Abstract: A method for servicing field devices. The servicing of field devices occurs via at least one service unit and corresponding device driver comprehensively describing the field devices, wherein the method comprises method steps as follows: a user is provided on a display a menu structure with a plurality of different menus, wherein the menus describe properties of the field device and/or of the process, in which the field device is installed; the user selects a successive individual menu, which are required for the particular application; the menu elements predetermined by the menu are made available; the user selects from the menu elements those, which are suited for the particular application and configures a user-defined menu structure for the corresponding field device; the configured user-defined menu structure is stored, and, based on the user defined menu structure, the field device is serviced via the device driver associated with the field device.

Abstract: The present invention provides enhanced dropdown selection lists and combination boxes. A method in accordance with an embodiment includes: providing a graphical user interface (GUI) control that displays a dropdown list when actuated, and displaying indicia in the GUI control indicating a number of entries in the dropdown list, wherein a user can visually determine from the indicia the number of entries in the dropdown list prior to display of the dropdown list. A method in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention includes: providing a GUI control having an entry field; and displaying indicia in the GUI control indicating whether the entry field of the GUI control is writable, wherein a user can visually determine from the indicia whether the entry field of the GUI control is writable before placing a cursor in the entry field.

Abstract: A personalized content manager is disclosed. The personalized content manager comprises an apparatus, system, method, and computer readable medium that includes or performs the steps of receiving input regarding the filtering of broadband content, filtering the broadband content with one or more content categories based on the filtering input, filtering the content with one or more of a plurality of content sources based on the filtering input, and generating a personalized content management interface screen that includes a list of titles of the filtered content.

Abstract: An output apparatus capable of grouping menu items is configured for operation of a portable terminal into items with similar functions and outputting the grouped items. The apparatus includes an output management unit for determining sub-menu items included in a selected menu item when a user selects the menu item and determining sub-menu items having correlation with the selected menu item and a controller for outputting the sub-menu items determined by the output management unit together.

Abstract: An electronic device having an on screen display (OSD) and a method for generating the OSD are described, for generating an OSD in an electronic device, so as to reduce the display area of the OSD. The method comprises the steps of selecting a function menu, and drawing a display layer of the function menu and a display layer of each function item in the function menu on a display frame of a display; selecting a function item from the current function menu; only drawing the display layer of the selected function item and removing the display layers of the unselected ones; and when the selected function item further includes another function menu, drawing a display layer of each function item in the function menu.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method of displaying a cascading menu that includes a plurality of submenus. The method determines a first submenu as indicated for browsing by a user based on a clicking event of the user. When an operation interface of the first submenu is in a collapsed mode, a number of submenus that are currently in an expanded mode within an operation interface of the cascading menu is counted. When the number of submenus that are currently in the expanded mode reaches a defined threshold, at least a second submenu is selected from the submenus that are currently in the expanded mode, and an operation interface of the second submenu is shrunk. The operation interface of the first submenu is expanded. Therefore, a size of the operation interface of the cascading menu will not increase as the number of the expanded submenus increases. As such, the amount of a page space occupied by the cascading menu is reduced and utilization of the page space is improved.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for playing multimedia contents are provided. The method includes if a multimedia contents file providing the multimedia contents is loaded, detecting contents menus for controlling the multimedia contents from the multimedia contents file and displaying the contents menus; and if a specific contents menu is selected from the contents menus, providing a contents service corresponding to the selected contents menu.

Abstract: An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) context-aware user interface may be provided. A task list comprising a plurality of objectives may be displayed. Upon receiving a selection of at least one of the plurality of objectives, a context state may be updated according to the selected at least one objective. A suggestion list comprising a plurality of tags associated with the selected at least one objective may then be displayed.

Abstract: A mobile terminal including a display configured to display a first keypad in a first display portion and to display information input using the first keypad in a second display portion, a sensing unit configured to detect a touch and drag action on the first keypad displayed in the first display portion, and a controller configured to change the first keypad displayed in the first display portion to a second keypad that is different from the first keypad when the detected touch and drag action is determined to be more than a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A method for operating a user interface for switching between computer applications is provided. The method may include displaying first, second and third navigation controls. The first navigation control may include entity selectors, the second navigation control may include application selectors, and the third navigation control may include sub-application selectors. The application selectors may be associated with the entities in the first navigation control and the sub-application selectors may be associated with the application selectors. An application associated with sub-application selector may be launched upon selecting the sub-application selector. The state of an application may be stored and retrieved upon switching between applications so as to enable fast switching between applications.

