Abstract: Upon authentication via a required multi-function hardware component, coupled to a computer system with one or more computer-readable media, having a software product embodied thereon, one implementation, described herein, conditionally blocks or grants access to the software functionality of that software product on that computer system.

Abstract: The present invention greatly enhances the user experience when the user is attempting to “teach” an electronic control device the code set used by a remote control unit. In one embodiment, the user is simply instructed to depress a button on the remote control unit. The electronic control device captures the overall waveform of the transmission corresponding to the code representing the depressed button and matches it against codes found in a code set database. If a unique match is found, the full code set data describing the matched code set is retrieved from the code set database and is used by the first electronic control device.

Abstract: Providing dynamic content in a user interface page in an application is disclosed. The user interface page is rendered in the application, in which the user interface page includes at lease one menu items. Responsive to a selection of a menu item, at least one tile corresponding to the selected menu item is rendered. Responsive to an interaction with a tile, dynamic content is rendered within the tile in the application.

Abstract: A method and system for adding application defined properties and application defined property sheet pages are provided. The application defined properties may be added to a list of system defined properties. Once added, the application defined properties may be displayed and edited. In addition, a user may select several objects, display the properties common to all of the objects in a list, and edit the common properties. Moreover, application defined property sheet pages may be added to a set of system defined property sheet pages. A user may then display and edit the application defined property sheet pages. Also, a user may select several objects, display the properties common to all of the objects on a per-property browsing list, and edit the common properties. In addition, a user may select several objects, display the property sheet pages common to all of the objects, and edit the properties on these property sheet pages.

Abstract: A system supports the use of information pointers. The information pointers provide audio and/or visual information about objects to which the cursors point. For instance, an information cursor may provide output specifying the name of an object to which the cursor points. In addition to information about the object pointed to by the cursor, information windows provide information about the user's interaction with the object. For example, “Deleting Source File.” Information windows may contain information pertaining to a pair of objects, such as the source and target object in a drag and drop operation, or to a collection of objects.

Abstract: A system for forming and maintaining one or more networks of devices connected to a shared includes processes for: (a) forming a logical network on the shared media; (b) discovering devices connected to the shared medium; (c) assigning (or acquiring) devices to a logical network; and (d) maintaining a logical network. The system also defines a message format and protocol for communication over the shared media. The protocol uses a two-level address scheme (e.g., a logical network ID and a device ID) and defines several message types used to support the above processes and other useful features. A logical network includes an address space arbiter (ASA) and, typically, one or more devices attached to the shared media. An acquisition authority (AA), interacting with the ASA, is required to complete acquisition of a device by a logical network.

Abstract: Information cursors are provided for use in an operating system and/or application programs. Each information cursor includes a pointing portion to point to objects displayed on a video display and an information portion to display information about an object to which the pointing portion points. The information displayed in an information cursor may include the name of the object, a preview of the contents of the object, or property information about the object.

Abstract: A system supports the use of information pointers. The information pointers provide audio and/or visual information about objects to which the cursors point. For instance, an information cursor may provide output specifying the name of an object to which the cursor points. In addition to information about the object pointed to by the cursor, information windows provide information about the user's interaction with the object. For example, “Deleting Source File.” Information windows may contain information pertaining to a pair of objects, such as the source and target object in a drag and drop operation, or to a collection of objects.

Abstract: A system supports the use of information pointers. The information pointers provide audio and/or visual information about objects to which the cursors point. For instance, an information cursor may provide output specifying the name of an object to which the cursor points. In addition to information about the object pointed to by the cursor, information windows provide information about the user's interaction with the object. For example, “Deleting Source File.” Information windows may contain information pertaining to a pair of objects, such as the source and target object in a drag and drop operation, or to a collection of objects.

Abstract: A method and system for adding application defined properties and application defined property sheet pages are provided. The application defined properties may be added to a list of system defined properties. Once added, the application defined properties may be displayed and edited. In addition, a user may select several objects, display the properties common to all of the objects in a list, and edit the common properties. Moreover, application defined property sheet pages may be added to a set of system defined property sheet pages. A user may then display and edit the application defined property sheet pages. Also, a user may select several objects, display the properties common to all of the objects on a per-property browsing list, and edit the common properties. In addition, a user may select several objects, display the property sheet pages common to all of the objects, and edit the properties on these property sheet pages.

Abstract: Information cursors are provided for use in an operating system and/or application programs. Each information cursor includes a pointing portion to point to objects displayed on a video display and an information portion to display information about an object to which the pointing portion points. The information displayed in an information cursor may include the name of the object, a preview of the contents of the object, or property information about the object.

