Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and a method for enabling access to a plurality of activities. The apparatus includes a processor for controlling the apparatus; and a communications module coupled to the processor for connecting the apparatus to a data network. The communications module may connect to the data network wirelessly. The plurality of activities may include, for example, consuming media content, carrying out e-shopping, playing video games, carrying out communications and so forth.

Abstract: A user interface (UI) includes floating action buttons. Respective hot zones are established for associated respective UI elements. When a focus is targeting (e.g., located at) a given hot zone, one or more floating action buttons that are associated therewith are presented as part of the UI. Activation of a particular action button of the one or more floating action buttons causes an action corresponding to the particular action button to be implemented. In an example implementation, the actions available through the one or more floating action buttons may be context-sensitive such that the actions thereof are tailored to the type of item corresponding to the UI element (e.g., an icon, a graphical element, a text portion, a screen area, etc.).

Abstract: The present invention proposes methods, devices and computer program products for searching items relating to location information and a search key. Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising: a reception unit configured to receive a reception signal from another apparatus, said reception signal comprising location information and a search key; a processing unit configured to determine a search area from said location information, and determine a list of at least one of a plurality of items stored in a database from said search key, said items being associated to said search area and to at least one of categories, said categories being contained in separate category structures each of which comprises a plurality of hierarchical dependent categories; and a transmission unit configured to transmit a transmission signal to said other apparatus, said transmission signal comprising data of said search area and said list of items.

Abstract: An information processing device includes: an information acquisition process control unit for selecting an information piece to be selected and sending an instruction to a communication unit; the communication unit for transmitting an information acquisition request to other information processing device connected via a network, and acquiring information from the other information processing device according to the instruction; and a storage unit storing a display amount information indicating the amount of display information which can be displayed on a display unit at once. The information acquisition process control unit instructs the communication unit to acquire more information than the amount indicated by the display amount information. This realizes an effective information acquisition and appropriate user-friendliness.

Abstract: A system that displays content on a computer display. During operation, the system displays the content items within a display area on the computer display, wherein content items surrounding a current point of interest are displayed within a visible region of the display area. If the visible region has insufficient space to display some of the content items, the system selects a portion of the content items to be collapsed. Next, the system collapses the selected content items into one or more folds within the display area, wherein a fold is a compact representation of a contiguous group of adjacent content items and is located in place of the contiguous group of adjacent content items. For each fold, the system then displays a summary of the collapsed content items in the fold.

Abstract: Certain implementations of the disclosed technology may include systems and methods for enhanced function access in mobile applications. According to an example implementation, a method is provided. The method includes outputting an application selection screen including one or more icons. The method includes receiving an indication of a first gesture input entered at a first location of a presence-sensitive display, the first location being associated with a first icon from the one or more icons. The method also includes outputting an indication of the one or more predefined functions of the application associated with the first icon, and responsive to a selection, executing the selected at least one of the one or more predefined functions without outputting the respective primary application user interface for the application associated with the first icon.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method is provided for displaying data arrays in a graphical user interface. In this method, a first data array and a second data array are accessed. Here, the second data array is nested in the first data array. The first data array comprises first data elements and the second data array comprises second data elements. A hierarchical tree structure of the first and second data arrays is constructed where the first data array is ranked higher than the second data array in the hierarchical tree structure based on the nesting of the second data array in the first data array. An arrangement of the first and second data elements is displayed in the graphical user interface, where the arrangement is based on the hierarchical tree structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying notification settings on a mobile electronic device is provided, the mobile electronic device comprising a processing unit, a display, a memory, an input device, and at least one notification device. It is determined that the at least one notification device has been activated using a given notification setting. A menu list is responsively changed to include a notification setting change option, the menu list associated with the input device and stored in the memory, such that when the input device is activated, the display is controlled by the processing unit to provide a representation of the menu list such that the notification setting option can be selected and the given notification setting changed.

Abstract: An audio apparatus contains a plurality of playable files stored in a database and organized in folders. The folders can be listed in a manner understandable at a glance even when viewed on a small display area and when the hierarchical structure shows a minimum level of detail. A folder selection section selects a folder from a database, and a directly-under-folder detection section detects if a playable file exists directly under a folder selected. A folder-under-folder detection section detects if a playable file exists directly under any folder located under the selected folder assuming no playable file exists directly under the selected folder.

