Dynamically Generated Menu Items Patents (Class 715/825)
  • Patent number: 8700594
    Abstract: Multidimensional search capabilities are enabled on a non-PC (personal computer) device being utilized by a user. An original query submitted by the user via the non-PC device is received. A structured data repository is accessed to extract structured data that is available for the original query, where the extracted structured data represents attributes of the original query. The extracted structured data is provided to the user in the form of a hierarchical menu which allows the user to interactively modify the original query, such modification resulting in a revised query.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Johnson Apacible, Mark Encarnacion, Aleksey Sinyagin
  • Patent number: 8701042
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for identifying a current configuration of graphical representations displayed in a user interface presented by a computing device, each of the graphical representations being associated with a respective computer-executable application, determining at least one usage signal corresponding to each of the graphical representations, the usage signal reflecting user interaction with the respective associated computer-executable application, determining one or more success metrics indicative of an efficiency of the current configuration of graphical representations, generating, using an optimization technique, a modified configuration of graphical representations based on the usage signals and the one or more success metrics, and presenting, in the user interface, at least a portion of the modified configuration of graphical representations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Kirkham, Brandon Bilinski
  • Patent number: 8693018
    Abstract: A printing system includes a print service and an image forming apparatus having a web browser to display a screen provided from a web server. The web server includes a print instruction unit, a print status acquisition unit, a screen generation unit, and a screen transmission unit. The print instruction unit transmits, to the print, a print instruction according to a received print request. The print status acquisition unit acquires a print status of print data. The screen generation unit generates a job information screen that corresponds to the acquired print status. The screen transmission unit transmits the generated job information screen. The print status acquisition unit acquires the print status based on information that was notified, in response to a change in the print status, from an image forming apparatus that acquires the print data from the print service and executes printing based on the acquired print data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mario Ito
  • Patent number: 8694917
    Abstract: In menu structure, information is separately displayed on a menu item-by-menu item basis. Therefore, the adoption of menu structure involves inconvenience. (For example, pieces of information under different menu items cannot be viewed at the same time.) A portable information communication terminal eliminates this inconvenience. Information is configured in list structure wherein items (A1, . . . , A5, B1, . . . , B4, B5, B6, C1, . . . , C5, D1, . . . (A to D represent groups.)) are arranged in succession. List information (B5 to C5) which is within a predetermined range (the second precedent line through the fourth subsequent line) from a specific item C1 of a predetermined serial number (top number) in a selected group (group C) is displayed. Since the top item in group C is the specific item, items corresponding to group B are also displayed. Thus, items corresponding to different groups (group B and group C) can be displayed at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Mobile Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Shigeya Yasui, Kayo Sasaki, Emi Arakawa, Mayu Irimajiri
  • Patent number: 8694184
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for tab-pane-based flight plan management interface are disclosed. The tab-pane-based flight management interface system (FMIS) is optimally Layered and Multi-Indexed (LMI) such that the management of flight management (FM) functions and associated parameters that affect the airplane's flight are easily and efficiently operable by pilots. The LMI-FMIS provides a flexible tab-pane-based architecture that allows pilots to start a flight plan modification, proceed to engage in other tasks not related to the modification, and return to the pending modification to continue the modification process. The LMI-FMIS also provides task-oriented menu structures that provide pilots tailored options or menus applicable to the task at hand thus efficiently guiding pilots to complete a task while maintaining easy access to information that was displayed prior to the commencement of the task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Boorman, Randall J. Mumaw, Victor A. Riley
  • Publication number: 20140096081
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: BOOPSIE, INC.
