Abstract: An interface engine provides animated views in a user interface. The interface engine directs the operation of a rendering environment to create an interface in a rendering area. The interface engine includes views, layouts, animators, and constraints. Views identify child views and resources for display in the rendering area. In response to events, such as user inputs, a view modifies itself by calling layouts, animators, and constraints. A layout manages the attributes of a view's child views, including child view position and size. An animator modifies the view's appearance over a specified period of time. A constraint imposes limits on view properties. In one implementation, an Internet site delivers an interface engine to a browser to supply content and a user interface. A presentation server compiles an interface engine description and specified resources into an interface engine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing information by merging of an arbitrarily shaped data source with an arbitrary display hierarchy, including binding data in a source data file to application or content code. In one embodiment, the data source is an XML data file and the application is a rich Internet application provided by a presentation server. The method includes the steps of providing a structured data file; and merging the structured data file with a source file, the source file including at least one display element definition including an expression that refers to an arbitrary position or range within the data file. In another aspect, the invention is an apparatus. The apparatus includes one or more storage devices, and one or more processors in communication with said one or more storage devices.

Abstract: A user interface is provided for conducting online conversations that span asynchronous and synchronous modes of communications. Users can initiate a new conversation or find existing conversations by choosing images of friends from a drop down list based on text input of friends' names. Conversations are represented in a tree-branch configuration such that new comments added to a conversation are associated directly to the existing comments to which they respond. Branches can be opened or collapsed automatically or at the users' option, allowing the user focus his attention on part(s) of the conversation. Content from the web can be searched and found content can be included into the body of a comment. All participants in a conversation see the same representation of the conversation and links to referenced Web content are maintained in tact regardless of the length and complexity of the conversation.

Abstract: A server is disclosed that presents content to a client. The server receives a request for particular content. In response to the request, the server accesses data and/or code that describes the particular content. The server compiles that code and/or data to create executable code, and transmits the executable code to the client for execution on the client. In one embodiment, the code describing the particular content is a mark-up language description. In various implementations, the executable code includes a user interface that provides access to the requested content.

Abstract: A method for decreasing a computer application's start-up time. In one aspect, the method comprises: creating a serialized representation of application objects in a runtime environment; building an object code file using the serialized representation; and providing the application to a new runtime environment. In another embodiment the method may include the steps of: compiling an application provided in a source language; initializing the application in a runtime environment; and creating a serialized representation of the application.

Abstract: Code for a program is received by a compiler (or other entity). The code includes an expression for a variable and a marker that specifies when the expressions should be evaluated during execution of the program. Example markers can indicate that an expression should be evaluated immediately, once or always. Additional functionality is provided to the code in order to evaluate the expression at the specified time during execution of the program. If the expression is to be evaluated always, then the expression will likely be dependent on a item that can change. Functionality is provided that evaluates the expression when the item changes so that the variable can be updated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a dynamically controllable user interface that embraces a variety of media. A menu system, which interfaces between a user and a variety of media and offers contextual and static options to the user, is capable ratcheting upon receipt of one or more input commands. Contextual options allow a user to control various media, such as television programming and/or web pages, on the television screen, while static options allow a user to execute mini applications while viewing television programming and/or surfing the Internet. The ratcheting menu system that organizes the various options, allows a user to control a variety of media through one menu system, and optimizes the display area on a television screen. The menu system allows for access to television programming while providing authentication to maintain security on web pages.

Abstract: An interface engine provides animated views in a user interface. The interface engine directs the operation of a rendering environment to create an interface in a rendering area. The interface engine includes views, layouts, animators, and constraints. Views identify child views and resources for display in the rendering area. In response to events, such as user inputs, a view modifies itself by calling layouts, animators, and constraints. A layout manages the attributes of a view's child views, including child view position and size. An animator modifies the view's appearance over a specified period of time. A constraint imposes limits on view properties. In one implementation, an Internet site delivers an interface engine to a browser to supply content and a user interface. A presentation server compiles an interface engine description and specified resources into an interface engine.

Abstract: A server is disclosed that presents content to a client. The server receives a request for particular content. In response to the request, the server accesses data and/or code that describes the particular content. The server compiles that code and/or data to create executable code, and transmits the executable code to the client for execution on the client. In one embodiment, the code describing the particular content is a mark-up language description. In various implementations, the executable code includes a user interface that provides access to the requested content.

Abstract: An interface engine provides animated views in a user interface. The interface engine directs the operation of a rendering environment to create an interface in a rendering area. The interface engine includes views, layouts, animators, and constraints. Views identify child views and resources for display in the rendering area. In response to events, such as user inputs, a view modifies itself by calling layouts, animators, and constraints. A layout manages the attributes of a view's child views, including child view position and size. An animator modifies the view's appearance over a specified period of time. A constraint imposes limits on view properties. In one implementation, an Internet site delivers an interface engine to a browser to supply content and a user interface. A presentation server compiles an interface engine description and specified resources into an interface engine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a dynamically controllable user interface that embraces a variety of media. A menu system, which interfaces between a user and a variety of media and offers contextual and static options to the user, is capable ratcheting upon receipt of one or more input commands. Contextual options allow a user to control various media, such as television programming and/or web pages, on the television screen, while static options allow a user to execute mini applications while viewing television programming and/or surfing the Internet. The ratcheting menu system that organizes the various options, allows a user to control a variety of media through one menu system, and optimizes the display area on a television screen. The menu system allows for access to television programming while providing authentication to maintain security on web pages.

Abstract: An interface engine provides animated views in a user interface. The interface engine directs the operation of a rendering environment to create an interface in a rendering area. The interface engine includes views, layouts, animators, and constraints. Views identify child views and resources for display in the rendering area. In response to events, such as user inputs, a view modifies itself by calling layouts, animators, and constraints. A layout manages the attributes of a view's child views, including child view position and size. An animator modifies the view's appearance over a specified period of time. A constraint imposes limits on view properties. In one implementation, an Internet site delivers an interface engine to a browser to supply content and a user interface. A presentation server compiles an interface engine description and specified resources into an interface engine.