Abstract: An electronic helmet is provided that includes a helmet body and an integrated electronic system disposed in the helmet body. In an exemplary embodiment, the electronic system provides the user with a number of convenient functions and is operable from a wireless remote control. The components of the electronic system are sufficiently small and rugged for use in the helmet, ensuring that the helmet is lightweight and durable. Moreover, the components are spaced about the helmet to provide even weight distribution to promote overall balance and safety. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the helmet body has a hard outer shell and a hard inner shell mounted to the outer shell such that a cavity is defined between the outer and the inner shells. The inner shell includes suitable material to provide the user effective RF shielding from the electronic system. For example, the inner shell can include nickel-plated carbon fiber to provide RF shielding.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for modifying the manner in which a themed computer user interface element is rendered. The method includes obtaining source data defining the rendering attributes of the user interface element. Parameters are then provided for modifying the source data. The source data is then modified in accordance with the parameters to produce transformed source data reflecting the desired rendering attributes for the user interface element. The transformed source data is stored on the computer to enable displaying the user interface element using the transformed source data. The user interface element may then be rendered to, for example, a computer monitor using the transformed source data. The parameters may, for example, direct modifications to the brightness, contrast, color, volume, or other attributes of the source data.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for allowing a user to control the user interface environment and specifically a sidebar within the user interface environment. The method controls tiles within a sidebar to respond to a manipulation request by a system user or by an application to manipulate a selected tile. The method includes determining a current status of the selected tile and selecting an appropriate rule for manipulating the tile based on the status of the tile and an identity of the manipulation requestor. One rule set is provided for the application and another rule set is provided for the user. The method further includes manipulating the selected tile in accordance with the appropriate rule. The user rules allow insertion of the tile in most, if not all cases, whereas the application rules may prohibit insertion of the selected tile.

Abstract: A system and method for resizing tiles on a computer display is provided. The tiles are automatically sized until a user takes control after which the user may manually size the tiles. Size limits may be set for the tiles. If an attempt is made to automatically resize a tile above a specified limit, then a notification may be sent to the user requesting approval for the new tile size. If the user does not approve the new size, then the tile will be placed in a manual sizing mode in which further automatic resizing is limited. If the user approves the new size, then further automatic resizing may occur without requesting further approval. The tiles are prevented from being automatically resized too frequently, which could be distracting or annoying to a user.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for use in a computing environment to present and provide access to user information. The system may include a sidebar for hosting a plurality of tiles. Applications may be minimized and inserted into the sidebar upon minimization. Selected features of the application remain available through a tile when the application is represented by a tile in the sidebar. The system may also include user interface tools for allowing a user to command placement of a selected application into the sidebar. The application may include an available feature selection module for allowing an application to provide at least a sub-set of a full feature set upon minimization. An insertion module may be provided for inserting the tile into the user interface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for use in a computing environment to present and provide access to information that a user cares about. A scheme is provided for presenting frequently used controls and information in tiles within a sidebar. Tiles are hosted individually or in groups, within a sidebar, for interaction by a user. Tiles can be added or removed from the sidebar automatically or by user request. The present invention is further directed to a method for providing a scaleable and useable preview of tiles within a sidebar. Further still, the present invention is directed to maintaining an overflow area of icons for tiles that would not fit within the sidebar. The sidebar has content that dynamically adjusts in response to the addition, expansion, squishing or removal of tiles. Even Further, a user can customize the sidebar of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for residential delivery. The invention also provides for a delivery-slot based delivery system.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for organizing, displaying, and accessing representations of one or more running tasks on a graphical user interface in a computer system. The system organizes like application files and clusters the corresponding taskbar buttons and, upon reaching a threshold limit, creates and displays a group button that contains the like application files and removes the like taskbar buttons from the taskbar. Further, upon reaching a second threshold limit, the system ungroups the application taskbar buttons, displays them on the taskbar and removes the group button from the taskbar.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for modifying the manner in which a themed computer user interface element is rendered. The method includes obtaining source data defining the rendering attributes of the user interface element. Parameters are then provided for modifying the source data. The source data is then modified in accordance with the parameters to produce transformed source data reflecting the desired rendering attributes for the user interface element. The transformed source data is stored on the computer to enable displaying the user interface element using the transformed source data. The user interface element may then be rendered to, for example, a computer monitor using the transformed source data. The parameters may, for example, direct modifications to the brightness, contrast, color, volume, or other attributes of the source data.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for organizing, displaying, and accessing representations of one or more running tasks on a graphical user interface in a computer system. The system organizes like application files and clusters the corresponding taskbar buttons and, upon reaching a threshold limit, creates and displays a group button that contains the like application files and removes the like taskbar buttons from the taskbar. Further, upon reaching a second threshold limit, the system ungroups the application taskbar buttons, displays them on the taskbar and removes the group button from the taskbar.