    Inventors: G Gregory Carpenter, Timothy L Kay
  • Patent number: 8688457
    Abstract: The transmitting apparatus includes an encoder creating an encoded content signal by encoding the content, a generator generating sign language word identification information corresponding to chronologically-ordered sign language words appearing in a speech in the content, a creating unit creating control information containing the generated chronologically-ordered sign language word identification information, a storage unit storing sign language word images for displaying a sign language video corresponding to the sign language words by grouping the sign language word images into a plurality of modules according to a frequency of appearance of the sign language words in the speech in the content, a multiplexer creating a data stream by combining the encoded content signal with the control information and by repeatedly replicating the plurality of modules at a frequency corresponding to the frequency of appearance, and a transmitter transmitting the created data stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Dewa, Ichiro Hamada
  • Publication number: 20140089853
    Abstract: Where a label for an item to be represented by an icon is customized, the icon is generated to dynamically display all of the label. Thus, at some point, the entire label is displayed, even though only a portion of the label is eventually displayed in the icon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Anastasia Paushkina, Alfredo Mendonça de Almeida, Matthew Lenell Cooper, Michael J. McCormack
  • Patent number: 8683383
    Abstract: Unused menu items are automatically removed from a TV menu such as a cross-media bar (XMB).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Satoshi Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 8677275
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for generating one or more menus having options that display insights from visualizations. The options presented in the menus enable users to determine relationships between elements of the visualization. The relationships may be displayed textually to enable user to navigate the menus using a keyboard, a text-to-voice converter, and/or pointers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul B. Moody, Cynthia L. Ice, Douglas W. Conmy, Mary Elizabeth Raven, Judi L. Coppinger, Francis D. Bermingham, Ram Krishnamurthy
  • Patent number: 8677262
    Abstract: A visualization system that generates visualization(s) in an industrial automation environment is provided. An interface component receives input concerning displayed objects and information. A context component can detect, infer or determine context information regarding an entity. A reference component infers or determines relevance of respective display objects as a function of the context information. A visualization component dynamically generates a visualization from a set of display object, and spatially organizes the display objects as a function of the inferred or determined relevance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Joseph Baier, Clifton Harold Bromley, Mark Hobbs, Teunis Hendrik Schouten, Douglas James Reichard, Kevin George Gordon, Taryl Jon Jasper, Robert Joseph McGreevy, Bruce Gordan Fuller
  • Publication number: 20140075386
    Abstract: Various embodiments of systems and methods for keyboard-based navigation of a user interface are described herein. An area around a first object displayed on a user interface is divided into quadrants and one or more segments for at least one of the quadrants. The user interface includes a plurality of objects and the quadrants represent directions with respect to the first object. In response to a key stroke indicating a first direction, a first one of the quadrants corresponding to the first direction is identified. The segments of the first quadrant are scanned to identify a second object that is closest to the first object in the first quadrant. The second object is then selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventor: Bjoern BADER
  • Patent number: 8671357
    Abstract: System and method for improving data input by using word frequency to text predict input. Other systems and methods include analyzing words already contained in a document (e.g. spell checking and OCR) and using word frequency to create a proxy system to reduce the space required to store data, allowing for more efficient usage of storage and enhancing the embedded content of matrix codes. The system displays the most common words in a language based upon the previously entered or displayed word(s), or the previously entered or displayed character or characters. Words with the most common frequency of use with the prior word(s) are displayed in a table to enable the user to quickly select one of the displayed words for rapid data entry. The input device can be a touch-sensitive display or non-touch sensitive type device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Spetalnick
  • Patent number: 8670790
    Abstract: A method of sending data from a first party participating in a telephone call to a second party participating in the telephone call, comprising, in the terminal of the first party, storing, as a consequence of the telephone call, identifier data that identifies the second party; using the stored identifier data to determine automatically a destination address for a data message; and sending, during the telephone call, the data message with the automatically determined destination address. A method for sending data from a first party participating in a telephone call to a second party participating in the telephone call, comprising, in the terminal of the first party: providing, while the telephone call is on-going, a user selectable option to transfer data to another party participating in the telephone call without user specification of a destination address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Ford, Ian Nash, Ron Bird, Alan Wilkinson, Lee Cooper, Minna Asikainen, Inmaculada Espigares, Ari Tourunen, Vesa-Matti Hakkarainen