Abstract: The subject disclosure pertains to systems and methods for providing an improved user interface for mobile devices. Access to data and services from multiple software applications can be provided through a group or list of items. Each group or list can include multiple items, which can be associated with data or tasks from multiple applications. The set of groups of items can be both customizable and extensible to allow users to locate and utilize data and tasks relevant to the particular user. The set of item groups can provide users with a filtered view of content available through the mobile device, enhancing access to subset of data and tasks available on the mobile device.

Abstract: A system including a remote control device and an electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device provides a user interface that includes a first level menu and a second level menu. The first level menu includes several first level menu items, and the second level menu includes several second level menu items. The electronic device includes an associating module to associate one of the first level menu items and one of the second level menu items that are selected through the remote control device, with a control signal from the remote control device. A user can move a selection box between two associated menu items through the remote control device.

Abstract: A method of inputting a character to a computing unit. The method comprises capturing a stroke drawn by a user in relation to a reference zone, identifying a combination of a shape and a relative position of the stroke in relation to the reference zone, automatically selecting one of a plurality of characters from according the combination, and providing the selected character as an input to the computing unit from the user.

Abstract: A graphical user interface for a display devised for presentation of hierarchical information includes a first menu field carrying a list of menu items, at least one of the menu items indicating a submenu field which is expandable within the first menu field. A graphical layer effect is applied to an expanded submenu field such that the submenu field is displayed as an underlying layer to the first menu field.

Abstract: A food ordering terminal assembly for ordering selected food items from available items includes a processing unit for processing food orders. A memory unit is electrically connected to the processing unit for storing data therein. An input device is electrically connected to the processing unit to enter the food order for selected food items. A display is operatively connected to the processing unit to display the available items, the selected food items, and a tally of costs associated with the selected food items. The display includes a first display portion for displaying the tally costs and a second display portion for displaying the available items. The first display portion is fixed with respect to the display. A second display portion moves across the display not occupied by the first display portion.

Abstract: Provided is a display apparatus including a display panel and a display frame to support the display panel. The display apparatus including an input unit, provided on the exterior surface of the display apparatus, for outputting a contact detection signal when a user contacts the input unit; a signal processor for generating a function adjustment user interface (UI) menu to be displayed on the display panel; and a controller for controlling the signal processor to display the function adjustment UI menu corresponding to the user's contact through the input unit when the user's contact is detected based on a detection result of the input unit. Thus, provided is a display apparatus which improves accessibility to a function adjustment UI menu, simplifies a manipulation process of the function adjustment UI menu, and enables a user to quickly and easily access a desired adjustment item when the function adjustment UI menu is displayed, and a control method thereof.

Abstract: A mobile terminal and a method of displaying a menu thereof are provided. The method includes displaying a list of upper-level menus in an order on a display screen, displaying a first upper-level menu at an upper end of the display panel, a second upper-level menu that is next to the first upper-level menu in the order at a lower end of the display screen, and lower-level menus of the first upper-level menu in a list between the first upper-level menu and the second upper-level menu in response to selection of the first upper-level menu from the list of upper-level menus, and executing a selected lower-level menu in response to selection of one of the lower-level menus.

Abstract: A computing device includes a display screen, where the computing device is configured to display on the screen a menu listing one or more applications, and to display on the screen an application summary that can be reached directly from the menu, where the application summary displays a limited list of data offered within the one or more applications, each of the data in the list being selectable to launch the respective application and enable the selected data to be seen within the respective application, and where the application summary is displayed while the one or more applications are in an un-launched state.

Abstract: A method including presenting one or more tabs on a display of a device corresponding to media content screens, presenting one or more media content items in a media content screen upon selection of a corresponding one of the one or more tabs, the one or more media content items being presented in at least one of scrollable rows and columns, including minimized content information with some of the media content items and including intermediate content information with other media content items and changing at least the intermediate content information to detailed content information corresponding to a selected one of the content items.

Abstract: The sprocket shaped menu accepts selections of information from the menu, where selecting an item in the menu causes other parts of the look of the menu to change. In one embodiment, this can cause a break in the menu which shows a preview. In another embodiment, touching an item on the menu can cause an automatic update of the other items unless those other items have been automatically updated within a predetermined time before, such as within 15 minutes.

