Abstract: A method and system for adding application defined properties and application defined property sheet pages are provided. The application defined properties may be added to a list of system defined properties. Once added, the application defined properties may be displayed and edited. In addition, a user may select several objects, display the properties common to all of the objects in a list, and edit the common properties. Moreover, application defined property sheet pages may be added to a set of system defined property sheet pages. A user may then display and edit the application defined property sheet pages. Also, a user may select several objects, display the properties common to all of the objects on a per-property browsing list, and edit the common properties. In addition, a user may select several objects, display the property sheet pages common to all of the objects, and edit the properties on these property sheet pages.

Abstract: An operating system provides extensions through which application developers may extend the capabilities of a shell of the operating system. For example, application developers may add menu items to context menus for objects that are visible within an integrated system name space. In addition, developers may add property sheet pages for such objects. Application developers also have the option of providing per-instance icons for each instance of an object. Application developers may provide data object extension handlers for customizing data sources on a per-object class basis and may provide drop target extension handlers on a per-object class basis to customize drop target behavior. Developers may additionally provide copy-hook handlers to regulate file system operations on objects. Developers may also extend the functionality provided by the shell of the operating system by adding their own custom name spaces to the integrated system name space.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing an interactive user-interface specification. The method is for use with a computer system including a processor, a memory, a display device and an input device. The method begins with the step of providing a data structure representing a control tree. The control tree represents the interface screens, screen objects and link-associations of the interface. The method further includes the step of presenting a representation of an element of the control tree based on the data structure. A system is also disclosed for implementing the steps of the method.

Abstract: A three-dimensional image display device comprising a main-image storage device for storing data representative of a main image; a sub-image storage device for storing data representative of a reduced image of the main image; coordinate input device for continuously entering a change in the viewing direction of an image; converting device for converting the output coordinate data of the coordinate input device into angle data representative of the image viewing direction; three-dimensional image calculating device for converting the main image data into three-dimensional image data on the basis of the angle data representative of the image viewing direction; changeover device for normally applying the sub-image data to the three-dimensional calculating device and for applying the main image data to the three-dimensional calculating device; control device for applying the angle data to the three-dimensional image calculating device and for controlling the changeover device; and image display device for display

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture direct a computer system to automatically resize a window.

Abstract: A graphic data processing apparatus comprising a CPU coupled to an entry device, storage storing graphic data and a plurality of programs and a display, and adapted such that a command mode for drawing a desired graphic form is selected by designating the corresponding desired graphic form in the already displayed graphic forms and a program for drawing the graphic form is automatically selected.

Abstract: The present invention provides an expert system for suggesting and providing graphic design selections based on a user's desired result. The invention provides a plurality of descriptors to define the characteristics of an output page or document. A user can "scale" or "weight" the descriptors, as desired. The present invention utilizes the weighted descriptors to select a number of solutions from a predefined database of possible solutions. The "fit" of each database solution to the user criteria is determined via an intelligent search. Initially, solutions that do not satisfy rejection constraints are identified and eliminated. These rejection constraints are binary constraints and may be the result of output device limitation, intended audience, environment of use, availability of color, etc. The elimination of solutions that do not meet the rejection constraints reduces the population of possible solutions, simplifying further researches and analysis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting a first user interface used for existing applications running on a host computer to a second user interface for use on a client computer. The apparatus intercepts prompts and request for input from the host, converts them to a form appropriate for use on the client computer, and passes the converted prompts and requests to the client. The apparatus can store information for use at a later prompt or request, branch on the stored value to vary path execution, and handle errors generated by incorrect input.

Abstract: A uniquely programmed computer system, computer-implemented method, and computer readable memory embodying computer-readable detail logic direct a computer system to create a temporary list of links. The present invention creates the list of links without having to first open/visit the corresponding site to each link in the list or having to manually enter the name and address of the sites. The method includes placing the computer system in an itinerary mode, wherein the links lose their original function of opening/visiting the corresponding site when selected. The method includes displaying the list on a first portion of the display. The method includes selecting from a second portion of the display at least one link to be placed in the list. The method includes opening/visiting and displaying the site corresponding to the selected link on the second portion of the display in response to a selection of at least one link placed in the list.

Abstract: A relativity controller is a scroll bar/window combination that provides a way to see data in relation to both the context of its wholeness and the salience of its contents. To accomplish this, the linear density or other appearance of the scroll bar (acting as a ruler or scale) varies with the density of the document salience (as indicated by different kinds of annotations or marks). It also provides a way to zoom between perspectives. This is usable on many different data types: including sound, video, graphics, calendars and word processors.