Abstract: Instead of the “all or nothing” prior art approaches of using decision trees or document prose, embodiments of the invention may provide a visualization method of viewing specific branches of a decision tree, to visualize “consequential” knowledge, which represent one particular thought process. Embodiments of the invention enable the creation of an Option Outline (which may also be termed a “consequential knowledge outline”) which allows for the visualization and manipulation of multiple “trails of thought” which provides context to previous decisions, transparency into the thought process of predicted outcomes or decisions, voting on choices, and a visual method of conflict resolution.

Abstract: Improved graphical user interfaces suitable for reviewing, browsing, previewing and/or purchasing media items are also disclosed. The graphical user interfaces are suitable for reviewing or browsing numerous media items. The graphical user interfaces are also suitable for previewing or purchasing media items in an on-line manner. The graphical user interfaces are particularly useful for a system that provides purchase and distribution of media in a client-server environment.

Abstract: An improved user interface is provided for displaying a gallery of images showing different formatting options combinations that may be applied to a selected object. When a particular image is selected an associated formatting options combination is automatically applied to the selected object.

Abstract: A method and program that improves the efficiency of menu tree visualisation and navigation in graphical user interfaces. Menu items are displayed as call-out shaped objects each made up of a call-out bubble and its leading arm. The leading arm connects the call-out bubble with the higher level menu item, the context-menu reference point or any other reference point on the user-interface screen. Menu lists are displayed as sets of similar-sized call-out shapes, which can be arranged in a variety of ways. A menu item can be selected by selecting either the leading arm or the call-out bubble of a call-out shape. The selection of a menu item through the selection of its leading arm significantly reduces the distance over which the pointer has to be moved for menu tree navigation. This is because the leading arm of each of the call-out shapes in any menu item list is close to the pointer's position immediately following the preceding selection process.

Abstract: In a method for displaying menus on a storage automation library, a user's input to the library is processed and, in response thereto, either 1) a menu derived from a local menu structure is displayed, or 2) a remote menu mode is activated. Between activation and deactivation of the remote menu mode, the library waits for a remote host to return remote menu data. A method by which a remote host retrieves the status of such an indicator, and apparatus for implementing these and other related methods, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a user interface over a display screen of a cellularly communicative electronic device are disclosed. One such method can include the steps of: (i) concurrently providing on a first display screen, a first menu level providing one or more functional groupings and a second menu level providing one or more choices within at least one of the functional groupings; (ii) permitting a user to advance a cursor freely across the first menu level and the second menu level to select a desired choice within the one or more choices; and (iii) providing at least a second display screen in response to the selection of the desired choice, wherein a dynamic key assignment is displayed for a key included in a device keypad and wherein the dynamic key assignment is a function of the desired choice.

Abstract: The present invention enables a focus to be moved easily among focus items in different frames when frames are displayed. To do so, the last focused item in an in-frame document once activated is stored (S11) and, when a frame movement event is caused by a focus movement operation (S12, Yes), the focus is moved to a focus item stored for a new frame (S13). If the stored focus item is not in the display area of the frame, the focus is moved preferably to a predetermined (for example, the first) focus item in the display area. Operation means for the focus movement operation may be used with frame switching means for switching the active frame among frames.

Abstract: A method of controlling a mobile terminal, and which includes allowing, via a wireless communication unit on the mobile terminal, wireless communication with at least one other terminal; displaying, on a first side of a touch screen display of the mobile terminal, a sound icon indicating whether or not a sound is output by the mobile terminal; receiving, via a controller, a touching selection signal indicating a touching of the sound icon; displaying, on the touch screen display, a first indicator corresponding to the sound icon on a second side of the touch screen display and separated from the sound icon, said first indicator indicating a direction in which a touch and drag operation should occur to turn off the sound output by the mobile terminal; receiving, via the controller, a touch and drag selection signal indicating a dragging operation along a vector from the sound icon toward an intersection with the first indicator; and turning off, via the controller, the sound output by the mobile terminal after

Abstract: The present invention provides ways for application programs to allow users to dynamically update data that is presented in a GUI element. In one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided that receives a command when a GUI element is displayed for the purpose of updating one or more data item(s) presented in the GUI element. In response to receiving the command, the method causes the updated data to be obtained from the user and stored in a database. Then the GUI element is “refreshed” so that the updated data is available in the GUI element for selection by the user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for scrollable cross point navigation on a user interface in order to select a feature by combining object fields. Bars where at least one of them is scrollable, have object fields which overlap and combine each other when scrolled or put to a visible focus area in the user interface at the cross point of the bars. Object fields in the focus area select a feature connected to a combination of fields, which is chosen by a confirmation action.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a user interface over a display screen of a cellularly communicative electronic device are disclosed. One such method can include the steps of: (i) concurrently providing on a first display screen, a first menu level providing one or more functional groupings and a second menu level providing one or more choices within at least one of the functional groupings; (ii) permitting a user to advance a cursor freely across the first menu level and the second menu level to select a desired choice within the one or more choices; and (iii) providing at least a second display screen in response to the selection of the desired choice, wherein a dynamic key assignment is displayed for a key included in a device keypad and wherein the dynamic key assignment is a function of the desired choice.

