Abstract: A user interface for displaying graphical operational mode information to a user of a universal remote control. The user interface displays to the user in a circular queue arrangement iconic representations of every home appliance which the universal remote control is setup to control. The user may then interact with the user interface to select an iconic representation of the one of the home appliances which the user desires to control. In response to this selection, the user interface will display the iconic representation of the home appliances such that the iconic representation of the home appliance indicated by the user is moved to a predetermined position in the circular queue arrangement relative to the remaining iconic representations and/or is given an appearance distinct from the appearance of the remaining iconic representations within the circular queue arrangement. In this manner, the user interface indicates to the user the current operational mode of the universal remote control.

Abstract: A method, in one embodiment, of displaying items arranged in a hierarchy, the hierarchy having predetermined levels and divisions. The method comprising: displaying divisions of a first level of the hierarchy along a first direction; and displaying the items on a plane in perspective view, each item arranged at a position corresponding to the division with which it is associated in a respective second direction at an angle to the first direction. It is preferred that each of the items has associated with it a value, such as a time value, that can be represented on a scale. The divisions of the first level of the hierarchy are first units of the scale, such as years, and the items are arranged at positions corresponding to their value with respect to the first units.

Abstract: A favorites GUI for a TV includes a carousel-type display of icons representing user-defined favorites that is overlaid on the current background video of the TV, with the center-most icon being the “current” icon and being enlarged relative to the other icons. Live video appears in icons representing TV channels. Other icons can represent, e.g., favorite photo/music files, favorite games from a game console, favorite content from an ambient player, etc.

Abstract: A system and methodology for displaying a dynamic, multi-dimensional representation of a database via an internet coupled processor and associated hardware. A browser enabled applet communicates with internet database server(s). Hierarchies of account users are able to program display parameters and view and edit data contained in multiple authorized databases (e.g. financial or investment portfolios). A three-dimensional geometric display (e.g. Cube) is populated with real time position and multi-position group data obtained from available database servers. The system is responsive to user commands to three-dimensionally display the multi-tiered, multi-dimensional data in a presently preferred 3D Cubic form as well rotate the display to other 3D and 2D orientations and to display associated alphanumeric, text and/or 2D graphic data.

Abstract: The present invention is a system that provides an orientation indicator graphical user interface element in a display view of a three-dimensional scene. The orientation indicator can be used to automatically change a view of the scene to a predetermined viewpoint. The indicator includes view direction indicating controls that when activated cause the view of the scene to change to a view direction indicated by the control. The direction can be indicated by a shape of the control, such as by a cone with a point pointing in the direction of the view, or by the location of the control, such as being located on a marked scene axis of the indicator. The view of the scene is also automatically adjusted at the view position to center an object of interest in the scene and zoomed in/out to fit the object to the display view. The indicator is part of the three-dimensional scene and moves with the scene as the scene is manipulated by a user, such as in tumbling the scene.

Abstract: A data display method includes dividing search result data according to classification and thumbnailing the search result data as a cluster of thumbnails of the search result data in a virtual three dimensional (3D) space, and displaying identification information indicating the classification of the search result data in the virtual 3D space.

Abstract: An electronic device and a method for managing a user interface include setting a movement speed of the interface elements in the user interface corresponding to an angle of change of the electronic device, and setting a movement direction of the interface elements in the user interface corresponding to rotation direction. The method further includes confirming the movement speed and the movement direction of the interface elements in the user interface according to the angle of change and the rotation direction, and controlling the interface elements in the user interface to according to the confirmed movement speed and movement direction.

Abstract: A three-dimensional motion graphic user interface (MGUI) and a method and apparatus for providing the same. The apparatus includes a control module which creates a polyhedron component that can be opened and that has at least one opening face and an internal space containing at least one information object related to information displayed on a face of the polyhedron component. A storing module stores the polyhedron component created by the control module, and an input module inputs data about a user's action with respect to the polyhedron component. A user interface module assigns predetermined attributes to at least one of a plurality of subordinate faces, maps information displayed on an information face according to the predetermined attributes, processes motion of the polyhedron component according to the input data, changes an information display according to the motion, and manages at least one group of a plurality of polyhedron components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable communication device (10) comprising: a display unit (12) for displaying a multi-dimensional image (13) having at least three dimensions; a multi-dimensional image control unit (15) controlling and providing said image (13) to be displayed in more than one plane (13a, b) depending on a selection of a user; a detector element (16) for detecting a selection of the user.

