Abstract: The present invention has the objective of providing a method for reducing trouble in creating a seating layout by a method other than with templates. The computer 1 accepts a designating operation on position coordinates forming a base point in the prescribed display area from a user, accepts a designating operation of a direction of generating the seating symbol data from position coordinates as the base point in the prescribed display area, determines a position for displaying the seating symbol data in the prescribed display area, based on the base point and the direction, generates seating symbol data comprising position data representing the position determined, adds to the combination of the seating symbol data composing the seating layout data, and stores thereof in the memory 120, and displays the seating symbol data in the display unit 150 based on position data included in the generated seating symbol data.

Abstract: A content feed aggregator displays an ordered list of content items, including a selected item and a set of other items. The selected item is displayed in an expanded format while the other items are simultaneously displayed in a compact format. At least one respective item in compact format is displayed above the selected item and at least one respective item in compact format displayed below the selected item. In response to a user action for selecting a second item in the displayed list, the ordered list of content items is redisplayed with the second item displayed in the expanded format and the other items, including the first item, displayed in the compact format.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an adaptive search user interface is provided. The user interface allows for search results to be customized by the user. The user interface includes a discovery bar of multimedia content that includes additional media content, advertisements, and features that are recommended to users. The discovery bar of multimedia content is customizable based upon user command input. The user interface also includes methods and graphical interface in which to resolve recording conflicts.

Abstract: System and method involving user interfaces and remote control devices. These user interfaces may be particularly useful for providing an intuitive and user friendly interaction between a user and a device or application using a display, e.g., at a “10 foot” interaction level. The user interfaces may be specifically designed for interaction using a simple remote control device having a limited number of inputs. For example, the simple remote control may include directional inputs (e.g., up, down, left, right), a confirmation input (e.g., ok), and possibly a mute input. The user interface may be customized based on current user activity or other contexts (e.g., based on current or previous states), the user logging in (e.g., using a communication device), etc. Additionally, the user interface may allow the user to adjust cameras whose video are not currently displayed, rejoin previously left videoconferences, and/or any of a variety of desirable actions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for visually indicating location probability, particularly in a multi-level, three-dimensional environment. In general, a method of a graphical user interface may be provided that displays the uncertain location of a device within an environment in an easily discernable format. A method may be provided that includes providing for transmission of a location request from a first location within an environment and receiving at least two potential locations that are within the environment. The method may further include providing for display of a graphical representation of the environment including visual indicators of the potential locations within the graphical representation of the environment and receiving an indication that a potential location corresponds to the first location. Each visual indicator may convey the accuracy confidence level for each respective location.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for displaying additional information corresponding to an item represented by a visual indicator in response to a mouseover event is disclosed. Various embodiments receive a mouseover event corresponding to a visual indicator displayed on a display screen and generate additional information corresponding to an item represented by the visual indicator in response to the mouseover event, the additional information being obtained from various databases and used to generate additional information corresponding to the item.

Abstract: An invention that degrades avatar appearances in a virtual universe is provided. In one embodiment, there is a degradation tool, including a visual obstruction component configured to: identify an object in the virtual universe as an object of interest, and determine whether a set of avatars within the virtual universe is likely to cause a visual obstruction of the object of interest to an avatar. The degradation tool further comprises a modification component configured to degrade an appearance of at least one of the set of avatars within the virtual universe if the set of avatars within the virtual universe is likely to cause a visual obstruction of the object of interest to the avatar.

Abstract: A segment ring menu is provided that is used to easily access menu items. The segment ring menu includes a number of menus that are located equidistant from an initial mouse position from where the segment ring menu is evoked. Hovering over any of the sections of the segment ring menu displays the menu items hosted in that section. The segment ring menu layout is directed at making it easy for the user to reach any of the menu items with a small amount of mouse movement.

Abstract: A method of displaying information on a screen, including providing the information, wherein the information is based on user text information, and displaying a predefined message on a screen, if the user text information is empty or invalid, otherwise displaying the user text information on the screen for a display time, wherein the display time depends on an amount and/or complexity of the user text information.

Abstract: An input apparatus configured to change a set value continuously, comprising: an operating key configured to be pressed; a detector configured to detect press of the operation key; a calculation portion configured to sequentially add or subtract a first variable to or from the set value during the press of the operation key and sequentially add or subtract a second variable greater than the first variable to or from the set value after a number of calculations with the first variable exceeds a first threshold number; and a change portion configured to change the operating key in color from a first hue to a second hue, when the number of the calculations with the first variable exceeds a second threshold number smaller than the first threshold number.

