Abstract: A user interface system and process for graphically displaying the results of a standard search, such as a database search, to a user on a display device via an interactive search results window in which the user views and filters search results items. These results can be presented in either a cluster or histogram format, or both. This allows the user to visualize the results graphically, rather than just displaying a list of the items found. In addition the presentation of the search results can be graphically manipulated to easily filter the results as desired by the user.

Abstract: A user interface system and process for graphically displaying the results of a standard search, such as a database search, to a user on a display device via an interactive search results window in which the user views and filters search results items. These results can be presented in either a cluster or histogram format, or both. This allows the user to visualize the results graphically, rather than just displaying a list of the items found. In addition the presentation of the search results can be graphically manipulated to easily filter the results as desired by the user.

Abstract: A system and process for providing progressively higher quality versions of an audio and/or video program over a client-server based network. In response to a user command to view a particular program, the client requests layered data associated with the program from the server. The client also specifies how many consecutive layers are to be transmitted based on the bandwidth available on the network. The client then receives the data from the server, caches it, renders it as it is received, and presents it to the viewer. Upon a request from the user for a higher quality version of the program, the client requests as many enhancement layers associated with the program as possible given the available bandwidth. The client receives the requested data, combines it with the previously stored lower-level layer data, renders the higher quality version of the program, and presents the new version to the user.

Abstract: A system and process for providing progressively higher quality versions of an audio and/or video program over a client-server based network. In response to a user command to view a particular program, the client requests layered data associated with the program from the server. The client also specifies how many consecutive layers are to be transmitted based on the bandwidth available on the network. The client then receives the data from the server, caches it, renders it as it is received, and presents it to the viewer. Upon a request from the user for a higher quality version of the program, the client requests as many enhancement layers associated with the program as possible given the available bandwidth. The client receives the requested data, combines it with the previously stored lower-level layer data, renders the higher quality version of the program, and presents the new version to the user.

Abstract: A user interface system and process for graphically displaying the results of a standard search, such as a database search, to a user on a display device via an interactive search results window in which the user views and filters search results items. These results can be presented in either a cluster or histogram format, or both. This allows the user to visualize the results graphically, rather than just displaying a list of the items found. In addition the presentation of the search results can be graphically manipulated to easily filter the results as desired by the user.

Abstract: A system and process for providing progressively higher quality versions of an audio and/or video program over a client-server based network. In response to a user command to view a particular program, the client requests layered data associated with the program from the server. The client also specifies how many consecutive layers are to be transmitted based on the bandwidth available on the network. The client then receives the data from the server, caches it, renders it as it is received, and presents it to the viewer. Upon a request from the user for a higher quality version of the program, the client requests as many enhancement layers associated with the program as possible given the available bandwidth. The client receives the requested data, combines it with the previously stored lower-level layer data, renders the higher quality version of the program, and presents the new version to the user.

Abstract: A system and process for providing progressively higher quality versions of an audio and/or video program over a client-server based network. In response to a user command to view a particular program, the client requests layered data associated with the program from the server. The client also specifies how many consecutive layers are to be transmitted based on the bandwidth available on the network. The client then receives the data from the server, caches it, renders it as it is received, and presents it to the viewer. Upon a request from the user for a higher quality version of the program, the client requests as many enhancement layers associated with the program as possible given the available bandwidth. The client receives the requested data, combines it with the previously stored lower-level layer data, renders the higher quality version of the program, and presents the new version to the user.

Abstract: An idle mode on a computing device presents personal digital content on the computing device in a passive manner to an individual and allows the individual to manage the presented content. Upon being initiated, the idle mode selects a collection of content to be serially presented, orders the selected collection of content based on an ordering criteria, and presents each piece of content in the collection in order for a predetermined period of time. During the presenting of each piece of content in the collection, the idle mode awaits a trigger from the individual at the computing device corresponding to an active form of managing the piece of content, and upon receiving such trigger from the individual, receives actively collected information corresponding to the trigger from the individual and stores the actively collected information.

Abstract: Data objects are sent using a data carousel and forward error correction. This involves segregating a file into groups, wherein each group represents k data blocks. From the k data blocks of each group, n erasure-encoded blocks are calculated, where n>k. The n erasure-encoded blocks are sent in a round-robin fashion using IP multicast technology: the first erasure-encoded block for each group, then the second block of each group, and so on. At a receiver, the blocks are stored on disk as they are received. However, they are segregated by group as they are stored. When reception is complete, each group is read into RAM, decoded, and written back to disk. In another embodiment, the receiver segregates allocated disk space into areas corresponding to sets of groups. Received blocks are then segregated only by set as they are written to disk. One or more RAM buffers can be used in this embodiment. When reception is complete, each set is read into RAM, decoded, and then written back to disk.

Abstract: A system and process for graphically displaying the results of a standard electronic search to a user on a display device via an interactive search results window in which the user views and refines search results items using a tree format. In general, the tree has a first level that indicates how the search results may be refined. The second level of the tree shows what subsets (what) are available for a particular refining method. The third level shows how the already refined (by the second level) results may be refined further. This is repeatedly applied with odd-numbered levels of the tree indicating how the results may be refined, and even-numbered levels indicating what subsets are available. In addition to the tree, the search results window also includes a listing of the search results items associated with a user-selected portion of the tree.

Abstract: A user interface system and process for graphically displaying the results of a standard search, such as a database search, to a user on a display device via an interactive search results window in which the user views and filters search results items. These results can be presented in either a cluster or histogram format, or both. This allows the user to visualize the results graphically, rather than just displaying a list of the items found. In addition the presentation of the search results can be graphically manipulated to easily filter the results as desired by the user.

Abstract: Control apparatus is provided having a microprocessor-based control unit which includes EPROM stored programs for controlling two input stations, loudspeaking telephones, and a plurality of switching devices included on a serial link with the input stations. Each station has a television type monitor on the screen of which, when an input switching device, which is operable by a disabled person, is actuated, a main menu is presented in the form of a list of those of the devices and the telephones which can be controlled from that station. By use of the input switching device and the menu display, a device or the telephone can be selected for control. If control involves more than power on or off, a new menu appears listing the various functions to be chosen, e.g. television channel, volume control. The menus are presented in color determined on a pixel-by-pixel basis.

Abstract: A display matrix of LEDs responds to two coordinate display input signals representative of display positions each defined by a respective LED in the matrix, an input switch unit adapted for use by a disabled person being coupled to the matrix, so that the user can selectively actuate any one of a plurality of the LEDs, by a microprocessor equipped with an ROM holding the operating program for the microprocessor and an RAM in which sets of position coordinates of the matrix can be temporarily stored and recalled under the control of the user so that the user can write a message into the RAM by selecting a sequence of matrix positions corresponding to a sequence of words visibly displayed at respective LEDs and subsequently recall and display the message by selecting a read position in the matrix.