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: To provide an image editing technique that enables a user to perform movement and magnification of an image with a single operation, and to perform trimming while grasping image composition in printing, the image editing method includes a step of instructing to move an arbitrary point of an image displayed in an image display area among image data; a step of calculating an image movement amount and a magnification ratio in response to the instruction to move the arbitrary point; and a step displaying a predetermined area of the image data in the image display area on the basis of the image movement amount and the magnification ratio, which are calculated in the calculating step.

Abstract: Within a communication device having a plurality of displays, a method of controlling the displays can include, responsive to receiving an event from an application within a display manager, determining whether a single event or multiple events are pending (430). If a single event is pending, the method can include instructing the application to write data corresponding to the received event to a primary display of the communication device (435). The display manager can write data corresponding to the received event to a secondary display (445). If multiple events are pending, the method can include preventing the application from writing data to the primary display (470). The display manager can write data corresponding to the multiple events to the primary display and the secondary display without involvement of the application (475). The display manager further can launch a specific application in response to an event (500).

Abstract: A method for managing and displaying related information in a graphical user interface includes storing each of a plurality of related datasets in a discrete file. A compound file is stored linking the discrete data files to each other. A common window for the combined file is displayed in the graphical user interface. A discrete window for each discrete file is displayed within the common window.

Abstract: According to exemplary embodiments, a method and system are provided for discovering and acting on action tags within an artifact. Upon a determination that an artifact is attached to a document in a host application, an action tag processor is invoked. The action tag processor analyzes the artifact to discover action tags and properties associated with the action tags present in the artifact. Host application APIs are invoked to perform actions on the tags. The host applications processes the action tags according to a context of an application running on the host application.

Abstract: An application development supporting apparatus and method that make it possible to generate a GUI application, freely altering the settings for graphical representation corresponding to devices, are provided. A configuration in which the logical part and the graphics representation part of each component set in a graphical user interface (GUI) are configured separately, and a GUI component is generated based on the logical part and the graphics representation part is adopted. Through the present configuration, it becomes possible to easily construct a GUI adapted to a device by sharing the logical part among various devices, and selecting different graphics representation parts, in which various representation modes are set, depending on the device.

Abstract: Accordingly, a virtual keypad system for inputting text is provided. A virtual keypad system includes a remote controller having at least one touchpad incorporated therein and divided into a plurality of touch zones. A display device is in data communication with the remote controller and is operable to display a user interface including a keypad, where each key of the keypad is mapped to a touch zone of the touchpad. A prediction module, in response to an operator pressing a given touch zone to select a particular character, performs one or more key prediction methods to predict one or more next plausible keys. A key mapping module remaps the touch zones of the touchpad to the keys of the keypad based on the one or more next plausible keys.

Abstract: A peer-to-peer modular presentation system is disclosed for providing improved presentations. The system includes a plurality of displays. Each display is associated with an input device, processor and input/output port. The plurality of displays may include static or mobile wherein each display is aware of the displays immediately surrounding it or of the displays in a remote site during a teleconference. A propagation direction may be configured for at least two of the displays in the system. Propagation may be initiated for multiple displays by generating a gesture input at one display. The gesture input will cause content to be presented in the particular display, and initiate propagation of content along the configured direction in neighboring displays. Content may be fed to a particular display through a stack or other memory that is associated with the display.

Abstract: A method includes performing an analysis or synthesis operation on a graphical model representation, producing a report from the analysis or synthesis operation and generating associations representing elements of the graphical model representation with corresponding elements in the report and using these associations as a way to reposition viewer based on actions to the graphical model representation.

Abstract: A lasso select tool that allows a user to draw a flexible line of selection ink in order to select one or more graphical objects for manipulation. As the user draws this selection line, the lasso select tool continuously redraws and displays a connection line connecting one end of the selection line with the opposite end of the selection line. This connection line thus graphically demonstrates to the user the area that is presently encompassed by the resulting lasso enclosure. Further, the lasso select tool will change the appearance of any object selected with the lasso enclosure. The lasso select tool also selects objects that are only substantially encompassed by the lasso enclosure. For example, the lasso select tool may select ink objects that are only 60% or more encompassed by the lasso enclosure.