  • Publication number: 20140059489
    Abstract: A method for a user interface includes displaying a first item from a list of items on a screen, detecting, using a processor, a gesture comprising a circular motion, and, in response to detecting the gesture, displaying a second item from the list of items on the screen in place of the first item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: AMULET TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Klask, James R. Weber
  • Patent number: 8659625
    Abstract: A method and terminal for adjusting menu bar softkey display dynamically are provided by the present invention. The method includes the following steps: obtaining the total display length of the menu bar and the respective corresponding character string length value and the location information of all the softkeys on the menu bar; setting the softkey of which the character string length value is non-zero on the menu bar as the non-zero softkey; assigning the display location and display length of each non-zero softkey according to the number of the non-zero softkeys and location information of each non-zero softkey; and displaying each non-zero softkey according to the assigned display location and display length. The method and terminal of the present invention overcomes the current defect that currently the fixed value is adopted to display the softkey of the bottom bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventor: Xue Zhang
  • Patent number: 8656300
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system or method for displaying rich presentation taskbar buttons for a corresponding application. In one example, the rich presentation taskbar button may receive content from an application through a programming interface. The present invention further relates to a system and method for displaying a rich presentation taskbar button and for displaying and/or dismissing a thumbnail of an application window associated with the rich presentation taskbar button. The present invention may further include a system and method of pinning the thumbnail on a display or dismissing a thumbnail. The present invention also relates to a system and method for displaying multiple taskbar buttons in a taskbar including controlling the size of individual taskbar buttons, consolidating taskbar buttons and placing taskbar buttons into an overflow based on the type of taskbar button in the taskbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Matthews, Mark R. Ligameri, Charles Cummins, Jeffrey W. Pettiross, R. Syam Kumar, Charles W. Stabb, Yeming Shi
  • Patent number: 8650499
    Abstract: A method of managing the display of overlay information in one or more views. For each overlay item available for display in a current view, it is determined whether the available item has an item type currently selected for display. For each available item having a currently selected item type, the item is included for display in the current view and the type of the item is included for display in a legend. Omitted from the legend are any item type(s) for which no item is included for display in the current view. Overall ease of use of electronic displays can be improved and electronic flight box display screens can be de-cluttered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Sven Aspen
  • Publication number: 20140033127
    Abstract: A control method of a user terminal apparatus. The control method includes receiving a first user input for selecting at least one graphical object from among a plurality of graphic objects displayed on a touch display screen of the user terminal apparatus, altering and displaying at least one graphic element which configures the selected graphical object selected, displaying a menu related to the selected graphical object near the displayed graphical object, and receiving a second user input for selecting the displayed menu, using the touch display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sun CHOI
  • Patent number: 8640049
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit to perform printing, or scanning, or copying or facsimile, or any combination thereof; a user authentication unit to authenticate a user of the image forming apparatus; a display unit to display a function menu to the authenticated user; and a controller to determine whether any function in the function menu displayed to the authenticated user has not been used for more than a reference time, and adjusting the displayed function menu to remove any function in the displayed function menu that has not been used for more than the reference time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: One-woong Chung, Sang-hyun Park
  • Patent number: 8639699
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to electrical and electronic hardware, computer software, wired and wireless network communications, and computing devices, and more particularly, to a system, an apparatus and a method configured to generate arrangements of data, including data catalogs, to facilitate discovery of items via an interface depicting item representations based on similarity of one or more attributes. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving data representing a request to transmit data; executing instructions at a processor to determine the relationships of the item representations to the principal item representation for records stored in a memory, associating the item representations to positions of a data arrangement based on the relationships of the item representations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Tacit Knowledge, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Jordan Andrasick, Anthony Scott Askew
