Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for presenting categorical programs. The method causes information of a plurality of programs fitting categories defined in a request to be retrieved from a database. The method then causes a first tabular layout to be generated. The first tabular layout comprises a first level of content details for each of the plurality of programs. The first tabular layout has a first total dimension. The method causes the first level of content details for a selected program to be adjusted to a second level of content details in response to an interaction by a user. The method then causes the spaces occupied by the plurality of programs to be resized according to the second level of content details. The method then causes a second tabular layout to be generated. The second tabular layout has a second dimension that is substantially the same as the first total dimension.

Abstract: A method for processing data includes identifying a time signature of an infra-red (IR) beacon. Image data associated with the IR beacon is identified using the time signature.

Abstract: An improved method for display of a transitional region of interest while transitioning between a first region of interest and a second region of interest within visual information on a display screen of a computer. The method comprising the steps of applying a transitional transformation to the visual information and displaying the transitional transformed visual information on the display screen. The transitional transformation requiring a reduced calculation for transforming the visual information in the transitional region.

Abstract: In a data processing system that executes a program of instructions, a method for generating a detail-in-context presentation of a three-dimensional information representation comprising the steps of selecting a object-of-interest in the information representation; selecting a viewpoint; selecting a path from the viewpoint to the object-of-interest; and, displacing objects in the information representation away from the path to locations within the information representation where the objects remain visible when viewed from the viewpoint yet do not occlude the object-of-interest when viewed from the viewpoint to thereby generate the detail in context view.

Abstract: A method for displaying visual information on a display screen of a computer, comprising the steps of scaling the visual information to produce a scaled representation to fit on the display screen the scaled representation containing the entire content of the visual information; selecting a region of interest within the scaled representation; applying a transformation to the scaled representation to improve the visual detail in the region of interest; and, displaying the transformed presentation on the display screen.

Abstract: An improved method for display of a transitional region of interest while transitioning between a first region of interest and a second region of interest within visual information on a display screen of a computer. The method comprising the steps of applying a transitional transformation to the visual information and displaying the transitional transformed visual information on the display screen. The transitional transformation requiring a reduced calculation for transforming the visual information in the transitional region.

Abstract: A method for displaying visual information on a display screen of a computer, comprising the steps of scaling the visual information to produce a scaled representation to fit on the display screen the scaled representation containing the entire content of the visual information; selecting a region of interest within the scaled representation; applying a transformation to the scaled representation to improve the visual detail in the region of interest; and, displaying the transformed presentation on the display screen.

Abstract: A method for processing data includes identifying a time signature of an infra-red (IR) beacon. Image data associated with the IR beacon is identified using the time signature.

Abstract: A method for displaying visual information on a display screen of a computer, comprising the steps of scaling the visual information to produce a scaled representation to fit on the display screen the scaled representation containing the entire content of the visual information; selecting a region of interest within the scaled representation; applying a transformation to the scaled representation to improve the visual detail in the region of interest; and, displaying the transformed presentation on the display screen.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for presenting categorical programs. The method causes information of a plurality of programs fitting categories defined in a request to be retrieved from a database. The method then causes a first tabular layout to be generated. The first tabular layout comprises a first level of content details for each of the plurality of programs. The first tabular layout has a first total dimension. The method causes the first level of content details for a selected program to be adjusted to a second level of content details in response to an interaction by a user. The method then causes the spaces occupied by the plurality of programs to be resized according to the second level of content details. The method then causes a second tabular layout to be generated. The second tabular layout has a second dimension that is substantially the same as the first total dimension.

Abstract: To facilitate an offeror making sensible offers to offerees based on locations visited by offerees, position data from a positioning device, such as a GPS or other positioning device, is digitally signed or encrypted, and provided to an offeror. The offeror may then validate the digitally signed or encrypted position data before extending an offer based thereon. To facilitate digital signing or encryption of position data, an encryption key may be embedded within a positioning device by a manufacture of the positioning device. Various trust models may be employed between the manufacturer, offeror and offerees.

Abstract: An improved method for display of a transitional region of interest while transitioning between a first region of interest and a second region of interest within visual information on a display screen of a computer. The method comprising the steps of applying a transitional transformation to the visual information and displaying the transitional transformed visual information on the display screen. The transitional transformation requiring a reduced calculation for transforming the visual information in the transitional region.

Abstract: A method for displaying visual information on a display screen of a computer, comprising the steps of scaling the visual information to produce a scaled representation to fit on the display screen the scaled representation containing the entire content of the visual information; selecting a region of interest within the scaled representation; applying a transformation to the scaled representation to improve the visual detail in the region of interest; and, displaying the transformed presentation on the display screen.