Abstract: Methods for utilizing environment media in a computing system use environment media objects to create, modify and/or share any content. The environment media objects that have a relationship to at least one other object can communicate with each other to perform at least one purpose or task.

Abstract: The present invention generally comprises a computer control environment that builds on the Blackspace™ software system to provide further functionality and flexibility in directing a computer. It employs graphic inputs drawn by a user and known as gestures to replace and supplant the pop-up and pull-down menus known in the prior art.

Abstract: A method for recording and replaying operations in a computer environment utilizes initial conditions of the computer environment at the start of a recording to configure a replay computer environment during replay. The initial conditions of the computer environment are saved prior to recording of user inputs to the computer environment. The saved initial conditions and the recorded user inputs can then be used to actively operate the replay computer environment from a state substantially identical to the initial state of the computer environment to replay the recorded operations in the replay computer environment. The method also includes a technique to synchronize the operations with accompanying audio during replay.

Abstract: A method for recording and replaying operations in a computer environment utilizes initial conditions of the computer environment at the start of a recording to configure a replay computer environment during replay. The initial conditions of the computer environment are saved prior to recording of user inputs to the computer environment. The saved initial conditions and the recorded user inputs can then be used to actively operate the replay computer environment from a state substantially identical to the initial state of the computer environment to replay the recorded operations in the replay computer environment. The method also includes a technique to synchronize the operations with accompanying audio during replay.

Abstract: The present invention generally comprises a computer control environment that builds on the Blackspace™ software system to provide further functionality and flexibility in directing a computer. It employs graphic inputs drawn by a user and known as gestures to replace and supplant the pop-up and pull-down menus known in the prior art.

Abstract: The present invention generally comprises a computer control environment that builds on the Blackspace™ software system to provide further functionality and flexibility in directing a computer. It employs graphic inputs drawn by a user and known as gestures to replace and supplant the pop-up and pull-down menus known in the prior art.

Abstract: A method for performing a load-on-demand operation on assigned graphic objects allows a user to load a computer file without the assigned graphic objects to shorten the loading time of the computer file. The assigned graphic objects can be subsequently loaded by the user by activating an “assigned to” object.

Abstract: A graphic programming system for associating distinctive arrow appearances to specific transaction(s) that the arrow may convey among and between on-screen objects. The distinctive appearance features include arrow color, arrow style, and double-headed arrows, among many other possibilities. The system provides default relationships between specific arrow transactions and arrow appearance, so that, for example, a arrow of a particular color is recognized by the system (and easily identified by the user) to carry out a particular transaction. These relationships may be selectively varied by the user to suit individual needs.

Abstract: The invention provides mechanical devices to enhance the input process for touch screen devices. Fader tracks with or without fader caps, rotary and fixed knobs, and joysticks may be removably adhered to a touch screen and used to emulate their respective functions, using software interpretation of the touch detections provoked by the devices to carry out the emulations. The devices are inexpensive and simple, and the touch screen and associated software provide the function and feel of electromechanical controllers that are far more expensive and difficult to connect and maintain. The devices may be provided as components on a crack-and-peel sheet. For fixed knobs, the software application accepts initial inputs and determines the location on the touch screen, and also interprets the geometry of the input strokes as commands for selected controller emulations, such as joystick, fader, knob, or mouse.

Abstract: A system and method for creating, playing and modifying slide shows utilizes a graphic play area for sequentially displaying slides of slide shows. The graphic play area is configured to automatically add one or more objects placed in the graphic play area when a slide is displayed in the graphic play area such that the graphic objects are appended to that slide. Thus, the system and method allows a user to easily modify a slide show by simply placing one or more graphic objects, such as text, onto a slide currently being displayed in the graphic play area.

Abstract: A graphic programming system for associating distinctive arrow appearances to specific transaction(s) that the arrow may convey among and between on-screen objects. The distinctive appearance features include arrow color, arrow style, and double-headed arrows, among many other possibilities. The system provides default relationships between specific arrow transactions and arrow appearance, so that, for example, a arrow of a particular color is recognized by the system (and easily identified by the user) to carry out a particular transaction. These relationships may be selectively varied by the user to suit individual needs.