  • Patent number: 8640050
    Abstract: A method enables selecting items from a list, as well as functions associated with these items and with the list in general. Each item is identified by an icon displayed in a series of icons. A first command enables the item to be selected and a second command enables it to be activated. The series of icons comprises at least one additional icon. The user selects this additional icon, then at the end of a certain time a sub-menu appears presenting all the functions selectable via the second command. With the second command, the user can execute functions that apply to the list of items and no longer to a single item. Also provided is a device capable of executing the method of selection and executing an item and a function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Goulven Querre
  • Publication number: 20140026100
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying an image and a computer readable recording medium are provided. The image display apparatus includes: an On Screen Display (OSD) information processor which generates and outputs menu information including an OSD menu for setting an operation of the image display apparatus and, in response to help information relating to a selection menu selected from the OSD menu being requested, generates and outputs the menu information and the help information; a scaler which scales the menu information and the help information provided from the OSD information processor and separately provides the scaled menu information and help information; and a display which receives the scaled menu information and help information from the scaler and respectively displays the menu information and the help information in first and second regions so that the menu information and the help information do not overlap with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong-jin SO, Chang-seog KO
  • Publication number: 20140026099
    Abstract: An electronic device comprising a display and means for receiving user input, a method of operation thereof and computer software, the method comprising, while receiving a first user input, displaying a menu in a first configuration, the menu in a first configuration having one or more menu elements; and on receiving a second user input continuous from the first user input, displaying the menu in a second configuration, wherein at least one element of the menu in a first configuration is represented in the menu in a second configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Nils Roger ANDERSSON REIMER, Simon Martin THORSANDER, Robert Simon LESSING
  • Patent number: 8635545
    Abstract: An interaction method and apparatus for an electronic device is proposed for providing the user with interactive audio/video/haptic effects. An interaction method for an electronic device according to the present invention includes outputting an event object in response to an input action to an event element; detecting a user interaction to the event object; and outputting an effect object in response to the user interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Yong Kim, Dong Jun Shin, Hee Woon Kim, Seung Hye Yoo, Su Hyun Na
  • Patent number: 8634876
    Abstract: Location-based display characteristics in a user interface are described. In an implementation, a determination is made by mobile communications device that icon is to be displayed at a particular location in the user interface. A display characteristic is applied by the mobile communications device that is defined for the particular location such that a display of the icon is changed. The icon is displayed having an applied display characteristic on the display device of the mobile communications device at the particular location in the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Friedman, Paula Guntaur, Michael K. Henderlight, Rosanna H. Ho, Michael J. Kruzeniski, Michael A. Smuga, Stephanie E. Teng, Chad Aron Voss, Brian M. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20140019914
    Abstract: A display control device includes a first memory, an operation-display unit, and a display controller. The first memory stores data of a normal screen and data of a simple screen. The normal screen is a screen that displays functions related to a service process provided to a user, whereas the simple screen is a screen that displays a smaller number of functions than the normal screen. The operation-display unit displays one of the normal screen and the simple screen to the user and accepts a setting operation performed by the user on a function among the displayed functions. The display controller controls the operation-display unit so that an indication recommending the user to use the simple screen is displayed in a case where every function set by the user on the normal screen is settable on the simple screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Koji AMANO
  • Patent number: 8631348
    Abstract: User interface for searching for data are described. In one embodiment, a method, which involves a user interface for searching, includes displaying on a display device a search input region and displaying, immediately adjacent to the search input region, a user interface object which, if selected, cause the display of a menu, disposed adjacent to the user interface object, of selectable search options to configure how to perform the search. The search input region can be configured to receive an input for a search of data on a data processing system coupled to the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jonah Petri, Yan Arrouye
  • Patent number: 8631315