Abstract: A system for retrieving and displaying programming information in response to selection of a category of programming information. Programming information is presented via a schedule display having a category display, a subcategory category display, and a program display. The category display displays an array of category tiles representing categories of programming information. The subcategory display displays an array of subcategory tiles representing subcategories that are associated with the categories of the category display. The program display displays an array of program tiles that are associated with the subcategories of the subcategory display. A viewing panel extends along each of the displays for displaying one each of the category, subcategory, and program tiles. Classes of programming information are selected by scrolling the tiles of the associated displays until the desired class items are presented within the viewing panel.

Abstract: The system of the present invention provides a mechanism for executing a script sequence containing a plurality of commands and associated time for executing the commands. The system allows a user of the script sequence to specify an arbitrary time, either forward or backward from a current time, and the result of the execution reflects the cumulative effects of executing the script sequence from the beginning up to the arbitrary time. The system provides for a skip ahead mechanism in which commands are executed without waiting for the occurrence of their associated time. The system also provides for rewind and key-frame features.

Abstract: The present invention is a data processing unit capable of displaying a window on the display screen, and aims at being able to refer to and update window management information, that is, information indicating the size and the position of the window, etc. in a representation format comprehensible for a user.

Abstract: A method for deducing user intent and providing computer implemented services characterized by the steps of: a) noticing a significant new event occurring within the computer system; b) deducing an intent from the significant new event and from the context in which the new event occurred; and c) providing a service based upon the new event and its context. Significant events are those which the computer might be able to assist a user, and can be determined by matching the event into a database of recognizable events to make a significant observation. The deduction step takes a delimited set of significant observations and attempts to match the set against a number of intent templates. If there are multiple matches to the intent templates, the matches are ranked and a best guess is made to determine a deduced intent. Service is provided fulfilling all preconditions of a plan associated with the deduced intent, and by sequentially executing the steps of the plan.

Abstract: A computer method and system for interacting with a containee object contained within a container object. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the container object has a container application with a container window environment that has container resources for interacting with the container object. The containee object has a server application with a server window environment with server resources for interacting with the containee object. The method of the present invention displays the container window environment on a display device. A user then selects the containee object. In response to selecting the containee object, the method integrates a plurality of the server resources with the displayed container window environment. When a user then selects a server resource, the method invokes the server application to process the server resource selection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for improving a notebook control system. The notebook includes a number of panels organized into sections in accordance with an organizational scheme. Divider pages are provided for separating sections. Each divider page includes a tab portion which extends outward therefrom. A graphical representation, indicative of the organizational scheme, is provided in the tab portions. The tab portions are arranged in at least partially overlapping relationship with one another.

Abstract: A programming environment is provided in which an end user of one or more existing applications, e.g. integrated environment applications, can customize the applications with a unique user interface appearance. The environment consists of one application or a group of applications, a customization facility and a graphical editor. The customization facility records event streams from the user to the applications when they are run, and enables the user to compose a plurality of event streams into a story. The user generates a unique user interface appearance with graphical parts, e.g., boxes, arrows, icons, etc., using the graphical editor. The user then links the graphical parts, or objects of the user interface appearance to event streams or stories, and completes a programming mode. After programming, the user can make the customized application run by interaction with the new user interface appearance, for example picking the graphical objects on the appearance.

Abstract: A method and system for providing synchronization of the timing of various multimedia events, including a visual event is disclosed. Clock objects are defined in the storage and associated with an internal or external source of current time. The clock objects are able to be displayed on the display, but can be hidden once their linkages are defined. One or more multimedia objects representative of audio, visual or other multimedia events, including an audio object, are defined and linked to a particular clock object or clock objects. Then, a processor synchronizes the multimedia objects, including a visual object, with the associated clock object or objects. Finally, the various multimedia events are performed in synchronization with their associated clocks. The multimedia objects, including the visual object, may include external multimedia sources managed by the computer system.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for the dynamic sharing of user interfaces and portions of user interfaces. A user interface server coupled to applications, a display object store, and a window management system. The user interface server allows an application developer to provide an application with a user interface that is independent of any particular window management system. The user interface server provides applications with the ability to dynamically load user interfaces from the display object store and to attach any sub-hierarchy of a user interface, stored in the display object store, to a previously loaded user interface. The sub-hierarchy can be attached at any point which is consistent with parent-child relationships for components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for routing information with a pointer-based computer such as a pen-based computer. The routing actions may be faxing, printing, mailing (electronically), and beaming (by infrared light). The routed information may be document or other item produced by or associated with a particular application running on the computer. Routing actions that send items out of the computer system preferably are processed according to the following steps. First one or more menus or windows associated with the application of the document being routed are displayed on a display screen of the computer. At least one of these menus or windows contains a list of routing actions available to the application. The user selects one of these routing actions and, in some cases, provides additional information pertaining to the destination, format, etc. of the document being routed.