Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for handling a dismissed dialogue box that displays an animation in which the dialogue box moves to an off-screen space beyond the perimeter of a computer display. Based on a later user request to view the dismissed dialogue box, the present invention provides a further animation that brings the off-screen space and the dialogue box into view. Under some embodiments, multiple dismissed dialogue boxes are stored in the off-screen space and the user can manipulate the boxes when viewing the off-screen space. In some embodiments, the off-screen space is brought into view by rotating the space into the user's current view. In other embodiments, the user's current view is rotated to show the space.

Abstract: An interactive visualization of stored data includes a representation of a three-dimensional generally helical path extending between spaced apart ends of the path. Selected parts of the stored data are mapped to corresponding parts of the helical path to facilitate visualization of the stored data. The stored data may include an unbounded dimension (e.g., time) that is mapped along the helical path. One or more user interface elements may be associated with the helical path to effect display of additional information associated with a selected part of the path.

Abstract: A graphical user interface in which object thumbnails are rendered on a simulated three-dimensional surface which (i) exploits spatial memory and (ii) allows more objects to be rendered on a given screen. The objects may be moved, continuously, on the surface with a two-dimensional input device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology to provide a glancable, interactive user interface associated with one or more prioritized informational items or notifications. Such items can be received from external sources and/or from a notification system, wherein priorities can be assigned by the sources and/or automatically determined by a computer-based prioritization system. The notifications are then arranged and/or located in a graphical display according to the assigned priorities, thus enabling a user to quickly glance at the display and determine how many items are pending, where items have originated from, and what urgency level is associated with respective items. Various shapes, locations, colors, and sounds are utilized in a variety of ergonomic configurations, some controlled by the invocation of a variety of filters and informational lenses to enable users to easily manage a plurality of information sources.

Abstract: An object having first and second intersecting hierarchies is specified. The object is illustrated with respect to the first hierarchy. The second intersecting hierarchy is presented for selection to illustrate the object with respect to the second intersecting hierarchy. In response to selecting the second intersecting hierarchy, the object is illustrated within the second intersecting hierarchy. To illustrate the object within the second intersecting hierarchy, the procedure visually morphs from the first intersecting hierarchy to the second intersecting hierarchy. This means that a first structure representing the first hierarchy is gradually changed to a second structure that represents the second hierarchy.

Abstract: A computer 10 has an input device 12 keyboard with two sets of input keys 14, 16 separated by a touch pad 20. The touch pad 20 is accessed by an operator's index finger from the home row of keys, typically the next to last row.

Abstract: A graphical user interface in which object thumbnails are rendered on a simulated three-dimensional surface which (i) exploits spatial memory and (ii) allows more objects to be rendered on a given screen. The objects may be moved, continuously, on the surface with a two-dimensional input device. Furthermore, the interface determines a degree to which each such object is related, either through similarity or matching, to other such objects and displays an appropriate cue proximate to and associated with the former object to visually signify this degree.

Abstract: A graphical user interface in which object thumbnails, as scaled images, are rendered on a two-dimensional wall or screen, and which exploits spatial memory. The objects may be moved, continuously, on the surface with a two-dimensional input device. Pop-up title bars may be rendered over active objects. Intelligent help may be provided to the user, as visual indicators, based on proximity clustering or based on matching algorithms.

Abstract: A graphical user interface in which object thumbnails are rendered on a simulated three-dimensional surface which (i) exploits spatial memory and (ii) allows more objects to be rendered on a given screen. The objects may be moved, continuously, on the surface with a two-dimensional input device.

Abstract: A graphical user interface in which object thumbnails are rendered on a simulated three-dimensional surface which (i) exploits spatial memory and (ii) allows more objects to be rendered on a given screen. The objects may be moved, continuously, on the surface with a two-dimensional input device.

Abstract: A device driver initiates a DMA transfer and repeatedly reads a semaphore from a specified location in system memory. Upon completion of a DMA transfer, a DMA controller writes a semaphore containing status information to the specified location in system memory, informing the device driver that the DMA transfer is completed. A cache memory for the specified location in system memory is provided to further reduce the latency between DMA transfers.

Abstract: Peripheral lenses provide simulated peripheral vision on a display device. One or more peripheral lenses may be provided to generate peripheral views corresponding to portions of peripheral vision. In a first alternative, multiple viewing frustums are utilized. A first viewing frustum is utilized to define a main view of a scene and additional viewing frustums are defined for each peripheral lens. The viewing frustums of the peripheral lenses are angularly offset relative to the viewing frustum for the main view and share a boundary with the viewing frustum for the main view. In a second alternative, a reflective object is positioned within a scene to yield peripheral views of the scene. Environment mapping is employed to determine how objects in the scene are reflected off the reflective object. The reflective object may be dynamically altered to modify the resulting peripheral view.

Abstract: A convertible computer includes a base portion having an operative side and a rear side. The computer further includes a display portion, pivotally attached to the base portion, having an operative side and a rear side, the rear side of the display portion being positionable substantially adjacent the rear side of the base portion. Moreover, the computer includes a cover positionable over the operative side of the base portion.

Abstract: A video editing method that includes displaying a two-dimensional projection of a representation of a projection surface. This projection is derived from a three-dimensional position of the surface. A handle is displayed attached to the projection, and the position of the surface is updated in a manner corresponding to the displacement of a cursor at the handle. The method further includes displaying a second projection derived from the updated position, and redisplaying the handle attached to it.

Abstract: Multiple processor systems are configured to include at least two system or memory buses with at least two processors coupled to each of the system buses, and at least two I/O buses which are coupled to the system buses to provide multiple expansion slots hosting up to a corresponding number of I/O bus agents for the systems at the cost of a single system bus load for each I/O bus. Each of the system and I/O buses are independently arbitrated to define decoupled bus systems for the multiple processor systems of the present invention. Main memory for the systems is made up of at least two memory interleaves, each of which can be simultaneously accessed through the system buses. Each of the I/O buses are interfaced to the system buses by an I/O interface circuit which buffers data written to and read from the main memory or memory interleaves by I/O bus agents.

Abstract: A buffer management scheme for optimally configuring a data buffer within a computer system which includes a plurality of bus masters connected through a Micro Channel bus and the data buffer to a shared resource, such as memory. The scheme decodes unique four-bit Micro Channel arbitration values assigned to the bus masters to retrieve buffer configuration parameters stored within a register file containing different configuration parameters for each bus master. The data buffer is dynamically configured for optimal performance with each bus master having control of the Micro Channel bus in accordance with the parameter data retrieved from the register file.

Abstract: A binary counter (60) provides for resolution doubling by producing a wavetrain (Q0) which represents the zero-order bit of the counter and has the same frequency as the clock input (REFCLOCK).