Abstract: A method in a UI of a process control system is disclosed. The UI is configured to be displayed on an electronic visual display unit connectable to the process control system. The UI is adapted to visually indicate a plurality of components included in at least a part of a process controlled by the process control system. At least one sub-UI, such as a faceplate, is generated, each sub-UI corresponding to a respective component of the plurality of components. The at least one sub-UI is displayed on the display unit. Each of the at least one sub-UI is adapted such that a number of operation information and/or control elements visually indicated in each sub-UI when the at least one sub-UI is displayed on the display unit depends on the number of sub-UIs that are displayed on the display unit at the same time. Furthermore, such a UI is disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for a computer implemented display of information organizes a visual screen display to a user in such a way that the user is able to efficiently select information content, and then be presented with topical associations relating to that content. The display enables selection of a particular information segment having an association with particular information content. A selected information segment has multiple topical associations with various categories and sub-categories of information. A user may navigate to a particular segment of information content, and then be presented with a string of topically related segments, as well as with one or more connecting categories of information, which may otherwise not have been readily apparent to the particular selected segment, but for the display system and method. One or more of the information segment indicators can optionally include a publication date and/or a source identifier.

Abstract: An application can generate multiple user interfaces for display across multiple electronic devices. After the electronic devices establish communication, an application running on at least one of the devices can present a first set of information items on a touch-enabled display of one of the electronic devices. The electronic device can receive a user selection of one of the first set of information items. In response to receiving the user selection, the application can generate a second set of information items for display on the other electronic device. The second set of information items can represent an additional level of information related to the selected information item.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying a set of hierarchical menu items is disclosed. Each menu item may be associated with at least one sub-item and/or with content data. Each sub-item may be associated with content data for display upon selection of the sub-item. The system simultaneously displays each menu item in a list format. Upon selection of one of the menu items, the system displays each sub-item associated with the selected menu item. For any selected sub-item, the system displays the display data associated with the selected sub-item and stores data indicating that the selected sub-item is the most recently-selected sub-item associated with the selected menu item. When any menu item is selected, the system determines the most recently-selected sub-item (if any) associated with the selected menu item and displays the display data associated with the most recently-selected sub-item.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating use of electronic cards to represent and access computing objects via a mobile device. The example method includes graphically representing a first computing object via one or more electronic cards positioned in a first stack of electronic cards; providing a first user option to spread the stack of electronic cards, yielding spread cards; providing a second user option to select an electronic card from among the spread cards to trigger display of detailed data associated with the card; and providing a third user option to approve or reject an approval item associated with the card in response to user selection of the second user option. In a more specific embodiment, various card stack attributes, such as quantity of cards, type, and so on, may be illustrated graphically, such as via variations in stack depth, color coding, and so on.

Abstract: A system and method for example method for displaying enterprise data via a user interface display. An example method includes providing a first user option to select enterprise data to be displayed, yielding selected data in response thereto; employing a capsule to present a visualization or infographic characterizing at least a portion of the selected data; and providing a second user option to flip or rotate the capsule, thereby displaying additional enterprise data that is related to or representative of the selected data or portion thereof. In a specific embodiment, the first user option includes a slider bar that enables a user to specify a time frame to filter the enterprise data.

Abstract: An improved method for controlling menu content on an electronic communication device. In one embodiment, the method for controlling menu content can comprise storing in a memory one or more selections and a context, associating each of the context with one or more of the selections, comparing the context to a condition, determining the condition is outside a parameter, and removing each selection associated with the context from a menu hierarchy. In this method, the condition is relating to an electronic device. The context can comprise the parameter. The menu hierarchy is displayable on a screen of the electronic device.

Abstract: A method for controlling a domestic appliance, said domestic appliance having a display with a first portion and a second portion, a controller, and at least one user input component, the method comprising: displaying a menu in the first portion, detecting user input associated with a first parameter of said menu with the at least one user input component, displaying a first submenu in the second portion, detecting user input associated with a first parameter value of said first submenu with the at least one user input component, displaying the first parameter value in the menu in the first portion, and displaying a second submenu associated with a second parameter in the second portion.

