Abstract: A method of PROTO implementation in MPEG-4 is provided, including the steps of: defining a PROTO object class, instantiating a PROTO object, calling the PROTO object into an MPEG-4 scene graph, and rendering the PROTO object.

Abstract: An analytical reporting functionality provides full-fledged dynamic reporting capabilities on top of a multidimensional data model. A GUI facilitates replicating the same reporting data for various elements of a dimension. Additionally, direct interaction with the report to perform OLAP-style is enabled.

Abstract: An interactive tooltip provides access to help information and enhanced editing capabilities. The interactive tooltip is especially useful for a user editing a function within a spreadsheet formula. The present invention integrates HTML-like interactivity with a conventional tooltip to provide a new interface for working with the associated data. The interactivity of the tooltip provides additional levels of help or documentation when requested and provides additional editing navigation functionality within the associated data. The present invention provides a tooltip in close proximity to the associated data, while the associated data is being edited. In the case of a spreadsheet, a tooltip will be provided when the user begins editing a function within a spreadsheet cell.

Abstract: The present invention involves a new system and process for graphically representing time dependent information or data objects, from at least one separate program, in a sequential manner using a dynamic time strip having implicit or explicit indications of time. In particular, the dynamic time strip is a linear graphical strip comprising graphical representations of time dependent information elements or data objects which may or may not include text or markers to indicate the time (i.e. second, minute, hour, day and/or date) along the length of the strip. As time passes, and data objects are changed, added or removed from the time strip, either automatically or through user interaction, the time strip is automatically and dynamically updated to reflect these changes along with showing the passage of time. The period of time represented by the dynamic time strip is preferably one day, with the dynamic time strip automatically scrolling forward as time passes.

Abstract: A method for creating and accessing a graphical user interface in the overscan area outside the area of the display normally utilized by the common operating systems. This normal display area is generally known as the “desktop”. The desktop serves as a graphical user interface to the operating system. The desktop displays images representing files, documents and applications available to the user. The desktop is restricted in the common environments to a predetermined set of resolutions (e.g., 640×480, 800×600, 1024×768) as defined by VGA and SVGA standards. Displayable borders outside this area are the overscan area.

Abstract: A plurality of input/output terminals, with which devices having different protocols are connected in physically different forms, are displayed in an ordinate axis direction, and some of the devices, which are connected with the input/output terminals and the connection states of which can logically be discriminated, are displayed in an abscissa axis direction. The devices are selected by the selection of the input/output terminals displayed in the ordinate axis direction, or by the selection of the devices displayed in the abscissa axis direction, or by the selection of the devices displayed in the abscissa axis direction after the selection of the input/output terminals displayed in the ordinate axis direction.

Abstract: A graphical user interface and method for creating a mapping between a source object and a destination or target object are provided. The user interface includes a source screen region which displays a graphical representation of a source object, a target screen region which displays a graphical representation of a target object, and a mapping screen region which allows a user to create a mapping between the graphical representation of the source object and the graphical representation of the target object using graphical mapping indicia. The methodology includes displaying a graphical representation of a source object in a source screen region, displaying a graphical representation of a target object in a target screen region, creating a mapping between the graphical representation of the source object and the graphical representation of the target object in a mapping screen region using graphical mapping indicia, and displaying the mapping in the mapping screen region.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, apparatus and systems for defining variables to be used in a multi-lingual presentation system accessed by the Internet network wherein a plurality of visual objects such as charts and/or slides controlled by a third party in a server can be accessed by any user of the Internet network having a workstation. In an example embodiment, visual objects are each associated with an audio recording in any language selected amongst several predetermined languages. This method generally includes creating a control file having variables defining all the parameters of a presentation requested by a user of the Internet network. The variables are defined in the control file previously to the presentation.

Abstract: In a graphical desktop environment displaying desktop components, a control is provided to track the position of a pointer on a screen, and when the pointer enters relevant regions with respect to a desktop component, a thin or thick border in displayed around the desktop component to enable a user to resize the desktop component, and/or a caption bar is displayed along an edge of the component to enable a user to move the desktop component on the desktop. The caption bar may additionally be provided with menu and close buttons, to enable the user to bring up a menu of properties and/or actions for the desktop component, and close the desktop component, respectively. When the pointer is outside any region relevant to a desktop component, no borders or caption bars are displayed, thereby resulting in a visually less cluttered appearance.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for accessing a web site quickly is provided. Part of the computer software for implementing the present invention will be called “See You Again Shortcut™” software in this application. The “See You Again Shortcut™” software gives visitors to the vendor's web site, the ability to create a shortcut link to access the vendor's web site. The shortcut link may appear on the visitor's display. The shortcut link may be a logo or trademark of the vendor. The shortcut link may appear on the desktop display, start menu display, favorites menu display, Windows (TRADEMARKED) QuickLaunch Bar display, or in any other manner on the visitor's display. Selecting the shortcut link on the visitor display will cause a web page of the vendor's web site to appear on the visitor's display.

