Patents Examined by Crescelle N. dela Torre
  • Patent number: 6496201
    Abstract: A system, conferencing application, and graphical user interface for supporting standards based, multiparty teleconferencing, video conferencing, and application sharing are disclosed. The system includes a hardware platform such as a desktop computer, a network computer, or a workstation computer. The hardware platform includes one or more processors, and a system memory as well as input and output devices for user interaction. Conferencing hardware such as a microphone and speakers for audio content and a video camera for video content are interfaced to the hardware platform, typically through an I/O bus of the hardware platform. The system further includes operating system software residing at least in part in memory. The operating system controls execution of application programs on the hardware platform. The system further includes an application for participating in a multi-party conferencing session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne Ross Baldwin, Travis Madison Cardwell, Vincent J. Meriwether, Richard Dennis Talbot
  • Patent number: 6493001
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for describing a virtual shared space with ease includes a user interface unit which displays a list of avatars (or an avatar page) kept in a scene-graph database on a resource library window. A drag-and-drop operation is carried out by the user on an icon representing an avatar selected from those displayed on the avatar page of the resource library window to add the avatar to the avatar page of a multi-user window. The user interface unit detects the drag-and-drop operation carried out by the user, displaying the dragged and dropped avatar icon on the avatar page of the multi-user window as an additional avatar. Then, in accordance with this drag-and-drop operation, a file input/output unit places the file of the dragged and dropped avatar in a location where a VRML file being edited is recorded, that is, generates an avtimg directory and an avtwrl directory and describes predetermined avatar data therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Takagi, Masayuki Ishikawa, Koichi Matsuda
  • Patent number: 6493002
    Abstract: An interactive computer-controlled display system having a processor, a data display screen, a cursor control device for interactively positioning a cursor on the data display screen, and a window generator that generates and displays a window on a data display screen. The window region provides status and control information in one or more data display areas. The individiual data display areas may be controlled through the use of controls and indicators on the control strip itself using cursor control keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven W. Christensen
  • Patent number: 6492995
    Abstract: A method and system for enabling localization support on Web applications in response to an activation of a locale object is disclosed. The system updates a Web browser's localization parameters in response to dragging and dropping the locale object containing client localization information content onto the Web browser. Additionally, the Java virtual machine within the Web browser updates its locale information and reformats all its applets based on the localization information content. The Web browser then sends a locale event message and the localization information content to a server. The server updates its locale information and associated server side Java virtual machine and further uses the localization information for all the Java servlets within the server side Java virtual machine. The server then formats and delivers an HTML for display to the client based on the localization information content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Edward Atkin, Maria Azua Himmel
  • Patent number: 6483524
    Abstract: A method of configuring a prepress workflow that includes a raster image processor (RIP) is disclosed, together with a graphical user interface. A prepress memory manager is loaded on a local computer as a result of user input such that a graphical user interface is displayed on a computer screen and includes a prepress system design palette and a raster image processor (RIP) module icon that represents a raster image processor distributed object module that is used in a prepress workflow operation. The RIP distributed object module can be configured by user interfacing with the graphical user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Global Graphics Software Limited
    Inventors: Andri P. Petchenkine, Eugene A. Liamkin
  • Patent number: 6476827
    Abstract: A “state” icon having a plurality of manifestations corresponding to a plurality of states associated with saving a copy of a current information page being browsed is automatically displayed for a user. The “state” icon denotes to the user whether the information page or other variants have been previously saved. A “single click” icon is employed to facilitate saving a copy of the current information page being browsed for a user. The saving is accomplished without requiring further interaction with the user. A “remote save” mechanism is provided to facilitate automatic retrieval of one or more information pages in accordance with one or more specified user conditions, and saving of the retrieved information pages in a repository. The information pages are retrieved and saved without requiring them to be first downloaded to the user's system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Xoucin, Inc.
