Abstract: A visual effect creation system and method is software designed for creating, maintaining, and displaying real-time 3D visual effects. There are two parts to the software. The first part is the creation and maintenance tool and the second part is a real-time display module. The creation and maintenance tool contains the real-time display module which greatly aids the creation phase. The real-time display module is also designed to integrate the 3D visual effect created with the creation and maintenance tool into the platform of the final product. With the creation and maintenance tool the user can create individual and modular 3D visual effects, which can later be incorporated into other effects or used as a stand-alone 3D visual effect. The data structure for each 3D visual effect is based on a hierarchical node design (parent-child relationship) which allows for inheritance of specific attributes from the parent to the child.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product is provided for interactive user navigation in a real-time 3D simulation. An assembly builder permits a user to build customized physics-based assemblies for user navigation in a variety of virtual environments. These assemblies are stored in a library and are then accessed by a navigation run-time module that runs in conjunction with, or as a part of, a visual run-time application. The navigation run-time module receives high-level user goal requests via a simple and intuitive user interface, converts them into a series of tasks, and then selects the appropriate assembly or assemblies to perform each task. As a result, complex navigation may be achieved. Once selected, an assembly provides a physics-based eye-point model for user navigation. Collisions between the assembly and objects in the simulation are resolved using a real-time physics engine, thus ensuring smooth, cinematic-style eye-point modeling in addition to real-time control.

Abstract: A method of managing booting of a plurality of target devices in communication with a network is provided. A server in communication with the plurality of target devices receives a request from at least one target device in a pre-boot stage. A current boot category is assigned to the target device, the current boot category based on the pre-boot stage of the target device. A current boot list of target devices with corresponding current boot categories is generated. Systems and methods of using the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: Electronic program guides in which program listings may be graphically presented and in which sponsors and celebrities of those programs may be identified are provided. The electronic programs guides may be passive television program guides, interactive television program guides, and/or on-line television program guides. Television show text information, logos and/or trademarks, celebrity images, affiliation indicators, and advertisements may be present in the program listings to enhance the electronic program guides.

Abstract: A system and method provides for the automatic generation of a list of channels, stations, selections, etc., that are selected most often on a media presentation device by a user during a particular period of time.

Abstract: A dynamic drop down control divides a drop down list into a plurality of sections. At least a first section has categories listed therein and at least a second section has items specific to a selected category listed therein. As the selected category is changed, so is the specific items listed in the second section.

Abstract: A method for manipulating a three-dimensional sub-volume within a graphical display is disclosed and includes selecting an option from a menu screen to relocate or re-size a three-dimensional sub-volume within the graphical display, and upon selecting the option to relocate or re-size, proceeding with the following. A cursor is placed on either the sub-volume or a selected corner of the sub-volume within the graphical display, a selected one of a left and a right mouse buttons is depressed, and the sub-volume is dragged to a relocation area or resized within an "x-y" plane and/or a "z" plane of the graphical display according to depression of the selected mouse button and placement of the cursor. When the selected one of the left and right mouse buttons is released, the x, y, and z-coordinates of the relocation area and/or resizing are locked. The sub-volume is, therefore, manipulated within a three-dimensional frame of reference by controlling the mouse.

Abstract: A computer-based method of sizing and positioning controls within a window is disclosed. The method divides a window, and in particular a dialog window, into rectangular regions, referred to as frames. A logical description of the relative positions and sizes of the controls and frames within the dialog window is specified. The method automatically determines the coordinates of each control and positions the controls accordingly during execution of the computer program that is displaying the dialog window. The method is performed in two stages: a specification stage and a layout stage. In the specification stage, a dialog window is subdivided into multiple nested rectangular frames. The set of frames for a dialog window forms a hierarchical tree of frames. In the layout stage, the method traverses the tree of frames twice. The first traversal of the frame tree occurs in postorder sequence, and determines the minimum required size of each frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides a three-dimensional perspective, virtual workspace to window based display systems. The user may activate control buttons to transform a typical two-dimensional window to a three-dimensional perspective, virtual workspace. The transformation to the three-dimensional workspace provides a perspective or sense of depth to the display of the windows containing computer applications. In this manner, a simulated three-dimensional window display environment for the operating system is provided. The operating system utilized in connection with the present invention receives data for storage in a destination rectangle in a frame buffer. The data designated for storage in a destination rectangle is generally given in pixel coordinates. The operating system scales the data's dimensions to the provide a three-dimensional perspective appearance on the display screen.

Abstract: A user interface utilizes a variable or changeable displayed field label and an associated data entry field for displaying and entering stored database properties. A pop-up list box is associated with the displayed field label, to be selectively displayed in response to a user's selection. When displayed, the pop-up list box contains a list of available field labels that can be alternatively selected by the user as the displayed field label. Each of the field labels corresponds to a different stored property. The data entry field corresponding to the displayed field label can be selected and used to enter a value for the stored property corresponding to the displayed field label. The pop-up list box contains an indication of any existing values for the stored properties corresponding to the available field labels.

Abstract: A method and device for generating a character line of uniform width throughout character size conversion includes predetermining an offset value corresponding to a target line width; adjusting a line width of each character part to the target value without consideration of respective line widths; obtaining coordinate data by reading coordinates of a dot sequence of each character part; reading an offset value corresponding to a character size after coordinate transformation on the basis of the read-out coordinate data. A reference point for a character part from the coordinate data is selected and coordinates of the dot sequence of the character part are transformed to a specified size. A character part font is generated using the transformed dot sequence and superimposing a character part font onto another character part for plotting a character.

Abstract: In a network development support system, it is supported that logical hierarchic structure, physical parameters, and logical parameters of a network are integrally designed in an environment in which relationships therebetween can be confirmed. Definition of logical hierarchic structure of the network is accepted in the form of a tree of containers in a container tree window. Physical and logical parameters are accepted in physical and logical object windows, respectively. The physical and logical object windows are created in association with containers of the container trees.