Abstract: A method for displaying the status of a clinical analyzer on an operator interface in a manner that minimizes the effort required by the operator to access pertinent data. In one aspect the method includes displaying routine and non-routine information about the operational aspects of a clinical analyzer so that non-routine operational information screens is accessible only by qualified technicians.

Abstract: A method for organizing and displaying multiple calendars (200, 300, 400, and 500) from multiple devices (102, 104, 106, and 108) to give an appearance of a single user calendar (1100 and 1200) on a user's device is disclosed. Each calendar event having associated user category such as time (210), self (204), family (206), and work (208), is organized based on a display preference selected by a user. Desired calendar events organized based on the display preference are displayed (1100, 1200) on a selected device. Calendar events displayed have different visual attributes based on the corresponding associated users.

Abstract: A method of implementing a plurality of system tray areas is disclosed, wherein each system tray area is defined with a particular size and used for displaying a plurality of registered icons to enable a user to select one icon to execute a corresponding system tray function, a first system tray area having a size that is larger than the size of a second system tray area. The method includes: initiating installation of an operating system in a computer system, wherein the computer system has a shell program, the shell program being used for interpreting and executing a command given from a user of the operating system; calling the shell program; and executing the shell program to enable a display of the computer system to display at least two system tray areas.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for generating an incremental explanatory object in an educational application program, First, at least one interface is provided including a plurality of fields. Educational textual information is then entered via the interface for entry into the fields. During operation, the user is permitted to select an incremental explanatory icon on the interface. Upon the selection of the incremental explanatory icon, a plurality of sequential fields are shown. Thereafter, the user is prompted to enter educational textual information for entry into the sequential fields. The received textual information is subsequently compiled in an executable educational application program.

Abstract: A system and method for advanced network viewing is disclosed. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a system and method for generating a representation of a linked site is disclosed. A user may view the contents of a linked site from an original site accessed by the user without manually accessing the linked site. One method of accomplishing this task includes the steps of accessing a first site; querying at least one of a link and a second site linked to the first site; generating a representation of the linked second site; and communicating the representation wherein the representation enables a user to preview the linked second site. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention the representation may comprise a thumbnail representation of the second site so that users may preview the contents of the second site by accessing the first site.

Abstract: Prior to completely installing a computer software product to a computer-readable medium of a computer system having a display device, a graphical representation of a hierarchy of files and directories which would result from said installing is displayed with the display device.

Abstract: In a method form of the invention, objects are projected in a first display unit for a computer system. The computer system enables designating one of the objects projected in the first display unit. The designated object is projected in a second display unit communicatively connected to the computer system. The designated object is projected as an active object in one of the display units concurrently with projecting it as a non-active object in the other of the display units.

Abstract: Included in the invention are systems and methods of full time recording network traffic to a hierarchical data storage. Also included in the invention are systems and methods of retrieval of recorded network traffic from a hierarchically organized network data repository. Additionally included in the invention are systems and methods of efficiently filtering data in a hierarchically organized network data repository. Systems and methods of displaying recorded network data utilizing the retrieval systems are also included in the invention. Further included in the invention are systems and methods of providing sliding time window selection user interfaces. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims.

Abstract: A system and a method for a user interface which generates a preview display to aid in the navigation of items of content on a computer. A screen displays an item to a user. Upon receipt of a user input representing a proposed navigational action to be performed with respect to the item, a preview display is generated and rendered on the screen display. The preview display includes at least a portion of the display which would result from a selection to perform the navigational action with respect to the item.

Abstract: A plug-in is provided to existing electronic message programs, such as electronic mail message programs, to provide a virtual toolbar therein. The virtual toolbar includes one or more virtual buttons that allow a user to select multimedia content to be added to an electronic message. The multimedia content may include, without limitation, any one or more of: graphics, audio, animation, video and text selections. The multimedia content may further include customizable templates in which business messages may be generated. The virtual buttons may be each be assigned to one category of related content, such as Backgrounds for providing graphic backgrounds to a message, Holiday Themes for providing multimedia content associated with particular holidays, Animations for including FLASH animations or the like to a message, and Text for including pre-formatted text to a message.