    Inventor: Swain W. Porter
  • Patent number: 6469719
    Abstract: A layout unit refers to a plurality of menu items stored in a menu item information storage unit by a menu item information obtaining unit. The following processes are performed as necessary to display a large number of menu items in a predetermined part of a GUI screen. A character size reducing unit reduces the size of characters used to display menu items. A margin reducing unit determines the layout of menu items so as to reduce the margins in menu items. An abbreviating unit replaces certain character strings in menu items with shorter character strings. In this way, the layout unit determines the layout of menu items. A menu control unit then has the menu items displayed in accordance with the layout determined by the layout unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisayuki Kino, Norio Sanada, Kiyokazu Yamanaka, Chihiro Kawahara
  • Patent number: 6469713
    Abstract: Language, locale, and display change system messages are defined which contain language or locale codes for changing a display language in a user interface. An operating system language or locale property may be altered, or merely the language and/or locale property of a user interface for a specific application or dialog. When received, all subscribers registered as listeners for such language, locale, and display change system messages are notified. The system message may originate from a control dialog or from another application, and may be passed from one application to another or to dialogs associated with the receiving application. User interface dialogs or applications notified of the system message may reload the contents of displays, updating the user interface display to contain the contents of menu labels, help text, or dialog messages in the new human language or display text formatted in accordance with the new cultural convention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David James Hetherington, David Bruce Kumhyr, Scott A. Will
  • Patent number: 6466239
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a POI (point of interest) operation for moving an object corresponding to a selected node to the center of an editing window as pre-processing for changing the viewpoint of an object displayed in three-dimensional virtual space in a window of a display device. A node displayed in a pop-up menu in a first window is selected by a mouse 262. A model editing tool 420 displays an object corresponding to the selected node in a second window. After a confirmation operation by the user by the mouse 262, the model editing tool 420 preferably enlarges and moves the display of the object to the center of the second window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6466236
    Abstract: A portable, hand-held personal digital assistant is provided for simultaneously depicting multiple calendars on a single display. The personal digital assistant includes a portable, hand-held housing including a top face, a bottom face, and a side wall therebetween for defining an interior space. An input device is situated on the top face of the housing for allowing input of data. Associated therewith is a display situated on the top face of the housing for depicting data. Situated in the interior space of the housing is memory for storing a plurality of calendars each including a plurality of scheduled matters. Finally, controller is situated in the interior space of the housing and connected between the input device, the display, and the memory. The controller serves for simultaneously depicting a plurality of the calendars on the display. By conveniently displaying the multiple calendars, the present invention allows a user to more effectively manipulate the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Palm, Inc.
    Inventors: Alvin Pivowar, Steve Hanrahan, Pete Grillo
  • Patent number: 6466237
    Abstract: An information managing device includes a liquid crystal display section and thumbnail display means. The liquid crystal display section displays a cluster of file bundles that are thumbnail files each corresponding to one of the image files, so as to enable searches through image files displayed as original document bundles. The thumbnail display means displays the images in the cluster of file bundles on the liquid crystal display section so as to partially overlap each other in a three-dimensional configuration. With the aforementioned device, a stored image file can be easily searched for on the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Miyao, Yoshiaki Tomaru, Kazuyuki Motowaki, Miyoko Maruyama
  • Patent number: 6462755
    Abstract: This invention addresses the management of window geometry (or layout) in a distributed data processing system. In this invention, a client server model includes an application executing on a client system with graphics being drawn on the server system for the end user. Each client application interacts with the user by defining client windows into which are placed graphical data and where input data may be entered by the user. The application software together with the graphics software is provided in the client processor. The server processor includes the ability to display data to the end user. The application data for display, in the form of a window, includes a special designated area within the window to provide user access to the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Taf Anthias
  • Patent number: 6462736
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system (10) providing a three-dimensional display (30) includes at least one model (12) of an environment and at least one engine (14) operable to generate the display (30) using information associated with the model (12). The display (30) includes a graphical body (38) conveying a first value corresponding to a value of a variable, the variable value being identified according to an axis. The first value is conveyed according to a height (40) of the graphical body (38) at the variable value. The graphical body (38) conveys a second value corresponding to the variable value, the second value being conveyed according to a depth (42) of the graphical body (38) at the variable value. The graphical body (38) also conveys at least a comparison of the first value to a first comparison value according to an indicia (44) that is visible on the graphical body (38) at the variable value, the indicia (44) specified according to a predetermined scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: i2 Technologies US, Inc.
