Abstract: An information management and distribution system is disclosed. The information management and distribution system includes a client-side application and a server application that interact to facilitate the controlled exchange of contact information over a network. The client-side application can provide creation and design, rolodex, exchange, and update features. The information management and distribution system can also include a corporate administrator application. Still another aspect of the invention is that contact information can be distributed to registered users in a common format.

Abstract: A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system is described, the thermostat having a user interface that is visually pleasing, approachable, and easy to use while also providing intuitive navigation within a menuing system. In a first mode of operation, an electronic display of the thermostat displays a population of tick marks arranged in an arcuate arrangement including a plurality of background tick marks, a setpoint tick mark representing a setpoint temperature, and an ambient temperature tick mark representing an ambient temperature, the setpoint temperature being dynamically changeable according to a tracked rotational input motion of a ring-shaped user interface component of the thermostat. In a second mode, the a plurality of user-selectable menu options is displayed in an arcuate arrangement along a menu option range area, and respective ones of the user-selectable menu options are selectively highlighted according to the tracked rotational input motion of the ring-shaped user interface component.

Abstract: Detecting a first facial region in a first image. Extracting the detected first facial region. Generating a first facial thumbnail based on the extracted first facial region for use in representing the first image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for real-time collaborative computing and collective intelligence are disclosed. A collaborative application runs on a collaborative server connected to a plurality of computing devices. Collaborative sessions are run wherein a group of independent users, networked over the internet, collaboratively answer questions in real-time, thereby harnessing their collective intelligence. Methods are disclosed for assigning users to factions during a collaborative decision process, wherein the collaborative server repeatedly checks the input of each user with respect to a plurality of proposed answers and assigns the user to the faction associated with the answer the user is trying to select. Furthermore, user assessments are made based on a stored time-history of faction associations for that user during a decision period.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein that are capable of presenting a control interface based on (e.g., based at least in part on) a multi-input command. A multi-input command is a command that includes two or more inputs. Each of the inputs may be of any suitable type. For instance, any one or more of the inputs may be a touch input, a hover input, etc. Moreover, any one or more of the inputs may be a finger input, a pointing device input, etc. A finger input is an input in which a finger touches or hovers over a touch display module of a touch-enabled device. A pointing device input is an input in which a pointing device (e.g., a stylus) touches or hovers over a touch display module of a touch-enabled device.

Abstract: A Document Integration and Viewing System (DIVS) can perform a method that comprises accessing a plurality of electronic documents, assigning each of the electronic documents to an appropriate category of a plurality of user-specified document categories, establishing a sequence for the electronic documents in each of the user-specified document categories, and generating a graphical user interface that includes a plurality of panes. Each of the user-specified document categories is assigned to a different pane of the plurality of panes so that each of the electronic documents is assigned to a corresponding one of the panes. Within each pane, all of the electronic documents assigned to the pane are viewable sequentially in response to user inputs according to the sequence determined for the electronic documents of the corresponding category, with seamless visual transitions between contents of the electronic documents assigned to each pane.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for managing contacts on a telecommunications device are provided. In one embodiment, a software application executed by a processor of a telecommunications device identifies a first subset of contacts selected at least in part by a user of the telecommunications device and a second subset of contacts. Each of the first and second subsets includes a portion of the user's contacts accessible by the telecommunications device. The software application causes display of a graphical identifier associated with each contact of the first subset of contacts in a first arrangement on a display of the telecommunications device about a first axis positioned external to the display. The software application further causes display of a graphical identifier associated with each contact of the second subset of contacts in a second arrangement on a display of the telecommunications device about a second axis positioned external to the display.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for managing a subset of contacts on a telecommunications device are provided. In one embodiment, a software application executed by a processor of a telecommunications device identifies a subset of contacts selected at least in part by a user of the telecommunications device. The subset of contacts includes a portion of the user's contacts accessible by the telecommunications device. The software application causes display of a first portion of graphical identifiers associated with a first portion of the subset of contacts along a first path on a display of the telecommunications device about an axis positioned external to the display of the telecommunications device. The software application further causes display of a second portion of graphical identifiers associated with a second portion of the subset of contacts along a second path on the display of the telecommunications device about the external axis.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for managing a subset of user contacts on a telecommunications device are provided. In one embodiment, a software application executed by a processor of a telecommunications device identifies a subset of contacts selected at least in part by a user of the telecommunications device. The subset of contacts includes a portion of the user's contacts accessible by the telecommunications device. The software application executed by the processor of the telecommunications device then causes display of a graphical identifier associated with each contact of the subset of contacts in an arrangement on a display of the telecommunications device about an axis positioned external to the display of the telecommunications device. Aspects of systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for further arranging the graphical identifiers are also provided.

