Abstract: Provided is an active button including a contents output unit for outputting contents, and a button for acting, when selected, as a trigger to make access to a specific information source registered. Further included is means for acquiring button recommending information indicating that the specific information source can provide information relating to the contents. In case the button recommending information is acquired, a button mode is changed to inform a viewer of that acquisition.

Abstract: A user-activatable dashboard (also referred to as a unified interest layer) contains any number of user interface elements, referred to herein as “widgets,” for quick access by a user. In response to a command from a user, the dashboard is invoked and the widgets are shown on the screen. The user can activate the dashboard at any time, causing the dashboard to temporarily replace the existing user interface display on the user's screen. Once the dashboard has been activated, the user can interact with any or all of the widgets, and can configure the dashboard by adding, deleting, moving, or configuring individual widgets as desired. When the user wishes to return to the normal user interface he or she was working with, the user issues a command causing the dashboard to be dismissed. Once the dashboard has been dismissed, the previous user interface state is restored, allowing the user to resume normal interactions with the operating system.

Abstract: A method, system and user interface are provided for building and programming an online media (radio or TV) station based on collaboration by the station's users. The method includes creating an initial playlist for an online media station; creating a set of recommended media content items distinct from the initial playlist; aggregating user input regarding the recommended media content items; and generating a new playlist in accordance with the aggregated input. The user input regarding a given item of media content may include a positive vote or a negative vote. Each item added to the playlist after the initial playlist is voted on by the users, so that each item of the new playlist has an aggregated positive vote greater than a predetermined vote threshold.

Abstract: A control panel unit for a computing device includes buttons having characteristics that define individual button states. Upon actuation of a button, the viewable states of the buttons may change. A portion of the button may be illuminated to represent the state and/or include an icon depicting an application controlled by the button. The control panel unit may include a display for displaying plural soft labels corresponding to the buttons and representing the current context that will be initiated when the corresponding button is actuated. The soft labels may identify users or applications available to one user. Upon actuation of an application, the soft labels can change to represent various actions or functions available in the application. In the user interface, each user may be assigned a specific color scheme. The color schemes allow a person to visually determine who is logged into the system and/or which individual has new information.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides for one or more miniature-browser buttons, used with a downloadable toolbar for an Internet browser. The method may comprise sending downloadable toolbar characteristics from a predetermined Internet site, which includes miniature-browser button characteristics, creating a miniature-browser button in the downloadable toolbar and loading the miniature-browser button using the miniature-browser button characteristics.

Abstract: A first element in a graphical modeling environment is selected by a user which results in a plurality of speed buttons adjacent to the first element being displayed. Such speed buttons define operations to be conducted on the first element in connection with a second element. After one of the displayed speed buttons is selected, it can be dragged to a display point. A second element is generated at the display point based on the selected displayed speed button which is linked to the first element. The link can be characterized by the operations defined by the selected displayed speed button. Related techniques, apparatus, systems, and products are also described.

Abstract: A user-activatable dashboard (also referred to as a unified interest layer) contains any number of user interface elements, referred to herein as “widgets,” for quick access by a user. In response to a command from a user, the dashboard is invoked and the widgets are shown on the screen. The user can activate the dashboard at any time, causing the dashboard to temporarily replace the existing user interface display on the user's screen. Once the dashboard has been activated, the user can interact with any or all of the widgets, and can configure the dashboard by adding, deleting, moving, or configuring individual widgets as desired. When the user wishes to return to the normal user interface he or she was working with, the user issues a command causing the dashboard to be dismissed. Once the dashboard has been dismissed, the previous user interface state is restored, allowing the user to resume normal interactions with the operating system.