Abstract: The present invention generally comprises a computer control environment that builds on the Blackspace™ software system to provide further functionality and flexibility in directing a computer. It employs graphic inputs drawn by a user and known as gestures to replace and supplant the pop-up and pull-down menus known in the prior art.

Abstract: A graphic programming system for associating distinctive arrow appearances to specific transaction(s) that the arrow may convey among and between on-screen objects. The distinctive appearance features include arrow color, arrow style, and double-headed arrows, among many other possibilities. The system provides default relationships between specific arrow transactions and arrow appearance, so that, for example, a arrow of a particular color is recognized by the system (and easily identified by the user) to carry out a particular transaction. These relationships may be selectively varied by the user to suit individual needs.

Abstract: A computer control environment introduces the Gesture environment, in which a computer user may enter or recall graphic objects on a computer display screen, and draw arrows and gesture objects to control the computer and produce desired results. The elements that make up the gesture computing environment, include a gesture input by a user that is recognized by software and interpreted to command that some action is to be performed by the computer. The gesture environment includes gesture action objects, which convey an action to some recipient object, gesture context objects which set conditions for the invocation of an action from a gesture object, and gesture programming lines that are drawn to or between the gesture action objects and gesture context objects to establish interactions therebetween.

Abstract: A method for recording and replaying operations in a computer environment utilizes initial conditions of the computer environment at the start of a recording to configure a replay computer environment during replay. The initial conditions of the computer environment are saved prior to recording of user inputs to the computer environment. The saved initial conditions and the recorded user inputs can then be used to actively operate the replay computer environment from a state substantially identical to the initial state of the computer environment to replay the recorded operations in the replay computer environment. The replay computer environment may be a copy of a current computer environment from which a replay of the recorded operations has been initiated.

Abstract: A method for transmitting media, data, and text files in a manner that minimizes the use of bandwidth and memory comprises a BSP file containing a picture of the contents, as well as links to the content of the various components. When the recipient opens the message, the total visual content and all functional objects are depicted in the message display. The recipient may interact with the displayed content and functional objects; as these interactions create a demand for more data on the message content, the BSP file is queried for links to that content, and it is transmitted from the sender, as required by the recipient.

Abstract: The invention generally comprises methods for spacing a plurality of onscreen objects on the display of a computer or similar electronic device. One aspect is the Ripple operation, in which onscreen objects may be repositioned recursively in Blackspace or within a VDACC to accommodate changes in the size or position of an object, or the introduction of an object into a group of objects. Another aspect is the Text Space operation which enables a user to drag and reposition text without regard to rigid rules regarding margins, line spacing, paragraph format, and the like. A further aspect Touch Transparency, a software routine that determines which overlying object is designated to receive a mouse click and respond thereto.

Abstract: A method for performing a load-on-demand operation on assigned graphic objects allows a user to load a computer file without the assigned graphic objects to shorten the loading time of the computer file. The assigned graphic objects can be subsequently loaded by the user by activating an “assigned to” object.

Abstract: A method for performing a load-on-demand operation on assigned graphic objects allows a user to load a computer file without the assigned graphic objects to shorten the loading time of the computer file. The assigned graphic objects can be subsequently loaded by the user by activating an “assigned to” object.

Abstract: The invention provides mechanical devices to enhance the input process for touch screen devices. Fader tracks with or without fader caps, rotary and fixed knobs, and joysticks may be removably adhered to a touch screen and used to emulate their respective functions, using software interpretation of the touch detections provoked by the devices to carry out the emulations. The devices are inexpensive and simple, and the touch screen and associated software provide the function and feel of electromechanical controllers that are far more expensive and difficult to connect and maintain. The devices may be provided as components on a crack-and-peel sheet. For fixed knobs, the software application accepts initial inputs and determines the location on the touch screen, and also interprets the geometry of the input strokes as commands for selected controller emulations, such as joystick, fader, knob, or mouse.