Abstract: When a command key of a controlling platform is activated, the platform performs an operation to initiate a playing of media content and also initiates the retrieval of information from an information source.

Abstract: A contextual user interface based on video game playback is described. An assistant device can receive video game state information indicating a state of a playback of a video game on a video game console. Using that information, the assistant device can determine characteristics of the playback and generate a button on a graphical user interface (GUI) based on the characteristics. A user can then select the button and cause the assistant device to instruct the video game console to perform a corresponding action.

Abstract: Provided are a display apparatus and a display method. The display apparatus includes: a display configured to provide a plurality of item areas each of which displays at least a part of an item list including a plurality of items, wherein the display provides at least one item area, among the plurality of item areas, as a closed item area and provides at least one item area, among the plurality of item areas, as an open item area; and a controller configured to control the display to, in response to an input of a control apparatus that selects the closed item area, display at least some items of an item list corresponding to the closed item area on the open item area and to display at least some items of an item list corresponding to the open item area on the closed item area.

Abstract: For improving a future UI design, a set of data is analyzed. A data in a first subset of the set includes (i) a description of a UI layout including a description of a UI element in a first area of a touch-sensitive device, the first area having a below a level of sensitivity, the data, and (ii) a second area of the touch-sensitive device having a second sensitivity at least equal to the level of sensitivity. A characteristic of the UI element is extracted. A threshold number of data in the first subset include some UI element with the characteristic. For a first area in each data in the subset, the characteristic is determined to cause a sensitivity to reduce to below the level of sensitivity. Accordingly, an instruction causes a UI design tool to move a UI element in the future UI design to a second area.

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for a graphical user interface tool for system-wide topology and performance monitoring with per-partition views. A graphical user interface application presents a consolidated view of physical and logical information based on the received performance data. The mechanisms provide real-time performance and utilization information in a visual format relative to the physical components in a topographical layout. The user may drill down to lower levels to view more detailed performance and utilization information.

Abstract: An application associated with a digital magazine server receives actions from a user of the digital magazine server with content provided by the application. Additionally, the application obtains rules including suggested actions for the user to perform that are associated with actions previously performed by the user. As the user interacts with the application, the application captures information describing actions performed by the user and compares the actions performed by the user to the rules. If the application identifies a rule including information describing actions previously performed by the user that match captured actions, the application presents information identifying the suggested action in the identified rule to the user.

Abstract: A wireless communication device, system and methods are presented. The wireless communication device includes a display unit, a transmitting unit, a touch input, a storage unit and an execution unit. The display unit displays screens comprising display objects related to one or more applications. The touch input acceptance unit accepts a touch input. The storage unit stores screen information comprising icons related at least to the applications, disposition information of the icons on the screens, and acquisition source information for the applications. The execution unit causes the transmitting unit to transmit screen information associated with the screens selected based on input accepted by the touch input acceptance unit.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by a processor of an electronic device having a touch-sensitive display, cause the processor to enable a user interface of the device, including presenting a list of items on the display, each item having content associated therewith, highlighting an item in the list by presenting a highlight marking on that item, translating the highlight marking within the list, in response to an object gliding along the display, and opening the content associated with the currently highlighted item, in response to a tap gesture on the display.

Abstract: An approach is provided for automatically generating user-specific interaction modes for processing question and answers at the information handling system by receiving a question from a user, extracting user context parameters identifying a usage scenario for the user, identifying first input and output presentation modes for the user based on the extracted user context parameters, monitoring user interaction with the system in relation to the question, and adjusting the first input and output presentation modes based on the extracted user context parameters and detected user interaction with the system.

Abstract: A method and system for text input by a continuous sliding operation is provided.

Abstract: A machine may be configured to generate and provide, for example, a voice-user interface to a social networking service. The voice-user interface may enable a member of the social networking service to access member profile information for other members of the social networking service. Using the voice-user interface, a first member of the social networking service can speak a natural language command or request to receive an aural response that includes information regarding a second member of the social networking service. In this manner, the first member can request and receive specific member profile information of a second member. In another aspect, the first member can record audio notes to be assigned to his or her own member profile or assigned to a member profile of the second member. The first member may subsequently use the voice-user interface to have such audio notes played back when desired.