Abstract: A method and system for identifying prospective sites in a remote network for which a user may have an affinity by detecting links to specific sites within sites previously accessed by a user, the remote network having multiple locations linked together based upon a commonality of subject matter. Initially, in response to user input, sites are accessed which contain links to other sites. Sites not previously accessed by the user are identified which have links contained within the accessed sites. Sites not previously accessed by the user are then prioritized according to the number of links contained within the accessed sites. Thereafter, the user is provided with an indication of the priority of sites not previously accessed by the user according to the number of links to each of the sites not previously accessed by the user contained within the accessed sites.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product, and method of debugging a computer program utilize a context sensitive breakpoint to conditionally halt execution of a computer program when the context of the computer program meets a predetermined criteria. The context of a computer program is defined by a calling history associated with the computer program that identifies, at any given instant during the execution of the computer program, the sequence of routines in the computer program that were called prior to reaching the instruction being processed at that given instant. By basing the determination of whether to interrupt processing of a computer program upon the calling history for the computer program, a computer programmer is given a great deal of flexibility in setting breakpoints that isolate the circumstances for which it is desired to induce stoppage of a computer program from other unwanted circumstances.

Abstract: A user interface component and method of using the same graphically display linked records with node display elements representing individual records, and optional link display elements representing the links therebetween. The user interface component may be automatically and dynamically generated during navigation between linked records, such that whenever a new link is taken from a record represented by a node display element, a new node display element is generated. In addition, the user interface component may further be configured to graphically represent the particular location of a particular link within a record, as well as a scroll display element associated with selected node display elements such that specific data or locations within the records associated therewith may be accessed. Moreover, the user interface component may also be configured to incorporate a retrieve progress display element that indicates a current status of a retrieve operation for a record.

Abstract: A web page exploration indicator displays to a user the degree of exploration for a web page or for one or more links on a web page. A user defines the manner for displaying exploration information according to a specified exploration criteria. The exploration criteria generally defines which links are taken into consideration when displaying the exploration information. For example, the exploration criteria may analyze links at the next level, may analyze links that have been traversed by the user, or may analyze links to a specified depth. According to the preferred embodiments, the web page exploration indicator provides a visual indication of the degree of exploration for each displayed web page and for each link on the displayed web page. In this manner a user can easily tell from visual indicators on the screen the degree of exploration for each page and for each link on each page.

Abstract: A user interface component and method of using the same navigate across a boundary coupled to a scroll bar display element only after user input to move a user control at least a predetermined distance beyond the boundary is received. A boundary may be defined within a scroll bar display element, or may be defined between a scroll bar display element and another display element (such as another scroll bar display element). By preventing navigation of a boundary until a predetermined distance beyond such boundary has been crossed, inadvertent user input which would otherwise result in accidental navigation of a boundary is disregarded.

Abstract: A user friendly method for regulating the media environment of a television viewer by controlling content displayed on the television. The method controls content in response to a viewer's profile, accumulated viewing time and at least one content classification source. A viewer's profile is provided by a user which determines guidelines for an individual viewer. Content classification values for television are received and stored in response to a viewer's request for viewing a program. The content classification values correspond to television program availability and values attributed to viewing time. The content classification values are categorized into desirable content and undesirable content. The viewer profile data associates a viewer with a content classification value. Thereafter, the quantity of time a viewer spends viewing desirable content and the quantity of time a viewer spends viewing undesirable content is determined.

Abstract: An intelligent method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for automated refreshing of internet web pages. Page data are stored including a record of page data values for each user selected internet web page. The page data values include at least one refresh interval, a last time refreshed and a last time accessed. A user request for refreshing an internet web page is received and the internet web page is refreshed. Utilizing the refreshed internet web page, checking for changes in the refreshed internet web page is performed. Then scanning the stored page data is performed and for each user selected internet web page, the stored refresh interval is compared with a current refresh time interval. For each user selected internet web page, responsive to the current refresh time interval being greater than the stored refresh time interval, the internet web page is refreshed.

Abstract: A user interface component and method of using the same graphically display linked records with node display elements representing individual records, and optional link display elements representing the links therebetween. The user interface component may be automatically and dynamically generated during navigation between linked records, such that whenever a new link is taken from a record represented by a node display element, a new node display element is generated. In addition, the user interface component may further be configured to graphically represent the particular location of a particular link within a record, as well as a scroll display element associated with selected node display elements such that specific data or locations within the records associated therewith may be accessed. Moreover, the user interface component may also be configured to incorporate a retrieve progress display element that indicates a current status of a retrieve operation for a record.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for a secondary scroll bar that yields increased granularity in scrolling through a viewable object, such as a document displayed within a window of a graphical user interface of a computer system. Initially, an icon is displayed within the graphical user interface which, when activated by a user, provides this secondary scroll bar. Next, the secondary scroll bar is displayed within the window in response to a selection of the icon by a user, wherein the secondary scroll bar allows a user to scroll through a narrowly defined region of the viewable object, in response to activation of the icon. Delimiter marks are also displayed within a primary scroll bar upon which the secondary scroll bar is dependent, in response to the selection by the user of the secondary scroll bar. The delimiter marks indicate a searchable range of the viewable object by the secondary scroll bar.

Abstract: A television presentation and editing system uses closed captioning text to locate items of interest. A closed captioning decoder extracts a closed captioning digital text stream from a television signal. A viewer specifies one or more keywords to be used as search parameters. A digital processor executing a control program scans the closed captioning digital text stream for words or phrases matching the search parameters The corresponding segment of the television broadcast may then be displayed, edited or saved. In one mode of operation, the television presentation system may be used to scan one or more television channels unattended, and save items which may be of interest to the viewer. In another mode of operation, the system may be used to assist editing previously stored video by quickly locating segments of interest.

Abstract: A censoring browser method and apparatus are provided for internet viewing. A user profile including user selected censoring parameters is stored. Data packet contents are received and compared with the user selected censoring parameters. Responsive to the comparison, the received data packet contents are processed and selectively displayed responsive to the user selected censoring parameters. The user selected censoring parameters includes user selected censored words and word fragments, and user selected categories. Compared word and word fragments matching user selected censored words and word fragments can be removed and selectively replaced with predefined characters or acceptable substitute words. Tallies of weights for user selected categories are accumulated and compared with used selected threshold values. A predefined message can be displayed responsive to an accumulated tally exceeding a user selected threshold value without displaying the received data packet contents.

Abstract: A pointing device support system is disclosed. The pointing device support system includes an infinitely adjustable pointing device support member having a clamp at one end for connecting the pointing device support system to a surface. A fingertip actuated pointing device, such as a trackball, is mounted to the other end of the support member. The support member is typically comprised of a snake-like tubing that can be conformed to and retain any number of positions to provide infinite adjustability. A pointing device support adapter is also provided adjacent the clamp. The support adapter is substantially parallel with the clamping surface and extends a length sufficient enough to provide the cable of the fingertip actuated pointing device with a section of protection.