Abstract: A computing system provides a graphical user interface having hierarchically-organized control galleries. The computing system displays the graphical user interface on a display device. The graphical user interface contains a document area and a control ribbon. The document area contains at least a portion of a document that a user is editing. The control ribbon includes a class control gallery. The class control gallery includes a plurality of class controls associated with different classes of related commands. The computing system displays a variation control gallery containing variation controls in a class associated with a selected one of the class controls. In response to a selection of a variation control in the variation control gallery, the computing system applies a command associated with the variation control to a document in the document area.

Abstract: One or more transition images are displayed during a transition period between a display of slides within a presentation. The displayed transition images include images of different slides that are contained within the presentation. The transition images provide the audience with a glimpse of slides that are displayed within the presentation. For example, the transition images may include images from previous and future slides that are contained within the presentation. The transition images may also be cached in order to more efficiently display the transition images during the transition period.

Abstract: Systems and methods that identify and extract information from articles are described. In one embodiment, a search engine implements a method comprising receiving a plurality of articles, and identifying at least a first article as a shopping article. The method can further comprise receiving a search query for an item, selecting the first article as associated with the search query, and identifying a first attribute associated with a first item relevant to the search query from the first article based at least in part on the search query.

Abstract: Media timeline interaction may be provided. An electronic presentation may comprise a media object. A user may select the media object within a presentation application and use an on-object user interface in conjunction with the application's user interface to modify the media object. The user may also display the modified media object within the presentation application.

Abstract: A unified user interface (“UI”) is provided that includes functionality for defining both simple and complex animations for an object. The unified UI includes a UI for defining a single animation for an object and a UI for defining a more complex animation. The UI for defining a single animation for an object includes a style gallery and an effects options gallery. The UI for defining two or more animations for a single object includes a style gallery for selecting two or more animation classes to be applied to an object, one or more user interface controls for specifying the timing and order of the two or more animations, and an on-object user interface (“OOUI”) displayed adjacent to each object for providing a visual indication of the two or more animations and for providing an indication when an animation includes two or more build steps.

Abstract: A packaging for a pharmaceutical product comprising a body portion (10) having an opening (24) for dispensing the pharmaceutical product; and a lid portion (12) adapted to seal the opening by means of a projection (20) adapted to be received in the opening of the body, wherein the projection is adapted to form a substantially airtight bore seal with the opening.

Abstract: A computer keyboard optimized for generating multi-color text documents is described. A standard keyboard includes a plurality of selected function keys that are programmed to change the document text color when activated. The function keys are displayed on a computer display screen and each of the selected keys further includes color indicia to indicate the new text color that results from activation of that key and all color changes can be performed at the same normal typing speed.

Abstract: A method of selling a health related product or service via the Internet provides a service provider system that includes a web server. The service provider system has members that purchase health related products and services through the service provider system. Applicants are enrolled in the service provider system as members. A product or service request message is received for a desired product or service from a member through a customer interface. The product or service request message includes a product or service identifier. The service provider system transmits a request for the desired product or service request to a supplier of the desired product or service. Points are recorded within a computer memory awarded to a member for purchases made by the member through the service provider system.

Abstract: Architecture that enhances the visual experience of a slide presentation by animating slide content as “actors” in the same background “scene”. This is provided by multi-layered transitions between slides, where a slide is first separated into “layers” (e.g., with a level of transparency). Each layer can then be transitioned independently. All layers are composited together to accomplish the end effect. The layers can comprise one or more content layers, and a background layer. The background layer can further be separated into a background graphics layer and a background fill layer. The transition phase can include a transition effect such as a fade, a wipe, a dissolve effect, and other desired effects. To provide the continuity and uniformity of presentation the content on the same background scene, a transition effect is not applied to the background layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods that improve search rankings for a search query by using data associated with queries related to the search query are described. In one aspect, a search query is received, a related query related to the search query is determined, an article (such as a web page) associated with the search query is determined, and a ranking score for the article based at least in part on data associated with the related query is determined. Several algorithms and types of data associated with related queries useful in carrying out such systems and methods are described.