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for delivering information related to a product, including a computer, a webpage displayed on the computer that is directed to the product, a program executing on the computer for placing an overlay over the webpage where at least one portion of the overlay is generally transparent, and a program executing on the computer for displaying a plurality of hyperlinks on the overlay, each hyperlink indicating a different characteristic of the product. The invention also includes a program executing on the computer for, when a hyperlink is actuated, automatically displaying a sample and a menu of other samples of a characteristic of the actuated hyperlink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Columbia Insurance Company
    Inventors: James E. Issler, Djordje Filipovic
  • Publication number: 20140007010
    Abstract: An approach is provided for processing sensory data, presenting situational awareness information, and providing adaptive services and content to the user. A data collection module processes and/or facilitates a processing of sensor data associated with at least one user to determine one or more activities. Then, the data collection module processes and/or facilitates a processing of the sensor data to cause, at least in part, a classification of the one or more activities into one or more primary activities, one or more secondary activities, or a combination thereof. The data collection module further comprises causes a presentation of at least one user interface for interacting with at least one of the one or more activities, one or more content items, one or more applications, or a combination thereof based, at least in part, on the classification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Jan Otto Blom
  • Patent number: 8621392
    Abstract: A media player stores, or has access to, a set of media items. The player presents a first of the media items. The set of media items are ordered according to at least one criterion indicative of similarity of the media items to the first media item. The player determines what amount of the first media item was presented before an input is received from a user control. A second media item is selected for presenting using the determined amount as a measure for selecting the second media item from the ordered set of media items. A single user input (e.g. from a single button) can be used both to control the selection of the next item, and to determine the similarity of the next item. The ordering can be based on similarity of features or similarity of metadata.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Karl Frans Mario Verheyden
  • Patent number: 8614709
    Abstract: A programmable effects system for graphical user interfaces is disclosed. One embodiment comprises receiving one or more effect elements to apply to an element in a graphical user interface for a device, ordering the effect elements in a pipeline of operations, and storing the pipeline of operations in an effect template. Then, after the graphics hardware capability for a device is determined, the effect template may be used to create a shader that includes supported effects to render an element in the graphical user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Aldinger, Fabian Toader
  • Patent number: 8615779
    Abstract: Techniques are described to perform electronic program guide (EPG) search. In an implementation, electronic program guide (EPG) data is searched that describes television content and has a plurality of categories. Results of the search are output in an EPG and arranged according to one or more of the categories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Charles J. Migos, Ronald A. Morris
  • Patent number: 8612887
    Abstract: Correspondence is determined among i) groups in a first version of one or more groups of related tables and ii) groups in a second version of one or more groups of related tables. The tables have schema and table names and determining the correspondence includes matching groups that have matching tables, wherein the matching tables have matching schema and table names. A user interface is displayed, including first and second portions. A group name list is displayed for the one or more groups of the first version in the first user interface portion and of the second version in the second portion. A list of one or more tables within each respectively displayed group is displayed. Within each group of the first version the one or more table names are in visual alignment with respective corresponding one or more table names of the respective corresponding group of the second version.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines
    Inventors: Gary Charles Doney, Ryan Pham
  • Patent number: 8607160
    Abstract: Optical storage media often contain data structures for a menu suitable for selection of a title, a chapter, a parameter or others. Such menus usually comprise a number of buttons to be displayed, with each button having a state. Possible states of buttons are; e.g., “unselected”, “selected” or “activated”. According to the invention, the menu may contain buttons that can be selected through the keys on the remote control, but that don't have any images or text associated. This allows creating “invisible buttons” that automatically execute commands upon selection. Further, a sound or sound sequence; e.g., melody or click, may be associated to a buttons state, and may be played back when the button enters this state. Such menu data may be stored; e.g., on a Blu-ray disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Jobst Hoerentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Harald Schiller, Dirk Gandolph
  • Patent number: 8607149
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is described for highlighting related user interface controls to selected items in order to improve the ease of use and the intuitiveness of a graphical user interface. In preferred embodiments, user interface controls that are related to a selected object in the display are uniquely highlighted when an object is selected to show the user what user interface options are related to or available to perform some action on the selected object. The preferred embodiments of related highlighted controls can be used in conjunction with prior art highlighted controls that show what actions are available to the user for the current environment or cursor location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Richard Hintermeister, Michael D. Rahn
