a user interface process running on a computer. The user interface receives from a user of the application program one or more keywords. The process uses those keywords to look up one or more commands or files available to the user to control the application program with names and/or descriptions that match or are otherwise associated with the one or more keywords. The user interface is updated to display the one or more commands and/or files. Upon selection by the user of one of the one or more commands the application responds to the command and updates the interface based on the selected command.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing a dynamic menu characterized by a real-time menu architecture. An example method includes determining a menu structure, with reference to a data set, for use with user interface software. A menu is then displayed, wherein the menu includes menu items arranged according to the menu structure. An initial drop-down menu list of the menu includes one or more of the menu items. Each menu item is associated with a data object of the data set. A signal is generated when a change is made to a data set corresponding to a menu item. The menu is then updated based on the signal. In an illustrative embodiment, the example method further includes employing a browser to trigger implementation of the method. The browser communicates with a web server, which communicates with an application that is adapted to analyze the data set and associated data structure and provide an update in response thereto via, the signal, to the web server.

Abstract: A note-capture application is disclosed that allows notes to be displayed on the lock screen. In one embodiment, a note-capture application can be invoked when a mobile device is in an above-lock state. Note data can be captured using the note-capture application, and the captured data can be persistently displayed on the lock screen. A user can perform a unique gesture from the lock screen to invoke the note-capture application. In another embodiment, multiple input modes can be available for note data capture. For example, voice data, text data, camera data, etc. can all be used to capture notes for display on the lock screen.

Abstract: A computer based method is provided. The computer based method comprises a first electronic device launching an application and, in response to launching the application, the first electronic device receiving a first message from a second electronic device. The first message comprises a first link. The computer based method further comprises the first electronic device configuring a graphical user interface of the application to couple a dynamic selector of the graphical user interface to the first link and presenting a first screen of the graphical user interface, the first screen comprising the dynamic selector and a plurality of static selectors, wherein selecting the dynamic selector activates the first link.

Abstract: There is disclosed a user interface for selecting a photo tag. In an embodiment, the user interface embodies a method of selecting a photo tag for a tagged photo, comprising: providing a tag entry field for entering a photo tag; in dependence upon a string entered by a user, displaying in a matching tag list any tags from one or more selected tag sources matching the entered string. The method may further comprise displaying a tag type for each tag appearing in the matching tag list. The method may further comprise allowing user selection of a tag in the matching tag list to complete the tag entry field.

Abstract: A simplified menu includes menu items of a “user menu” in which a user can change and customize a menu, a “user menu selection” for selecting a menu item capable of being set in the user menu, and a “detailed menu switch” for switching the menu from a simplified menu to a detailed menu. The “user menu selection” is displayed in the simplified menu, which is not a menu of a different hierarchy. Accordingly, the user can perform an operation in the simplified menu.

Abstract: A method for unlocking an electronic device displays an unlocking interface on a touch screen of the electronic device, and detects unlocking touch operations of unlocking the electronic device on the unlocking interface. Virtual icons triggered in a sequence by each of the unlocking touch operations are confirmed, and a password corresponding to each of the unlocking touch operations is recorded according to a preset identifier of each of the confirmed virtual icons. An unlocking password is generated according to the recorded code of each of the unlocking touch operations and a touch sequence of the unlocking touch operations. If the unlocking password matches a locking password prestored in a storage device, the electronic device is unlocked.

Abstract: For prescribing a state of a selection operating part having options disposed on an operating page displayed, a type attribute of the selection operating part, a display attribute of displaying or not displaying an operating part corresponding to each option of the selection operating part, and priority setting information indicating modification of setting of an option of the selection operating part, are stored, the modification being carried out while the operating page is displayed. In response to a user's operation, a selected or non-selected state of an operating part of each option, or a display attribute may be changed. When a display attribute of an option is changed, information corresponding to a type of the selection operating part having the option and a selected or non-selected state of the operating part having the option is registered as the priority setting information.

Abstract: A display device and a method of providing a contents list are provided. An apparatus/method is provided. The method includes: playing contents; determining whether the contents are played over a predetermined time; when the contents are played over the predetermined time, storing information on the contents in a previously-viewed-contents list; and once a request signal for displaying the previously-viewed-contents list occurs, displaying the previously-viewed-contents list.

Abstract: A system for dynamically visualizing POI (Point Of Interest) attribute information includes a POI attribute database unit that stores POIs and attribute information of the POIs; and a POI condition searching unit configured to search the POI attribute database unit for attribute information of POIs depending on several conditions to produce the searched POIs. Further, the system includes a service providing unit configured to perform a services such as a web map service or a navigation service using the searched POIs provided from the POI condition searching unit; and a display unit configured to display results of the service.

