Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for providing addresses to clients. A request is received from a client for an address. A determination is made as to whether authentication information is present in the request. A verification process is performed using the authentication information if the authentication information is presenting the request. A determination is made as to whether the authentication information is authenticated. A privileged address is provided to the client in response to the authentication information being authenticated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a data processing system for processing user input. A graphical widget is displayed on a display device within the data processing system, wherein the graphical widget is displayed using a first size. Responsive to receiving a selected user input, a display of the graphical widget is resized on the display device to a second size for receiving user input, wherein the second size is larger than the first size.

Abstract: A data processor controlled user interactive display system for displaying hypertext documents, each including a sequence of display screen pages received at a receiving display station from a communications network such as the World Wide Web. Automatic sizing of the cache for received pages at the receiving display station is provided. This cache includes portions of the station's disk storage means and random access memory means for storing data representative of received screen pages. The size of the portions of disk storage and random access storage means needed for the cache are determined by prior monitoring of the quantities of disk storage and of random access memory used in said cache during prior transmission of screen pages to said receiving display station. The size of portions of disk storage and random access memory allocated to the present cache are based upon said prior monitoring. These sizing functions are most effectively included in a network interactive browser.

Abstract: A computing system including a plurality of data processing systems and a peripheral input device. The peripheral input device includes a computer selector for selecting one of the plurality of data processing systems for interaction with the peripheral input device. The peripheral input device also includes a wireless transmitter for providing communications with any one of the plurality of data processing systems. Each of the plurality of data processing systems includes a wireless receiver for receiving wireless communications from the peripheral input device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for a drag and drop in a computer system. The method includes beginning a drag and drop on an object in a first workspace, suspending the drag and drop, activating a second workspace, and resuming the drag and drop in the second workspace. The method of the present invention provides a drag and drop for a multiple workspace environment. The drag and drop is performed in one multi-step operation. This simplifies the moving of objects between workspaces and provides a graphical operation.

Abstract: A method and system for remotely controlling an appliance including a first wireless communication port is disclosed. In one aspect, the method and system provide a portable digital device for remotely controlling an appliance. The portable digital device includes a processor, a second wireless communication port coupled with the processor, and a control program for use by the processor. Upon a query provided from the second wireless communication port to the first wireless communication port, an interface residing on the appliance is provided from the appliance to the portable digital device. This allows the control program to control the appliance using the interface. In another aspect, the method and system include providing the interface residing on the appliance. The interface is capable of being uploaded to a portable digital device including a processor, a control program, and a second wireless communication port.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a progress indicator for an application in a computer system is disclosed. The method and system includes issuing a task request to the application, and graphically indicating a current status of the task request by a progress indicator when the application is iconified. The preferred embodiment of the present invention uses a graphical extension of the icon representing the iconified application. In this manner, the user is informed of the current status of a task request issued to the application without the need to maximize the application. This saves both time and valuable system resources.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for providing user-defined dynamic help text which is displayed integrally with the application. The method includes utilizing a monitoring program to monitor a plurality of events for the application; determining if a current event of the plurality of events is a spy event; if the current event of the plurality of events is a spy event, then displaying a help text corresponding to the current event of the plurality of events. In the preferred embodiment, the method also determines if the current event of the plurality of events is a user event if the current event is not a spy event. If the current event is a user event, then the help text corresponding to the current event of the plurality of events is updated according to a user text update. The method of the present invention uses a monitoring program which allows users to create customized help texts for any application.

Abstract: A data processing system and method of efficiently invoking a function within a data processing system wherein the data processing system includes a processing unit, a display device that displays graphical objects in response to receipt of signals from the processing unit, and a graphical user interface (GUI) manager stored within the memory and executable by the processing unit. A graphical application is displayed within the display device. The graphical application has an associated graphical window and an associated graphical selection area. After iconizing the graphical application such that the associated graphical window and associated graphical selection area are no longer displayed, in response to a selection of the iconized graphical application, only the associated graphical selection area is opened.

Abstract: A method and system in a computer network for the dynamic conversion of foreign language data transferred from a remote network site to a local network site into data supportive of the foreign language data, such that the data supportive of the foreign language data may be displayed at the local network site. Initially, the foreign language data at the remote network site is scanned, and individual foreign language characters are associated with the foreign language data. Next, each individual foreign language character associated with the foreign language data is mapped to a position in a table of characters capable of being transferred as data to another network site. The table and the mapping information are then transferred as data to the local network site. The characters contained in the table are subsequently automatically converted at the local network site into foreign language data. Finally, the foreign language data is displayed at the local network site.