Abstract: Information cursors are provided for use in an operating system and/or application programs. Each information cursor includes a pointing portion to point to objects displayed on a video display and an information portion to display information about an object to which the pointing portion points. The information displayed in an information cursor may include the name of the object, a preview of the contents of the object, or property information about the object.

Abstract: A method and system for adding application defined properties and application defined property sheet pages are provided. The application defined properties may be added to a list of system defined properties. Once added, the application defined properties may be displayed and edited. In addition, a user may select several object, display the properties common to all of the objects in a list, and edit the common properties. Moreover, application defined property sheet pages may be added to a set of system defined property sheet pages. A user may then display and edit the application defined property sheet pages. Also, a user may select several objects, display the properties common to all of the objects on a per-property browsing list, and edit the common properties. In addition, a user may select several objects, display the property sheet pages common to all of the objects, and edit the properties on these property sheet pages.

Abstract: Maintenance of code knowledge for up-to-date access thereof. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for providing code knowledge in response to receiving a request for code knowledge regarding a computer program. The method first creates a proxy, then a node to which the proxy is pointed by a unique node key and which includes the code knowledge. The method updates the node as necessary to provide accurate code knowledge. For example, the method sets a flag of the proxy indicating the node as invalid upon a change event. Upon the flag of the proxy indicating the node as invalid, and upon receiving a second request for the code knowledge, the method recreates the node.

Abstract: A method and system for adding application defined properties and application defined property sheet pages are provided. The application defined properties may be added to a list of system defined properties. Once added, the application defined properties may be displayed and edited. In addition, a user may select several objects, display the properties common to all of the objects in a list, and edit the common properties. Moreover, application defined property sheet pages may be added to a set of system defined property sheet pages. A user may then display and edit the application defined property sheet pages. Also, a user may select several objects, display the properties common to all of the objects on a per-property browsing list, and edit the common properties. In addition, a user may select several objects, display the property sheet pages common to all of the objects, and edit the properties on these property sheet pages.

Abstract: A method and system for adding application defined properties and application defined property sheet pages are provided. The application defined properties may be added to a list of system defined properties. Once added, the application defined properties may be displayed and edited. In addition, a user may select several objects, display the properties common to all of the objects in a list, and edit the common properties. Moreover, application defined property sheet pages may be added to a set of system defined property sheet pages. A user may then display and edit the application defined property sheet pages. Also, a user may select several objects, display the properties common to all of the objects on a per-property browsing list, and edit the common properties. In addition, a user may select several objects, display the property sheet pages common to all of the objects, and edit the properties on these property sheet pages.

Abstract: A method and system for adding application defined properties and application defined property sheet pages are provided. The application defined properties may be added to a list of system defined properties. Once added, the application defined properties may be displayed and edited. In addition, a user may select several objects, display the properties common to all of the objects in a list, and edit the common properties. Moreover, application defined property sheet pages may be added to a set of system defined property sheet pages. A user may then display and edit the application defined property sheet pages. Also, a user may select several objects, display the properties common to all of the objects on a per-property browsing list, and edit the common properties. In addition, a user may select several objects, display the property sheet pages common to all of the objects, and edit the properties on these property sheet pages.

Abstract: A method and system for adding application defined properties and application defined property sheet pages are provided. The application defined properties may be added to a list of system defined properties. Once added, the application defined properties may be displayed and edited. In addition, a user may select several objects, display the properties common to all of the objects in a list, and edit the common properties. Moreover, application defined property sheet pages may be added to a set of system defined property sheet pages. A user may then display and edit the application defined property sheet pages. Also, a user may select several objects, display the properties common to all of the objects on a per-property browsing list, and edit the common properties. In addition, a user may select several objects, display the property sheet pages common to all of the objects, and edit the properties on these property sheet pages.

Abstract: A method and system for adding application defined properties and application defined property sheet pages are provided. The application defined properties may be added to a list of system defined properties. Once added, the application defined properties may be displayed and edited. In addition, a user may select several objects, display the properties common to all of the objects in a list, and edit the common properties. Moreover, application defined property sheet pages may be added to a set of system defined property sheet pages. A user may then display and edit the application defined property sheet pages. Also, a user may select several objects, display the properties common to all of the objects on a per-property browsing list, and edit the common properties. In addition, a user may select several objects, display the property sheet pages common to all of the objects, and edit the properties on these property sheet pages.

Abstract: File rack icons are provided to logically group object icons on the screen of a video display. The file rack icon consolidates the grouped icons so that they occupy less of the screen of the video display. The file rack icon is available in alternative forms. In addition, object icons may be dragged into or dragged out of a file rack icon so as to dynamically alter the icons grouped by the file rack icon.