Abstract: A computer-based narration assembly system and method provide an environment analogous to in-person sharing of photographs by utilizing spontaneous verbal narration or story-telling, together with manual indications by the story-teller of significant or relevant image portions. The system combines the verbal narration with automatic cinematic display manipulations that relate to the manual indications by the story-teller to form a multimedia production or “movie” from the display images. The cinematic display manipulations may include pans, zooms, fades, etc. that animate the display of the images and transitions between them.

Abstract: A graphical user interface, providing local drag and drop functions, is employed to position text and graphic elements on a video frame image. Frame number, element position, and element attributes are employed to create an enhancement file. The enhancement file is employed to embed a trigger, comprising information that identifies a video frame to be enhanced and a locator indicating where enhancement information may be accessed, into a streaming media file to create and enhanced streaming media file. An HTML/Javascript page embeds a media player and includes software to detect a trigger, access enhancement information, and to render the enhancement information in response to the trigger.

Abstract: Collaboration space object model provides for a place consisting of rooms created by users interacting with a client browser. A skin (i.e., theme) may be used as template for creating places. PlaceBots (i.e., agents) provide for accessing, processing and managing data in a place. HTML may be dragged and dropped into a place, where it is parsed and corresponding place fields created. MS Excel or Word documents may be dragged and dropped into a place, which creates a corresponding form, and users may create new documents using that form. A place type comprising a template of an entire place, or collaboration space, may be used to create new places. Changes made to a place may be reported, subject to security controls, by selecting what's new. Task fields are provided allowing web browser creation of forms for work flow. Place enabled objects are provided for synchronous communications.

Abstract: A method and computer program product is described for displaying files associated with multiple hypertext links selected from a Web page. A user selects a set of links from a Web page that contains multiple links, and the linked files are displayed in a preferred sequence without having to repeatedly return to the original Web page. In addition, files associated with these links can be downloaded while the first links are being displayed and viewed by the user. Thus, both the usability and the performance in Web browsing is improved.

Abstract: A system for receiving, sending and creating multimedia messages includes an audio communication device, a visual output device, a remote access system and a multimedia message system. The audio communication device is coupled to the remote access system to provide audio input and control signals, and also for receiving the audio portions of multimedia messages. The remote access system also couples the visual output device to the multimedia message system for accessing the visual portions of multimedia messages. The multimedia message system has the capability to generate an image of the message in response to a user request and send that image to the remote access system, and then to the visual output device to the user. The image is augmented to include indices that the user may input via the audio communication device to perform specified actions with the various portions of the message.

Abstract: A method for returning focus to a user interface window is disclosed. Information relating to each user interface window existing within a computer operating system is stored in a working database that is different from real-time user interface window information maintained by the computer operating system. A top user interface window is determined at a display coordinate selected by, for example, a digitizing pen. Focus is returned to a last user interface window having focus when the top user interface window is a system user interface window. An informational context is determined for the top window, and data entered into the top window is recognized based on the informational context of the top window based on information stored in the working database.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a platform independent enhancement file for television employs a web based editor with local functions for repositioning and sizing of displayable elements. Elements comprise text, graphics, images, or imported HTML files. Trigger information associated with elements controls the time and actions performed when rendering the displayable elements. A database comprises data representing elements, element attributes, trigger information and project information. A file generation process queries the database and produces a platform independent XML compatible script file. The script file may be parsed and the resultant HTML/Javascript file may be previewed employing a web browser. The script file may be parsed with other tools to provide HTML files for specific platforms without modification of the script file.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture for storyboard thumbnail and video rights metadata insertion is provided for preventing unauthorized use of restricted video frames of a previously encoded MPEG video file. It can insert video rights metadata in the timecode packet of the affected video frame of the MPEG video file; if requested. To allow automatic recreation of a storyboard file from the MPEG video file, it can insert thumbnail status metadata in the timecode packet of the selected video storyboard thumbnail frame of the MPEG video file. If requested, it can update the video rights metadata in a video catalog record and in the timecode packet of the affected video frame of the MPEG video file. When needed, it can update the thumbnail status metadata in a video catalog record and in the timecode packet of the selected video storyboard thumbnail frame of the MPEG video file.

Abstract: As to an object-oriented programming, reuse of softwares is enhanced and running speed is improved. There are made up a data element list in which pointers to data storage areas of object A are arranged and a pointer element list in which pointers to pointer storage areas of object B are arranged. A combination of the data element list and the pointer element list makes it possible to directly refer to data of the object A from the object B.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement over previous Electronic Programming Guides (“EPG”) in that it provides, among other things: Improved viewer interaction capabilities with the EPG; improved viewer control of video recording of future-scheduled programming; improved features to the EPG display and navigation; parental control of the EPG display; improved television program information access by the viewer; improved opportunities for the commercial advertiser to reach the viewer; improved product information access by the viewer; creation of a viewer's profile; utilization of viewer profile information to customize various aspects of the EPG; and utilization of viewer profile information to provide customized presentation of advertising to the viewer.