Abstract: The present invention is concerned with client-side production in a personal computer environment of low bandwidth images and audio. A series of low bandwidth still images along with a “script” and audio data is sent over a network in a client/server architecture or is read from a compact disk or other memory. A “director” module residing in a client personal computer uses the “script” to tell the computer how to execute a sequence of “moves” on the still images. These moves include cuts, dissolves, fades, wipes, focuses, flying planes and digital video effects such as push and pull. Moves within a still image occur in real time, and are relatively smooth and continuous as compared to prior art network video. Low bandwidth is achieved because most of the production is done at the client location without relying upon slow, bandwidth-limited downloading of conventional network video formats.

Abstract: A method for dynamically generating a graphical user interface (GUI) from XML-based documents. In accordance with the method, visual components or display objects for building a GUI are defined, as well as a layout hierarchy describing layout relationships between the display objects, specifying how related display objects are to be laid out relative to each other on a layout window in the GUI. XML elements in an XML document pertaining to respective display objects are identified. A GUI is generated by rendering the identified display objects on the layout window, wherein the size and the position of each display object is based on layout rules defined by the layout hierarchy and a hierarchical position of the XML element pertaining to the display object within a hierarchy of XML elements of the XML document. The appearance of display objects in the GUI may also be altered through the use layout descriptors.

Abstract: A computer program product is provided as a system and associated method that allows the user to view a hierarchical lineage in a tree format even in the event of recursive circular relationships. The system prevents the lineage tree from being infinitely expandable truncating tree expansion when encountering a child that has previously appeared in the tree. If the user attempts to expand on an object that leads to a child already displayed in the tree, the system replaces the child's icon with one that resembles a recursive icon. The recursive icon is displayed by the system at the point of recursion, showing that an infinite, recursive relationship has occurred.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking a plurality of actions against at least one object by a computer system is disclosed. The method and system comprises providing an output view, wherein the output view includes a first output area and a second output area. An action list containing each of the plurality of actions is displayed in one of the first and second output areas. A user is allowed to select one action from the action list, and information associated with the selected action is displayed in the other of the first and second output areas.

Abstract: An image transfer object is disclosed that provides the necessary mechanism to conduct a dynamic transfer operation. The image transfer object includes a static reference to dynamic data. The image data is “dynamic”, in that the user may request additional views of the image. An image recipient computer receives the static reference to identify a source image on a server, and generates a first request, based on the static reference, for a view of the source image to the server. In response, the server transmits data to the image recipient computer. The image recipient computer displays the first view of the source image for viewing by the user. The user may then select a different portion of the source image, and/or a different resolution to designate a second view of the source image. The image recipient computer generates a second request to the image server for the second view, and the image server transmits additional data to generate the second view of the source image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described to control velocity of object movement in a display device. A path is provided that the object will follow in the display. A plurality of handles are provided along the path and a velocity of the object is controlled by using the handles.

Abstract: An audio information provision system for providing a target with an audio information stream suitable to the target includes a database for storing a plurality of audio information streams; an inherent condition input section for receiving an inherent condition of the target; a variable condition input section for receiving a variable condition varying in accordance with time; a selection section for selecting at least one audio information stream from the plurality of audio information streams based on at least the inherent condition and the variable condition; and an output section for outputting the at least one audio information stream.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to such systems and methods for personalizing an electrical device interface. In one arrangement, personalization involves presenting a variety of different default interface options to the user, the interfaces being configured to control operation of an electrical device, receiving selection of a default interface made by a user, and presenting the selected interface to the user. Several other examples of interface personalization are described in detail in this disclosure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying a plurality of icons on the display of a mobile terminal are provided. Messages are first sorted by comparing characteristics of the messages with first context category values. The messages may be assigned to discrete groups. The messages within each of the groups are then sorted by comparing characteristics of the messages with second context category values. Icons are assigned to the messages and displayed on a display of the mobile terminal.