Abstract: A system and method for browsing properties of an electronic document. The present invention is comprised of a property browser program module. The property browser program module communicates with a shared code library for one or more application programs. The shared code library can be in communication with one or more application programs. When a user interacts with an electronic document associated with an application program, the user can manipulate one or more properties of the application program. The property browser program module determines a status for one or more properties for the electronic document through information received from the shared code library. Furthermore, the property browser program module determines a context for the electronic document through information received from the shared code library. Using the properties and context of the electronic document, the property browser program module creates a palette with one or more controls for the properties of the electronic document.

Abstract: A system and method to provide navigation screens during remote control of devices. A matrix is used to relate button depression and navigation screen to a particular activity. Generic buttons on the remote control can be dynamically defined according to the content of the navigation screens and the configuration of the devices under the control of the remote control.

Abstract: A palmtop computer system that incorporates mechanical buttons that combine the task of turning the palmtop computer system on and starting a particular application program. Furthermore, the same mechanical button can be used to navigate the application program to find the information that is most likely needed by the user. Additionally, external devices can be coupled to the palmtop computer system in a manner that allows the external hardware device to initiate specific application programs that cooperate with the external hardware device.

Abstract: Multimedia content of exchangeable storage media, such as optical discs, may be extended by bonus content that is downloaded via Internet connection and stored on a local storage device. An improved method for integration of different menu items relating to on-disc content and downloaded content provides flexibility and a simple, low cost solution. The method for integration of downloaded bonus content into a menu comprises defining one or more placeholders within a menu, determining a storage location or naming convention for bonus content, declaring for each placeholder an attribute providing a unique association to a specific type of bonus content, providing a button image, detecting presence of bonus content data, replacing the associated placeholder by the associated button image and enabling an associated action to be taken when said button is selected.

Abstract: A medical image processing apparatus using volume data includes display control means, processing control means and button placement means. The display control means displays an individual processing area and a common processing area. The individual processing area displays a first individual processing button group including a first command button to which a first command is assigned and a second individual processing button group including a second command button to which a second command is assigned. The common processing area displays a common processing button group including a common command button to which a common command is assigned. The processing control means executes the first command and then subsequently executes the common command, and executes the second command and then subsequently executes the common command. The button placement means places the first and second command buttons in the individual processing area or places common command buttons in the common processing area.

Abstract: System and method for visually indicating deployment of programs in a system. A client system includes a plurality of devices coupled together, where at least one of the devices includes one or more programs, e.g., graphical, text-based, and/or hardware configuration programs. A configuration diagram is displayed which visually represents the client system. The diagram includes device icons representing the devices, including a first device icon corresponding to a first device. A first program is deployed onto the first device. The configuration diagram is programmatically animated to visually indicate the deployment, e.g., a first program icon corresponding to the first program, or one or more other icons, may be propagated from a first location on the display, e.g., from a second device icon representing a second device initially storing the program, to the first device icon, possibly along link icons indicating coupling between the devices. The deployment may be performed programmatically.

Abstract: A mobile communication device capable of providing a candidate phone number list and a method of controlling an operation of the mobile communication device is provided. The method includes displaying a phone number input window and a display window on the touch screen, displaying a string of numbers input to the phone number input window in the display window and displaying a candidate phone number list on the touch screen if a touch input to the display window is detected when the input number string is displayed in the display window, the candidate phone number list including a plurality of phone numbers that contain the input number string.

Abstract: The present invention offers an improved GUI interface for CAD software to allow users easy access to menus. A user can execute commands and options with little disruption and with minimal hand movement. The keypad is represented on the computer screen and is called a GUFI (Graphical User Friendly Interface) keypad system. The keypad is a menu having a matrix of graphical buttons. A user selects a computer resource with a spatial input device and clicks the proper context button, the GUFI keypad displays only the functions or commands that pertain to the computer resource selected. The unique GUFI keypad system displays functions and commands in an arrayed, not in a pop-up or pull down menu, but in a pattern relating to the keys on the keyboard. Menu items are accessed through a one to one correspondence with the represented keys mapped to similar physically represented keys.