Abstract: Systems and methods that improve search rankings for a search query by using data associated with queries related to the search query are described. In one aspect, a search query is received, a related query related to the search query is determined, an article (such as a web page) associated with the search query is determined, and a ranking score for the article based at least in part on data associated with the related query is determined. Several algorithms and types of data associated with related queries useful in carrying out such systems and methods are described.

Abstract: A segment ring menu is provided that is used to easily access menu items. The segment ring menu includes a number of menus that are located equidistant from an initial mouse position from where the segment ring menu is evoked. Hovering over any of the sections of the segment ring menu displays the menu items hosted in that section. The segment ring menu layout is directed at making it easy for the user to reach any of the menu items with a small amount of mouse movement.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for providing pre-paid rebate cards. The present invention may provide a rebate offer to a consumer in relation to a particular purchase. A consumer may then submit a request for redemption of the rebate. A rebate processing center may, among other rebate processing, validate the request for redemption from the consumer and notify a financial institution of the request. The financial institution may subsequently issue the pre-paid rebate card to the consumer. The financial institution may further fulfill payment obligations upon consumer use of the pre-paid rebate card. The present invention may include a three-party agreement between the merchant, the rebate processing center, and the financial institution. The agreement may also provide for the financial institution to indemnify the merchant and the rebate processing center from at least a portion of the risk and/or loss associated with the present system and method.

Abstract: Systems and methods that improve search rankings for a search query by using data associated with queries related to the search query are described. In one aspect, a search query is received, a population associated with the search query is determined, an article (such as a webpage) associated with the search query is determined, and a ranking score for the article based at least in part on data associated with the population is determined. Algorithms and types of data associated with a population useful in carrying out such systems and methods are described.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of providing a consumer with a rebate in exchange for the recycling of an electronic device. The method comprises receiving a rebate claim and an electronic device from a consumer, providing the consumer with a different and/or new electronic device with a service associated with the different and/or new electronic device, and transferring the monetary value of the rebate to the consumer. In some embodiments, the method comprises accessing client information associated with current cellular phone service clients and selecting target clients for providing rebate offers to based on the client information.

Abstract: A chopper and wide-spread impeller spreader that feeds crop residue from the chopper into the spreader at a specific upward angle to more fully utilize the momentum the crop residue achieves in the chopper. The spreader incorporates air intake holes and air fins above the impellers to keep crop residue moving through the impellers without plugging of discharge material. The chopper propels the residue upwardly into the spreader resulting in a wide-spread broadcast, while preventing crop residue from plugging the spreader.

Abstract: Methods and systems for verifying that devices in a network are properly connected physically are described. A listing is received from a device in the network. The listing identifies other devices coupled to the device and also identifies which communication port of the device each of the other devices is coupled to. The listing is compared against reference information representing the design of the network. Discrepancies between the listing and the reference information are identified.

Abstract: This invention confers to an interactive audio/video entertainment system providing video-on-demand (VOD) services the abilities to automatically adapt to viewers tastes and preferences and download in advance the most likely viewing choices of each user, thereby freeing the system and its users from the real-time throughput constraints and availability limitations of the audio/video distribution network. Viewers are presented with a virtual video-rental-store paradigm offering a locally stored, and therefore immediately available for rental, selection of audio/video programs tailored to each viewer on the basis of observation by the system, in a transparent fashion, of the viewer's past choices.

Abstract: A straw chopper for an agricultural harvesting unit includes a housing, and a rotor carried by the housing. The rotor includes a center chopping section and a pair of fans respectively positioned at longitudinally outboard ends of the center chopping section. Each fan includes a hub rotatable in a direction of rotation, and a plurality of fan blades connected with the hub at a plurality of angularly spaced locations about the hub. Each fan blade has a generally U-shaped portion with a rear wall and a pair of side walls extending from the rear wall in the direction of rotation.