Abstract: A system includes determination to display a message to a user, determination of a length of the message, determination of a reading speed associated with the user, determination of a finite duration based on the length of the message and the reading speed, and display of the message to the user on the display device for the finite duration.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implement techniques for rendering application user interfaces. Application data is displayed in user interface elements including two or more independent elements and one or more dependent elements. One of the independent elements can have the property of being the selected element and the application data displayed in the dependent elements is made to correspond to the application data displayed in the selected element. User input is received from a user to establish a normal mode or a decoupled mode of user interface operation. Navigation input is received to navigate from one user interface element to another user interface element. In the normal mode, navigation to an independent element causes the independent element to become the selected element. In the decoupled mode, navigation to an independent element does not change which, if any, of the independent elements is the selected element.

Abstract: An outwardly expandable radial menu, such as a plus-shaped menu, may be launched in a user interface screen and may include a center option and up to four other options arranged to the left, right, upward, and downward relative to the center option. The position of each of the options may be associated with certain option categories. A traditional selectable menu, such as drop down menu, may be appended to the plus-shaped menu. A determination may be made regarding whether a portion of the plus-shaped menu will exceed a display boundary of the user interface screen. A placeholder may be displayed in place of the portion that is determined to exceed the display boundary. In response to user navigation to the placeholder, the plus-shaped menu may be shifted so that the portion replaced by the placeholder may be displayed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implement techniques for rendering application user interfaces. Application data is displayed in user interface elements including two or more independent elements and one or more dependent elements. One of the independent elements can have the property of being the selected element and the application data displayed in the dependent elements is made to correspond to the application data displayed in the selected element. User input is received from a user to establish a normal mode or a decoupled mode of user interface operation. Navigation input is received to navigate from one user interface element to another user interface element. In the normal mode, navigation to an independent element causes the independent element to become the selected element. In the decoupled mode, navigation to an independent element does not change which, if any, of the independent elements is the selected element.

Abstract: Automatic layout generation where elements and group boxes may be placed in layout styles. Elements have widths that are integer multiples of a standard width. The standard width and a width of a layout shape are used in selecting a layout style. If at least two group boxes are not wider than half the layout shape width, a layout style is selected that provides spacing between side-by-side group boxes and that may accommodate group boxes wider than the predetermined width. If one, or no, such group box is present, a layout style may be selected that does not provide such spacing.

Abstract: Automatic layout generation using algorithms taking into account a size of the layout and sizes of elements to be placed in the layout. Longer elements may be placed on separate rows of the layout, while shorter elements are distributed in a number of columns. Elements may be placed in group boxes, and an initial distribution of group boxes may be redistributed or adjusted to reduce the required screen space, to increase symmetry, and/or to avoid misleading semantics.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for training a plurality of learners. In one disclosed embodiment, a method is provided for training a plurality of learners to develop user interfaces for a software application. The software application may be designed to interact with a plurality of users, including a first user and a second user. The exemplary training method may include dividing the plurality of learners into a first group, a second group and a third group, brainstorming by the first group and the second group to generate an overall usage context for the user interfaces, and designing, by the first and second groups, first and second usage scenarios. The first and second groups may provide first and second prototypes for the user interfaces according to the first and second usage scenarios, respectively. In addition, the third group may analyze existing user interfaces to provide assistance to the first and second groups in providing the prototypes.