Abstract: A computer controlled display system with a user interactive touch screen is provided with an on-screen mouse to which user input may be applied by rolling of the touch finger to thereby move displayed information: the pointer or scrolled information on the screen. Means are provided which are activated by the touching of the screen at any random position selected by the user for enabling the detection of any rolling of said placed fingertip in an orthogonal direction. Also provided are means responsive to the detection of said rolling of said placed fingertip for moving said displayed data in an orthogonal direction corresponding to the direction of said rolling. The data moved may be the cursor or pointer or, when scrolling, the whole screen of data may be moved.

Abstract: The present invention is a system, method, and computer readable medium for determining which graphic user interface (GUI) control element, including a graphic symbol and associated control code, to use to display particular data. The present invention uses a data-driven model, wherein the GUI control element, referred to as a widget, for a particular set of data is determined dynamically, based on information contained in a database. A widget may be created, displayed, and modified without having to change the program code which uses the widget to display data. As a program executes, it is determined that data needs to be displayed as part of a graphical user interface. The program which is executing calls a generic GUI manager, which determines which widget to use for the particular data at this point in the program and displays the widget. The generic GUI manager reads a database entry associated with the data to be displayed. The database entry contains information, or characteristics, regarding the data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for accessing television program information, particularly context sensitive information, some of which may be found through the Internet. A method and system according to the present invention is presented for interactively accessing program information on a television, the method comprising receiving a search request; generating at least one automatic search term regarding a program for television; and searching the Internet for requested information.

Abstract: A method and system in a remote computer network for allowing users to customize on-line search engines for on-line data searches. An on-line search engine is provided at a remote network site, such that the on-line search engine may be displayed at local network sites linked to the computer network. An independent user-defined search plug-in program is then designated for limiting the scope of online data searches to particular data subjects, such that the user-defined search plug-in program is called for processing by the on-line search engine during on-line data searches by the on-line search engine at a local network site utilizing search terms. The independent user-defined search plug-in program is subsequently stored at the local network site.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing the user of a computing device displaying information to control the navigational aspects of the displaying while retaining ease of use and other desireable characteristics. Specifically, the user is provided with an opaque box having a dot located in the center which can be dragged and dropped. The dragging and dropping of the dot controlling the distance and direction with which the information is moved.

Abstract: A method and system for retrieving specific types of objects contained within a compound document displayed in a graphical user interface environment within the data processing system. First, in response to user input, a dialog box which includes a listing of object types is displayed within the graphical user interface environment. Next, an object type is selected from among the listing of object types. Thereafter, in response to the selection of the object type, the graphical user interface dynamically searches for the relative location of a first object of the selected object type from among a sequential number of objects of the selected object type contained within the compound document. Next, in response to user controls, the graphical user interface automatically scrolls to the relative location within the compound document of the first object of the selected object type.

Abstract: A removable keyboard cap extension apparatus for a data processing system entry keyboard having a number of data entry keys which are constructed to electronically convey data. The removable keyboard cap extension apparatus includes a keyboard cap adapted to fit onto a key among a plurality of keys for use by a user of a particular data processing application among a number of data processing applications. The removable keyboard cap extension apparatus has a body that includes an upper planar surface, wherein the body and its upper planar surface are elevated above the data entry keys such that the upper planar surface is enhanced larger than the data entry key. The removable keyboard cap extension apparatus can be connected to an individual data entry key, or can replace the data entry key. A depression at any point on the upper planar surface will actuate only the individual data entry key which the removable keyboard cap extension apparatus is connected or replaces.

Abstract: A method, memory, and apparatus locate a portion (e.g., page) in a compound document. The method directs a computer, having at least a display device, to locate the specific page in the compound document. Specifically, the method creates an outline for each portion of the compound document, displays a display container (e.g., mini window) in a first position on the display (e.g., at a certain position on the scroll bar), wherein the first position corresponds to a first portion (e.g., page) of the compound document, in response to invoking a command by user controls (e.g., holding down second mouse button), scrolls the display container from the first position to at least a second position on the display, and wherein the second position corresponds to a second portion (e.g., page) of the compound document, and displays the outline of the second portion of the compound document in the display container.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and memory direct a computer system, having at least a processor, display, and user controls, to locate at least one portion (e.g., page containing one or more objects and text) of a compound document. The method includes creating an outline for each portion of the compound document, displaying on the display an elevator in a first position, wherein the first position of the elevator corresponds to a first portion of the compound document, in response to invoking a command by user controls, displaying on the display a display container, wherein the display container displays the outline of the portion corresponding to the first position of the elevator, and in response to scrolling the elevator to at least a second position, displaying the outline for the second portion corresponding to the second position of the elevator in the display container on the display.