Abstract: A system having a video display screen that provides video to a user. The position of the display screen is adjustable based upon the location of the user with respect to the display screen. The system includes at least one image capturing device trainable on a viewing region of the display screen and coupled to a control unit having image recognition software. The image recognition software identifies the user in an image generated by the image capturing device. The software of the control unit also generates at least one measurement of the position of the user based upon the detection of the user in the image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system to append information to an image file containing a stored graphical image. The appended information relates to the contents of the graphical image. In the process of the present invention, there is an initial graphical file containing a stored image. During the creation of the graphical file (such as a PowerPoint file or Freelance Graphics file), the user can insert images, other objects or text onto the file. Some of the objects can be hyperlinks (referred to as “Hotspots”) to other files or other system resources. The graphical software stores information related to every object on the graphical file. During the process of converting a graphical image to a graphical image file format such as a JPEG file, the present invention takes the information concerning ‘Hotspot’ or other objects on the file on the graphical file and generates an appendix to the created graphical image file containing this ‘Hotspots’ information.

Abstract: An operating system shell provides on a display screen a graphical user interface through which a user interacts with the operating system. The operating system shell provides a background noisy display rendered on the display screen in accordance with a background physical lighting model, and an ambient notification rendered over at least a portion of the background noisy display to provide a user notification. The ambient notification is rendered in accordance with an ambient notification physical lighting model that is different from the background physical lighting model.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for managing, tracking and controlling page sub-component prerequisites in a graphical user interface (GUI). According to one embodiment, in response to a request for a destination page and with reference to prerequisite information, one or more sub-component prerequisites associated with the destination page are identified. Then, a determination is made whether one or more requirements associated with the identified sub-component prerequisite have been satisfied by invoking a method of an instance of the identified sub-component prerequisite that causes stored information to be retrieved regarding the state of the sub-component prerequisite from a current environment/context.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for organizing and processing interconnected pieces of information (“nodes”) using a digital computer is disclosed. Each node has elements that may be text, images, audio, video, and other computer programs. A graph-based user interface presents the individual nodes in spatial arrangements that reflect the relationships among the nodes. User interaction indicating interest in a particular node results in an increase in the “activation” of that node. This leads to an increase in the size of the presentation of that node, as well as an increase in the size of the presentation of closely related nodes. The result is a unique user interaction paradigm that allows for intuitive traversal of complex collections of nodes.

Abstract: In one form, a method, for creating multiple segments of source information for presentation on a device having a limited size display screen, includes generating a first derivative file describing first presentation material. The derivative file is derived from a first copy of a master style sheet file. The master style sheet specifies a style of displaying the source information. The source information includes a plurality of attributes, of which a first set of attributes are included in the first derivative style sheet file. A second derivative file describing second presentation material is derived from a second copy of the master style sheet file. A second set of attributes included in the source information are included in the second derivative file. The first presentation and second presentation materials are generated responsive to the source information and the respective first and second derivative files.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing process control in a graphical user interface are provided. One embodiment is a method for managing process control in a graphical user interface.

Abstract: A method of display with a graphical user interface includes arranging selectable navigation points along a line configured on a display screen. In some embodiments, the selectable points correspond to pieces of information to be displayed, such that selection of a selectable point causes the corresponding piece of information to be displayed. The selectable points may be arranged along the line according to a priority sequence of the corresponding pieces of information. In other embodiments, the selectable points correspond to functions useful in using an application program. Selection of a selectable point in this embodiment causes the corresponding function to be executed. The line with selectable navigation points may therefore be used in place of other display tools such as toolbars or pull-down menus, and may allow rapid selection of desired options, commands, or information while using a minimum amount of screen space.

Abstract: Schedule data described using a sequence of a predetermined specification based on a set of a place condition and a time condition, and a schedule to be performed based on the place condition and time condition is processed depending on a range of a place information and a range of a time information to be presented to a user, and information corresponding to the schedule is presented to the user.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for managing, tracking and controlling page prerequisites in a graphical user interface (GUI). According to one embodiment, in response to a request to display a destination page of the GUI and with reference to prerequisite information, one or more prerequisite pages associated with the destination page are identified. Then, a determination is made whether the requirements of an identified prerequisite page have been satisfied by invoking a method of an instance of a decider sub-component that causes stored information regarding the state of the identified prerequisite page to be retrieved from a current environment/context. Finally, the destination page is displayed if all the requirements of the one or more identified prerequisite pages have been satisfied, otherwise a prerequisite page having one or more requirements that remain unsatisfied is displayed.

Abstract: An interactive software tool for testing a user in a web-based learning environment. The interactive software tool is embedded in a course page of a web-based curriculum. The software tool provides a question to a user regarding the information presented in the course, and an answer box containing a plurality of correct and incorrect answers. The software tool instructs the user to select at least one answer to the question. The software tool provides feedback to the user, and allows the user to revise an incorrect answer selection.