  • Patent number: 8607164
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprising: a display; a controller that displays or hides a function button for use of a function on a display screen on the display according to one or more than one pattern information object indicating the setting whether to display or hide the function button on the display screen; a firmware updater that updates firmware; and a comparator that compares the old and new firmware in terms of the functions installed thereon, and wherein, if the comparison result drawn by the comparator indicates that a new function is added due to the firmware update, the controller displays or hides a first function button for use of the new function according to pattern information for a second function button for use of a function on a higher layer than the new function or pattern information for a group including the second function button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Atsushi Tomita, Kenichi Sawada, Takuya Okada, Takeshi Hibino, Takatsugu Kuno
  • Patent number: 8607163
    Abstract: Media content obtained from a content source (11) comprises a plurality of content items (31) which are accessible by an interactive menu structure (60, 65). A preview presentation mode automatically presents a portion of each of a set of the content items (31) to the user in a sequence which represents a navigation path through multiple levels of the menu structure. This shows a user a preview of content items available for presentation without requiring the user to manually navigate various branches of the menu structure. The menu structure can be explored automatically, or a script (33) can specify which items are to be presented. The script (33) can be supplied by the content source (11) or can be obtained from a separate source. During the preview presentation mode information about the current item, or the current position within the menu structure, can be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Michael J. Plummer
  • Patent number: 8601393
    Abstract: Described is a system that characterizes segments of a document with one or more keyphrases and then uses the keyphrases to help users find interesting parts of a document. The keyphrases are displayed with information about the location of the phrase in the document and are used as pointers to quickly move to from an overview to a section of potential interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Scott Carter, Francine Chen, Patrick Chiu
  • Patent number: 8595645
    Abstract: A method, performed at a portable electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface, includes displaying a list of items on the display. The method also includes displaying an item in the list with just a portion of the item visible on the display. The method further includes detecting a first gesture on the touch-sensitive surface at a location that corresponds to the item. The method further includes, in response to detecting the first gesture, marquee scrolling the item in a predefined marquee scrolling direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse William Boettcher, Benjamin Andrew Rottler, Policarpo Bonilla Wood, Jr., Bryan J. James, Jorge Fino, Eugene Dvortsov
  • Publication number: 20130311948
    Abstract: Dynamically assigning shortcuts to one or more functions, including: determining the one or more functions to assign shortcuts; dynamically assigning the one or more functions to at least one of buttons, keys, clicks, and touches on a client device as shortcuts; updating a mapping of the shortcuts to the one or more functions; and displaying the assigned shortcuts on a display of the client device. Keywords include shortcuts and menu items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicants: SONY NETWORK ENTERTAINMENT INTERNATIONAL LLC, SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles McCoy, Leo Mark Pedlow, JR., True Xiong
  • Patent number: 8588755
    Abstract: A system to provide a supplementary service control menu includes an information collection unit to collect state information associated with a supplementary service; a level determination unit to determine a level of the supplementary service using the state information; a menu building unit to generate an identifier (ID) of the supplementary service and to build the supplementary service control menu; and a menu display unit to display the built supplementary service control menu including the supplementary service having an effect associated with the level on a screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Pantech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eunseong Lee, Kyung Bang Lee
  • Patent number: 8589812
    Abstract: Prioritized user interfaces are disclosed. A user interface may include a menu including a plurality of selectable items displayed in respective menu positions. A menu position of at least one of the plurality of selectable items is assigned based on a prioritization level of the at least one selectable item. The prioritization level is based at least partially on a selection metric for the at least one selectable item. The user interface may also include a menu locator indicating a location of a menu within a multi-level menu structure. The menu locator may include a first indicator of a position within a first level of the multi-level menu structure and a second indicator of a position within a second level of the multi-level menu structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Theodore Pasquale, Kurt M. Joseph, Scott Mills