Abstract: Improved user interface elements for use within a 3D scene. The 3D scene may be presented by at least one display, which includes displaying at least one stereoscopic image of the 3D scene by the display(s). The 3D scene may be presented according to a first viewpoint. One or more user interface elements may be used. The 3D scene may be updated in response to the use of the user interface elements.

Abstract: Provided is a three-dimensional (3D) object processing apparatus. The apparatus is capable of interacting with a user and utilizes a stereoscopic effect of a 3D user interface (UI) as information. The apparatus includes a combination of various units, including but not limited to, a display panel, a sensing unit and control unit to effectuate interaction between a user and a 3D object sourced from the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling stereoscopic menu display and a mobile communication terminal are provided. Wherein, the method includes: generating and displaying a stereoscopic menu including icons; obtaining a moving track inputted by a user; determining the corresponding rotation tangent planes, rotation directions and rotation speed of the icons in the stereoscopic menu according to coordinates of various points; controlling each icons in the stereoscopic menu to rotate in rotation direction at the rotation speed on the corresponding rotation tangent planes; detecting whether a recovery signal inputted by the user is received, if yes, controlling the stereoscopic menu recovery display according to the icon recovery signal.

Abstract: A user interface for an electronic device having a monitor includes a geometric polyhedron and a plurality of selecting objects. The geometric polyhedron is shown on the monitor, and composed of a plurality of blocks. Blocks of the plurality of blocks in a surface of the geometric polyhedron are capable of rotating along a center axle, and in an initial state, blocks corresponding to all surfaces of the geometric polyhedron have different colors. The plurality of selecting objects are shown on the plurality of blocks and corresponding to a plurality of functions of the electronic device.

Abstract: A method of organising data items in an n-dimensional space comprises, for each of a plurality of iterations, the step of generating a relative displacement of position for each data item within the n-dimensional space in accordance with a similarity value between each data item and respective other data items, the distance between each data item and respective other data items in the n-dimensional space, and the difference in position within the n-dimensional space between each data item and at least one reference point.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a dynamic user interface including a plurality of logical layers is presented. A user interface is provided via a heads-up display generator. Clusters including one or more concepts arranged proximal to each other such cluster to form a cluster spine is provided in a data layer. Controls to operate on a view of the cluster spines are provided in a control layer. Information about the clusters is provided in a concepts layer. A compass logically framing the cluster spines is provided in a heads-up display layer. A label to identify one such concept in one or more of the cluster spines appearing within the compass is generated. A plurality of slots positioned circumferentially around the compass is defined. Each label is assigned to the slot outside of the compass for the cluster spine having a closest angularity to the slot.

Abstract: A menu displaying method for displaying a menu containing a plurality of menu items on a display screen comprises a menu item arrangement step of arranging the menu items in a prescribed three-dimensional virtual body to squarely face the display screen so that each menu item will have at least a viewable part that is not screened by other menu items in front of the menu item and a menu item moving step of moving the menu items arranged in the menu item arrangement step according to a prescribed user operation while keeping the menu items squarely facing the display screen. By the menu displaying method, a large number of menu items can be displayed on a screen while minimizing deterioration of viewability of the menu items.

Abstract: A method includes displaying a first application view. A first input is detected, and an application view selection mode is entered for selecting one of concurrently open applications for display in a corresponding application view. An initial group of open application icons in a first predefined area and at least a portion of the first application view adjacent to the first predefined area are concurrently displayed. The initial group of open application icons corresponds to at least some of the concurrently open applications. A gesture is detected on a respective open application icon in the first predefined area, and a respective application view for a corresponding application is displayed without concurrently displaying an application view for any other application in the concurrently open applications. The open application icons in the first predefined area cease to be displayed, and the application view selection mode is exited.

Abstract: An interactive display of goods. On a screen, platform, or other suitable surface, images of items are shown or projected, preferably in high definition and/or 3D. A user may inspect or select any of the items. A computer or other processing unit may supply the content of the images. Preferably, realistic 3D images of objects are rendered by graphics design software enabling the user to select an item, rotate it, and view it from any angle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a three-dimensional graphic user interface includes a control module which creates a three-dimensional interface space having a predetermined plane and an axis perpendicular to the plane, and a plurality of objects presented in the space, and a user interface module which presents a plurality of object groups including the plurality of objects in the space, and moves an object group including a selected object among the plurality of presented object groups along the axis.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method for generating three-dimensional objects to represent files in a three-dimensional environment. A primary classifier classifies stored files into groups based on a first set of properties and generates three-dimensional mesh objects to represent each file. The mesh objects are the same within each group and distinguish the files from group to group. A secondary classifier further classifies each group of files into sub-groups based on a second set of properties and deforms the mesh objects in each sub-group in a particular manner to distinguish files from sub-group to sub-group. Additional classifiers modify the deformed mesh objects to further distinguish files within each sub-group (e.g., by varying the shape, texture, animation, etc.). Each three-dimensional object can then be embedded into a three-dimensional graphical user interface as a selection tool that provides visual cues regarding the contents of a particular file.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for managing a menu icon on one screen in a portable terminal are provided. The method includes selecting a menu icon through a screen touch input of a user, rotating a sphere displayed on the screen according to the touch input of the user, selecting a sphere region, into which the menu icon is to move, through a screen touch input of the user, and moving the selected menu icon to the selected sphere region.

