Abstract: A presentation control system and method facilitates the interaction between a user and a presentation device. The user generates tangible sensible identification devices, which are linked to items to be displayed in a presentation. In use, the user places the tangible sensible identification-carrying device, in the sensible area of an identification sensing device. The identification sensing device reads a presentation element identification from the identification-carrying device and determines a presentation element identified by the presentation element identification. The presentation element is then displayed via a presentation display device.

Abstract: A configurable program explanation uses templates and transparent graphical user interfaces (TGUI). A transparent image is selected by a user and generated such that the user can see through the transparent image and view an application as it was before the transparent image was applied. Once the user has selected the item to be addressed by the TGUI, various levels of the TGUI can be selected to reveal additional information about the selected item. Each level of information may contain task-appropriate or skill-level-appropriate information about the selected application. The TGUI can be edited or otherwise customized by the user to reveal information deemed appropriate or more informative to future users. Information contained in the application for which the TGUI is applied may be incorporated into the TGUI, such as formulas or row and/or column headings from a spreadsheet. Information displayed in the transparent image may be textual or graphic, and may be static or animated.

Abstract: A presentation control system and method facilitates the interaction between a user and a presentation device. The user generates tangible sensible identification devices, which are linked to items to be displayed in a presentation. In use, the user places the tangible sensible identification-carrying device, in the sensible area of an identification sensing device. The identification sensing device reads a presentation element identification from the identification-carrying device and determines a presentation element identified by the presentation element identification. The presentation element is then displayed via a presentation display device.

Abstract: Tangible computing is the manipulation of real, physical objects to instruct and control computers. Computer programs can be created by manipulating physical objects that represent program language elements of a program or programming language. A tangible computing system calls for observation by a computer of a real, three-dimensional work space, where each physical object can be assigned a program language element. Assignment of attributes to, and/or movement of each real physical object results in the creation of a new program component. In this manner, a user can manipulate real, physical objects to create programs. Thus, the real world itself becomes a human-computer interface that allows a user to create programs and control digital processes.

Abstract: A computer-supported collaborative work environment allows for computer-mediated, multi-modal, asynchronous meetings in a virtual space that enables, recording, reviewing and augmenting meetings that take place in the virtual environment. Meeting participants interact via avatars, i.e., graphical representations of the participants, in a place-based, multi-dimensional graphical environment. Meeting sessions are captured for future replay and augmentation in a multi-modal document. The system utilizes multiple "tracks" in the multi-modal document, such as text discussion, audio commands, graphics, and documents, which are combined into the multi-modal document to preserve a recording of the meeting for future participants. The multi-modal document of this meeting can then be replayed and augmented by future participants ad infinitum to create a single, synchronous meeting.