Abstract: A panoramic graphical user interface includes a contiguous background and a collection of mixed-media content objects. The contiguous background includes one or more space-orientating graphical elements and is sized to fit within a first dimension of a display and to extend beyond a second dimension of the display. The collection of mixed-media content objects are anchored over the contiguous background. The collection of mixed-media content objects are arranged to fit within the first dimension of the display and arranged to extend beyond the second dimension of the display.

Abstract: A method and system for distributed computing interface are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a computer implemented method comprises accessing a collaborative interface, wherein the collaborative interface comprises persistent shared space, wherein visual representation of the collaborative interface is identical for each client accessing the collaborative interface. In a single action, an object is dragged into the collaborative interface and the object is displayed in real time in the collaborative interface. The object is accessible to other clients in the collaborative interface and the state of the object is continuously synchronized. The object is manipulated in the collaborative interface and other clients accessing the collaborative interface are viewed.

Abstract: Among other things, techniques and systems are disclosed for implementing an automated presentation of media content having associated metadata. The system provides an automated transition that corresponds to a relationship between a first media content item's metadata and metadata associated with a second media content item. The automated system also provides an automated information overlay that corresponds to a relationship between a first media content item's associated metadata and metadata associated with a second media content item. The automated system also can obtain information corresponding to metadata of the media content and provides automated information overlays while displaying the media content in a presentation.

Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for presenting and browsing hierarchical data. A hierarchical chart is displayed with a primary entity being displayed in a center region of the display. One or more peers to the primary entity are displayed along a horizontal axis in comparison to the primary entity. One or more parents to the primary entity are displayed above the primary entity, and one or more children to the primary entity are displayed beneath the primary entity. A method for performing searches against a hierarchical chart is also described. Input is received for a name to search for in a hierarchical chart. A filter criteria selection is received. A search is performed against the hierarchical chart to find one or more matching records that match the name and the filter criteria. The one or more matching records are displayed, with at least a name and photo.

Abstract: A display system manages the states of two cursors that are situated on an interactive window of a display screen, as a function of the last actions carried out by the crew.

Abstract: A device that enables a user to exchange information with other people about the user's preferences with respect to the primary function in storage. The purpose of the exchange of information is to discover common user preferences or interests. Preferences such as musical taste can be rated by the user and the information exchanged. A comparison is made with other users and when a user is within a certain distance that shares common preferences/interests, the user is told of the other person, and the relative distance of the person having the common interests. The device is suitable for digital audio players, wireless telephones, remote controls, portable television/video/radio devices and can be used to match people based on their common preferences.

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: A computing device includes an immersive environment module for facilitating simultaneous display of a plurality of applications on a display device without relying on system chrome. At least a first of the applications is displayed in a primary region of the display. The computing device also includes a UI management component for enabling a user selection of an application for simultaneous display on the display device with at least one other application. Processing logic is configured to determine a size in at least one direction of content of a user-selected application as it is displayed on a non-primary region of the display device simultaneous with display of content of the first application on the primary region of the display device. The determination is based at least in part on one or more pre-defined size requirements specified by the selected application.

Abstract: The present invention is related to providing faster and more efficient ways to deploy and manage virtual server configurations in a hosted virtual server service. Broadly, a web interface allows a user to set conditions upon which specific types of virtual servers will be instantiated or terminated on a third-party hosted virtual server service. For example, the user may wish to instantiate a new virtual server each time the load on existing virtual servers exceeds a predetermined threshold. The web interface may also allow a user to select from among a plurality of hosted virtual server services. The web interface may further allow a user to incorporate dynamic variables into configurations of instantiated virtual servers.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for projecting an image onto a surface suitable for interaction with a user while avoiding user occlusion, and while correcting for distortion due to oblique projection. The displayed image moves to a suitable surface at a suitable size and orientation as a user moves around an environment, resulting in a user-following interface. Surfaces are selected in which the projected interface is not occluded by the user or other objects in the environment. Displayed images may be interactive, and moved into an interaction area on a suitable surface that is convenient for the user. The interaction area may or may not coincide with the display area. Adaptation of the projected interface is allowed so that the content of the display and the style of interaction widgets are modified based on distance from the user and orientation of the user with respect to a projected interface.