Abstract: Techniques for retrieving and displaying multimedia information are provided. A television (TV) interface is provided that displays multimedia information that may be stored in a multimedia document. The interface enables a user to navigate through multimedia information stored on the multimedia document.

Abstract: A method to separately assign and modify multiple attributes of information and structure to an individual block or to a larger unitary whole comprised of multiple blocks is disclosed. A number of block instances of a block is determined. Each block instance is associated with one or more structure attributes. A number of data elements is determined. Each data element is associated with one or more information attributes. The data elements are mapped to the block instances. The mapped block instances are displayed contiguously.

Abstract: A graphical user interface, for inputting an access code, includes one or more entities visually representing, respectively, one or more three dimensional objects that have a first height dimension, a second width dimension and a third depth dimension; and a user input for controlling rotation of the one or more respective three dimensional objects at least in the third depth dimension, wherein a defined access code corresponds to a combination of different rotations of the one or more three dimensional objects.

Abstract: A disclosed gaming machine provides method and apparatus for presenting a plurality of game outcome presentations derived from one or more virtual 3-D gaming environments stored on the gaming machine. While a game of chance is being played on the gaming machine, two-dimensional images derived from a three-dimensional object in the 3-D gaming environment may be rendered to a display screen on the gaming machine in real-time as part of the game outcome presentation. To add excitement to the game, a 3-D position of the 3-D object and other features of the 3-D gaming environment may be controlled by a game player. Nearly an unlimited variety of virtual objects, such as slot reels, gaming machines and casinos, may be modeled in the 3-D gaming environment.

Abstract: A mobile terminal includes at least a display unit, a sensing unit, and a controller. The display unit includes a touch screen and displays at least two three-dimensional (3D) menu icons and each of the at least two 3D menu icons includes at least one menu. The display unit further displays a first menu on a first display surface of each of the at least two 3D menu icons, the first menu on each of the at least two 3D menu icons being different. The sensing unit detects an input for controlling at least one of the at least two 3D menu icons. The controller controls the display unit to display a second menu on a second display surface of each of the at least two 3D menu icons in response to the detected input. Each of the at least two 3D menu icons displayed on the display unit includes at least two display surfaces, each of the at least two display surfaces displaying a different menu.

Abstract: A user can control the animation of an object via an interface that includes a control area and a user-manipulable control element. The control area includes an ellipse. The user-manipulable control element includes a three-dimensional arrow with a straight body, a three-dimensional arrow with a curved body, or a sphere. In one embodiment, the interface includes a virtual trackball that is used to manipulate the user-manipulable control element.

Abstract: Media menu items are generated within a media interface environment. Media menu item abstractions are generated, one of the media menu item abstractions arranged in a foreground position, and one or more of the media menu item abstractions arranged in background positions in the media interface environment. Selection of a media menu items transitions to a corresponding content menu interface.

Abstract: An image input system includes: a display device that displays a three-dimensional image; a plurality of cameras; a controller that controls the display device and the plurality of cameras, wherein the controller causes the display device to display the three-dimensional image that includes a plurality of icons, the controller performs analysis processing on the plurality of images picked up by the plurality of cameras to obtain and output analysis information that contains three-dimensional position information regarding a most protruding part at a side of the user, the plurality of icons includes icons of which positions in a depth direction in the three-dimensional image are not the same, and each icon can be identified from the other icons or can be selected out of the icons of which the positions in the depth direction are not the same.