Abstract: A method for producing healthcare data records from graphical inputs by computer users. Includes generating a plurality of user input categories, displaying on a graphical display icons that correspond to a first of the user input categories and receiving a first user selection of a first icon of the plurality of icons, and displaying on the graphical display a plurality of icons that correspond to a second of the user input categories and receiving a second user selection of a second icon of the plurality of icons. The method also includes displaying icons that correspond to a physical target on which the medical action or observation is performed and receiving a third user selection of the physical target, and applying a syntax to populate a data record of the action using the at least two of the first, second, and third user selections.

Abstract: Selectable objects in a computer display are arranged in a cascading menu including parent menu and submenu objects in which an activation area is provided in association with each submenu displayed which spans between the submenu and the associated parent menu object. The activation area provides the function of maintaining display of a submenu associated with a selected parent menu object while the cursor remains in contact with the activation area. An override function is provided to minimize trapping of the cursor within the activation area. The shape of the activation area is generally triangular with opposing side edges extending from an apex and the parent object being curved inwardly towards one another to also minimize trapping. The characteristics of the activation area can also be varied according to user motion patterns.

Abstract: A method of guiding a menu, including storing route information generated based on hierarchical relationships of menus according to a tree structure, and displaying menu items using an on screen display and displaying a location and a function of a menu a user would like to find through a simulated menu using route information.

Abstract: A user interface for improving document layout on arbitrary devices of different resolutions and size using manifold representations of content. Manifold representations of content are: multiple versions of anything that might appear in a document, from text, to images, to even such things as stylistic conventions. The specific content is selected and formatted dynamically, on the fly, by a layout engine in order to best adapt to a given viewing situation. A user interface for authoring and editing such manifold content is disclosed.

Abstract: A method, system and article of manufacture for database management and, more particularly, for managing multiple information management tools in a data processing system. One embodiment provides a method of managing multiple information management tools in a data processing system. The method comprises displaying, on a display device, a user interface of a toolkit configured for managing the multiple information management tools, the user interface comprising a plurality of selectable operations applicable to information management tools, receiving a user selection of an operation of the plurality of selectable operations, and applying the selected operation to at least one of the information management tools.

Abstract: A method of operating a mobile terminal is presented. The method includes displaying a list comprising at least one item on a display module, displaying a first display screen showing a content of a first item on the display module when the first item is selected from the list, and displaying the list to overlap the first display screen when the list is subsequently selected to be displayed, wherein the display list screen overlapping the first display screen is at least partially transparent allowing the first display screen to be seen through the list.

Abstract: An integrated digital device and a displaying method are provided. The integrated digital device includes a display unit displaying a plurality of setup information items. A plurality of input keys positioned in the vicinity of the plurality of setup information items, respectively, are displayed on the display unit. A mode input unit selecting one among a plurality of modes in which different digital device functions are performed and a modifier modifying at least one of the setup information items according to at least one among the mode selected by the mode input unit and an input from at least one of the input keys.

Abstract: Visual feedback may be provided. First, a continuous contact with a first point on a surface may be detected. The surface may comprise, for example, a touch screen or a touch pad. The continuous contact may be caused by a selecting element comprising, for example, a stylus or a digit of a subject. Then a menu may be displayed in response to the detected continuous contact. The menu may comprise a plurality of menu selectable elements. Next it may be detected that the continuous contact has moved from the first point on the surface to a second point on the surface. The second point may correspond to a one of the plurality of menu selectable elements. Then a control may be displayed corresponding the one of the plurality of menu selectable elements.

Abstract: A user interface presents a plurality of items configured as a stack in a display of a device. The stack is scrollable in a direction oblique to a plane of the display for successively viewing the items in the stack. Some implementations provide multiple stacks of items laterally navigable into a viewable area of the display.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for providing a user interface for content browsing and selection in a content system. Embodiments include: gathering available content information related to particular items of content from at least one source of a plurality of content sources; processing the content information to provide a digital representation of a content item in an animated content grid; receiving a selection of the content item, the selection being in response to a user action performed on the digital representation corresponding to the content item; and displaying an expanded dimension of information associated with the selected content item in response to receiving the selection of the content item, the expanded dimension of information including at least one user-selectable display object to obtain an additional level of detailed information related to the selected content item.

