Abstract: A method of displaying overlapping images of an object or space, each of which might be from different angles or perspectives on that object or space, which preserves the value of the detail of the individual images but yet juxtaposes them into a montage to provide a more complete view of the whole. Controls allow the entire montage to be scrolled or manipulated, but within the main part of the screen, the images are overlaid in sorted order where the image on the top is the one whose center is closest to the cursor from the overall perspective of the viewport. As the user moves the cursor or shifts the viewport, this order changes and new images are brought up while others get shuffled beneath them.

Abstract: An opt-out actuator for which actuation is cancelled if the operator changes his or her state within a prescribed amount of time. The operator is informed of “entering” the conditions for actuation by a first sensory means. After an optional grace period to lower the incidence of accidentally and temporarily meeting these conditions, the operator is informed of the “cocking” of the actuator by a second sensory means. The operator then has a longer period in which to opt-out of the actuator by changing his or her state. If the operator does not opt out by changing state, the actuator fires and the operator is informed by a third sensory means. If the operator opts out, the operator is informed of this “canceling” by a fourth sensory means which could be the reversion of continuous sensory feedback to its state prior to the triggering of the actuator and which serves as confirmation to the operator that actuation has been cancelled.

Abstract: In this method for viewing multiple images (or movies), the images can be thought of as being piled up and a grid of tiles is placed on top. Each tile functions like a window onto one of the images. One or more view screens are placed over some of the tiles, and one or more input devices are provided. Cursors are moved around the view screens and over the tiles. When a cursor remains within the borders of one of the tiles for longer than a predetermined amount of time, the image displayed in the tile changes. Should the user click the tile, a “spreading” process is initiated whereby the number of tiles displaying the image clicked on begins to increase. Pressing a keyboard button causes the same spreading to be initiated beneath the cursor but with the image associated with that button rather than the one in the tile beneath the cursor.