Abstract: A three-dimensional motion graphic user interface (MGUI) and a method and apparatus for providing the three-dimensional MGUI are provided. The three-dimensional motion graphic user interface includes a first polyhedron component that is formed of a plurality of faces, wherein at least one face of the plurality of faces that are subordinate to the first polyhedron component has predetermined attributes and displays information according to the attributes, and the first polyhedron component is separated into a plurality of second polyhedron components according to a user's action with respect to the faces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a motion input device for portable terminal and an operation method using the same. A motion input device of a portable terminal of the present invention includes a sensor unit configured to collect a sensor signal from at least one sensor; an operation recognition unit configured to generate a motion signal corresponding to an operation of portable terminal based on the sensor signal; a scenario preparation unit configured to generate an input scenario based on at least one motion signal; and a scenario mapping unit configured to detect, in a scenario database, a standards scenario corresponding to the input scenario, and to generate an input signal corresponding to the standards scenario.

Abstract: Provided is a display device including a display mode controller for controlling a screen transition to a whole screen display mode for displaying an image in an entire screen of a display section, a multiple content display mode for displaying, on the screen, a plurality of thumbnail images related to contents, or a panel display mode for displaying, on the screen, a panel on which information related to the contents is displayed, and a thumbnail image shape determination section for determining a shape of the thumbnail image so that the shape of the thumbnail image indicates an arrangement configuration of the screen after the thumbnail image is selected in the multiple content display mode and a screen transition occurs.

Abstract: A communications device is configured to allow a user to sort, organize, and manage a plurality of contacts in a contact list stored on the device. The device includes a display to display a multi-dimensional contact board. The user can move contact objects representing the contacts to desired locations on the multi-dimensional contact board. The device will categorize each contact object based on its location on the multi-dimensional contact board.

Abstract: An image signal composed of sequential frames is input to a 3-dimensional image creating apparatus, frame by frame. A controller (102) designates the presence/absence of reduction, the presence/absence of joining and 2D select. An image converter (101) creates image data in the format designated by the presence/absence of reduction and the presence/absence of joining. A 3D information creator (103) creates 3D information necessary for displaying the image as a 3-dimensional image by formatting the presence/absence of reduction, the presence/absence of joining and 2D select. A multiplexer (104) converts image data and 3D information in a predetermined format and outputs them to the outside. In this way, it is possible to make the image data for 3-dimensional display versatile and select an arbitrary viewpoint image efficiently.

Abstract: A microscopic-measurement apparatus capable of conducting measurement successively in several set areas regardless of the type of stage driving system or the precision of the stage driving system.

Abstract: A three-dimensional motion graphical user interface and an apparatus and a method of providing the same are provided. The apparatus for providing a three-dimensional motion graphical user interface includes a creation module which creates a polyhedral object having a face on which first information to be communicated to a user is displayed; a display module which displays the created polyhedral object; and an interface module which displays second information, which corresponds to a face of the displayed polyhedral object selected by the user, on a projected surface formed separately from the displayed polyhedral object.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for accessing data objects from a storage medium includes rendering a combination of graphical structures. Each graphical structure depicts a storage hierarchy or logic, and can include a link or reference to stored data objects. The combination of graphical structures defines a number of graphical objects. Each graphical object is associated with a coordinate display and linking mechanism to access one or more data objects represented by the graphical object. Thus, a number of collections of data objects is represented graphically for quick access.

Abstract: The present invention is a system that provides an orientation indicator graphical user interface element in a display view of a three-dimensional scene. The orientation indicator can be used to automatically change a view of the scene to a predetermined viewpoint. The indicator includes view direction indicating controls that when activated cause the view of the scene to change to a view direction indicated by the control. The direction can be indicated by a shape of the control, such as by a cone with a point pointing in the direction of the view, or by the location of the control, such as being located on a marked scene axis of the indicator. The view of the scene is also automatically adjusted at the view position to center an object of interest in the scene and zoomed in/out to fit the object to the display view. The indicator is part of the three-dimensional scene and moves with the scene as the scene is manipulated by a user, such as in tumbling the scene.

Abstract: A three-dimensional motion graphic user interface (MGUI) and a method and apparatus for providing the same. The MGUI includes a three-dimensional interface space which has an active space and an inactive space, and a polyhedron component which is three-dimensionally presented in the active space, wherein at least one of a plurality of faces that are subject to the polyhedron component has predetermined attributes, and information displayed on the faces is displayed differently according to the attributes and a presentation relationship between the active space and the polyhedron component.

Abstract: Content abstractions are emerged in to an ingress terminus of a multidimensional path and depth transitioned through the multidimensional path to an egress terminus. The content abstractions are eliminated at the egress terminus.

Abstract: The sizes of icons for moving images (the size of a rectangle on the front side of each icon, the length of each icon in the depth direction thereof, etc.) that specify moving-image files are changed depending upon file information (moving image playback times, image sizes of the frames that make up the moving images, sizes of the moving-image files, etc.) concerning the moving-image files specified by the icons for the moving images. The content of each moving-image file can be ascertained by observing the icon for its moving image.