    Inventors: G. Terry Ross, Gregg L. Sporar
  • Patent number: 6459440
    Abstract: An electronic device (12) includes in one embodiment a display (14), at least one application (20) that generates a pop-up window (10) which is displayed on the display (14); and an application manager (16). The application manager (16) deletes the pop-up window (10) in response to an input (26) from the application (20). The electronic device (12) includes in a second embodiment a display (14) that displays a pop-up window (10), a plurality of applications (18) having corresponding application messages (42), a buffer (38) for storage of application messages (42), a display controller (40), and an application manager (16). The application manager (16) deletes an application message (33) stored in the buffer (38) in response to an input (26) from an application (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Monnes, Randi Faris
  • Patent number: 6456303
    Abstract: A system and method for providing improved access to online help information is provided in a computer system. A component of Internet browser software is used to implement improved help which can take advantage of HTML links to information via the Internet. A navigational window pane and a HTML window pane are provided in a single window. A Hide/Show button allows the user to delete the navigational window pane or to simultaneously display it along with the HTML window pane. Once a user selects a topic in the navigational window pane, the corresponding content information is displayed in the HTML window pane. A help tab is embedded in a program to facilitate easy switching between help and the program. In addition, a help button is used to provide a context-sensitive embedded help window which tracks the user's activities. Calculations are performed for automatically sizing window panes in response to the Hide/Show button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph E. Walden, Kathleen K. Harper
  • Patent number: 6448978
    Abstract: A mechanism for increasing awareness and sense of proximity among multiple users in a network system senses whether a first user is in close proximity to a first end point. The mechanism then transmits first proximity information indicating whether the first user is in close proximity to the first end point from the first end point to a second end point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony C. Salvador, Rune A. Skarbo, Christopher C. Lawless, Frederick J. Cooper, Kathleen E. Kovatch, Douglas L. Sorenson
  • Patent number: 6441833
    Abstract: Apparatus for specifying invocations in compiled objects at runtime. One species of the apparatus is a drawing widget for use in the X Window System. The drawing widget permits users to specify elements in the window corresponding to the widget by providing a sequence of invocations of X Window graphics functions to the widget at runtime. A resource in the drawing widget is set to the sequence of invocations and when the corresponding window is exposed, the invocations in the sequence are executed to produce the elements in the window. The sequence of function invocations may include invocations for functions which add or remove elements from the window and which translate, rotate, or scale elements. Other features include the use of unit coordinates in the invocation and the use of hashing to reduce the character-string invocations provided in the sequence to representations made up of small integer, pointer, and floating-point data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: John Scott Anderson, Charles Douglas Blewett
  • Patent number: 6441831
    Abstract: A method of presenting multimedia information on a computer includes: playing a test presentation; determining a processing speed of the computer based on a playing time of the test multimedia presentation; selecting multimedia information based on the determined processing speed; and displaying the selected multimedia information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: LearningAction, Inc.
    Inventors: Josh Abramowitz, Samuel J. Aaronson
  • Patent number: 6437807
    Abstract: The present invention implements, in a data processing environment, many of the attributes of paper Post-it® notes. The note program of the present invention need not be resident in an application program, and the notes of the present invention may be moved directly between windows or between regions without being saved in an intermediate memory, may be easily dispensed either from a note dispenser of a window or on a desktop, may overlap the boundary of a window, may be automatically saved, may be attached to a document within a window so that the note moves with the document, may overlap a boundary of a window, may be resized with the constraint that the note may not be resized off of a window, may be moved across a window boundary, and may be attached to an object, such as a character, a word, a sentence, or paragraph of a document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David T. Berquist, Peter M. Eisenberg, Mitchell B. Grunes, Timothy A. Mertens, Cindy L. Munson, Martin A. Kenner, John M. Kruse
  • Patent number: 6433797
    Abstract: Hierarchical menus provide end-users with an easy way to locate information. The underlying hierarchical menu structure is often scalable as there are no limits on the number of entries in a list menu. Yet, this feature is rarely used, if at all, because it can be very impractical for the end-user. As a list menu can contain hundreds, if not thousands of entries, scrolling for a particular entry can be extremely tedious. The present invention discloses a menu authoring system component that enables a developer to generate and build a tab list menu. The tab menu divides a target list menu into tab intervals that can include a specified number of letters or full words. The present invention discloses an interactive configuration window and the program logic that enables a developer to specify settings for these tab menus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventor: Paul Zellweger