Abstract: A navigational information display panel is provided for presenting information associated with a location and relationship of a particular web page in context of hierarchical nodes above the web page. The panel may be displayed at a fixed or movable location upon activation of a navigational information control on a browsing application user interface. The panel may include various display structures representing the web page's contextual location in an effective manner along with navigational links for quick navigation to nodes above the web page (and/or at the same level).

Abstract: A development system, including a scenario generator for generating a plurality of sample interactions representative of interactions between a dialog system and a user of the dialog system on the basis of definition data for the dialog system. The definition data includes state machine code, prompt data, and recognition data. A simulator generates prompts of sample interactions on the basis of the prompt data, and the scenario generator generates responses to the prompts on the basis of the recognition data. A scenario editor allows a user to modify the sample interactions. A grammar learner then updates the prompt data and the recognition data on the basis of the modified sample interactions. An application builder generates the definition data from specification data provided by a developer, an application template, and/or an existing dialog application.

Abstract: A hyperlink and navigation apparatus for providing a fast and flexible form of user navigation is presented. The hyperlink may be configured to simultaneously open multiple destinations when activated. The multiple destinations may include any number of applications or webpages. The hyperlink may also be user configurable to define the destinations associated with the hyperlink.

Abstract: A method of displaying items on a mobile terminal includes displaying a first icon group of a plurality of icons on a display of the mobile terminal, such that each icon of the first icon group is associated with an application that is executable on the mobile terminal. Also performed is detecting user contact at a first location of the display relative to a displayed location of a particular icon of the first icon group and detecting further user contact representing a dragging over a distance beginning from the first location, such that the dragging represents substantially continual user contact from the first location over the distance. Also, after the dragging occurs over a threshold distance, displaying a second group of icons in an icon display region, such that each icon of the second icon group is associated with an application that is executable on the mobile terminal.

Abstract: A visual browsing method allows a user to look at an item closely by hovering over, instead of clicking on, an icon representing the item. The method also enables the user to browse items in different levels of a multiple level category without waiting for web pages to be loaded, to know where he/she has been in the multiple level category, and to back up if he/she likes. The method makes the browsing process faster and easier.

Abstract: A mobile phone comprising: a user interface configured to display a menu system and to receive input; and an electronic device configured to: provide the menu system having menu levels with each menu level comprising distinct menu items, enable the user to make a preliminary selection of any distinct menu item at a first menu level, wherein the user remains at the first menu level upon making the preliminary selection, provide an audio output in response to the user making a preliminary selection of any of the distinct menu items, wherein the audio output is unique for each distinct menu item, and enable the user to make a determinative selection of any distinct menu item at a first menu level only after a preliminary selection of that distinct menu item has been made, wherein the user proceeds to a second menu level upon making the determinative selection.

Abstract: A carousel view is described. In an implementation, a method includes determining a number of items that are included in data. A carousel is then generated for output in a user interface. The carousel has a plurality of bins, each of which representing a corresponding one of the items. The carousel has a radius for display of each of the bins based on the determined number of items.

Abstract: A system and method of displaying and navigating library information includes the steps of: receiving, from a user, a selection of a category of library materials; displaying part of that category of library materials the order they appear in an indexed catalog system based on item subjects; and upon request, displaying to the user an adjacent section of library materials in the selected category. The user can also view images of covers and/or selected text from a selected item.

Abstract: A menu-driven electronic device utilizes a display and a single two-dimensional navigation key. The display is configured to selectively display one of a plurality of menus, including a main menu and a sub-menu. The two-dimensional navigation key is configured to select one of a plurality of main menu items and to select a sub-menu item of the sub-menu associated with a selected main menu item. A portion of the plurality of menu main items is displayed. The main menu and the sub-menu can be accessed by maintaining contact with the two-dimensional navigation key. The device is configured to display a main menu item icon to provide a visual reference to the selected main menu item in a menu tree of the menu being displayed. The device is preferably a cellular phone.

Abstract: A user interface (UI) system calculates movements in a multi-layer graphical user interface. The UI system receives user input corresponding to gestures on a touchscreen. The UI system calculates a movement of a first layer in a first direction (e.g., a horizontal direction) at a first movement rate. The UI system calculates a movement of a second layer substantially parallel to the movement of the first layer, at a second movement rate that differs from the first movement rate. The UI system calculates a movement (e.g., a vertical movement) in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction, in a UI element of one of the layers.