Abstract: A communication device which urges a user to select another communication device with which communication should be performed in a plurality of communication devices existing as candidates for communication, and which performs communication with the selected communication device. The communication device has an acquisition section which obtains, from each of the plurality of communication devices, motion information indicating the motion of the communication device in space, a display section which displays each of motion images representing the motions of the plurality of communication devices in space on the basis of the motion information obtained from the communication devices, and a communication section which urges the user to select one of the motion images displayed by the display section, and which performs communication with the communication device indicated by the selected motion image.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object that represents computer data and methods and computer-readable media for presenting same. The object has a first, active side and a second, inactive side. The active side may contain information relating to the computer data.

Abstract: A graphical user interface is disclosed which achieves an easy search for a desired item upon scrolling. Plural first icons representing first items of a high hierarchy are arrayed along a direction of a display screen, and plural second icons representing second items of a low hierarchy which belong to a selected one of the first items are arrayed along an intersecting direction with the selected first item positioned at the intersecting position. The selected noticed icon from among the plural second icons is displayed emphatically at a fixed position on the display screen, and explanation information of the noticed item icon is displayed in the proximity of the display position of the noticed icon. In response to a scrolling instruction, scrolling is executed while explanation information of the second icons other than the noticed item icon is displayed.

Abstract: A method to separately assign and modify multiple attributes of information and structure to an individual block or to a larger unitary whole comprised of multiple blocks is disclosed. A number of block instances of a block is determined. Each block instance is associated with one or more structure attributes. A number of data elements is determined. Each data element is associated with one or more information attributes. The data elements are mapped to the block instances. The mapped block instances are displayed contiguously.

Abstract: A system, method, and user interface for displaying electronic program guide (EPG) and personal video recorder (PVR) information as navigable three-dimensional images is described. In one embodiment, a three dimensional image is formed in which EPG data is presented on one surface of a three dimensional image and PVR data is presented on at least one other surface of the three-dimensional image.

Abstract: A three-dimensional browser wherein in an exemplary embodiment, information from a uniform resource locator is converted into at least one texture. The texture is mapped onto a surface of a three-dimensional object located in a virtual three-dimensional space in order to provide a three-dimensional navigation mechanism. In an alternate arrangement an event associated with an image is intercepted and the location of the event in the corresponding geometric surface of the virtual three-dimensional space is computed. This location is converted to a two-dimensional coordinate and thereafter information pertaining to the event is placed on the surface on the three-dimensional object in the virtual three-dimensional space.

Abstract: A preferred contact group centric interface for a communication device can be used to facilitate communications by a user. The user interface can be arranged to activate from a user's “home page” on the display, from an idle screen that is accessed after a timeout period expires, or any other appropriate mechanism that activates the preferred contact group centric experience. A user selects the preferred contact group from among an array of the user's contacts. Once the contact group is configured, a minimal number of navigation/selection features is necessary to activate any number of communication modes available to the contacts. The contact group is configured such that simple and quick navigation between the contact members is achieved. The contact group can be presented in 2D and 3D arrangements, in any number of list or geometric configurations. A pricing plan can optionally be tied to each member of the contact group.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for using 3D animated icons to preview transformations related to 3D models are disclosed. The apparatus includes a graphical user interface (GUI) which includes a visual depiction of the 3D model as well as a cursor and 3D animated icons which are representative of various transformations that may be performed on the model. The animation of the 3D icons provides the user with a preview, before selecting the icons, of what will happen to the 3D model depicted in the GUI if the transformations are in fact applied by user-selection of the icons. The method includes displaying, on a GUI, a 3D model as well as a cursor and at least one 3D animated icon which displays a representation of a respective transformation. The method further includes changing the state of an animated icon from static (i.e., a still frame) to animated when the user positions the cursor in the neighborhood of the icon, thereby illustrating the effect of the transformation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for use in a computing environment for representing files stored in stacks. The method includes providing a set of stack icons, each icon in the set having a stack height representing a range of stack sizes. The method additionally includes determining a stack size for a selected stack and selecting and displaying an appropriate stack icon from the set of stack icons based on the determined stack size. The selected stack may be stored within one of multiple libraries. Accordingly a distinct set of icons relevant to each library may be stored for each library. The icons may visibly convey information pertaining to the relevant library. Accordingly, the method may include representing a selected stack by determining an appropriate library and an appropriate stack height and displaying a corresponding icon. The system may additionally include an empty stack icon, a generic stack icon, property based icons, and custom thumbnail icons.