Abstract: The present technique relates to a display control device, a display control method, and a program that are capable of making inputtable gesture motions easy to notice. A display control unit causes a display unit to display a gesture motion guide in a first state. When a detecting unit for detecting gesture motions detects a predetermined gesture motion, the display control unit changes the guide corresponding to the detected gesture motion to a second state and then causes the display unit to display the guide. The technique according to this disclosure can be applied to an information processing terminal that includes a display unit, for example.

Abstract: A region menu is used to easily access menu items. Generally, the region menu includes a number of regions with associated menus that are located close to an initial mouse position from where the region menu is evoked. Hovering over any of the regions of the region menu displays the menu item that is associated with the region. Additionally, hovering over a menu item within one of the regions of the displayed region menu may activate a live preview showing a projected result of what would occur should that menu item be selected. During a live preview, a portion of the region menu becomes translucent such that content beneath the menu becomes visible.

Abstract: An embodiment of a graphical user interface for specifying an item order includes a graphical order generator arranged in a geometric pattern. The graphical order generator may include an order input tool including a category section for displaying a plurality of inter-dependent dynamically filtered category indicators arranged in a sequential and user-modifiable hierarchy, and an option section for displaying a plurality of selectable option indicators associated with a category indicator. The category indicator may include a graphical representation of an active state or incomplete state before selection of an option indicator, and a graphical representation of a complete state after selection of the option indicator.

Abstract: A method for use in replaying actions performed by a user of a software application. An input signal indicating an action performed by the user is received from a user input interface. Computer-executable instructions corresponding to the input signal are executed by a processor. An input event associated with the human-readable statements is stored in a memory device. Application object code corresponding to the human-readable statements may later be executed to replay the input event. In addition, an application state representing one or more variables of the software application may be stored.

Abstract: Exemplary user interface enhancements for media content access systems and methods are described herein. An exemplary method includes a media content access system launching a graphical user interface for display, the graphical user interface initially including a graphical representation of a channel guide comprising a grid matrix of channel icons representing a plurality of media content channels through which media content is accessible by the media content access system and a graphical representation of an advertisement displayed together with the channel guide in the graphical user interface, detecting a user navigation event within the channel guide displayed in the graphical user interface, and replacing, in response to the user navigation event, the graphical representation of the advertisement with a graphical representation of content specific to a media content channel within the plurality of media content channels. Corresponding user interfaces, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing an accessible menu navigation mode in electronic computing devices. The user can engage a manual reading mode, using a manual reading mode activation gesture, wherein the user may navigate through content, share content, or change reading rate, font, volume, or other device settings. The user may navigate through a menu structure using menu navigation gestures and the menu and sub-menu options may be read aloud to the user as they are navigated through. A selection gesture may allow the user to enable or adjust various menu and sub-menu options, and an earcon or sound effect may guide the navigation process and/or confirm a menu selection. The user may configure the navigation gestures and option selection gestures. The menu options may be structured to allow a user to access content navigation options with upward swipe gestures and access device settings using downward swipe gestures.

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.

Abstract: A method and system for rendering electronic document objects is provided in which a style matrix holds potential attribute values, and attribute references are used to address values in the style matrix. A mix of attribute references and actual attribute values may be used to make some attributes theme- and application-specific, and others theme- and application-independent. Further, a method for rendering a gallery of potential styles is provided. Additionally, a method for associating a style matrix with an electronic document application is provided. Finally, a computer-readable medium for storing a computer-interpretable data structure that identifies a matrix of style attribute types and style attribute values is provided.

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.

Abstract: A method in a user interface, according to one embodiment, allows for the docking of window panels within a software application. A palette in the user interface can, in this embodiment, have three states: (i) the palette is open within a window panel; (ii) the palette is docked as a tab; and (iii) the palette is open in a area connected to the tab. User actions through the user interface can control transitions among these three states. Other methods are described, and systems and computer readable storage media are also described.