Abstract: The present invention provides a systems, methods, and products for enhanced user navigation to compliment (but not necessarily replace) a computer keyboard and mouse by providing a robust navigation interface. The present invention may comprise: a minimally necessary group of commands; combining the functionality a set of at least two command calls into a single logical button; for a single button, prioritizing a set of command calls from first to last and then calling each until one is accepted; logically remapping commands to buttons for a navigational device coupled to a physically rotate-able display device; and mapping a substitute command to a logical button for when the button is engaged in a predetermined manner other than the primary manner in which the logical button is engaged (e.g., double-clicking, flicking, press-and-hold, etc.) so that a substitute command can in fact be issued, among others.

Abstract: A palmtop computer system that incorporates mechanical buttons that combine the task of turning the palmtop computer system on and starting a particular application program. Furthermore, the same mechanical button can be used to navigate the application program to find the information that is most likely needed by the user. Additionally, external devices can be coupled to the palmtop computer system in a manner that allows the external hardware device to initiate specific application programs that cooperate with the external hardware device.

Abstract: A customizable service provider user interface is described. In an implementation, a user is logged onto a suite a web services, to which, the user has not previously logged on. A user interface is output having a plurality of portions, one or more of which are customizable by the user through use of one or more overlays to customize interaction with the suite of web services.

Abstract: An image managing apparatus includes a storage part, an input part, a grouping-processing part, a representative image extraction part, a folding-button preparing part, a folding-screen preparing part and an output part. An image is stored in the storage part. A user's instruction is input by the input part. The grouping-processing part is configured to classify images displayed on a screen into a group for display based on the instruction. The representative image extraction part is configured to extract an image in the group as a representative image of the group. The folding-button preparing part is configured to generate a folding button for displaying the representative image of the group on the screen. The folding-screen preparing part is configured to generate an image-listing screen (“folding screen)”} on which the representative image of the group and an ungrouped image are displayed when the folding-button displayed on the screen is operated.

Abstract: A system and method for processing a received media item recommendation message is disclosed. A recipient receives the media item recommendation message which includes a media item identifier of a media item and presence information of a recommender of the media item in association with the media item identifier. The presence information may be in the form of metadata. The recipient may render the presence information and/or store or download the presence information to a media item playlist, to another device, or to a storage medium for subsequent rendering. The media item recommendation message also may include a media item annotation. The media item annotation may also be in the form of metadata and may be rendered and/or stored or downloaded to a media item playlist, to another device, or to a storage medium for subsequent rendering.

Abstract: A method for consolidating associated buttons on a screen into easily accessible groups includes: a control button and at least one other button that appears when the control button is selected, where the at least one other button is contiguous with the control button. A user can quickly and conveniently select buttons. Furthermore, a significant amount of on-screen real estate is saved because the buttons used are small and square rather than long and rectangular. Further, the configuration of nested menus are such that it takes up little space on the screen. In addition, the menu is ergonomic because the buttons are contiguous, and as such selections can be made without the mouse pointer needing to move very far across the screen.

Abstract: A mobile computing device that includes an input area where mechanical interface features are provided in a layout that associates a specific kind of functionality with regions of the input area.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus in which when a decision button is depressed, a transfer confirmation screen is displayed without recording a selection record, and, when a shortcut button is depressed, a selection record is recorded and the transfer confirmation screen is not displayed. When one of image data recorded in a storage medium is selected by an operation of a user, a reproduction module executes reproduction for display of the image data, and upon a user transfer instruction and acceptance of the instruction by a queue, a communication module transfers image data to an external apparatus. When one of other image data recorded in the storage medium is selected by a user operation in the course of a transfer process of the image data by the communication module, the reproduction module executed a reproduction process on the selected other image data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control unit for a refrigerator and a method of controlling the same. A control unit for a refrigerator according to the present invention comprises an input means for receiving an operation signal for setting a service mode of a dispenser provided at the refrigerator; a storage means for storing a plurality of mode image data corresponding to the service mode of the dispenser; a display means for displaying mode images of the mode image data; and a control means for performing control such that mode image data corresponding to the service mode of the dispenser are read from the storage means according to an operation signal received by the input means and a mode image corresponding to the service mode of the dispenser is displayed on the display means. According to the present invention, there are advantages in that more various menus can be displayed in different manners, and the configuration of the input unit is simplified and thus can be more conveniently used.