Abstract: A web site user interface for an e-commerce retail company allows a user to easily browse or purchase products or services offered by the company. The web site user interface can include a dual horizontal navigation bar including a main navigation bar and subordinate navigation bar. The subordinate navigation bar can be actively and passively customized. Further, the subordinate navigation bar can include product shipment information in a user specific notification pane. The web site user interface can also include a drop-down logo from the dual parent navigation bar where the web page continues to include the drop-down logo as the user scrolls down to focus on web page content. Alternatively, the web site user interface can include a main navigation bar and secondary navigation bar where the main navigation bar includes fewer subcategories of products than the secondary navigation bar.

Abstract: An improved technique involves embedding a pen selection within a selected color. When a user selects a color for a new stroke by moving a cursor over a color icon, a pen palette appears within the selected color icon. In some arrangements, the improved techniques further involve automatically selecting a pen by default as the previous pen used for that color, so that only a single color selection need be made rather than separate pen and color selections. In this way, the user may then quickly and fluidly select both a color, then a pen for a drawing stroke. Such a color and pen selection process may be seen to simulate the actions in drawing on a whiteboard.

Abstract: Interactive and dynamic exploring of filter criteria for large amounts of numerical data having multiple dimensions is described. Exploration occurs without excessive amounts of computation or querying of a database based on a data set summary that may be obtained from a server in a search system and applied by a client device. A data set is summarized so as to capture relationships between distributions of items in the data set along multiple dimensions. To explore filter criteria, a user may interactively adjust a range of values that act as a filter criteria along a dimension and determine an effect on a distribution of items along another dimension. The client device may apply the data summary in reverse to determine, based on user input specifying aspects of a distribution along one dimension, filter criteria for another dimension that would result in the specified distribution.

Abstract: The present invention includes systems and methods for retrieving information via a flexible and consistent targeted search model that employs interactive multi-prefix, multi-tier and dynamic menu information retrieval techniques that provide context-specific functionality tailored to particular information channels, as well as to records within or across such channels, and other known state information. Users are presented with a consistent search interface among multiple tiers across and within a large domain of information sources, and need not learn different or special search syntax. A thin-client server-controlled architecture enables users of resource-constrained mobile communications devices to locate targeted information more quickly by entering fewer keystrokes and performing fewer query iterations and web page refreshes, which in turn reduces required network bandwidth.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an information processing method and an electronic device, where the electronic device has a display unit, status bar information is displayed on the display unit, and a display area of the status bar information is a first display area of the display unit, and the method includes: obtaining an input operation on the first display area; when the input operation is a first input operation, displaying a first notification interface on the display unit in response to the first input operation, wherein the first notification interface includes only prompt information; and when the input operation is a second input operation, displaying a second setting interface on the display unit in response to the second input operation, wherein the second setting interface includes only M application icons, and M is an integer no less than 1.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to and the presentation thereof in a computer interface. Particularly, some embodiments facilitate the selection of combinations by a user. The combination may be, e.g., an engagement and a wedding ring. In some embodiments, an event-triggering architecture in the interface facilitates the selective updating of interface elements in a manner paralleling the desired process path traversed by the user.

Abstract: An information processing device includes a comment collection unit that collects comments on a submission target that progresses with the passage of time, a comment selection unit that selects comments to be presented from collected comments to a user based on the characteristics of the user, a display control unit that controls the display of the selected comments so that the user is able to give evaluations for the selected comments, and an evaluation collection unit that collects the evaluations given by the user.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electronic device, the device including, processor, a display, and an interface configured to, detect non-contact proximity of an operation member, determine whether the member is within a first selection region corresponding to a first selection object; and display a second selection object adjacent to the first selection object when it is determined that the member is within the first selection region.

Abstract: Provided is a method applied to a computer system including a display device and a pointing device for operating a pointer displayed in a display region of the display device in accordance with an operation by a user. In the method, a position of the pointer is stored as a first position in response to receipt of a first operation performed by the user, a first menu including multiple items is displayed at a position corresponding to the first position, a position of the pointer is stored as a second position in response to receipt of a second operation performed by the user, and a second menu is displayed, being changed from the first menu based on a distance between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of controlling operations for execution includes displaying, in a display device area that controls a process of operations, a current container providing at least a first operation to the process, and a linear sequence representing parent containers of the current container organized in a hierarchy. The method includes receiving, in a system generating the display device area, a partial-performance request identifying a subset of the parent containers defined between the current container and a level in the hierarchy. The method includes performing, in response to the partial-performance request, the first operation and those of the operations that the subset of the parent containers provide to the process.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods that enable users to easily take action on objects through use of a contextual menu. The contextual menu may be independent of the application and/or device through which the object is accessed and allows the user to perform actions with respect to an object. The selected action may be locally performed and/or performed at a location remote from the client device.