Abstract: A system and method for facilitating target acquisition is presented. Upon detecting a triggering event to display expanded targets, i.e., icons representing applications, services, folders, and the like, the computer system generates expanded targets and displays them for target acquisition. The expanded targets typically include their source target, and are expanded such that a user may more easily acquire that source target. According to one embodiment, the expanded targets are generated as Voronoi polygons. Alternatively, the expanded targets may be generated as polygons based on a weighted distance based on the area previously assigned to the expanded target.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus is disclosed which processes audio visual (AV) data made up of video or audio data, the apparatus including: receiving means for receiving an edit command specifying how to edit the AV data; editing means for editing the AV data in accordance with the edit command; determining means for determining whether the edit command specifies copying of the AV data; and controlling means which, if the edit command is determined to specify the copying of the AV data, then transfers the AV data from a copy source to a copy destination without synchronizing the copy source and the copy destination in operation; and if the edit command is determined to specify an editing action other than the copying of the AV data, then transfers the unedited AV data to the editing means for the specified editing action, and transfers the edited AV data to the recording/reproducing means for storage therein, while synchronizing the editing means and the copy source and the copy destination in operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing tailored bandwidth profiles for a given operating environment are disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for content based dynamic rendering of user interfaces. The present invention provides a system that receives an unformatted stream of content, and then considers the physical dimensions of its controlled screen area and dynamically lays out the content to fit in this screen area.

Abstract: A user interface for the adjustment of display parameters. The user interface includes a plurality of selectable icons arranged in a matrix, each icon having a visual cue indicating the display adjustment achieved by the selection of the icon. The visual cues may include level and window number values and grayscale patches. The level and window number values are calculated from a default center value obtained from a digital image file to be displayed and a predetermined gradient.

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: In an image display system for changing a display of image data based on a visual field changing instruction, one or a plurality of visual field changing start region associated with a visual field changing operation, which defines display update processing contents of the image data, is displayed in a display window. When a pointer enters the visual field changing start region, the visual field changing operation associated with the visual field changing start region is activated, and the display of the image data is updated in accordance with the display update processing contents defined by the activated visual field changing operation, based on a relative movement amount of the pointer based on the position of the pointer at a time when the visual field changing operation has been activated.

Abstract: Systems, methods and media for updating an instant messaging system on a network are disclosed. More particularly, hardware and/or software for updating status indicators such as ‘away’ messages of an instant messaging system are disclosed. Embodiments include determining that a change in status of the user has occurred and automatically transmitting an indication of the change in status to instant messenger system manager via a network. Embodiments include determining that a change in status of the user has occurred based on receiving an indication that the user's status has changed, such as from user input on a keyboard, mouse, etc. Other embodiments include determining that a change in status has occurred based on determining that the user's status has changed based on an electronic calendar, expiration of a time period, etc.

Abstract: A selection accelerator in topology views is presented. A user uses a topology view to manage a computer network whereby the topology view includes a plurality of nodes and their relationships that correspond to computer network components. When a user selects a primary node, processing identifies related nodes, and displays a relationship identifier next the related nodes, such as a hierarchal level corresponding to the primary node. By viewing the relationship identifiers, the user is able to depress a key to select a plurality of related nodes based upon their relationships. In addition, the user is able to request an invert select which informs processing to select nodes related to the primary node which are not currently selected.

Abstract: A hardware and software system including a controller that can be operatively combined with several methods of display on a display screen under software and hardware control for the purpose of browsing through data stored in a memory device. The browsing of the data stored in a memory device is facilitated in such a way that it allows a rapid view of what contents are present and the organization of the material in the data, as well as rapid access to the items in the data involved. The controllers in the system have specialized functions for effecting various actions on the data displayed on the display screen in such a way that users can rapidly browse through the data involved. The methods of display may include interaction with CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, a portable optical large volume storage disk, a portable large volume non-optical storage medium, a TV, and an HDTV.

Abstract: Systems and methods that automatically arrange, or re-arrange, object nodes in a diagram such that the total length of all associations between nodes and the number of overlapping associations is reduced or minimized. In mathematical terms, the process simplifies the graphical representation of an arbitrary graph. In one aspect, processes of the invention use a physical model of particle interactions to determine a minimal energy state, with object nodes modeled as particles and the associations between the object nodes modeled as interaction forces. Perturbations applied to the system allow for a determination of a minimal energy state.