Abstract: A system, method, and user interface of presenting telephone functions as interactive elements on an electronic device with telephone capabilities such as a mobile device is disclosed. The system and method provides a user with a mechanism for focusing on a call, where the call is selected by user activation from one or more calls occurring on the mobile device. The system and method displays contextual buttons related to the call to the user, where the contextual buttons are configured for operating on the call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a specific article of online-content to be reconstructed and displayed, and specifying a duration of time to be used when graphically representing what areas of a visual stimuli were actually visible to a user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a plurality of test data entries are successively displayed via a graphical user interface (GUI), with each of the test data entries including at least a test result identifier and a corresponding test result. For at least one of the test data entries, a user-selectable mechanism is provided via the GUI. When the user-selectable mechanism is selected, statistical data based on multiple executions of a test identified by a particular one of the test data entries is caused to be displayed via the GUI. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A terminal has an input area that supports touch input, and a controller for responding to the touch input area. The controller also displays selected symbols in the touch input area responsive to an operational mode of the terminal. When the terminal is in a call mode, a command or data associated with one of the symbols displayed for the call mode may be entered by touching the symbol, touching and dragging the symbol from its original location, or touching and dragging the symbol to a central area.

Abstract: A portable electronic device may display one of a plurality of soft keyboards in a first display area and input characters in a second display area. The user may select a key on the soft keyboard, causing a plurality of objects corresponding to the plurality of soft keyboards to be displayed. The user may then select one of the objects, and the soft keyboard corresponding to the selected object is displayed and made operational. The soft keyboards corresponding to the objects not selected are not made operational.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which executes jobs to form images, including: a job memory section which stores job information indicating setting contents of the jobs; a display section having a first region and a second region that never overlap; and a control section which controls contents to be displayed, wherein the control section controls to display a job list in the first region based on the job information, and also display a setting content of a job selected from the job list in the second region, while a function of an operation button is given to the setting content, wherein when the operation button is selected, by utilizing the setting content corresponding to the selected operation button as a search key, a job is extracted from the job list and displayed such that the extracted job and the other job can be distinguished.

Abstract: An operating apparatus comprising: a display unit that has a first mode being capable of selecting a plurality of functions and a second mode being capable of selecting a part of the functions selectable in the first mode, and displays the functions selectable in the first mode when the first mode is selected and displays the functions selectable in the second mode when the second mode is selected; and a control unit that controls, when the second mode is transferred to the first mode, the display unit to display a function introduction screen for introducing a function which is not displayed in the second mode before the functions selectable in the first mode are displayed.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an area display unit configured to display a metadata area including metadata values arrayed for each metadata item and unique areas defined for respective metadata values, an icon display unit configured to display an icon associated with main body data and enabling a user to add the metadata, and an adding unit operable if the displayed icon is moved to a position on the metadata area and configured to add information defining a unique area to which the position of the moved icon belongs, as metadata, to main body data associated with the icon.

Abstract: An electronic paper device is disclosed for use by aircraft passengers. The electronic paper device may include a communication interface that facilitates downloading of media publications, the media publications being available for download prior to each flight, a memory that stores the media publications, a user interface that facilitates access and use of the media publications by a user, and an electronic paper display that displays the media publications to the user in a manner that permits viewing in lighting conditions similar to that required of paper (including bright light).