Abstract: An information providing system, apparatus, and method, and a data recording medium wherein a user can frequently communicate with an imaginary electronic pet that virtually lives in a piece of electric equipment so that the user can operate the electric equipment with increased interest and happiness. The system includes a plurality of interconnected pieces of electric equipment for transmitting and receiving character data. Each piece of equipment includes a character system for processing the character data, a representation system for representing a character to indicate a representation to a user of the electric equipment, and a connection system for establishing a connection to another piece of equipment. The character system rocesses the character data based on character representation data for providing the character with a predetermined representation, and the representation system provides information from the character to the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to generate a plural number of differing data displays, each based upon a multi-information display template that has the information to drive each separate data display. Each data display may be different as regards selected information to appear on each data display, selected placement of the information on each data display depending upon a selected and defined style, an at least one selected and defined mode of information to appear on any one data display, and the utilization of specific display program capabilities (such as a browser). Additionally, a method and apparatus is provided for a user to enter the information into a computing system, and for the computing system to generate the multi-display template.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method of exploring paths having multiple layers. Such paths may be through any of a number of types of networks, such as transportation networks, distribution networks, business structure networks, or telecommunication networks. The method initially displays in a path explorer view, the nodes and links of a first layer of the path in a linear configuration. Upon selection/deselection of a layer expander icon located near the first layer node at which the path traverses to the second layer, the method expands/collapses the second layer of nodes and links in a linear configuration which is parallel to, but offset from the first layer. The method further contemplates the display of a topology view which, in conjunction with the path explorer view, graphically displays a structure of a selected layer of the path, with the path visually distinguished therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unique system and method for facilitating browsing, sorting, clustering, and filtering any number of media objects grouped together in a quick and easy manner. In particular, the invention involves annotating the media objects, which have been clustered, sorted, and/or filtered en masse rather than individually, with metadata. The media objects may be selected by a user and annotated with a plurality of metadata as desired by a user in order to optimize utilization of the media objects. The media objects may also be combined and/or mixed in any number of ways to create new media objects. Media objects may include an audio component, a visual component, a portion thereof, and/or any combination thereof.

Abstract: An object-oriented framework comprises system services, objects, and integration interfaces which unify retrieval and browsing of data among multiple different application programs, document formats, and local and remote data storage sites. The framework provides a hyperlink object which encapsulates general hyperlink navigation functions. The hyperlink object has a moniker which references a hyperlink's target, and a location string which designates a location in the target. The hyperlink object uses the moniker to retrieve the target as an object in the framework, and causes the object to display a view of the target at the location. The framework also provides a browse context object which maintains a navigation stack of navigated hyperlink targets, and allows passing of window and navigation tool bar position information to a frame in which the target is displayed to effect the appearance of window reuse when navigating between frames.

Abstract: The present invention provides a schedule management apparatus for managing and displaying entered schedules. The schedule display control unit displays a schedule in a schedule display frame corresponding to the date of the monthly schedule table. The display switching unit automatically switches, when there are a plurality of schedules, a schedule displayed in the schedule display frame to another schedule at prescribed switching time intervals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating meetings, conferences and forums involving face-to-face discussion or conversation between participants. The invention may also be used as a form of entertainment or to enhance Internet cafes and leisure facilities. Other embodiments of the invention may be used to facilitate networking sessions, training sessions, educational programs and public consultations. In the method of the invention the communication system is used to structure and coordinate live face-to-face communication between users in person. The invention enables participants to immediately identify subjects that are of special interest and importance to each of them. Groups of participants are then able to concurrently discuss a very large number of subjects using the highly interactive protocols of natural face-to-face conversation. The invention also provides means to alter the trajectory of discussion between users, particularly in the light of previous discussions.

Abstract: A system and a method generate a device user interface executable by an information handling system. A device database includes a list of devices for which user interface components are available to implement functions for controlling the devices, and a resource database includes the user interface components. The device to be controlled by the user interface is identified and compared to a database of devices for which user interface resource components are available. A user interface generator determines whether the device is included in the device database and retrieves the user interface components from the resource database. A layout manager assembles the user interface components into a user interface. If the device is not listed, generic device user interface components are retrieved, otherwise device specific user interface components are retrieved, and assembled into a layout matrix. The user interface is created from the layout matrix.

Abstract: A user interface and methods for using a user interface for controlling processing of time-based media files. In one exemplary method, a graphical representation of a time line for a time-based media is displayed along with a graphical representation of a current time along the graphical representation of the time line. A start graphical indicator and a stop graphical indicator is also displayed along the graphical representation of the time line. A portion of the time-based media may be selected for presentation by dragging or positioning at least one of the start graphical indicator and the stop graphical indicator along the graphical representation of the time line. In another aspect of the invention, an exemplary method allows for the adaptive control of a portion of the interface which indicates time relating to a time-based media. An input speed is determined where this input is to change the portion and the rate at which the change to this portion occurs is dependent upon the input speed.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a resource in a processing system is disclosed. The processing system includes a display. The system comprises a total resource graphic provided on the display. The total resource graphic represents the total resource. The system includes at least one allocation graphic provided within the total resource graphic. The allocation graphic represents the proportion of the resources allocated to an object. The system and method in accordance with the present invention allows for allocation of a resource across all demands, the relative size of the allocations, and the usage of the resource by the individual demanding operation within a single graphical object. In addition, the object would provide for changes to that allocation by direct manipulation, in addition, the status indicator would provide additional information on demand by the user.