  • Patent number: 8584165
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for facilitating access to content using availability information. Content programs are determined based at least in part on a prior selection of one or more of the content programs from a content catalog by a user. Content availability data is obtained from multiple content providers. Availabilities of each content program are determined based at least in part on the content availability data. A user interface is generated that presents the respective availabilities of each of the content programs through the corresponding interfaces of some or all of the content providers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: IMDb.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis J. Kane, Brian Goldstein, Andrej Gregov, Jordan M. Hay
  • Publication number: 20130290903
    Abstract: A distinction is made between input mechanisms to determine which input mechanism was used to activate a start menu. A start menu is selected that corresponds to the input mechanism that was used to activate it. Further data corresponding to start menu interaction is received, and action is taken via based on the further interaction. For example, upon detecting activation of a start menu, how the start menu was activated from among activation types is used to present a first start menu/behavior for a first activation type, which may differ from a second start menu/behavior activated via a second activation type. For example, a determination may be made as to whether a start menu was invoked via a pointing device or via keyboard; when via keyboard, a search entry region may be provided, by which a user may directly enter search criteria via the keyboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Pasquale DeMaio, Matthew R. Lerner, Charles Cummins, Song Zou, Bret P. Anderson, David A. Matthews, Isabelo Valentin de los Reyes, Joseph H. Matthews
  • Patent number: 8572510
    Abstract: Multiple dropdowns on a graphical user interface (GUI) are dynamically linked at runtime. The dropdowns are associated with inter-related attributes of an object displayed on the GUI. The content of each dropdown includes a list of values of an attribute and is entirely or partially hidden until the dropdown is selected. The list of values of each dropdown are dynamically generated and rendered at runtime, using stored data that links the attributes to their parent attributes. The stored data can be dynamically updated to reflect currently-available attribute values and the relationship of the attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventor: Nancy Yan
  • Patent number: 8572509
    Abstract: Hybrid menus can be generated and displayed, where the hybrid menus comprising primary and sub-menus having different geometries. Depending upon the context in which a user provides selection input for menu display, the context-appropriate model elements are retrieved from a tree model. A layout generation component transforms the tree model into a hybrid menu for display to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Charles M. Gobeil
  • Patent number: 8566722
    Abstract: Methods and systems for presentation of content through an interface to provide personalized video feeds to a user. The video feeds are harvested from feed items gathered at various Internet sources. Those video feeds are referenced by icons or channels that rotate about, or scroll within, a first carousel. Video feeds are arranged in columns and/or rows that rotate about, or scroll within, a second carousel. Movement in one carousel causes movement in the other in a synchronous manner even though the movement may be at different speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Frequency IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Michael M. Gordon, Blair R.R. Harrison, Adrian K. Roston
  • Patent number: 8564611
    Abstract: The present invention generates a color template design to format a presentation. According to one aspect, a plurality of template designs are provided on a visual display. A selection of one of the plurality of template designs is received from a user. A plurality of source images that are separate from the plurality of template designs are provided on the visual display. A selection of a color from one of the plurality of source images is received from the user. Colors of the selected template design are automatically adjusted to match the selected the color from the source image. The selected template design may include framing, mat, background, and foreground portions, at least one of which is adjusted. After automatically adjusting the colors, the selected template design may be displayed and/or stored for use as a template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Edwards, Clay Harvey Fisher
  • Patent number: 8560976
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a display device, which can control a user interface being displayed by a user's gaze and touch input, and a controlling method thereof and a controlling method of the same. The method for controlling the display device includes a hierarchical user interface and also includes displaying at least one control interface, detecting a user's gaze selecting one of the displayed control interface, transmitting information for providing a portable device with a sub-control interface of the control interface selected by the user's gaze, to the portable device, and receiving a control signal respective to the selected control interface from the portable device, and executing the received control signal. Herein, the portable device may provide the sub-control interface to a user with tactile feedback, may generate the control signal in accordance with a detected touch input, and may transmit the generated control signal to the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jihwan Kim