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a CPU core, and displays a related image according to selection of a main menu icon. For example, in a case that a timer counting for each frame holds a predetermined value, it is determined whether or not the display of the related image has to be switched. If it is determined that the switch is necessary, the display of the related image is switched, and if it is not necessary, the display of the related image is not switched. The time is reset when the selection of the main menu icon and the display of the related image are changed. For example, in a case that selection of the main menu icon continues to be quickly changed, the timer does not reach the predetermined value, so that the related image is never switched.

Abstract: A graphical user interface for use in connection with a device having navigation and media functionality includes a navigation interface and a media interface that each have having a plurality of screens adapted to facilitate interaction between a user and a navigation application and a media application, respectively. An application interface toggle button it is actuatable on at least one of the plurality of navigation interface screens and on at least one of the plurality of media interface screens. Actuation of the application interface toggle button from a navigation interface screen invokes display of a media interface screen, and actuation of the application interface toggle button from a media interface screen invokes display of a navigation interface screen.

Abstract: A system for consolidating associated buttons on a screen into easily accessible groups includes: a control button and at least one other button that appears when the control button is selected, where the at least one other button is contiguous with the control button. A user can quickly and conveniently select buttons. Furthermore, a significant amount of on-screen real estate is saved because the buttons used are small and square rather than long and rectangular. Further, the configuration of nested menus is such that it takes up little space on the screen. In addition, the menu is ergonomic because the buttons are contiguous, and as such selections can be made without the mouse pointer needing to move very far across the screen.

Abstract: A method of setting a password and a method of authenticating a password in a portable device having a small number of operation buttons. The method of setting a password includes: determining whether there is an input through the operating of an operation button within a predetermined time; displaying a symbol of the operated operation button, when there is an input through the operating of an operation button within the predetermined time; and setting displayed symbols as a password required for using the portable device, when there is an input through the operating of an operation button for representing an end of an input of symbols. Accordingly, the password can be set by operating operation buttons in the portable device having no text or number buttons. Authentication of a password can be performed by using the set password.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus that controls reproduction of first content and second content to simultaneously reproduce the contents is disclosed. The information processing apparatus includes: first reproduction control means for controlling reproduction of the first content; selecting means for selecting, from first metadata attached to the first content, first theme metadata representing a theme of the first content and the second content to be reproduced; second reproduction control means for controlling reproduction of the second content when the first theme metadata and second metadata attached to the second content are the same; and comparing means for comparing second theme metadata selected by the selecting means from metadata of the second metadata different from the first theme metadata and third metadata attached to third content, wherein the first reproduction control means controls reproduction of the third content when the second theme metadata and the third metadata are the same.

Abstract: A method for managing toolbar on a web page includes the steps of: separating a web page into a toolbar area (1) and a content area (2); registering a function button (3) in the content area by means of registering an identification of the function button; creating an image icon (4) in the toolbar area, the image icon corresponding to the registered function button; and mapping the registered function button to the image icon, thereby functions of the registered function button can be executed by clicking the image icon. A related system is also provided.

Abstract: A system integrates standards-defined multimedia storage system and an Internet browser. In one example, Universal Resource Locator (URL) information corresponding to web sites accessible by the browser is stored in fields within the DVD data. When a user actuates a DVD element that has a corresponding URL, the web browser displays information from that site. When the user actuates an HTML menu or other browser-implemented feature, the DVD system accesses a portion of the DVD data specified in the menu. This arrangement provides for two-way communication, i.e., HTML in the browser is able to control DVD content and vice-versa. Having WWW information embedded in the DVD brings a number of benefits, the foremost of which is the ability to write a “one size fits all” template web page that can interrogate the DVD for URL information and present WWW content corresponding to the URL synchronized with the DVD information.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a user may be prompted to “view changes” associated with a document after electing to close the document without having saved.

Abstract: A portable multifunction device, method, and graphical user interface for providing maps and directions is disclosed.

