Abstract: A computer system provides a data structure, a framework for the querying of that data structure, and a presentation layer responsible for the interactive manipulation of that data via the use of standards enabling the data to be replaced, or the presentation to be replaced, which produces a highly customizable interactive presentation of data via re-used modules. The computer system includes a database and database access module to support information about sets of members of an organization with static and time-varying information. The computer system provides an application programming interface that abstracts the re-usable aspects of the database and also provides a set of functions that streamline the development of new visual presentations of that data.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically producing arrangements of two-dimensional extents in a computer-based editing or animation environment is presented. The method consists of defining a set of objects having two or more dimensions automatically calculating and presenting an arrangement of send objects, and optionally iterating to produce alternative arrangements. The arrangements may use templates to guide the selection of sizes, border colors and transparency, rotation, and other attributes of the contained regions.

Abstract: A computer system for supporting multiple hierarchically defined online stores includes a capability for an administrator of an online store to push information from a parent store to one or more child stores, and to pull information from a parent store to a child store. The administrator instructs the computer system what information is to be propagated, and to what extent that information is propagated. The computer system manages conflicts that can arise from the propagation of information from the parent store to the child store.

Abstract: A user may position a graphic object in a layout and the computer automatically knocks out frames to accommodate it. In implementation, a panel or panel set also may allow occluded or overlapping frames to be knocked out automatically in response to a user positioning an object in the layout in the graphical user interface. The computer determines from the size, position and orientation of the object which frames in a panel are overlapping or occluded, marks them as knocked out, and rearranges objects in the panel. As a result, the other images on the page appear to flow around the occluding or overlapping frame. Any textual labels or other information displayed for the occluded or overlapping frames also can be suppressed. A user can overlay as many occluding or overlapping objects as desired over a panel.

Abstract: A method and computer graphics program executed by a processor is described for producing an optimal view of a graphical object within a containing framed region. The program includes instructions for interactively specifying the subset of a graphical object visible within a containing region; to specify the region, the user manipulates visual control objects, or handles, representing the extent of the source image visible within the containing region. The handles determine the position of the corners of the source image that are mapped to the containing region; the result of the manipulation is an apparent expansion or decimation of the contained image within the unchanging on-screen frame.

Abstract: A method and computer program executed by a processor is described for visually distributing a multiplicity of data objects within a visual computing environment. The user directly manipulates a cursor using a pointing device such as a computer mouse to sequentially indicate where a plurality of objects are to be positioned: these objects are presented as visual controls attached to the cursor, providing feedback as to the identification, order, and number of objects to be distributed. As the user indicates the desire to place the next-to-be dropped object (for example by clicking a button on the computer mouse), that object is dropped at the current cursor position, the representation of that object removed from the set of visual controls attached to the cursor, and the subsequent objects to be dropped advanced by one. The user may optionally re-order the objects to be dropped prior to actually dropping them, and may optionally exit and return to the dropping mode at any time.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically producing arrangements of two-dimensional extents in a computer-based editing or animation environment is presented. The method consists of defining a set of objects having two or more dimensions, automatically calculating and presenting an arrangement of said objects, and optionally iterating to produce alternative arrangements. The arrangements may use templates to guide the selection of sizes, border colors and transparency, rotation, and other attributes of the contained regions.