Abstract: Systems and techniques manage commands generated through user interface dialogs. In general, in one implementation, commands resulting from interaction with controls of a dialog are received, and first and second commands are distinguished. The first command is held upon receipt to be performed later, and the second command is passed through the dialog to be performed upon receipt. Both of the commands are retained in a command sequence managed by a cancel control of the dialog. The dialog can include a preview control operable to specify whether effects of interaction with the controls are to be previewed. The first command can be subject to the preview control, while the second command is not subject to the preview control. Distinguishing between the commands can involve performing the second command but not the first command when the preview control specifies the effects of interaction are not to be previewed.

Abstract: One implementation provides a method for accessing a window previously viewed by a user in a graphical user interface (GUI) during an interaction with an individual. The method includes displaying to the user a first window in the GUI. The first window contains a collapsible/expandable menu. The menu contains an entry that refers to a window previously viewed by the user. Upon selection of the entry in the menu, the method further includes displaying to the user the corresponding window previously viewed by the user in the GUI. The corresponding window has a data-entry field that contains a latest version of information that is related to the interaction with the individual that was previously entered or modified by the user.

Abstract: A video production system provides a director with-control over video production devices used in producing a show. The video production system allows the director to pre-produce a show, review the show in advance of “air time.” and then, with a touch of a button, produce the live show. The video production system includes a processing unit in communication with the video production devices. The processing unit displays controls for controlling the video production devices. The director uses a keyboard and mouse to remotely control the video production devices. The director pre-produces the show, defines a set of video production commands (hereafter “transition macro”) executed by the processing unit. By activating a control button, the director instructs the processing unit to execute the transition macro-to control one or more of the video production devices.

Abstract: An editing system is proposed for automatically, or semi-automatically, editing input data to generate output production. The input material is annotated by, or analyzed to derive, a set of media descriptors which describe the input material and which are derived from the input material. The style of editing is controlled using style data which is optionally derived from a user. The input material may include any or more of motion video, still images, music, speech, sound effects, animated graphics and text. The style data and the descriptors are used to generate a set of operations which, when carried out on the input data, generate an edited output production.

Abstract: A communications device provides a user with a sensory cue that informs the user of certain characteristics of a subsequent action that includes data communications. By informing the user of the data communication characteristics before the user initiates the data communication action, the invention appropriately sets user expectations regarding the data communication characteristics. For example, one embodiment of the invention is implemented in a portable communications device with a screen. For subsequent actions that include wireless communications, the portable communications device simultaneously displays a wireless link icon sensory cue next to a user interface graphic element. The user interface element is used to initiate the subsequent action. The user interface element can be an operating system object having an embedded link type icon.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for managing tab indexes. A Web page is displayed, wherein the Web page includes a plurality of tab indexes for a plurality of components in the Web page. User input is received for setting a position for a tab index within the plurality of tab indexes for a component within the plurality of components in the Web page relative to positions of tab indexes for other components within the plurality of tab indexes in the Web page to form a desired position for the tab index. The desired position is stored for the tab index for the component to form stored tab index information. Subsequent visits to the Web page result in the tab index for the component being in the desired position using the stored tab index information.

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 partially collapsing hierarchical display system aids information navigation by providing a dynamic mechanism for labeling items with one or more states. In one embodiment, states comprise “hidden”, “visible” and “unmarked”. An expanded list of items displays all items. A partially expanded list of items displays all visible and unmarked items, removing hidden items from the display. A further collapsed list of items displays all visible items. A completely collapsed list of items hides all items. Users customize the amount of detail displayed in a sub-tree, reducing the display size of the sub-tree. Expansion of a hierarchical structure is combined with filtering, allowing users to partially collapse or partially expand a sub-tree structure. Partially collapsed lists comprise one or more focus points, allowing users to view several relevant sections of a hierarchical structure concurrently.

Abstract: Senseweb is described. In an embodiment, a first selection identifying a region of interest is recognized. Additionally, a second selection indicating at least one selected condition potentially monitored within the region of interest is recognized. Then, at least one sensor in the region of interest monitoring the selected condition is identified, and data communicating the selected condition from the sensor is automatically associated with a representation of the region of interest.

Abstract: A method of presenting digital content to a user on a display of a computing device displaying a continuous stream of digital content in a stream portion of the display, obtaining a current context of the user and the computing device, providing contextual sensitivities for the digital content items, determining a value for the digital content item's relevance of being displayed, calculating a probability of displaying the digital content item based upon the value of the digital content item's relevance of being displayed, performing a random selection of the digital content item based upon the probability of displaying the digital content item, and presenting the digital content item in the stream of digital content being displayed.