Abstract: A technique is provided for identifying user accessible content items, organizing the content items by characteristics of the content items and providing a graphical representation of the content items to the user based on the characteristics. A path may be traced within the graph and a playlist of the content items may be provided based on a proximity of the representations of each of the content items to the traced path. The path may have a starting point and content items positioned closer along the path to the starting point may be provided higher up on the playlist than content items positioned farther along the path from the starting point. The content items may be rendered in an order determined by the order of the content items provided on the playlist.

Abstract: A method for providing a menu and a multimedia device using the method are provided. The method for providing a menu includes converting a menu set including at least one icon displayed on a touch screen into a manipulation set including at least one manipulation icon used to input a command relating to the use of content. Therefore, the method provides for a more easily manipulated menu, which is displayed with superior visual effect on a screen that is relatively small in size by using the menu set capable of conversion into the manipulation set.

Abstract: A handheld device has a memory for storing a plurality of software applications and a processor for running concurrently at least two of the applications, a one of them defining an active application. First and second buttons on the device are adapted to advance a one of the running applications to the active application. According to a method, (which may be configured by code in each of at least some of the software applications), the processor is configured to display a first menu in response to an input from the first button where the first menu has at least one menu item for prompting a user to a second menu showing a list of running applications. The processor is further configured to navigate the menus in response to input from the second button and advance to the active application a one of the running applications selected from the second menu.

Abstract: A method for securely entering critical data in a computing device with a keypad, a keypad memory buffer, and a display, the keypad including a layout of keys. The method includes prompting a user to enter critical data into the computing device; generating a virtual keypad having substantially the same layout of keys as the layout on the keypad, with the keys in a random organization; displaying the virtual keypad on the display to the user; prompting the user to enter the critical data per the virtual keypad; receiving inputted data from the keys of the keypad in the keypad memory buffer; mapping the inputted data from the keys of the keypad memory buffer to the keys of the virtual keypad to determine the critical data entered via the virtual keypad, whereby the data read from the keypad memory buffer by any intruding application would not be the critical data; and supplying the critical data for further processing.

Abstract: A display type input system is installed in a vehicle as an input machine. The display type input system displays various button selection determination screens of a menu screen, a destination setting screen, an audio setting screen, etc., on a display in the vehicle and allows the user to move a button focus on the display with a remote input device distant from the display to select and determine any desired item button, thereby causing the vehicle to execute the vehicle-installed function responsive to the button. A determination button operated by the user to determine the selected item button is laid out for the screens.

Abstract: A workstation for a surveillance system comprising a display, a user input device and a control unit in communication with the display and the user input device. The user input device has a plurality of keys and a light source to light the keys with a plurality of different colors. The control unit generates an image on the display that has a plurality of differently colored icons with each of the icons symbolizing a function to be performed by the control unit. The control unit generates a control signal to the user input device causing the light source to light the plurality of keys in the user input device in colors to correspond to the colors of the icons in the image on the display. The control unit performs the control function corresponding to a particular icon from the plurality of differently colored icons when a user activates a key from the plurality keys having the color that corresponds to the color of the particular icon.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a recording media recorded with data of a plurality of buttons configuring a group arranged at a same position and selectively executed, each of the plurality of buttons is one of a button for use in an operator screen for prompting a user for an operation including a button image shifting between three states of a normal state, a selected state, and an execution state and a button in which a shift is automatically made from a selected state to an execution state to execute a command, the plurality of buttons including, a first button, and a second button and a third button that belong to the group to which the first button belongs, the second button and the third button each including a flag indicative of automatic transition from a selected state to an execution state.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring a plurality of graphics pipelines in a computer graphical display system is disclosed. The method comprises displaying a graphical user interface to enable a user to graphically specify at least one parameter for a plurality of pipe rectangles of the computer graphical display system, each of the plurality of pipe rectangles being associated with at least one of the plurality of graphics pipelines, receiving the at least one parameter, and updating a compositor of the computer graphical display system in real-time based at least in part on the at least one parameter.