Abstract: Methods and systems receive a service name, a service description, and/or operational steps of a service being registered. A first menu of previously established service class choices is provided in ranked order based on the service name, service description, and/or operational steps. Similarly, second and third menus of previously established class input/output mappings to inputs and outputs (required and produced by the operational steps of the service being registered) is presented in a ranked order, based on similar input/outputs of the selected service class. A fourth menu of previously established class transformations is provided in ranked order based on the similarity of inputs and outputs required for the operational steps of the service being registered, and inputs and outputs of the selected service class. The service is registered based on the selected service class, the selected class input mappings, the selected class output mappings, and the selected transformations.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for operating a list in a handheld device. An exemplary method can be provided by first monitoring a list and acquiring list touch initial information and then determining whether the acquired list touch initial information is multi-area touch information. When the acquired list touch initial information is determined to be the multi-area touch information, list touch final information can be acquired and stored. Based on the acquired list touch initial information and the list touch final information, whether a list operation is an expansion operation or a contraction operation is then determined. The list is expanded, when the expansion operation is determined. The list is collapsed, when the contraction operation is determined. The disclosed methods and devices can improve using experiences for users and improve use performance of the handheld device.

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.

Abstract: A method of providing a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and a display device employing the same are provided. The method includes generating a three-dimensional (3D) GUI configured to display respective menus on a base face and at least one side face bordering the base face; displaying a menu of the base face on a screen; and upon detection of a user's movement through vision recognition with the menu of the base face being displayed, displaying at least one face that corresponds to a direction of the user's movement and displaying data on the at least one face.

Abstract: A method for displaying a sub menu in a terminal and a terminal using the same is provided. The method includes displaying an item and a corresponding indicator for the item, receiving a touch input selecting the item according to the indicator, and displaying a related item to the item when receiving a touch gesture consecutive to the touch input.

Abstract: A hierarchical grid (H-Grid) is used to select a customer name after preliminary navigation has been performed. The preliminary navigation serves to identify an action, category or type of page to process or display data associated with the selected customer name. The H-Grid can be used in various ways as a replacement for, enhancement or addition to, key or query-based searching to retrieve a page or perform an action. In a particular example, the H-Grid includes customer names that have data available for display according to a form associated with a selected action or category. When the user clicks a customer name in the H-Grid a current form is populated with the customer's data. Subsequent navigation to other pages of data are populated with the currently selected customer name. This approach can replace the requirement of having the user to perform a search or query to identify the customer name or record.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a method that defines several menu items having a particular order. The method provides a display area for displaying a portion of the menu items in the particular order. The method provides a selection window in the display area for indicating that a menu item is presently selectable. The display area is also for receiving input to (i) scroll the menu items through the selection window in the particular order and (ii) select a particular menu item when the particular menu item is displayed in the selection window. In some embodiments, the display area is a linear display area, while in some embodiments it is a semi-circular display area or other shape.

Abstract: A stereoscopic user interface displayed on a display module of an electronic device is disclosed. The stereoscopic user interface includes a polyhedron which has a plurality of regions. Each of the regions displays different information. When one of the regions receives a first command, the region moves to a first position from the polyhedron. The first position is connected to the polyhedron or apart from the polyhedron. A displaying method of a stereoscopic user interface is also disclosed.

Abstract: In the present invention, the object is to cause the user to easily understand entire image of operation menus having a hierarchical structure and to improve a searchability to search a desired operation menu and an operability, in order to solve the problem, an electronic device is provided, that displays on a display, tree-shaped menus in which a plurality of operation menus having a hierarchical structure, and indicating operation content respectively, are disposed in a tree shape, and is capable of enlargement and reduction of the tree-shaped menus.

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.

Abstract: An image is selected from a plurality of non-selected images, an evaluation value is stored for each value of attribute information of a selected image (cluster) which is selected by the selection unit, and when an image is selected by the selection unit, a presentation priority of the non-selected images is determined based on a value of the attribute information of the non-selected images not selected by the selection unit so that the evaluation values are even.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a mobile terminal including: an application processor configured to execute application having first mode and second mode, wherein the first mode includes first number of menus and the second mode includes second number of menus smaller than that of the first mode; a mode selection unit configured to input mode switching instruction; and a transition control unit configured to switch one of the first and second modes to another mode within the same application if the mode selection unit is operated.

Abstract: A method of presenting media content includes receiving a command to present multiple image cells to a first device of a first user after an alert is sent to a second device associated with the first user. The method also includes sending a first view including multiple image cells to the first device of the first user, where at least one cell of the multiple image cells includes an image. The method further includes automatically collecting a second image from a third party website and sending a second view to the first device. The second view includes the multiple image cells having the image and includes the second image.