Abstract: A method for automatically verifying one or more features of file-based media content (108) is disclosed. This file-based media content includes one or more media content files. The method includes customizing (204) a test plan on the basis of the one or more features. Customizing the test plan includes creating, modifying or utilizing at least one media content check of one or more media content checks. A media content check verifies at least one feature of the one or more features of the file-based media content. Further, the method includes verifying (206) the one or more features, based on the customized test plan. The method also includes documenting (208) the results obtained from the verification of the one or more features.

Abstract: A system renders a collection of widgets, hosted by a respective widget engine, on a mobile device display. The collection comprises at least one first widget representation that, when selected, invokes a first widget, and a first widget sub-collection representation that, when selected, invokes a plurality of widget representations. The system renders a three dimensional presentation of the collection of widgets on the mobile device display. The presentation comprises a three dimensional association between at least one of the first widget sub-collection representation and the second widget sub-collection representation. The system receives instruction to render the collection of widgets in a list view comprising at least one widget representation; and at least one widget representation associated with at least one widget sub-collection representation.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-readable medium are provided in a user interface, for presenting information for a plurality of items and selecting one of the plurality of items. Embodiments include displaying a first user interface element for listing a plurality of items, and displaying the first user interface element and a listing of the plurality of items in response to a first selection. Each item is presented with a second user interface element and a third user interface element. Upon receiving a second selection for the second user interface element for one of the plurality of items, at least a portion of the listing of the plurality of items and a fourth user interface element with contents relating to the first item are displayed.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for customizing a graphical user interface. A rendition module renders a base GUI to provide an operator with tools for managing Data Processing Devices (DPD). A tag module communicates interface tags to the base GUI. The interface tags describe added functionality for managing a specified DPD, wherein the added functionality is not supported by the base GUI and the base GUI is not configured to employ the interface tags. A translation module translates the interface tags into interpreted display code. The rendition module is further configured to render the interpreted display code with previously rendered display code for the base GUI to provide the added functionality for managing the specified DPD. The operator may manage the specified DPD with the added functionality.

Abstract: In a state in which an operation screen for operating a frame in a frame page has been displayed, whether a change occurring to a frame in the page different from the currently displayed frame is a change arising from an operation satisfying a condition that is regarded to represent a user's explicit intention to view the different frame or not is judged. If the change is judged by the judgment to be a change arising from an operation satisfying the condition, the display is shifted to a screen showing the page in whole display and notifying the user of the frame to which the change has occurred.

Abstract: Methods and hardware systems are described to enable an online customer to easily track or find the status of his purchases or inquires from various merchandisers without having to individually recall each merchandiser-sent emails. A software tool, operating under a hardware environment, is utilized by the customer to provide “one-stop” status and tracking facilitation. From the customer's perspective, this will make it significantly easier to keep track of various on-line purchases, etc. From the merchandiser's perspective, this will provide a direct link to the customer's desktop or interface, which bypasses the need for the merchandiser to pay for third party search engine clicks, and so forth.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) is disclosed. The GUI includes a menu bar to display one or more menus, a GUI guide button and a GUI guide to simultaneously display commands in each of the one or more menus in response to a selection of the GUI guide button.

Abstract: A method performed on a user device includes displaying a source user interface that includes one or more selectable objects; receiving a user input with respect to one of the one or more selectable objects of the source user interface; determining, in response to the user input, whether a lower level interface, with respect to the one of the one or more selectable objects of the source user interface, exists; displaying the lower level interface, when it is determined that the lower level interface exists for the one of the one or more selectable objects, where the lower level interface is displayed as a transparent overlay representative of a user interface that would be displayed if the user were to select from or access the source user interface; determining whether another user input is received, where the other user input indicates that the lower level interface is to be activated; and displaying the lower level interface as an opaque overlay, when it is determined that the other user input is received.

Abstract: A method of selecting and presenting content based on learned user preferences is provided. The method includes receiving search input from the user for identifying desired content items and receiving content selection actions from the user. The method further includes analyzing the date, day, and time of content selection actions by the user and analyzing descriptive terms associated with the selected content items to learn a periodicity of user selections of similar content items. In response to subsequent searches by the user, the method calls for selecting and ordering a collection of content items for presentation to the user based on comparing the user's search input to descriptive terms associated with content items and based on the learned periodicities of the user.